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I'm willing to bet the decline is due to what's mentioned in the article, decline in general etiquette of people. A lot of people these days have zero respect for anything but themselves, leaving a mess everywhere they go.
But parking at Walmart (WMT) is getting harder to find. In 2010, about 78% of Walmart stores allowed overnight RV parking. Now, it's close to 58%, according to Jim O'Briant, who runs OvernightRVParking.com, a website that tracks more than 14,000 free RV parking locations in the United States and Canada.
This presents a problem for scores of self-proclaimed nomads just looking for a place to settle after dark. "RVers looking for a place to park overnight for one night will need to find other places," O'Briant said.
Once upon a time the people in RV's were almost all white bread house proud suburban types on a short vacation trip
... the rest were almost all their retiree parents on a longer vacation trip or seasonal relocation.
The exceptions to this norm were rare. Now they're not.
Last edited by MrRational; 08-06-2020 at 03:25 AM..
I'm willing to bet the decline is due to what's mentioned in the article, decline in general etiquette of people. A lot of people these days have zero respect for anything but themselves, leaving a mess everywhere they go.
I agree, the other thing is they park where they should not park. Went to the local Wally's on Tuesday, and two large motorhome, both pulling large trailers were parked right up close to the doors parallel to the lanes, taking up multiple parking spots.
Saw manager coming out to talk with them. Common sense would have been to park far away.
Here's a list of locations that allow or don't allow parking. But I do not believe it is accurate.
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Usually it is the community that will not allow it, sometimes for safety / zoning / threat of competition to neighboring commercial RV parks.
Urban areas become a magnet for homeless, /abuse of overnight privilege.
Many Walmart stays are being abused by truckers (Who are also being further restricted by communities and zoning)
There are at least 25 semi trucks every night at my local walmart, and it is not next to an interstate highway.
Popular places like Page, AZ, Cody, WY... Walmart parking can be FULL of RV's.
Travelers can also use other businesses for overnight stays. and soon, a lot more vacant business parking lots.
I do a lot of 'stealth camping' while in transit, rarely at a business.
Not only Wllmart allows it. Many sports superstores (Bass, DIcks and the like), some clubs like Masons, some municialities, all kinds of places allow free one night stopovers as long as you stay within reason (do nto put out slides, set up chairs or a barbecue
Once upon a time the people in RV's were almost all white bread house proud suburban types on a short vacation trip
... the rest were almost all their retiree parents on a longer vacation trip or seasonal relocation.
The exceptions to this norm were rare. Now they're not.
Have to agree. I'm in the retiree group - and have a small travel trailer - but have never opted for a overnight @ Walmart. I have used truck parking lots on the interstate (allowed by Pilot,TA/Loves). I've used a Cracker Barrel a couple of times. Using these places are repelling though - usually loud, poor sleep, hot and uncomfortable.
Sadly these transient folks using Walmart draw other issues for the business including trashing the parking lot, leaving junk, attracting crime maybe, making the parking lot unattractive. It probably isn't worth the business that RVers might bring to their stores through purchases.
No Walmarts will be tough for some fulltimers as the price of commercial RV parks isn't getting cheaper.
I think the last Walmart parking lot I overnighted in was the one in Barstow last year. There were many other RVs there when I arrived, so I assumed it was OK. We were all as far from the store as one could get, right next to the dirt lot where the truckers parked.
The next time, only a few months later, there were no RVs there and a security vehicle was conspicuously parked in front of the store. I didn't need to be told twice. I continued on my way and spent the night at the Love's truck stop in Tehachapi.
Not only Wllmart allows it. Many sports superstores (Bass, DIcks and the like), some clubs like Masons, some municialities, all kinds of places allow free one night stopovers as long as you stay within reason (do nto put out slides, set up chairs or a barbecue
Yes, I recall the Elks Lodge in Hollister, CA has a lot with electric and water hookups just for its RVing members.
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