Last updated on April 27th, 2009 at 07:03 pm
Ask permission. There’s an old RV joke about asking permission. – An RVer asks security guard at a mall if it’s okay to park overnight. The guard says no. The RVer asks how about all the other RVs parked there. The guard answers, ‘they didn’t ask.’
The point is, use your judgment. If you see other RVers there it’s probably okay for you to park too. If you’re the only one and your not sure it’s okay ask permission. You really don’t want security or the police to knock on your door telling you to move in the middle of the night.
Don’t abuse the privilege, make it just an overnight stay and for only a few hours. Our guideline is that you should never stay longer than 12 hours but 10 would be better. If you park at 8:00 P.M. you should be gone by 6:00 A.M. And you should leave by 10:00 A.M. regardless of how long you’ve been there.
If the parking lot is small you should leave before the business opens. Also keep in mind that night time is when most parking lots are swept and other landscape maintenance is done so it’s always good to ask for permission to park there.
Be discreet. Please, no awnings, lawn chairs, BBQs and such. If you want to ‘camp’ go where it’s allowed.
Show your appreciation. If you stay overnight at a truck stop buy your fuel there. If you stay at a restaurant have dinner or breakfast or both. You get the idea.
Read more about Overnighting at Wal-Mart & Other Places
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We always ask ahead of time. I have the Wal-Mart 800 number (800-925-6278)on speed dial, then all you need to know is the zip code where you want to land. It’ll give you the address and phone number. I call, ask to speak to the manager and have never been told no. They will often tell you where to park (if they do, it’s always in ther perimeter somewhere), but if we get in late enough, we always see other rigs there.
And, yes, we then do our shopping. When we stay at Wal-Mart, we like to call it, “Chez Sam.”
Before overnighting at a truck stop, make sure they don’t have separate RV parking. Some do, and they’re very particular about it.