'Camping' at Walmarts, Casinos, Hospitals

kamzcab86 · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:03 pm Post subject:

Know before you go: http://www.allstays.com/c/wal-mart-locations.htm .
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DAIZEE · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 2:21 pm Post subject:

I'm going to be quite a bit chauvinistic here. I always play "oh I'm sorry I didn't know" and most often I get no hassles and perhaps that is because I am a female and I don't know why but most people think I need taken care of. So I just be polite and don't know and then I ask a whole pile of questions and usually I get, okay, I'll come around every once in awhile and check on you.

Is that using my gender to my benefit, you betcha. Most people find it amazing that I travel so far away by myself. Hey use it if you have it!!!
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
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brent239 · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:11 pm Post subject:

generally nicer neighborhoods are safer, bad neighborhoods means police patrols. rest areas if your comfortable with confrontations, ive never been bothered by truckers, even will give me there free showers. most truck stops are great overnighters theres cameras and people always moving where as rest stops are kinda spooky late at night.
never bothered at a walmart, walmart doesnt disapprove either, all the info you could ever need here as well. yes there is no park walmarts listed on there site, 15 page pdf, nice resource thats free. http://www.walmartatlas.com/

Its not as bad out as everybody makes it out to be. just be smart about it
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88 westy suby 2.5

Gauche1968 · Samba Member Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518

Ahwahnee · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:27 pm Post subject:

We use Wal-Marts for those nights when we've covered a lot of ground (drove until late) and need a fast start in the a.m. Occasionally you will encounter a city that does not allow it (Yuma, AZ for example) this may be because they fear they would have people living there all winter.

There are no signs saying 'RVs park here' so we usually park back by the automotive center. That department closes about 7pm and it is usually too small an area for the big trucks to park. The biggest nuisance at a Wal-Mart is having a big truck park next to you and leave its engine running all night.

As for rest areas -- seems few are patrolled and they do attract some strange people. For a cautionary tale I'm sure many here recall the tragic story of VW owner Kristin Laurite...

http://www.kristinlaurite.org/index.php?op=modload...amp;page=1

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 7:21 pm Post subject:

My first foray into a WM sleep-over was last year not far south of Olympia WA at a 24 hour (IIRC) store. I had done my homework so knew it was overnight friendly. Still I went and asked at the desk. Parked near an RV. It was "ok" but at 12 or so, shortly after I finally got to sleep, some yutz (a yout likely) walked by my Westy and yelled at the RR corner right near my head. Rolling Eyes

Then I heard a car leave. Thankfully I didn't bolt upright and bang my head on the rear storage! No biggie but....

Seems the key is flexibility. A GPS (with up to date maps) would be killing for this if used properly. If you had a list of compliant WM's or w.h.y.'s ahead of time, just scan the POI's as you roll along. Much easier to execute plan A, B, or C.

Neil.
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JunkYarDog · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

vanjoe · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject:

In California you can stay at a rest stop for 8 hours. That is the law here. It is posted at each rest stop. Truck stops are another good place. I have stayed at quite a few and have never had problems. The Wal Mart stay is definately hit and miss depending on the city.
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1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

"Back to the basics!"

jackbombay · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 9:05 pm Post subject:

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: A

I've squatted a few times at walmarts, Petco's in our Class A...never hasled, but my wife is paranoid about getting jailed or something.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

westy has taken the place of our pace arrow, squatting should be a little lower profile now Very Happy

Vanagonner · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject:

Yes, WM when I'm making miles and leaving early.
I am curious to try stealth camping in a city sometime (if needed) near a nicer apartment complex (anonymity) or perhaps by a VW repair garage...
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'82 Westy 1.6 D
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DAIZEE · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:12 pm Post subject:

I can't remember ever being hassled, when I've been approached i've played dumb and pleasant and gotten away with it. I think that in the States it is much easier but I've never done on street parking. I don't think there are as many places in Canada to do it.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

kamzcab86 · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:16 pm Post subject:

vanjoe · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:59 pm Post subject:

There are postings at our Wal Mart in Arroyo Grande. There is no overnight parking allowed. It isn't Wal Mart that is not allowing it, it is our community. This is a heavy tourist area. There are an extreme amount of people that come here with motorhomes,etc. etc. The Wal Mart parking lot would be full of campers if they didn't have this ordinence. If you go 20 miles to Santa Maria they won't let people camp at that Wal Mart either. The store doesn't care it is the cops that will run you out of there. I don't know their reasoning. I have stayed in the parking lot in Bakersfield and Marysville, CA Wal Marts with no problem. This is just my experience so it definately sounds like geographics is a huge factor.
_________________
1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

"Back to the basics!"

kamzcab86 · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 7:18 am Post subject:

jackbombay · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 8:16 am Post subject:

jackbombay · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 8:55 am Post subject:

Home Team Van · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:39 pm Post subject:

vanjoe · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

Kamzcab86 that is a pretty good point. When I lived in Nor Cal I did see exactly what you are talking about. There were some people that resided there for months on end. I have only spent the night. I am glad we have the ordinence that we have because of what I mentioned in my post last night. Parking at our Wal Mart is already bad enough now that they opened an In n Out Burger in the same parking lot. Very Happy

_________________
1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

"Back to the basics!"


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