Top Popped While (Walmart!) Boondocked?

[jkallo]

This is an eternal "topic of discussion" between my co-pilot and me: when you're boondocking in a parking lot, is popping the top acceptable? I figured it would be best to turn to the community (y'all, not the one the parking lot is in, obviously) to resolve the issue. To make this as scientifically accurate as possible, let's limit the location to walmart parking lots.

(I say it's not acceptable. Y'all don't let me down now.)
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I'm Joe
The bus is Gus, the 1982 Westy Diesel 1.6na

[dobryan]

I replied 'yes' but with a qualifier. I have had to overnight in a few Wally lots while on the road needing to get somewhere and didn't have the time to get to a real campsite (or it was too late). If the lot is obviously friendly to RV's and has a few in the back corner then I have no issue parking near that area and popping the top. If it does not have an obvious RV presence then I leave the top down so as not to attract attention since not all Wally lots these days allow overnight stays. YMMV.
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[Steve M.]

If in doubt stealth mode is best.
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[danfromsyr]

X's 2 same here..

if there's RVs with their slide outs out.. yes.

if yer alone in the dark.. then nope..

[J Charlton]

Nope. no need to. :D :D :D

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[dobryan]

[jkallo]

Interesting! Well maybe I need to rethink things.

We use allstays.com (and the app, which is better) to identify wallys (and other boondocking spots) that are RV friendly. It's usually places with a bunch of tourist traffic that tend to have no sleeping in vehicle ordinances. I have been under the impression that even in the RV friendly places, it's not cool to pop the top (or open slides if you're in an RV). I'll take a closer look at what the RVs do.
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I'm Joe
The bus is Gus, the 1982 Westy Diesel 1.6na

[pablum]

That title sure had me confused. I was all "Why not pop the the top, you are boondocking after all."

I'm pretty sure if you are in a parking lot it's not boondocking. It's urban camping. Still a euphemism, but without another catch-all word or phrase it's what we have.
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[dhaavers]

Edit title to specify "Walmart"...???

- Dave

PS: Stealth whenever possible...
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[Yondermtn]

I don't see the problem with popping the top in a Walmart lot or other approved overnight parking/sleeping spot.
If security was a concern then maybe no pop.


While parking overnight in a place not specifically approved then would not raise the flag.....er.....pop the top.
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1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto

[jkallo]

[Sodo]

Agreed if there are bluehairs with slide-outs yes. If the road folks are drinking & shouting (Missoula) then no,,,, wanna be ready to roll.
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[newfisher]

Stealth and Walmart camping are 2 different things.

Wally World or other retail stores/lots that allow overnight guests in a parking lot atmosphere like truck stops etc---yes

Stealth camping on the street, next to a business, neighborhood, police station etc. NO hence the word STEALTH

[bobbyblack]

I think it boils down to the other side of the equation:

Signs nearby saying "Hard sided camping units only"
OR
Urban Jungle, beware.
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[pablum]

[blackglasspirate]

I've stayed in quite a few Walmart lots (and been kicked out of two). I've never popped the top just because I want to draw as little attention to myself as possible. I just try to blend in with everyone else...at least, as much as it's possible to do that in a Vanagon...
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[simonslp]

Yes!

Or at least I used to, before I went permapopped.

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[levi]

Beautiful syncro right there Simon
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[jkallo]

We're giving a popped top a shot tonight! As far as wally camping goes, this place is pretty nice. So many fireflies.
_________________
I'm Joe
The bus is Gus, the 1982 Westy Diesel 1.6na

[Ahwahnee]

My Wally Mart tip - when I use one for a night's stay I park back by the Auto Center.

They close about 7:00 and the area is too small for the big trucks and RVs to park there.

I never pop the top and have never had a problem - though there are some municipalities that do not allow overnight parking even if the merchant is okay with it (e.g. Yuma, Arizona).