Wal-Mart "camping" with a popup
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2000
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Topic: Wal-Mart "camping" with a popup
Posted By: techntrek
Subject: Wal-Mart "camping" with a popup
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 4:24pm
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We'll be heading to Maine in a little less than 2 weeks (the combined family reunion and NE 'pod get-together posted elsewhere). We will be caravaning up with my parents who have a popup. We've talked about leaving Tuesday night instead of Wednesday morning, but that will require a stopover somewhere. I suggested Wal-Mart, we've stayed there several times over the last few months, twice in the 'pod and once in our minivan. They are fine with that, but I got to thinking today. Its one thing to shut out the light and some of the noise in our cozy 'pods (or a van), and its also easy to not look obvious that you are staying overnight, but its another thing to set up a popup.
I spent some time today browsing the net on the wisdom of doing this, and this is what I gathered. The official Wal-Mart overnight policy is its up to the local managers and the policy only uses the word "RV". No differentiation between travel trailers, popups and motorhomes. I also found posts from people that have done it. Plus many others from people that wouldn't do it.
We never did this with our popup. We never went more than a few hours away so we didn't have a need. I'm not sure if I would have. Its not like camping in a hard sided vehicle is really any more or less secure than in a popup (or even most homes). The location might be more or less secure to some degree - even then some nut could drive into the lowest crime district and go on a rampage. A popup does go somewhat against the "look like you are parked" unwritten rule of Wal-Mart camping. Excuse the train-of-thought rambling....
So, has anyone here done it with a popup? If you had one, would you? ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Replies:
Posted By: BIG BEAR
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 5:33pm
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if i was traveling with other people,and they were there to . i would throw my pop up . up. wouldnt bother me a bit. but not alot does. ------------- LIFE DOESNT WAIT. ENJOY IT. THE ALIEN CRAFT 2011 SURVEYOR SPORT TOYOTA FJ CRUISER |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 9:44pm
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I once asked our local Walmart manager about the whole rv in the parking lot thing. he told me that "strictly speaking", the policy is that rv's are allowed to park overnight or during inclement weather but that they are not supposed to "set up" as if they were at a campground.
I suppose every Walmart is a bit different. MJ ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 10:25pm
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I thought I read on maybe rvbasics or might have been the yahoo walmart camping group perhaps. But I could swear I've read that if any manager were to turn you down you're supposed to call the main office and alert them because it's walmarts general policy that they will always allow you to stay? I know I've read where some walmarts won't let you though. Hmmmm. Anyways, yuh I'd throw the pUp up without worry! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2011 at 4:00am
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Some towns won't allow over night parking so a Walmart wouldn't be allowed to let people stay. I have seen a lot of pop ups using them so that isn't a problem. What they don't want is for people to set up camp there. That means don't put out awnings, BBQ grills etc. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: BarneyM
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2011 at 10:00am
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What about rest stops? I know I've seen truckers and large RVs stay overnight. Although I guess Wal-Mart would be better in case you got hungry, you've got a huge store to shop at unless it's not open 24-hours. ------------- Barney - Looking for http://www.braunability.com/ - handicap van that can tow R-Pod 171 |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2011 at 4:36am
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There isn't many states that allow overnight stops in rest areas. Some have real nice ones. Truck stops often have overnight places just for RV's and a separate one for trucks. In a Walmart parking lot park as far away as you can from the store. Put you camper as close as you can to the curb so that your slide out goes out over the grass. That way you don't have to worry about someone hitting it. Always ask even if there are other campers there. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |