5/7/2023 0 Comments Boondocking apps![]() Technically yes, we could feed the kids in through the little access door in their bedroom but really? Like they’re going to go back outside using that door and then come back in the main trailer door to use the potty? Fumbling around with a key at 2:30 AM? Legs Up or Down? Without the slides out the bunkhouse bedroom is inaccessible from inside the rig. We need to put our slides out in order to use our RV. Maybe their RV is useful for the two of them with all the slides in. The RV world is dominated by retired couples with 2 little dogs traveling in large Class A motorhomes. I respect the arrangement.īut here’s the thing. I don’t want to “setup camp” or live there for a week. Not putting your slides out is one of the suggested “rules” for boondocking at Walmart. We.I know this is tough to swallow…we actually put out our slides while boondocking at Walmart.ĭid you hear that? That was the sound of our membership papers to several RV clubs being shredded. I will park in these with my driver’s side to the inside of the row.īecause our trailer slide-outs are on the driver’s side and I want to put them out. My second choice is at the end of a row of spaces, parked across them lengthwise. I want to park with the driver’s side of the truck on the outside of the lot. ![]() Our ideal Walmart parking spot is along an edge, away from traffic, with some distance from other RVs. Pick Your Spot and Goĭriving into the Walmart lot we first scan the perimeter and look for spots. We have never been asked to leave a Walmart once setup. If the app doesn’t make it clear that this is a popular Walmart for RVers, and if there aren’t already rigs in place, we will go in and ask before setting up. If we get to the Walmart and there are 6 other RVs (or semis) already setup we don’t bother inquiring. If the app leads us to think it’s a popular spot to boondock we don’t bother calling. The general consensus in the RV world is that you should always call or talk with the store manager before tucking in for the night. If it’s listed as RV friendly, has good reviews and looks close to our route we’ll try it. We find a store using the app and read the reviews. It lists each Walmart and indicates if it’s RV friendly or not. We start with the Allstays Camp and RV app. The decision is left to the local stores and governed by local ordinances. While that sounds like the punchline to the old “how do you become a Millionaire joke” the reality is not all Walmarts allow overnight parking. You can read the Walmart Policy for yourself and see that it has no mention of what others claim as “rules”. These are, in fact, just more formalized opinions. There are organizations out there that suggest they have created rules for staying overnight at Walmart. There are many opinions on how to do this in the RV world and we don’t agree with all of them. Here’s our basic process for boondocking at Walmart. Other than folks taking their dogs out or stepping into the Walmart to buy something we almost never see the people from the other RVs. We have only seen people out socializing if they happen to be traveling as a group. We have never seen anyone with an awning out, chairs out, or cooking food outside their rig. People park their RV’s in a Walmart parking lot and sleep for the night. We have seen people referring to this as “Camping at Walmart”. After a long first day on the road we just want to roll in, sleep for the night and head out again for the second day. Walmarts are an attractive option when we have two travel days in a row. RVs are usually self-contained so don’t need hookups for a simple overnight rest. Walmarts are easy to find and are usually highly accessible. By not paying for a campsite overnight you keep ~$30 in your pocket. Why Do They Do It?īudget and convenience. ![]() Mostly it’s your average RVer on the move from one region of the country to another. We’ve also seen motorcoaches that look to be home for the latest top-40 star. ![]() We’ve seen battered rigs in Walmart parking lots that didn’t look like they could move under their own power. What’s that all about? Can anyone do that? Is it legal? Who Does This?Ī Walmart parking lot is a great demographic equalizer. In the midst of looking around for campgrounds it strikes you - there are always RVs parked at the local Walmart. It’s been a long day and you need a few hours sleep. Subscribe to these audio posts using iTunes or RSS ![]()
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