One of the hottest topics on this list is the emotional question of Wal-Mart. No, not whether we should shop there, for that goes without saying! The debate concerns parking (or camping) in Wally's parking lot. (Note: most of the posts in this FAQ refer to Wal-Mart, but the arguments would apply to parking on any private property.) Should we do it at all? Is it our right or a privilege? If we do it, what restrictions apply? And if we don't do it, should we slit the tires of those who do? And what about parking overnight in truck stops? Are we interfering with the big guys? Get the impression that this question generates a lot of emotion? You are right!

Some of our members feel that only emergency parking should be allowed. One member summarized most of these arguments when he wrote:

0. This is private property!
1. If you can't afford to RV, stay home. If you RV on your vacation - plan ahead! Plan your days drive and your stops; make reservations. (We met a man who is a free-lance writer who bragged about not only staying two days in a Cracker Barrel, but who had the audacity to hook up to their electricity!)
2. You are imposing on the good will of the company. If we impose on their goodwill, their parking lots may not be available for emergencies.
3. Shopping in an establishment does not entitle you to the use of their property as a free campground (no matter how much you buy!).
4. It could be unsafe.

Another member added comments about using truck stops in the same way. They have truckers in the family, so these folks are in a position to know.

0. If the truck stop has separate areas for RVs and trucks, please be sure to park in the RV section. Leave the "truck" area for trucks !
1. If there is not a separate area, please go to a campground !! The drivers are legally allowed to be on the road for only a certain number of hours. If they pull into a truck stop and there are no spots available for them to park, they either need to park on the roadside or continue to the next truck stop...neither of which is safe.
2. Truck drivers are trying to earn a living by being on the road. If RVs have taken up the spots at truck stops and truckers cannot pull in there, then they are risking both their lives and the lives of everyone around them on the road by driving tired, having to continue on because of lack of parking spaces.
3. This is mainly a problem in smaller truck stops. SOME truckers are upset whenever they see an RV in a truck stop...but to most drivers, it doesn't make a difference if there are RVs in the truck stops as long as there is plenty (and I do mean 'plenty') of room for trucks...because while it might look like there are spots - most RVers are pulling in at a decent time of night, while most truckers who are going to' spend the night don't get there until much later...and find the spots gone.)
4. A camper can stay in a truck stop, but a truck usually can't stay in a campground. It really ticks the drivers off when they see this big MH worth big bucks, taking up one of their spots, just so the owner can save a few dollars. Don't forget...these truckers are trying to earn a living.

On the other side of the fence is this response: "Since Wal-Mart's corporate policies favor allowing RVers to park overnight where local ordinances permit, as a courtesy/inducement, I see no reason why individuals who desire to take advantage of the benefit should not do so. We have never yet chosen to do so ourselves and have a dim view of those who abuse the privilege by "camping" for days at a time, but we tend to think it's a perfectly reasonable alternative for those just passing through and looking for a few hours' shuteye with no facilities."

Most who took this side of the question agreed that long-term parking was a "no-no," but the ability to boondocks at Wal-Mart or other private facilities was a great convenience for those who are either having to pinch a few pennies on their journey or just want a place to spend the night before heading on. One member explained the position that he and many others share:

"I am not sure what the word 'camping' means to everyone, but for us, it means using our motorhome. Ours is fully self-contained. Wherever it can go, we can camp. We prefer independent camping in the motorhome for many positive reasons, but on the negative side, because we don't like motels/hotels, we don't like making reservations or keeping schedules, and we especially don't like organized events for the over-60 set, such as the usual entertainment at campground or the swimming pool aerobics, all of which are oriented toward seniors. There is nothing wrong with that, or them; it is just that, for us, that's not fun.

"We use our RV because we value a special kind of freedom, what we would think of as exercising our free and independent spirit Ð a joy of life that does not depend upon someone else making our beds for us or taking care of us. When we bought our RV, one of our chief criterion was self-sufficiency, and by definition, that means the ability to stay OUT of campgrounds.

"Some people have 100 gallon water tanks and travel around with no more than 20 gallons, because they do not want to carry the extra weight, and 20 is all they will need until they get to the next campground. We keep our tank full.

"It is certainly easier to pull into a Wal-Mart parking lot at about 5 or 6 PM, do dinner, maybe watch TV for a while and go to bed than it is to FIND a campground, go through the hassle at the desk (or worse try finding a space after closing or after dark), hook up hoses, etc., and then unhook the next morning

"As to what is fun, we actually prefer to park at a Wal-Mart or some similar place for a night rather than look up a campground out of the book, find it someplace off the highway (the ones on the highway are often noisier than rest areas), and then try to fit into some last-choice space, especially after dark. We really, really prefer the Wal-Mart or casino or whatever. If we wanted a campground instead, Lord knows we can afford it.

"If I were to make a list of our worst camping/RVing experiences, many would be campground related, such as the night when a very strange and nearly naked man came banging at our door after 11 PM, asking to borrow a flash light, because he said he had lost his keys, or the constant noise of dozens of motorcycles gathered to celebrate Memorial Day, or the CG with no electricity, or the CG with no water, or the CG that had a backed up sewer.

We remember with real pleasure our stay at the Wal-Mart in Hood River, Oregon where we pulled in one night when it was raining cats and dogs. We never had to get out of the rig. I remember we had pasta for dinner and watched television (roof mount) with the rain beating down on the roof. Another night, we were out in Nevada, where the Wal-Mart was up on a hill overlooking the desert. We met two ladies in a class B, who were experienced travelers, with a poodle that supposedly didn't like men. And how about last May when we crossed Vail pass at 10,600 feet and -- wondering how it would be to spend the night at such an altitude -- we found a snowmobile loading area that was restricted to 48 hour parking (we both had headaches the next morning, but the cats slept more soundly than they ever have before)."

What does Wal-Mart say about all this? In an email they sent one member, their customer service department said, "While we do not offer electrical service or the accommodations typically necessary for recreational vehicle motorist, Wal-Mart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers.

"Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots, as we are able. That is determined on a store-by-store basis, and is contingent upon local regulations, as well as parking lot space. It is our intention to satisfy the needs of all our customers, and our RV customers are no exception.

"If you would like to send us your name and complete mailing address, we can send you a map that lists all our locations throughout the United States."

Many other businesses have similar policies. Some Cracker Barrels, for example, take the position that RVers offer greater store security by parking in their lots, and. flea markets and casinos like the business they bring. Not all store, on the other hand, welcome RVers with open arms. Some post signs announcing, "No Overnight Parking Allowed" and others will simply ask you to move if you look as if you are spending the night.

Even if the business in question has no objections, however, they are not in business as a campground. They are offering this as a courtesy to their customers, and we must respond in kind. While there is no official list of rules, most members would recommend a list like this one:

0. Park your RV as far away from the entrances/exits to the store as possible, both for your comfort and so you won't inconvenience other vehicles.
1. Shop at the store where you park your RV overnight to show your appreciation for their allowing overnight parking.
2. Pick up trash where you park your rig, even though it may have been left by others.
3. When possible, ask the store personnel if it is OK to park your RV in the parking lot.
4. Thank the store personnel for their cooperation.
5. Take your garbage with you.
6. Please confine your stay to no longer than 12 hours. In case of an urgent need, contact the store manager for an extension.
7. If possible, help the store employees by rounding up some of the shopping carts.
8. Don't set out lawn chairs or barbeques as if the parking lot was a campsite.
9. Don't dump wastewater on the parking lot.
10. Don't open your awnings.
11. Don't plug into electrical outlets without permission. If you must plug in and do get permission, offer to pay.
12. If the store asks you not to park overnight, don't argue with them. Some communities have regulations that prohibit this and the store may have no choice.

In regards to truck stops, a few folks argue that if the truck stops want to restrict RVers that they need to post a sign accordingly. After all, truckers can stay at a Wal-Mart if they want to (though they don't have the on-board facilities that we do and so can't be as independent) and some do stop at campgrounds. Most agreed, however, that the truckers do have priority at the truck stops.

To park or not to park? That is indeed your question. If you decide staying in a parking lot is not your style, don't condemn those who choose otherwise, at least as long as they are acting like responsible guests. And if you do choose to park, remember that these businesses are granting us a favor and respond accordingly.