Parking lot camping

[hotrod51]

We are spending a night in a Cabela's parking lot this summer. We have never done this before, any tips, should does, should not does . Will a load test on the battery be sufficient to check the battery?

[Flyrotor]

One night in a parking lot will not even phase your batteries, especially during the summer. Of course, you will not have any air condition, but your fridge and lights will be just fine.

[norty1]

Suggest you spend some money in Cabels's.

[tlhdoc]

Enjoy yourself. The Cabelas I have been to have water and a dump station.

[hotrod51]

Originally Posted by norty1

Suggest you spend some money in Cabela's.

My wife doesn't like my son and I to go to Cabela's because we spend way to much money anyway

[Jagiven]

One of my coworkers told me a few weeks ago they stopped at a Cabella’s a year or so ago, and was pleasantly surprised, when a worker showed up will a pile of store coupons, including free meals at their restaurant and FREE power hook up (30A).

[RoyBraddy]

Whenever we stay at these kinds of places we always check-in with the store management and let them know we are there.

Roy Ken

[yooperfan]

Some, or maybe all, Walmarts allow overnight stops like that also.

[oobedoob]

Originally Posted by yooperfan

Some, or maybe all, Walmarts allow overnight stops like that also.

I know our Walmart has signs stating NO overnight parking. I've heard that's a city by-law thing though, but not sure. The Home Depot also does not allow overnight parking but doesn't enforce it usually. Might be a hit-or-miss type deal but if you show up late enough by the time they come to kick you out it's morning and you are leaving anyway, right?

[yooperfan]

I parked my truck at the Wal-Mart in Marquette Mi. one night when I needed a place to rest for a few hours. I knew RVs stayed there some times, so I knew it was ok. I guess it's hit or miss with each town having their own rules about such things.

[kjohn73]

It's usually a town bylaw that prevents staying in a parking lot. I don't have enough experience to have ver run across that. I did get bumped out of my spot one night in Prince Albert. A young fellow knocked on the door, very apologetic, asking if I could move to the other side of the driveway. They were sweeping the Walmart lot that night and he thought it would be quieter for me.

[xkuzme1]

I recommend casino overnighting. Security is great and they are usually most accommodating.

X

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by kjohn73

... I did get bumped out of my spot one night in Prince Albert. A young fellow knocked on the door, very apologetic, asking if I could move to the other side of the driveway. They were sweeping the Walmart lot that night and he thought it would be quieter for me.

LOL

We stayed at a Walmart parking lot for the first time last Friday night in Minot ND. We rolled in at 9:45pm and spoke with the store manager. He stated it is company policy that we need to park on the outskirts of the lot and be gone by 8 am. No big deal. But at 10 pm on a Friday I could not believe how busy the place was, the store and lot was just packed. As I told my DW as we settled down for the night, this should be the worst parking lot we will ever camp in. Sometime during the night the street sweeper came through. We were sleeping on the dinette and my head was over the cargo hold door. I could not believe how loud that street sweeper was. The sound was just reverberating in that spot. The worst part was the sweeper kept coming past the TT. For the price, I could not complain too much. I am sure I will park in another parking lot again; I may just have to find a quieter lot.

[ktbarrentine]

Originally Posted by yooperfan

Some, or maybe all, Walmarts allow overnight stops like that also.

If you google "overnight parking at Walmart" you will hit on a website that lists (by state/city) Walmarts that do and do not allow overnight parking. On our recent trip through Utah, we had mistakingly thought that all Walmarts allowed overnight partking, but were dismayed when we pulled into the Super Walmart at St. George and saw the "no overnight parking" signs (later confirmed by the website). Had to motor up the road a few miles to the next town (Washington). Had an enjoyable, quite and relaxing overnight stay in that Walmart parking lot. Will now also consider Cabela's , after reading the posts here.

[MedicineMan]

"ALWAYS" check with manager at walmart.
Sometimes even with the signs it is OK to park there if just overnight.

I park walmarts quite often in my 18 wheeler.
It depends a lot on the local laws, but you can park there if you are a "customer" for a little while.

Just remember it's not a campground and you should not put out slides if it can be avoided, and kindly refrain from awnings and such.

I never get bothered if I park on the outer bounds of the lot to shop, even in the big rig.

[kjohn73]

While I am not a heavy duty camper, I have always had good luck at Walmart. When I ask for permission, the people are always pleasant. They usually mention that we should stay at the outskirts of the lot. I always manage to buy some needed items where I stay.

Some are of the opinion that we are cheapskates for staying at Walmart. In my case, I can always wander through the store and buy stuff. Each to their own.

[Seann45]

Usually when Wal-marts or other such places have no over night parking it is because the local campground owner has gone crying to town council about it. In those towns I dont stop or spend any money. I also usually write town council and many of the other businesses that I did not stop there or spend any money there because of this by-law.

[eldermike]

Not sure how your TV is wired but one thing to think about if you are no unhooking is to disconnect electric from camper so you don't drain your TV battery. But this is one thing that can be overlooked once you get ready to pull out, I say that from experience. Don't forget to plug back your camper.