How to park the trailer at Walmart?

Ladywendolyn · 06-22-2012, 08:07 PM

We went to park our 30 ft trailer today at Walmart so that we could go in to pick up a few things. We quickly realized that we do not fit across two parking spots like we used to with our small trailer. So we ended up parking sideways across about 6 or 8 spots. is this what everyone does? Or do they just jut out into the road part of the lot?

jwstewar · 06-22-2012, 08:12 PM

We are usually way out to the end of an aisle except we are usually taking up a whole more than 6 or 8 spots.:hihi: If we go to a restaurant that doesn't have truck parking I will across spots but I will try to "bend" the middle as much as I can to take up as few spots as possible.

Quahog · 06-22-2012, 08:13 PM

When I park at Walmart (or any other place that doesn't have RV parking), I find the most remote area of the parking lot and do my best to minimize problems for the store or its customers. I also make sure I angle my TV in such a way that I can swing the front end out and not be boxed in.

MrKong · 06-22-2012, 09:01 PM

I like the fire lane. Its parallel to the traffic, and close to the door. And all the nice customers like pointing out to me I am number one as I get out of the truck. Just kidding, I park almost over outside of the mulch and outside items. No one ever parks in that baron area, its almost into the next store space in no mans land.

**norty1** · 06-23-2012, 05:20 AM

Most parking lots lately are not designed to accommodate long trailers. I usually park as far from the building and walk back. Most of those PP are never used by cars.

Although I have never stayed overnight in one, I would ask the store managers permission before planning to stay over night.

Rustic Eagle · 06-23-2012, 08:18 AM

Good advice by everyone..., and when you come back to your TV/TT take this opportunity to glance at your tires and hitch just confirm that all is good.

Had a friend last summer come out from shopping and noticed one of his TT tires showing signs of tread separation (tires were fine a week prior)....., changed it on the spot.

Bob

jdorant · 06-23-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrKong

I like the fire lane. Its parallel to the traffic, and close to the door. And all the nice customers like pointing out to me I am number one as I get out of the truck. Just kidding, I park almost over outside of the mulch and outside items. No one ever parks in that baron area, its almost into the next store space in no mans land.

I do the same, just park as far away as possible out of everyone's way. MrKong, as a firefighter I started to read your post and was thinking no freaking way. Glad to hear you don't really park in fire lanes...LOL!!

Wyotraveler · 06-23-2012, 09:01 AM

Glad he was kidding about the fire lane. Just as added info it is a very very high cite fee. Many people don't know just making a large U turn in a fire dept drive way carries an extremely high cite fee.

dlfeather · 06-23-2012, 09:06 AM

I used to park at an angle to minimize space, but one time I was at extreme angles and noticed that the tires on the axles were under extreme stress. The pivot point of the two axles is in the middle of the axles. So now I park straight, take up as much room as needed to make sure I can get out, and I do park in no mans land.

mrnoyb · 06-23-2012, 02:55 PM

I've only parked overnight once with Walmart at the Supercenter in El Reno on the west side of Oklahoma City, OK. I arrived after 8 pm. All the RVs were parked at the southwest corner of the lot and I took the next open space. Several other RVs and semi trucks arrived after me. There's a McDonalds, Burger King and gas station at the entrance to this lot. Everything needed for dinner, breakfast and supplies was close at hand. The parking lot was well lit and the area we parked in was covered by a security camera. None of the RVs were impeding any traffic and no customers were parked anywhere close to this area. The next morning everyone was on their way by 6 am and no one left any refuse behind.

I'm a regular customer of Walmart and appreciate the courtesy extended to RV travelers.

Terry · 06-23-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdorant

I do the same, just park as far away as possible out of everyone's way. MrKong, as a firefighter I started to read your post and was thinking no freaking way. Glad to hear you don't really park in fire lanes...LOL!!

Starting to get quite a few firefighters! In my 25th year...love it...

As far as Walmart - or any parking lot - I always park as far out of the way as possible. I think it is just the polite thing to do for both the store owner and the customers.

Forgvn77 · 06-23-2012, 10:10 PM

We park as far out in the lot as we can from the front of the store. It's where all the cool RVs park

And just as Rustic said, it's a great chance to check out the rig and spot any issues.

JM144NJ · 06-27-2012, 08:14 AM

Always wondered what is the proper etiquette was when parking overnight at a Walmart store; I've yet to do that but heard they welcome you. Also heard that some stores will let you hook up for electric... is that true?

You don't see RV's parking overnight in Northern NJ Walmarts...

Are there any states that prohibit doing this?

**norty1** · 06-27-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM144NJ

Always wondered what is the proper etiquette was when parking overnight at a Walmart store; I've yet to do that but heard they welcome you. Also heard that some stores will let you hook up for electric... is that true?

You don't see RV's parking overnight in Northern NJ Walmarts...

Are there any states that prohibit doing this?

Mostly local ordinances prevent it in many places. It never hurts to ask the store manager before setting up. Never seen electric provided.

exthemius · 06-27-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM144NJ

Always wondered what is the proper etiquette was when parking overnight at a Walmart store; I've yet to do that but heard they welcome you. Also heard that some stores will let you hook up for electric... is that true?

You don't see RV's parking overnight in Northern NJ Walmarts...

Are there any states that prohibit doing this?

We've overnighted in a central Jersey (Hanover) Walmart, a last month, actually.

**Snake Plissken** · 06-27-2012, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Good advice by everyone..., and when you come back to your TV/TT take this opportunity to glance at your tires and hitch just confirm that all is good.

Had a friend last summer come out from shopping and noticed one of his TT tires showing signs of tread separation (tires were fine a week prior)....., changed it on the spot.

Bob

I do this every time I stop.

Parcany · 06-27-2012, 09:38 PM

Don't know about the rest of Arizona, but in Tucson you cannot stay overnite in a Walmart parking lot.

kjohn73 · 06-27-2012, 11:27 PM

I have stayed a couple of nights in big parking lots like Walmart or Canadian Tire. Beats getting stuck beside some "happy holidayer" with a yappy dog, or campfire smoke that chokes you. I mostly boondock while out on gopher shoots, so its at the edge of a good old Saskatchewan field where you might not see another human that day!

My first night ever in my trailer was at a nice big Walmart on Hwy 7 on the way out of Saskatoon towards Rosetown. It was great! I needed a few things, so just a nice stroll into the store. I asked at the store if it was okay for me to stay there, and they said it would be just fine.

One trip I was on last summer, I considered staying in the little campground in a small town, but decided to stay at the farmyard where I would be shooting. Good thing, as there was a bunch of punks from Regina partying there and one kid got stabbed! They were burning new treated fence posts they stole from the Co-op.

vwprostock · 06-28-2012, 07:58 AM

I just want to second the part about making sure you don't get blocked in up front. I try and do the angle parking towards an end to where my truck takes up half of the last spot in the line, if that makes sense. Plenty of room to pull out of the spots, and not enough room for a car to slide in there.

Denise · 06-28-2012, 11:38 AM

When making a short stop at WM... it is to your advantage to park way out in the 'North Forty'. We also always park so that the truck is turned at an angle about 2 feet into the spot just in from of our tv so we can still get out (in case someone actually was to try and park directly in front of us).

Always also consider - if you are going to be in there for a while and you don't level your "front-to-back" level, then turn off the gas to the fridge (coils run front to back).

I noticed a couple comments for 'boondocking' at WM. Here's a thread that could be helpful:
FOR OVERNIGHTER'S at a WalMart

You may also like: