Rest Area / Truck Stop Etiquette

[GoHorns]

We will be heading out for a month-long trip in the near future. My itinerary calls for a couple of nights at Walmart, and a Pilot Truck stop on the way.

I have checked that the WalMarts we plan to stop at do allow overnight parking.

The Pilot truck stop has overnight RV spots as well as RV gas lanes.

But, in reading other posts I am seeing stuff like "Don't put out your slide", "Don't park in the overnight truck lanes", "Never sleep at a rest area".... etc...

Now I have enough sense not to drag out the lawn chairs and gather firewood... But I do have to put my slide out in order to access my bedroom... So...

1. Has anyone stayed overnight at Pilot Trucks Stop? Are the RV parking spots along side the 18 wheeler spots?
2. Assuming my slide does not extend to an adjacent spot, or impeded normal driving space... Whats wrong with sleeping at a rest area?

TIA!

[dedmiston]

It feels like this discussion has run its course. Thanks everyone for keeping it civil.

[Ralph_Cramden]

2012Coleman wrote:
I read in a news story about a guy who was sitting in a coffee shop utilizing the free WiFi to read his favorite online forum. Then some guy came in and shot him. Guess I better stop reading online forums...

It was probably the same cheapskate who slept the night prior at the free rest stop where they had no wifi, and his Consumer Cellular Geezerphone had no signal. So he drove on over to Starbucks to feltch himself some free wifi, probably while looking for a reduced price breakfast buffet LOL.

[GeoBoy]

2012Coleman wrote:
I read in a news story about a guy who was sitting in a coffee shop utilizing the free WiFi to read his favorite online forum. Then some guy came in and shot him. Guess I better stop reading online forums...

:B

[2012Coleman]

I read in a news story about a guy who was sitting in a coffee shop utilizing the free WiFi to read his favorite online forum. Then some guy came in and shot him. Guess I better stop reading online forums...

[hornet28]

JaxDad wrote:

hornet28 wrote:
You never know for sure what's safe and what isn't. Here's an example, note 4 of these were at a Cracker Barrel.

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2017/02/16/revisiting-kalamazoo-shooting-timeline/97869480/

I don’t sleep inside Cracker Barrels while they’re open, and I never use Uber......

They weren't in Cracker Barrel they were in or getting into their cars in the lot and they also weren't using Uber. He just drove up and shot them. I was just pointing out that you never know for sure about most any place.

[DrewE]

JaxDad wrote:

I’ll bet there’s been proportionately a LOT more shootings at campgrounds than campgrounds.

Are you saying nobody should stay at campgrounds anymore?

Methinks there's a typo there. I bet the number of shootings at campgrounds is just about the same as those at campgrounds. 😉

[JaxDad]

hornet28 wrote:
You never know for sure what's safe and what isn't. Here's an example, note 4 of these were at a Cracker Barrel.

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2017/02/16/revisiting-kalamazoo-shooting-timeline/97869480/

I don’t sleep inside Cracker Barrels while they’re open, and I never use Uber......

I’ll bet there’s been proportionately a LOT more shootings at campgrounds than campgrounds.

Are you saying nobody should stay at campgrounds anymore?

[hornet28]

You never know for sure what's safe and what isn't. Here's an example, note 4 of these were at a Cracker Barrel.

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2017/02/16/revisiting-kalamazoo-shooting-timeline/97869480/

[GoHorns]

I have Cracker Barrels filed next to Camping World... none of my money going there...

[oldchief7155]

Cracker Barrels are a better option than rest areas and truck stops. Quieter and safer.

Lots of things that crawl out from under rocks frequent rest areas after dark. My 33 years in law enforcement taught me to NOT overnight in rest areas.

[Pawz4me]

ReneeG wrote:


We just ignore those remarks and do what works for us.

Same.

We absolutely prefer campgrounds. But sometimes it just doesn't work out with our travel schedule and route. So . . yeah, we've overnighted at a WalMart a couple of times. Once at a Cracker Barrel. Each time we've done it we've been very thankful those businesses were available. Especially the Cracker Barrel--that was a desperation thing after being stuck for hours in a road construction related traffic jam. We were exhausted and couldn't have safely driven very much longer. Their breakfast the next morning was very good! We've never stayed at a rest area but wouldn't hesitate to if necessary. Every time we've been driving during the night and pulled into one for a break there have been people sleeping in cars. So I really doubt any LEO would bat an eye at our small RV, or any RV parked in an appropriate spot and manner.

[2012Coleman]

Busskipper wrote:
campendium.com/


Might help 🙂

Never heard of this one - checked it out, found some CG's that I doidn't know about - one had a spot in March the exact week I needed it! Thanks for posting!

[austinjenna]

We just ignore those remarks and do what works for us. We've spent the night in rest areas along with other RV'ers and in truck stop areas,

This is good advice!

[Bob806]

2012Coleman wrote:
So from reading the replies in this thread, your either a degenerate for using some type of free overnight parking because only sleaze balls use those, and you will be robbed and spat upon by truck drivers, or you can use a camp ground and severely bother other campers who are sleeping - because of course you are coming after midnight and leaving before 6.

So pick your flavor of degenerate and just do what feels right for the present time and circumstances.

Pretty much lol.

It's a free country, I suppose whatever floats your boat you can do. I don't shop at Walmart, and don't plan to ever, so the last place I'm looking to stop, even for a couple hours of rest is Walmart.