Newbie One Night Question

Kamate

Quick questions as we are taking delivery of our BD T@B400 next month.

If staying over night at a Cracker Barrel/Walmart/Cabela's, I understand that we should call ahead and verify that they are ok with us staying overnight, We should buy items from their business.  

Questions:

1.  Do we need to "Check In" when we get there if they're open (i.e. let the manager know)?

2.  Do we unhook the trailer from TV (Pin connection and/or chains)?

3.  Do we put down the stabilizers?

or Should we just park and leave everything hooked up so it's a wake up and go?

We've never towed and are SUPER excited to be weeks away from getting ours!!

Thanks in advance, Stay safe!!

Verna

First come, first serve at these places. I would go there first, find a parking spot, then call or go in and talk to the hostess or manager. Walmart, check the parking lot for signs as so many people have taken advantage of their generosity and have trashed the parking lots, etc. we are not as welcome at Walmart as we once were. 

Be sure to purchase something, breakfast or dinner (or both) at Cracker Barrel, lots of gift items, clothes, snacks, outdoor gear, etc. at Cabela’s , and Walmart is the house of plenty. The common rule is no chairs outside, no tables outside, eat in your camper or in the restaurant, be quiet and polite, and be on your way early. 

Look into Harvest Hosts, too, with a simple annual fee. Wineries, breweries, museums, farms, etc., and just remember to please buy something from them, or offer to help them. 

N7SHG_Ham

It is a parking place, not a camping place. Anyone driving by should not be able to tell if you are parked there for five minutes or eight hours.

Sharon_is_SAM

I think you are fine to put down your stabilizers, but I would stay hitched.  Just remember to raise your stabilizers in the morning😁

Tampakayaker

Not sure about all of FL, but the majority of FL Wal-marts do not allow "camping" at them.  Maybe it's just the ones in the metropolitan areas, but all of the ones in Hillsborough/Pinellas Counties have no overnight parking signs in their lots.

AirBoss

Recommend installing "Overnight Parking Finder" app on your phone, or a similar app. 

They list Walmarts, Pilot/Flying J, Reststops, RV Dumps, BLM/NF, Casino's etc. who offer a myriad of parking possibilities. 

Be aware many Walmarts, especially in metro and surrounding areas, no longer allow overnight parking. 

Good luck and enjoy! 

pthomas745

You can stay hitched, but unplug the trailer!  It has happened that keeping the 7-pin plugged in drains the vehicle battery.  If you have installed solar, find the Victron App before you go pick up the trailer.  When you pick up the trailer, check the App and make sure the solar is working and the battery is charged/charging.

dragonsdofly

@Kamate, we have stayed on all of these places. We have never put the stabilizers down. There are several reasons for this. Sometimes the areas have become "sketchy". What appears ok to begin with can turn with the setting sun. If your instincts cry out, the hair on the back of your neck stands up, or you just don't feel comfortable and decide to move, it is much easier, quicker and safer to exit the trailer, plug it in, get into the tv and pull away. Having to stay in an uncomfortable or dangerous area longer while cranking the stabilizers to leave makes no sense to me. If a semi with refrigeration and generator or a big diesel rv parks next to you and leaves the genny cranking you can just exit the trailer, plug it in and drive away, or move to a quieter location without exposing yourselves to more hazards while cranking the stabilizers up. Just food for thought. -Denise

CrabTab

Several of the Cabelas have dump stations. If you are a member of their Cabelas Club (rewards program) you can go in to the service desk and get info to dump for free. Otherwise there is a fee if you need to dump. Some locations do not have overnight accommodations because of local ordinances.  Usually the overnight area is near the dump station.

Deb55

We've stayed multiple times at Cracker Barrels, without any trouble. We've always called ahead to ask if they allow overnight parking (not camping). If yes, we follow whatever instructions they give over the phone. We don't unhitch--just unplug the 7 pin. We've put the stabilizers down just to get rid of the bouncy feeling, but point taken about being able to easily drive away if necessary. We might reconsider stabilizers in the future. Cracker Barrel is our choice because we can get a big, inexpensive dinner, save enough leftovers for lunch, and have breakfast in the morning. It's nice to get dinner to go and eat in the camper with a glass of wine (since Cracker Barrel doesn't serve alcohol). 

Verna

@Deb55, Cracker Barrel’s started serving Mimosas all day long, and wine and beer. It was nice having breakfast with a mimosa—I wasn’t driving!

Denny16

You can put the tongue jack down for some stability and reduce the bounce  feeling in the trailer.  Easy and quick to get back up when you plug the 7-pin back in for a quick departure...
cheers

Deb55

@Verna, good to know!  Although, I like the wine selection in my camper... 

Verna

Me, too, @Deb55, but sometimes a change can can bring a wonderful new flavor!  I had never had a Mimosa before!

JPRoland

Maybe, I'm just a paranoid old man, but I consider a Wal-Mart or any other parking lot just a place to stop for a quick nap, make a sandwich, or take a bathroom break. Unless, of course, it was nightfall and I just couldn't find a campground anywhere. I don't think I would sleep well overnight in a Wal Mart lot in a strange town. I can name three Wal-Marts in my own town that are very, very sketchy and what I would consider "High-crime" areas. I'd be afraid of choosing the wrong Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel in an area I'm unfamiliar with. I'm learning to be better prepared and I'm getting better at planning and making reservations in advance. I'm in a beautiful spot tonight that I reserved for $28.00 with full hook-ups, but I booked it two months ago.
 

falcon1970

The last time I tried to overnight in a Walmart was coming home after UCamp19.  The parking lot was on a fairly steep slope and I discovered people go to Walmart at all hours of the night--to buy mufflers apparently judging from the sound of their vehicles.

GatorEgg

I’ve stayed in multiple Walmart’s and Cracker Barrel’s around the country.  Most of the time there are others staying.  Though I carry, can and will defend myself I feel best when I am among OTR truckers.  Park, don’t camp.  No unhooking, no stabilizers down, no awnings etc.  Definitely no cooking or opening a CS model tailgate.  Another pro for my inside kitchen which I thought we wouldn’t like.  Also if not sure if allowed or even if signs say no talk to manager.  I usually do when I have a couple full  Walmart  bags in my hand.  
  tampakayaker, not all true about these counties.  I’ve stayed in a couple Walmart’s here.  Mainly the one down the road from my house in Oldsmar or Trinity.  During traveling dry spells when schedule wouldn’t allow extended trips and I didn’t want to sit around the house watching the tube I would hitch up and park in Wally World for a night or two.
As in all the time, just leave it cleaner than when you got there!

Mouseketab

JPRoland said:

Maybe, I'm just a paranoid old man, but I consider a Wal-Mart or any other parking lot just a place to stop for a quick nap, make a sandwich, or take a bathroom break. Unless, of course, it was nightfall and I just couldn't find a campground anywhere. I don't think I would sleep well overnight in a Wal Mart lot in a strange town. I can name three Wal-Marts in my own town that are very, very sketchy and what I would consider "High-crime" areas. I'd be afraid of choosing the wrong Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel in an area I'm unfamiliar with. I'm learning to be better prepared and I'm getting better at planning and making reservations in advance. I'm in a beautiful spot tonight that I reserved for $28.00 with full hook-ups, but I booked it two months ago. 

100% agree. Stopping for a quick overnight at a pullthrough campsite with 30 Amp is what I prefer also. I'm not retired, so all my trips have a purpose, a destination, and a plan. I can get a good shower, power for the heat or A/C. The campground fee is usually less than eating at a CB, or the "donation" purchase at a Harvest Host.

4ncar

CB experiance here. We didn’t call. We parked, when in, sat and while eating, asked to speak with the manager. He came to the table and we politely asked if we could park for the night. He told us where, and all was good. Easy peesey! We do not unhitch nor lower the stabilizers. 

NovaTab

Some CB's after closing get very lonely, a few times we were the only RV, never happens at Walmart

We also stop at Flying J's often, many have RV areas up front but have stayed along the edges of their main parking area where a semi can't fit anyway.

Rest stops if other RV's R there but not first choice.

In 13 years never asked any mgr at CB or Walmart for permission

Sharon_is_SAM

@NovaTab - the large retailers that permit overnight parking do ask that folks call ahead and ask permission as each location has it’s own regulations.  These retailers don’t want to police who is hanging out in their lots.  It is just good camping etiquette to ask permission.  More and more communities and retailers are limiting this privilege.  RVers need to comply to preserve this opportunity for the future.

AirBoss

Agreed @Sharon_is_SAM...in these cases it is better to ask for permission rather than forgiveness. It is, I suspect, part of the calculus that some managers have used to prohibit overnight parking. 

One wouldn't/shouldn't park in a CG/HH without permission. Same applies to corporate properties. 

jkjenn

Overnight parking has its time and place. I use when I need a quick easy on and off experience. I usually know what one's I would stay at before a trip so that I am not surprised by bad neighborhoods or slopes. Google Streets and reviews go a long way to help.

If you read the good neighbor information that is out there, it does not prohibit stabilizer, use but agree with advice mentioned, that you be in a drive-away ready state and that people not be able to determine if you are there for the night or a few minutes to get supplies. To me it is about going above and beyond the minimum to help show appreciation for the privilege. 

I have run across a drug deal at a campground when I was backing into a spot. Never at a Walmart of CB.

SubaruLou

jkjenn said:

I have run across a drug deal at a campground when I was backing into a spot. 

As long as you didn't run over!