General non-pod discussion: Overnight rest stops

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Overnight rest stops

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Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: General non-pod discussion
Forum Discription: Non-pod and ex-pod general stuff
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14091
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 3:42am
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Topic: Overnight rest stops

Posted By: pedwards2932
Subject: Overnight rest stops
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 7:26pm

How are folks here handling a rest stops on the way to a destination. Just sleeping overnight before getting back on the road. Can you do it in rest areas? Is it safe? How about Walmarts? I understand that they let people overnight in the parking lot. Just wondering for when I plan longer trips.

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 7:57pm

Depends on the area as far as walmarts etc go.. Some municipalities don't allow it. There are some active groups and apps that can be used for tips and tricks, "boondockers welcome" is one.

We have always just found a CG along the way. We boondock, not as much as we used to, but that's always been the destination, rather then a waypoint.

we go to the beach for the holidays every year, halfway there, we get a FHU site in a year 'round park, it's about $30, easy in and out, no troubles, no hassles. They even like our dog.. LOL Same thing coming home in January, we usually winterize there. Then finish the drive.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2020 at 8:47pm

If you have a smart phone, download the RV Parky app. It is great for finding places that allow overnight parking. We have used truck stops, Walmarts, and Cracker Barrels. Not all Walmarts allow overnights.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2020 at 7:13am

Rest stops are noisy because of the trucks. I can't get any sleep in them. Most are well patrolled busy places so I think quite safe. Walmarts maybe not so much.

Also consider the time of year. If you are in a rest stop or parking lot you won't be able to run your a/c unless you get out your generator, that's where the big RV's with built in gennys have an advantage.

If we're on a trip through to a destination we will often just get a hotel room for the occasional night. No setting up and braking camp, cooking, cleaning. The a/c works, grab the free breakfast in the morning, get an early start. Take a hot soak in a tub if your back is stiff from driving all day. Use that evening to do the laundry without having to hang out at a laundromat. Saves the camping for the nice camping destination.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2020 at 9:53am

I've done a ton of this since May. Completely keeping to myself except to buy gas, after which I have been able to wash my hands in the camper. I have used Boondockers Welcome a lot, it's been great. Folks even often have electricity and water you can plug into. I even had one that had a dump station available. Because they are usually homes, they are often pretty near access to highways etc. so its great for an easy quick stopover. People were agreeable and even appreciative of my social distancing.

My favorite, though, has been https://freecampsites.net/ - https://freecampsites.net/ which has helped me find a bunch of really beautiful free spaces to camp. I've used these tiny campgrounds on Maine public lands a lot. They list and review places from campgrounds like these to Walmart (which ones permit camping) and rest areas.

One of my favorite things about the pod this year is that I was not trapped at home but I could still stay safe. I almost never say it because I feel a little guilty while others are suffering, but I've had a great summer.

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Julie