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General => General => Topic started by: slowpez on Jan 04, 2004, 10:12 AM

Title: It was news to me
Post by: slowpez on Jan 04, 2004, 10:12 AM
On our last trip, we met some people from NJ who were traveling south toward the sun.  Since the campgrounds along their route were closed in the winter, they "camped" at truck stops until they were far enough south to find open campgrounds.  I didn't realize that was possible.  Of course, there were no hook-ups but they could use the bathrooms and a buffet was available for meals.  In some of the truck stops they were allowed to park at the restaurant thereby avoiding the noise of the trucks' diesel engines running all night long.  Have any of you done something like that?  Interesting.  
 
Susan
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Post by: B-flat on Jan 04, 2004, 10:33 AM
I have never noticed that before, but maybe that's because I live in NC.  The only thing I notice is that there are MH and Popups in the far end of the local WalMart on occasion.  Most of the time it is MHs and just a Popup once in a while.
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Post by: Tim5055 on Jan 04, 2004, 10:51 AM
Quote from: slowpezOn our last trip, we met some people from NJ who were traveling south toward the sun.  Since the campgrounds along their route were closed in the winter, they "camped" at truck stops until they were far enough south to find open campgrounds.  I didn't realize that was possible.  Of course, there were no hook-ups but they could use the bathrooms and a buffet was available for meals.  In some of the truck stops they were allowed to park at the restaurant thereby avoiding the noise of the trucks' diesel engines running all night long.  Have any of you done something like that?  Interesting.  
 
Susan

Many of the truckstops now cater to RV travel.  While they are really looking for the full time crowd, everyone is welcome.

Flying J actually has an RV club with the fowwowing benefits:

Special RV fuel islands
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Post by: jawilson on Jan 04, 2004, 11:36 AM
I guess it depends upon the truck stop too. I know the ones in NJ -- especially on the Turnpike -- are gritty, industrialized, filthy messes that I sure wouldn't want to "camp" in.
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Post by: Turn Key on Jan 04, 2004, 12:04 PM
This is done a good bit and talked about a lot on message boards more related to MH's, TT's and 5'ers. Unless I just wanted a place to pull over and get some sleep for a couple hours, this is not something I'd do. Also, I'd be more inclined to use a place like a Flying J rather then a highway rest stop. Much better lighting and much more security.  I tend to look for Flying J's when on the road.  Good fuel prices and reliable services.
 
Would never think of doing it al all in a PU. Don't think it's real safe.
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Post by: tlhdoc on Jan 04, 2004, 03:22 PM
I don't know if I would do it in a PU.  If I had a hard side trailer that is another story.
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Post by: The Eagle and the Hawk on Jan 04, 2004, 07:09 PM
While on the road this summer coming home from vaction, we noticed that the service plazas along the Ohio turnpike have several "RV spaces" I pulled into one because it was a long parking spot and it was near the pet walk area.  But while there, I notice that there were electric hook ups, and you could "rent" the space and get electric for 24 hours.  I think it was something like 12 or 15 bucks for 24 hrs.  Not a bad idea if you were in a motor home and needed a place to pull over and snooze.  It was seperated from the main parking lot  so you would probably not be bothered much there.  But i would not want to "pop up" there...