Parking Lot Campers

[whitestar505]

Hello,
 
    I see a lot of travelers that are pulling trailers up and down I-95 pull into the shopping malls and spent the night there in the trailers. How many of you do this type of traveling. What are the pros and cons you have run accrossed? My BW states she is afraid to do this type of travel.

[dthurk]

We've done that once so far, staying in a Cracker Barrel parking lot overnight in Carlisle, PA this summer.  The restaurant closed at 10:00, it was quieter than what we've experienced in many campgrounds.  We wouldn't do parking lot camping as a matter of course, only when traveling multiple days to get to a destination.  In the case above, we were moving from Cape May, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA, a distance of about 400 miles.  We left Cape May about 3:00 in the afternoon.  Our experience was very good and we wouldn't hesitate to do this again.  

WalMarts are generally know to allow this, many other big box stores will also allow.  Flying J's and other truck stops are also common places to stay.  Always ask permission of the manager before staying over.  I might try to stay away from the 24 hour stores unless no other option was available.  Use some sense in choosing an area and specific store and you shouldn't have problems.  If you aren't comfortable with a particular situation, go somewhere else.

[chasd60]

We have stayed in a Super Walmart parking lot twice. Both times it was by arriving at ~10PM and hitting the road at 7-8AM.
We don't drop the bunkends, just use it turtled up.
 
We actually prefer the 24 hour places because we know there is always someone around and it would be harder for anyone to attempt anything.
 
We have had no problems and it seems a waste to spend $30-40 to stay at a CG from 10PM til 7AM.

[GeneF]

We have also turtled at two Walmarts.  Both were open 24 hours.

We did ask if we could stay the night.  One Walmart had no overnight camping but we asked and it was no problem.

Expect a lot of light and noise but in a pinch, they will do.

We were on the road and we were both getting tired. I told dw, either the next WalMart or the cg we were heading for.  Walmart came first.  Next day we discovered were were only about 6 miles from the cg.

I disagree with Chas that they are free.  Cost us $86 worth of stuff at the last Walmart that we camped at.

Big thing, if you do not feel safe, then don't camp there.  I would not open my tent ends.  I used the dinnette and dw used the sofa.