I agree with Tom, if the day comes that we cannot afford to fork over $25 or so for a CAMPground, it will be time to sell the trailer. Nothing makes me laugh more than seeing an $100,000 rig camping in the parking lot at Walmart. Of course, maybe you are the smart ones hence the reason you can afford such rigs.... Anyway, if it is your thing, go for it. It isn't mine.
Recently out in Nebraska we were forced to use Wallyworld parking lots for 'gotta go breaks' and a couple of lunch breaks. They have REALLY small rest areas that can only hold about 6 semis each and every one that we passed through was full. After 150 miles of our tummies grumblin' and our bladders burstin' we were happy to whip into the parking lot. But to camp there, overnight....no. I don't even go to my local Walmart after dark, why would I want to park my RV there and try to sleep when I don't know if the area is any better or worse?
And I am really bothered by those of you who say you pull in there because you are dog-tired. My gosh, you don't get off the road until you are dog-tired? How safe is that? If you are driving that big rig down the road PLEASE pull over much sooner than that. If not for your safety then for mine! RVing is supposed to be for fun, what is the point in pushing yourselves that hard? You won't have to worry about where to park for the night if your rig is up against a tree or worse!
There are plenty of campground directories that you can bring with you to help you locate a campground. Anyone ever heard of Woodalls????? Or nowadays so many of you even bring laptops along. The only 'pinch' I could see that would really even be cause for a Walmart stay would be if all of the campgrounds were full. But, if traveling during the busy season, reservations will prevent that anyway. I never feel like they cramp our style any, although I am sure that is why many people don't bother.
Recently out in Nebraska we were forced to use Wallyworld parking lots for 'gotta go breaks' and a couple of lunch breaks. They have REALLY small rest areas that can only hold about 6 semis each and every one that we passed through was full. After 150 miles of our tummies grumblin' and our bladders burstin' we were happy to whip into the parking lot. But to camp there, overnight....no. I don't even go to my local Walmart after dark, why would I want to park my RV there and try to sleep when I don't know if the area is any better or worse?
And I am really bothered by those of you who say you pull in there because you are dog-tired. My gosh, you don't get off the road until you are dog-tired? How safe is that? If you are driving that big rig down the road PLEASE pull over much sooner than that. If not for your safety then for mine! RVing is supposed to be for fun, what is the point in pushing yourselves that hard? You won't have to worry about where to park for the night if your rig is up against a tree or worse!
There are plenty of campground directories that you can bring with you to help you locate a campground. Anyone ever heard of Woodalls????? Or nowadays so many of you even bring laptops along. The only 'pinch' I could see that would really even be cause for a Walmart stay would be if all of the campgrounds were full. But, if traveling during the busy season, reservations will prevent that anyway. I never feel like they cramp our style any, although I am sure that is why many people don't bother.