Slides, in or out while staying in truck stops,rest areas, etc? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

nessiekatt · RV-Dreams Family Member

Slides, in or out while staying in truck stops,rest areas, etc?

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am sure you will get various opinions. I wouldn’t put my slides out. In fact I once almost lost my steps as one guy decided to park real close even though I was well inside the yellow lines.

Some truck stops, like Flying J, cater to RV’s and have specific places for them to park. Same for some Rest Stops in certain states. However, just depending on the truck stop RV’s may or may not be quite as welcome overnight so you just have to judge for yourself and maybe check with the fuel desk as to the “culture” at that particular location.

Sometimes Wal-Mart is a better alternative.

Safe travels

Bill

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you can "use" your rig with the slides in, Get to the bath, use the kitchen, and climb into bed, then it would be best to keep them in. If you have to put them out, try to park where the slides will be over grass or areas that people will not drive or walk.
We can use everything but the microwave with the slide in.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are taking advantage of a free night, leave them in.....G

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you are in a truckstop - at least a typical crowded truckstop - leave them in for sure, or you will likely get hit. I've put mine out in truckstops - but I was far out in a remote gravel lot and over a grass area. Same for rest stops, since they will fill with trucks.

I much prefer WalMarts and Casinos. There you can usually find a place it is safe to put them out. I have ALWAYS found a place in a WM or Casino where I can put them out, and we frequent them often when travelling point-to-point.

Workinrvers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Jack.

We avoid the truck stops and rest areas due to the noise of idling trucks and stick primarily to Wal Marts. We have done both slides out and slides in depending on our parking situation. As long as we can be out of the way and it is safe to slide them out we will do so. JMHO.

Phil

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We try to find a parking spot in a rest area or truckstop where our slideouts will be over a non-parking spot. Something like an end spot where there is landscaping or like Jack in a remote area away from all the other vehicles. We usually only stop for about 6 hours and then move on.

We have stayed with permission in 24hr grocery store parking lots or in casino parking lots.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

For safety sake, security experts strongly suggest that you make sure your entrance door to your rig FACES the security cameras eg Walmart and other places with cameras.

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

We won't put slides out if we camp on "sidea-roada". One of the big contributing factors for us to go with Class A rather than 5'er or trailer was the idea that if we came across any trouble with intruders, we can jump into the drivers' seat and take off, leaving them in a cloud of diesel fumes. Slides out gives more space, but complicates that safety factor of a quick get-away.
Thanks for the tip on the cameras RV Painter!

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Be sure to check with regard to bylaws in different states if parking at WallyWorld. For example, in 2006, Nevada passed a state law that disallows RV camping in WallyWorld lots. My research indicates the same for California as well as Oregon, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Indiana, and more. However, our friends WW'd their way from Las Vegas to Indiana, boondocking in WW all the way. ???

http://www.allstays.com/c/walmart-alabama-locations.htm

reference to other sites appreciated!

bigredoes · RV-Dreams Family Member

In....unless ABSOLUTELY necessary ....and even then ONLY as long as necessary