WalMart barricades itself against semi-trucks but tolerates RVs
We pulled RV-1 into the WalMart at Mt. Vernon, Illinois the other day and saw these huge semi-truck barriers surrounding the parking lot entrances. 
Knowing there had to be a barrier free access for fire trucks, I was able to navigate through the parking lot without incident. These barriers have steel “I”beams handing down over the entrances marked “Clearance 12 feet.” 
The barrier is enough to knock the air-conditioner off most RVs so be sure you have clearance before going under one of these. This particular WalMart store is surrounded by truck stops and there wouldn’t be enough room for the regular customers to park if they allowed commercial trucks. We spent the night in the Lowe’s parking lot across the street, but I did see several RVs parked at WalMart the next morning. 
With fuel prices heading higher I expect to see even more RVers using these parking lots for overnight stops. Keeping my fingers on the pulse of RVing in America - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVingLabels: WalMart
posted by Jim Twamley at
5/29/2008 06:22:00 PM
20 Comments:
So Wal Mart looses my business at all locations - but do they care?
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 4:44:00 AM PDT
I had that problem in oklahoma city. the clearance level was seven feet. went around the back of wal-mart were the trucks deliver there goods and came into th parking lot that way. no obsticales
By
vicyo, at May 31, 2008 6:08:00 AM PDT
I remember that WalMart and stayed there one night in my Winnebago Chieftain. No way I can stay there now in my fifth wheel which is 13'2".
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 6:32:00 AM PDT
Truckers probly don't buy groceries and camping mechandise like rv'ers... so let the truckers stay at THEIR truck stops that want their diesel fuel business...
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 8:30:00 AM PDT
This will be a terrible P.R. move on Walymarts part when some unsuspecting, exhausted Rv'er tries to pull in at 0 two early in the morning and tears off the A/C units on thier coach.... Wouldn't it have been a better idea to just post it and hire a guard? You don't want truckers... fine. I'm sure Walmart is hurting it's business by placement of these barricades. AND,I'm sure the truckers will go elsewhere (and take there spending dollars with them)...
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 9:26:00 AM PDT
I wouldn't stay overnight at a Walmart, but this certainly excludes the shopping stops as I need at least 13'8". I wouldn't go out of my way to find another parking area in order to spend money in a store that made it inconvenient to shop there.
By
Kimberly, at May 31, 2008 10:57:00 AM PDT
So Jim, did you ask permission at Lowes? Hope so.
LDB
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 10:59:00 AM PDT
Many of us travel without dingies.
I was pulling in to wal-mart to shop. I only stop by, not spend the night. I will NOT be shopping at wal-mart anymore (even when I'm not traveling). The only way wal-mart or anyone else will care is if we hit them in the pocket book.
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 12:34:00 PM PDT
I'm an RV'er and a truck driver, even deliver to Walmart on occasion. I normally spend $40 to $50 to supply my truck there. Most truck stops are full after dark and there is no place to park. Walmart is not the answer nor a solution to overcrowding. The government needs to put more truck parking on the highways to promote safety.
By
Barry, at May 31, 2008 2:34:00 PM PDT
Truckers probly don't buy groceries and camping mechandise like rv'ers... so let the truckers stay at THEIR truck stops that want their diesel fuel business...
So anonymus said [that is so gutless] that truckers don't buy at Wally,- Wrong! Do you honestly think truckers who are getting beat up worse than RVers with Diesel fuel prices, want to pay more elsewhere? What is wrong with your thinking? Trucks BRING the product for you lazy people. It doesn't materialize out of the air! I'm a former trucker and an RVer but ignorance is not bliss in this case. I agree with Wally if they cannot accommidate trucks, but with the new federal laws mandating sleeping regulations, where can they go? I shop Wally and it's my favorite store, but I also have always obeyed their rules. I have also seen rv's parked with awnings and lawn chairs out when a trucker was turned away. The RV you purchased was probably delivered by a trucker and surely the gas to drive it. Stop being so sanctimonius and understand we are all feeling the crunch. The independent trucker who is forced to use the higher cost of diesel is becoming extinct, without fuel subsidies you would not have half the items you play with. Guess where the higher cost of fuel and the cost of places a trucker is allowed to park is coming from? The consumer, me and you. Try to think if you have ever purchased something a trucker didn't bring? Stop ragging on the truckers, start ragging on our gov't to get things equaled out. Think about where your children were born, how did the equipment arrive at the hospital? Do you know someone who has had an accident? How did the medicines and supplies get to the hospital? Just stop and think, please! A train or a plane can bring it to a terminal but who takes it to it's final destination? 99% of everything you eat was brought by truck! Just because you are lazy or don't know how to provide your own food. You ain't gotta brain to stand on. Poor little RVer has to park in a resort! Where does your provider park? In overcrowded truck stops that rules and regulations will not allow to expand. Drive a mile in someone else's vehicle before you spout off. Ignorance is not bliss!
By
desertratdan, at May 31, 2008 2:42:00 PM PDT
desertratdan,
I agree with your defense of truckers but you could have said it a little more gently.
edjukatr
By
Carol, at May 31, 2008 4:28:00 PM PDT
Thank you truckers for blogging in and remining people how we get fed! You guys it from the farmer to our lovely little (or bigger) grocery stores. There we shop at our convenience in air conditioned splendor the produce you guys and gals delivered in the wee hours of the morning.
I always give you the right of way on the interstates. We're on vacation; but you are working.
By
Anonymous, at May 31, 2008 7:22:00 PM PDT
Do the US economy some good. Quit buying at Walmart that buys 90% of there goods from China.
By
Anonymous, at June 1, 2008 8:19:00 AM PDT
I love staying at Wal-marts while heading to a destination, fast easy, cheap and supplies right there. Unfortunately I can't afford to put gas in my RV anymore. It's an oldie with a monster 502 chevy crate motor. Too much HP can sometimes lead to better mileage though, I've actually seen 10mpg (usually 6-7).
Get the word out. America has enough oil for hundreds of years that can be produced for $25-$40 a barrel.
Go to this web site, get involved and for God's sakes tell your friends. RVing is going to be only for the rich if we don't do something.
www.AmericansForJobsAndEnergy.org
Good Time Charlie
By
Anonymous, at June 1, 2008 12:41:00 PM PDT
We too have only pulled in with our TT in tow to shop on our way out of town. Not only does Wal Mart have bad PR for paying low to their employees but now this. Sad, really sad that a US employer and a major one represents this kind of image. What? Truckers don't eat on the road and they don't need a place to rest? In this case the article states a truck stop across the street but what if it was full or it was easier for the trucker to maneuver Wal Mart. I was just looking in this morning's Sunday ads and Wal Mart has lowered prices on a lot of items. I almost went today to stock up for the next RV'ing trip. Not now. But as a previous poster put it, do they care? Maybe if enough of us comment, someone from Wal Mart is surely going to see this you would think.
By
ReneeG, at June 1, 2008 1:29:00 PM PDT
I recall about a year ago in RV Short Stops that Adrienne Kristine suggested stopping in a southern Oregon rest area to go over to enjoy a local park - I couldn't imagine staying for longer than a few minutes (to do my business) in a rest area when so many truckers need the space to get a rest. I'd rather make room for them than deal with a tired trucker down the road.
Re: Chinese-made products - don't blame Wal-Mart, they only carry products that we are willing to buy!!!
By
Anonymous, at June 2, 2008 3:39:00 PM PDT
Yes, I did post about the Oregon rest stop 45B off I-5 near Rogue River. However, it is a day-use stop only: no overnights. The truckers who were there were walking around or eating in their rigs while I was there. They might have been napping but there was plenty of room for all of us.
By
Adrienne Kristine, at June 2, 2008 4:12:00 PM PDT
Yes, LDB I did get permission to stay in the Lowes parking lot. I also wrote an article about it. Thanks for your continued readership. Jim Twamley
By
Jim Twamley, at June 3, 2008 10:26:00 PM PDT
We DO NOT shop at Walmart. And doesn't surprise me they are doing this to RVers. Everyone should stop trying to park at Walmart and shopping at Walmart. Would help our economy.
If a person can't afford an RV park then they shouldn't be out there RVing.
By
Anonymous, at June 4, 2008 10:00:00 AM PDT
In response to the anonymous on May 31 about truck drivers and not parking at Walmart. Honey I see lots of RV's in truck stops and in the truck areas of rest areas. Where does this nitwit think we shop for our groceries? I personally can't afford to eat truckstop only meals and the price of computer games and DVD's is just horrid at the truckstops. We don't usually stay overnight at Walmart though. We haven't stayed at Walmart in our RV either though.
By
satinlily, at June 14, 2008 10:05:00 PM PDT
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