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Appreciates Wal-Mart during tough times

For almost 11 years I was somewhat "homeless," living in very old, very run down RVs. Even though I managed to hold onto part-time night jobs most of the time, it seemed that no matter how much money I tried to save to make my trip back to the West Coast, my RVs, two respectively, were always breaking down.

Nonetheless, I made it finally in the second RV, a 1974 Dodge Sportsman, Class C. I got rid of it as soon as I could. I now own a 1972 Dodge Superior, Class A, and love it. However, during that almost 11 year odyssey, I would say that at least two of those years, broken up into various periods of time all over the country, I felt that Wal-Mart was a Godsend. Had they not been there for me, my RV could have been confiscated right from under me by the police, because I might have been parked (out of desperation) where it was not allowed.

If Wal-Mart had not been there for me, I might have ended up a street-homeless person, as I saw many Vietnam Veterans and others "existing." I, too, am a Vietnam Veteran, and used to think how amazing it was that every piece of ground, like the huge parking lots all over the country, were off limits to people traveling over many hours, and just needing a well-lit safe place to park at night for a few hours.

Some folks, who obviously need to get a life, criticize people like me who stayed at Wal-Mart, and other places as needed, for a few night hours maybe one to three times a month. They seem to think that everyone who has an RV is rich enough to be able to afford $24 to $26 -- not to enjoy a campground's amenities like a shower, a swimming pool, etc., etc. -- but to just sleep a few hours.

Wal-Mart may have its faults, but more than most, is a compassionate business, and I am one of their best customers even though I now live in an apartment. Though if I can ever experience a miracle, I may go back to fulltiming, but this time, it will be in a good RV like the one I currently have; or even better, one with slide-outs. -- Sarah

A letter to the citizens of Billings, Montana:

My family has visited your city many, many times over the past decades. We have always had a very positive experience until now.

We recently arrived in Billings at about dusk after a very long drive from Mitchell, S.D. We pulled into the Wal-Mart on King Avenue to shop, and park till morning. I noticed signs stating “no overnight parking.” I have stopped there in the past, no signs, so I went in to customer service to see what the signs were about. I was told they were quite new and that the city had ordered them.

I went back out to my motor home to get my wife so we could shop and possibly continue on to park for the night. My wife met me in front of the store with a “notice of violation.” Apparently, I was in violation of the city code by just entering the Wal-Mart parking lot.

I saw another man with a motor home who also got a violation. He was a retired police officer, was very angry and told me he was going to continue on to Bozeman. I felt I needed an explanation, so I returned to the store, found the manager who was discussing the issue with one of his door-greeter employees who had been ordered by the city to buy the signs and enforce policy. The manager seemed quite unhappy that his store was the only one with signs posted and told me that there was a KOA and other camping sites that politically pushed the code through.

My point to the manager and the people of Billings is this: Your new code 24-411 will be very effective in keeping RVers, shoppers and tourists-visitors out of your pure city. I for one got in my motor home, didn’t shop, continued on to Helena and enjoyed Montana (but not in the Billings area or a KOA). My Billings friends were unhappy about this event, but are still friends and will visit us in our state of Iowa – with welcome mat out!

Jack Mommer

Editor's note. To comment on Billing's policy of prohibiting free says at places like Wal-Mart, email mayor Charles Tooley at ctooley@magicc.com

Dear Chuck
You wrote in issue 178: "The media continues to harp on Wal-Mart 'free camping,' the latest installment in last Sunday's New York Times. I was quoted as saying that Wal-Mart has 'become the largest RV campground in the country.' I didn't really say that but did say that on some nights there may be more RVers at Wal-Marts than at KOAs."

Leave it to the New York Times!! Surprised that you didn't mention that the City of Billings (KOA's home) along with KOA are trying to ban any overnight parking within the city except in their 'pay to stay' rv parks some of which are too old and two small to accommodate modern RVs! — Glen R. Fotre

Glen,
I did bring up the fact to the reporter that Billings, Montana, was in the process of deciding whether to enforce is long-standing ban on overnight parking anywhere but in a campground. KOA, of course, is headquartered in Billings.

Dear Chuck,
I have been reading the various comments and articles in regards to RVs that park at Wal Mart and other free parking areas. I am sorry, but as an RV owner I don't think RV parks have the right to tell me or others where they can and cannot park. This really burns me up!!!!! We will usually park in an RV park, but most of the time a state park, if we stop early and are going to be there a while. If we are traveling and it is late, we start looking for a Wal Mart or other area that we can just pull into to stop for a little while and get some sleep before starting out again. We do not stay at the Wal Mart for days on end.

With the price of gas and other expenses of running an RV it is not cost effective to stop at an RV park for a few hours and pay their hefty price. I do not care that they have a swimming pool, lounge, washer/drier, etc. I also think that RV parks charge too much for an over night stay regardless as to whether or not they have extras. We usually pay $21 or more for a 1 night stay. What have we gotten for this money? We have stayed at some RV parks that charge you for the night and do not have dumps at each sight, but do have a main dump that they will charge you extra to use if you want to dump.

I am sorry, but some of these RV parks need to think about what they are charging and what the RVers are getting for this charge. Also, they might want to think about the fact that some RVers just want to stop for the night and don't care about all of the extras that come with the charge.

Pretty soon with the gas prices and high RV park charges, the amount of RVers out there will start to diminish and then where will the RV park owners be. They need to stick to their own business and leave the Wal Marts, other free parking areas, and RVers that want to park in them alone. We don't get any extras when we use these facilities and don't expect any. So worry about how you can attract more RVers to your park and leave the others alone. — Pat from Colorado

Please send us your letters. Write to editor Chuck Woodbury at outwest@seanet.com


Fulltiming Documentary If you're thinking of going full-time in an RV, this 90-minute DVD will answer all your questions about how to do it. Host Larry Wood interviews dozens of full-time RVers and full-timing experts, who share their secrets.	RVers Guide to Dump Stations This 2006 directory offers a comprehensive listing by state and by highway of most known public dump stations in America. RVers should pack this along on their trips!	Rest Areas and Welcome Centers Along the Interstates Quickly and easily locate rest areas, welcome centers, roadside turnouts, scenic vistas, and exits for RV friendly businesses including Wal-Mart and other businesses.