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Old 08-11-2019, 08:44 PM   #1
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Don't plan an overnight stop in Albuquerque, NM

If you plan to pass through good ol' Alb, don't; plan to stay in a Walmart, HD or Lowes parking lot. Regardless if it's true or not, Alb has a city ordinance against overnight parking and the Walmarts have a security crew that chase you out. (I don't care to research. The end result is important).

Me? I wound up filling up my tank, getting a cup of Jo and driving all night to get to the TX line where I could finally pass out.

The truck stops in NM are the pits - terrain wise. I tried pulling into a few and thought for sure I'd be calling a towing service. After 3 failed attempts it was 'On through the Night'

Hope this helps someone else.

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Old 08-12-2019, 12:22 AM   #2
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Casino Camping

There are several Casinos in and around Albq.
We have pulled into there without a hitch.
In fact, casinos throughout the country are a great stopping point.
Most have a cheap RV park (under $20/nite) to hook up electric, get water and dump.


https://smile.amazon.com/Casino-Camp...RZBSCE5DY802EN
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Old 08-12-2019, 01:30 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
Most have a cheap RV park (under $20/nite) to hook up electric, get water and dump.
]
Agree $17 full hook up, running the AC all night, beats parking lot boondocking.
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:06 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by taylorbob1 View Post
There are several Casinos in and around Albq.
We have pulled into there without a hitch.
In fact, casinos throughout the country are a great stopping point.
Most have a cheap RV park (under $20/nite) to hook up electric, get water and dump.


https://smile.amazon.com/Casino-Camp...RZBSCE5DY802EN

There is also a website:
http://casinocamper.com/
http://casinocamper.com/
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:20 AM   #5
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We stayed at a KOA on the south side of I-40 a couple of times while driving through. While not great and an expensive place to park if just sleeping there, it beats driving through the night. I don’t like doing that unless I absolutely have to.
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Old 08-12-2019, 08:06 PM   #6
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Thank you for this. Very helpful.
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Old 08-12-2019, 08:31 PM   #7
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That's a whole lot better than pushing "On, and into the darkness": isn't it?
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Old 08-12-2019, 10:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Breeze View Post
If you plan to pass through good ol' Alb, don't; plan to stay in a Walmart, HD or Lowes parking lot....
k

well, this is a common concern, and ready misconception... as I don't know of a single one in the country, in all of our 100,000 miles of travel and many, many overnights at many big box stores, and various 'commercial' parking lots, even in major cities, where this 'restriction' is either posted, or enforced.

You might be led to believe something different, because of local ordinances that might require signs to be posted by the owners... but that doesn't mean the store itself, or their security patrol, or the local police, sheriff, or even state troopers, will do anything to discourage it if you are polite, park in an unobtrusive space away from the heavy flow of traffic, and otherwise don't give them any 'reason' to.

The only place I've ever been asked to 'move' from was a MALL parking lot, which was absolutely huge, and very, very few cars, and yet their 'patrol' was in force to make sure that no one felt they could 'park' there - we were approached by them, and we were just parked, in the middle of the day, to actually SHOP there. They were very, very proactive.

I doubt you'll ever find anything like that, though, at any of the stores you mentioned.

I always say:
'make use of the available parking, until someone tells you otherwise'...
and it's always served us well, even as the police and sheriff cars drive by in the middle of the night.


Walmart corporate will even tell you that they, themselves, are certainly not against RVrs using their lots. They will also admit that many stores fall under local ordinances to the contrary, but unless THEY call to ask the authorities to ask you to move, it doesn't happen. Their managers have better things to do than worry about weary travelers, especially those that just shopped there.

I have seen some of these stores with what some call 'height' restriction poles at the entrance, but when you realize that using the truck entrance has no such restrictions, it doesn't keep you from doing business there, if not staying there.

If you park in places that don't readily show your 'overnighting', and stay stealthy, no one really cares whether you are there or not - you can always say that you're leaving for a vacation in the early morning, but want to wait to shop for some cold items until then - though I doubt you'll ever need to use that 'excuse'.

You have 6 wheels, or maybe even more - you can always easily move somewhere else, if the need arises.

One time at the Walmart on the eastern side of Asheville, NC, we pulled in to find a beautiful area and the parking lot right next to a fantastic park, with river running thru it, and walking trails around it. We pulled in, along with the five or so other motorhomes, some with there awnings out, some with slides out, some with all of it out, and parked out-of-the-way for the night.
A security patrol came by several times, but never stopped, or even slowed.
Later, as I was exiting the coach, that same patrol car came pulling by, slowed, stopped near me... the first thing out of the driver's mouth was "...well, Ya'll staying with us Long?" : ) He welcomed us, asked us if we needed anything, and went on his merry way, letting me know that if I wanted to move down a few spots, I might not be so close to the 'truck lane' for the delivery semi's that come during the night... nice.!

The next morning I woke up, we had coffee, and got ready to leave on the balance of our journey - I looked out the passenger window to find that 'sign' clearly posted high up on the light pole right next to us. We had parked right under it all night! : )


No worries, travel, enjoy.... it's part of the fun!
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Old 08-13-2019, 12:30 PM   #9
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k

well, this is a common concern, and ready misconception... No worries, travel, enjoy.... it's part of the fun!
In this case, they drove right up to me, asked if I planned to park overnight and when I replied 'yes', was politely told it's not allowed and I should try someplace else. It happened at two Walmarts there so a pattern emerged and I left the city.
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Old 08-13-2019, 12:41 PM   #10
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Time for some "Road Music"...

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Old 08-13-2019, 12:52 PM   #11
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Most "rules" are there just in case they need to enforce them...like the cheap goober (Cousin Eddie) that sets up camp in the center of the parking lot for days. Remain stealthy...get your quick nap and move on...and you won't have much of a problem anywhere.
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Old 08-14-2019, 12:36 AM   #12
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Time for some "Road Music"...

Nice pick
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Old 08-14-2019, 12:38 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Most "rules" are there just in case they need to enforce them...like the cheap goober (Cousin Eddie) that sets up camp in the center of the parking lot for days. Remain stealthy...get your quick nap and move on...and you won't have much of a problem anywhere.
I hear you. Afraid it was a problem there.
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Old 08-14-2019, 01:03 AM   #14
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If a rule is in place, and you HOPE that they'll ignore it: how lucky do you feel?
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Old 08-14-2019, 01:05 AM   #15
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Nice pick
Thanks! The soundtrack in my head is freakin' awesome!
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Old 08-15-2019, 10:59 PM   #16
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I got chased out of Cabelas in Portland exactly the same way fortunately the security guard escorted me over to the Fred Meyer lot and told me where to park so i would not be hassled.
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Old 08-16-2019, 03:07 AM   #17
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well never ever stay in ABQ
went there to visit family....ended up in jail for 4 days because of a cop that cant read. got accused of a murder in sacremento....crap it was not me



not to mention the over abundance of bums and gang bangers
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Old 08-16-2019, 04:24 AM   #18
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TurnerFam,
Don't try the WMs in either Duncan or Chickasha, OK. They will tell you NO when you ask. Now, if you want to try it out let us know how it goes. But, if you are needing to be in either of those places, you may have other problems....
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Old 08-17-2019, 07:36 PM   #19
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There is no overnight camping allowed in Gilford, NH.

Lawn chairs, BBQ grills, alcohol consumption, loud music, outside TVs, and gray water discharging might be the cause of some of the restrictions.
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Old 08-17-2019, 08:04 PM   #20
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Albaqurqie

We have stayed 2x now at American RV Park. They are awesome ,park is beautiful and gated. Best part $25. Last time we stayed for 4 days and enjoyed old town had a blast. Recomend it is worth 25$
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