Rving Doesn’t Entitle Anyone

Overnight Parking Is a Courtesy, Not an Entitlement

I’ve been thinking about this post for a few days after reading something in one of the RV groups that really caught my attention.

A member described an experience at a Walmart where he wanted to stay overnight in the parking lot. Like many of us would, he called the store first to ask permission. The manager told him that overnight parking was not allowed at that location.

Instead of accepting the answer, he called Walmart’s corporate office to question the manager’s decision. According to his post, he believed the manager should have allowed the stay and even expected an apology after contacting corporate. When that didn’t happen, he posted online criticizing both the store and its management and said he would no longer shop there.

Reading the post made me think about how we, as RV owners, are sometimes perceived.

Overnight parking at places like Walmart, Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel, and similar businesses is a privilege extended by many locations, not a right. Even if a company has a general policy, individual stores may have legitimate reasons for saying no. Local ordinances, insurance requirements, security concerns, limited parking, or previous problems with overnight guests can all influence that decision.

Whatever the reason, it’s their property, and it’s their decision.

As RVers, we represent the entire camping community every time we ask to stay overnight. A courteous request followed by a gracious “thank you,” whether the answer is yes or no, goes a long way toward maintaining those relationships. Arguing with employees or demanding exceptions only makes it more likely that stores will decide it isn’t worth offering overnight parking at all.

One thing that encouraged me was reading the responses from other RVers. The overwhelming majority supported the store’s right to make its own decision and reminded the poster that overnight parking is a courtesy, not an entitlement.

If you’re planning to stop for the night, always ask permission first. If the answer is yes, thank them by supporting the business and leaving the area exactly as you found it. If the answer is no, thank them anyway and move on to another location.

A little courtesy helps ensure that these opportunities remain available for the rest of us.

Enjoy the journey.