Double Parking

[Tiny Metal Tube]

In between campsites, when we go for supplies, we need to park. Often this involves parking lots. 

But some of our vehicles may not fit into a standard parking space. So we try to park out in the far side of the lot, out of the way, but often we still need to use up two parking spaces, or we'd stick way out into the driving area of the lot.

I looked for any kind of legal precedent but I couldn't find any. 

1. Is double parking legal for oversized vehicles?
2. Are property owners likely to tow it or call the police?
3. Do you take any measures to prevent vigilantes from seeking their own kind of street justice?

 

[user 423]

Parking lots other than Walmarts? If it's a similar large lot and you're not there for hours and hours, you would probably be OK...daylight hours anyway.

OTOH I've seen vehicles keyed when the lot is full and some bozo has their Camaro parked diagonally across two spaces.

Also seen a 4x4 fancy PU parked in FOUR spaces.

You said 'we', so maybe just leave one person to guard the vehicle or be ready to move it.

 

[MrNoodly]

Everywhere I go I see long rigs of all types taking up two or more parking spaces. Don't worry about it.

 

[Almost There]

I try to take up more than a single space since I have the hitch platform on back. It's a magnet for people parking too tight to my back end. Technically the van could fit in a single long space...not those silly 'small car only' spaces that seem to be cropping up a lot lately, 

I mostly park by pulling through a pair of spaces so that I can pull out when I'm leaving as opposed to have having to back out into the driving lane. I deliberately overhand the rear in to the back parking spot.

In 40 years of driving vans and RV's I have never, ever heard of any store or parking lot owner complaining about how many parking spots I need.

I park as far out as I need to to be able to find pull through parking that is easy to get in and and out of. Most of those 'vigilante' types are only found in the closest of the close parking areas because they don't want to have to walk any further than they have to to get to and from their vehicles. They are seldom to be seen in the far reaches of the parking lot. OTOH, I often want to go dress down some schmuck  nice person that is parking his/her vehicle and small cargo trailer lengthwise across 4 or 5 parking spots when it could be parked in 2 spots.

Use what space you need but only use what space you need!

 

[rvwandering]

We have a 25' class C and do not tow a car so we drive the RV everywhere. We always take up two spaces or back up over the grass or landscaping. Of course if possible we park on the far side of the lot. If we park on the street we have to take up two spaces.

We've only had a problem once. We parked in the far reaches of a mall parking lot and went shopping. When we came out we found a note from the mall guard informing us that we were illegally parked. He had actually called the police! The cop was waiting for us to return. He apologized but he said had to talk to us because we had been reported. :-D No ticket.

If you are oversized and parking on city streets check the parking restrictions if you are unsure about them. Most of the time it's okay but some cities are very strict.

 

[Tiny Metal Tube]

A followup question: How often do you find yourselves having to park elsewhere because there are no suitably sized or safe-looking parking spaces where you want to go? What's the furthest you've had to walk? So far I've only had to go one parking lot over.

 

[highdesertranger]

I take up multiple spaces all the time. but I park away form the front of the store. highdesertranger

 

[rvwandering]

A followup question: How often do you find yourselves having to park elsewhere because there are no suitably sized or safe-looking parking spaces where you want to go?  What's the furthest you've had to walk?   So far I've only had to go one parking lot over.

   We rarely fail to find suitably sized parking in store lots. Sometimes in small strip malls we might park near one of the less busy stores instead of the one we want to go to.  Parking at organic food stores in college towns are the toughest because parking is at a premium and the lots may be very small.

   I always scope out laundromat parking lots on Google maps beforehand and choose the one with the largest lot.

   Since we like to visit museums and other attractions that are located in the middle of cities I always check parking information beforehand at these places too.  We have parked a mile away when we really wanted to see the place and there was no suitable close parking.

 

[Wanderer]

I thought this was about parking on city streets besides a car already parked there. Was thinking "Are you crazy?" But now I see it's about taking up more than one space at a parking lot. I never have seen anyone get upset at someone who uses more than on and parks at the far end.

I'd certainly never get upset.

 

[lenny flank]

Well, I once saw a guy in a van park sideways in four parking spaces, leave the door open, then blast the radio all night long while he was sitting outside on a lawn chair drinking beers.

Yeh, don't do THAT.

But people understand that big vehicles don't fit in one parking space, so I doubt anyone would care all that much as long as you're in the back of the lot.

 

[lenny flank]

   Since we like to visit museums and other attractions that are located in the middle of cities I always check parking information beforehand at these places too.  We have parked a mile away when we really wanted to see the place and there was no suitable close parking.

This is one reason why i always like to take the local bus to visit things in town: many museum parking garages are a no-go for vans and I can't fit.

 

[VanGrrl57]

I'm lucky in the fact that my 1988 Chevy Astro fits into a parking space. When coming back to South Dakota from Montana and Wyoming, I stayed at Wal-Marts and there were no problems for anyone. Everyone was pretty considerate and that's nice. 

VanGrrl57