Rockwood Hard Sides?

[4GNomad]

I am considering a Rockwood Hardside Popup. Do you think Wal-Mart would care about these popups for an occasional boondock? They look more like a trailer instead a cloth pop out?

 

[Almost There]

Truthfully in all my travels, I've never seen any kind of pop-up in use in a W/M parking lot, rest area or Flying J/Pilot.

The delineation of 'overnight parking' as compared to 'camping' is a fine one but basically most allow 'overnight parking' whereas 'camping' is totally discouraged.

Getting out and setting up a pop-up whether hard-side or canvas would seem to fall in the 'camping' end of the spectrum IMO.

But then I've seen some RVrs' put out their slide-outs and put down the stabilizers. I've also seen some in Florida kinda stretch the privilege a bit and put out their awnings.

Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing any of that but others might not have a problem with it.

 

[sushidog]

No problem parking at Walmart with one for an overnighter as they pop-up and down in less than a minute - 30 seconds for my Aliner. You can also move them short distances at low speeds (around the parking lot - if you need to move) without popping down. Just remember to ask permission before you stay for the night, as some municipalities ban overnighting in business parking lots.

Check out my Blog article here: http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/living-traveling-pop-aliner-trailer/

Chip

 

[compassrose]

I have seen a few A-Liners in parking lots. Not many as they really aren't that plentiful and pop-ups take more time to "pop-up" as opposed to Class A-C & trailers. I once saw a TrailManor opened up in a parking lot late one afternoon. I don't know if they were going to spend the night. They were loading groceries into it.

 

[4GNomad]

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have stayed at wal mart and fred myer with a pop up tent trailer. so I would say yes. I have seen the aliners the are built really well. however I looked at a few of the other brands at a rv show recently, and I was less than impressed to say the least. the workmanship was shoddy and the materials were sub par. highdesertranger

 

[4GNomad]

I have stayed at wal mart and fred myer with a pop up tent trailer.  so I would say yes.  I have seen the aliners  the are built really well.  however I looked at a few of the other brands at a rv show recently,  and I was less than impressed to say the least.  the workmanship was shoddy and the materials were sub par.  highdesertranger

Thanks for the info highdesertstanger. Much appreciated.

I am looking at a Forest River model right now as it will allow me to keep my current SUV (Vue AWD) which still has low miles (73k) and still get the benefits of the higher mpg. I have been eyeing these type below...

The idea is to go with the storage option up front so I can add battery bank/ solar panel / storage structure or generator plus perhaps a bike, etc. I would completely lose stealth using something like this, but since I am out west I should be able to boondock pretty well if I divide up the time between BLM, Walmarts, etc.

Cheers!

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah 4gnomad, that's a Fleetwood, I think. I have seen a couple they are nice. I agree out west boondocking is easy peasy. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

I would advise a 15-20 ft camper.They can be had for less money and are much more livable.

 

[4GNomad]

Hello Bob

I can't fit a camper on a Vue.

 

[sushidog]

Exactly. I towed My Aliner with a 4 cyl car for years. You can pull them with practically anything.

Some models are obviously lighter than others.

Here's what I used to tow mine for over 40,000 miles.

The transmission is acting up now (after 312,000 original miles) and will need to be replaced soon, but other than that I've had no problems with that car as a TV. Engines still runs great and doesn't burn a drop of oil.

BTW, my Aliner is 15ft long (there are larger and smaller models.) It has a sofa and dinette that makes into a king sized bed, a full kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator/freezer that runs on propane, 12v and 120v, hot and cold running water, sink, hot shower and cassette potty, air conditioner, television/dvd player powered by an inverter, etc. Read more about it here: http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/living-traveling-pop-aliner-trailer/

Chip

 

[offroad]

Chip -- you are my frugal hero. Lol.

 

[pros80]

Have been looking at ALINERS, ROCKWOODS and CHALET aframe trailers lately.  Walmart parking should be doable I'm thinking since it doesn't look like a pop up with the dormers or tents popping out.

For other parking lots an idea is to throw a tarp over the AFrame camper to get a semi stealth look while parked. It will just look like a triangular cargo type trailer. It seems like it will not draw too much attention, but not be the most stealth thing out there.

I'm planning on renting one for a weekend to test it out.

 

[sushidog]

The thing about an A-frame camper parked in a parking lot or roadside rest area is that it looks like you are just overnighting on your way to a campground, not living in it full time. Because of their unique shape, they do attract attention though. I can't tell you how many times I've "given the tour." Plus if a cop ever asks what you are doing sleeping in it at a rest area, (which I've never had happen, though I've overnighted in quite a few rest areas) it's believable to tell them you are on vacation and are just getting a few hours rest before heading off to the nearby state park or NP campground. Be sure to have a destination in mind (in your direction of travel) ready if they ask.

Chip

 

[Patrick46]

tell them you are on vacation and are just getting a few hours rest before heading off to the nearby state park or NP campground. Be sure to have a destination in mind (in your direction of travel) ready if they ask.

You have no obligation whatsoever to tell them where you've been, or where you're going. NONE of their business. (but still be polite!)

 

[compassrose]

For other parking lots an idea is to throw a tarp over the AFrame camper to get a semi stealth look while parked. It will just look like a triangular cargo type trailer. It seems like it will not draw too much attention, but not be the most stealth thing out there.

Now that would be stealthy and not noticed much. Hey, what's that triangle thing you got all covered up? Is it some kind of a UFO?

I figure if you are someplace that allows overnight parking, then why are you worried about stealth? If you are not someplace that allows overnight parking, then you will not be stealthy enough.

If you are someplace that allows overnight parking, I have been in many and definitely NOT stealthing, then you need to stop paying attention to the self-appointed RV Parking Lot Police. EVERY PLACE I have overnighted at and that I was allowed to overnight at was only interested in one thing. That I didn't leave a mess. Nothing that even vaguely came close to the "Rules of Overnighting" that is pushed so hard. In fact, I came up against so many differences that I came up with my own term for parking overnight in parking lots, etc (Freedom Parking) and my own guidelines based on actual experience that I (and others) have had. They are different. I suspect because I bother to talk to the store managers rather than assuming things to suit my own personal bigotries. I only stay at places that allow it (my Sam's Club membership comes in very handy for overnighting). I ALWAYS ask the manager on duty for permission. I always ask where they would like me to park. If they say anywhere, I tell them where I am parked (usually at the far edges) and ask if that location is okay. Sometimes they tell me a better/quieter spot in the parking lot. I ask if it's okay to run my generator for a few hours (never all night - so far). I ask if it's okay if I can sit outside in the parking lot outside of my RV. I like to watch the acro-bat-tics. Good nature show. I have not been told no for anything except the generator. And that one time was because the neighbourhood next to the store complained about it. Sam's Clubs are fantastic. Typically we get gated in and the security that patrols the parking lot keeps an eye on us as well. I have a Business/Plus membership ($100) that I use heavily. I can get in before normal store hours. They often put out free coffee & fruit/danishes/cookies. I buy supper there the night before (huge cooked rotisserie chicken $5 and a salad, or a rather large cooked pizza $9, or something from the frozen food section or deli meats section). Sometimes I do my grocery shopping there while traveling instead of in an unknown town.

Also while traveling, I have three potential stops for the night. My early or making very bad time stop, my normal schedualed stop and my late or my "Da Lawd, we're acooking now" (aka making very good time) stop. This gives me an alternative if we can't stay at an earlier stop, we can push on to a later stop. I've not had to use the alternative much. But more than once we have pushed to the next stop because we did not like the place we decided to stop at first. This happens around large cities mostly. Worst comes to it, we will stay in a rest stop (and have more than once). TX rest stops tend to have free wifi. Helpful for finalizing the next day's leg of the trip.

 

[WriterMs]

If you are in any sort of vehicle parked in the overnighting "zone" at a Walmart, do not worry about stealth. They KNOW you are camping overnight... even if you call it parking. They already KNOW you are sleeping in the van or travel trailer or truck camper. And I've seen many trucks pulling travel trailers so how is a pop-up any

Her's the thing: They make ton 0' money off of the overnighters and they not only do not care if you sleep there, they want you to. LOL If you make it a habit at the same store, someone will probably say something.

Seriously, unless it is one of the few Walmarts that cannot allow you to overnight, you do not need to worry. I go in and buy at least a little something and ask. OR, I have many times simply called in advance of getting to the city where I want to overnight. Use Walmart's website and the location finder. Call the number and simply ask if overnight parking is allowed and, if so, is there a section of the lot that you should use.

They are very helpful. They will say to the West of the lawn and garden fence or just not anywhere blocking the delivery zone, etc. They want your money.

 

[pros80]

Now that would be stealthy and not noticed much. Hey, what's that triangle thing you got all covered up? Is it some kind of a UFO?

I figure if you are someplace that allows overnight parking, then why are you worried about stealth? If you are not someplace that allows overnight parking, then you will not be stealthy enough.

I know its not exactly the pinnacle of stealth, but if you have a tarp over a Tee Pee Shaped AFrame you are less likely to have people leer over and stare at the UFO shaped thing Maybe thinking your towing a odd shaped object. 

I was in the van at walmart the other night and the security car drives by the van and see's me getting ready for bed and just didn't seem to care one bit.