I just had to post this, because I'm actually amazed I got a response this quickly. Framer Dude and I are leaving for a 4 month show tour through MI and New England, and I've been racking my brains trying to think of a way to defray expenses of living on the road. So, I posted an ad on SW Michigan Craigslist this morning asking if anyone would be interested in bartering handyman work/ cleaning in exchange for a spot to park our RV with water and electric hookup for the weekdays between shows. Guess what? Not two hours later, I've gotten a place to stay on a farm 8 miles outside St. Joseph (Krasl show) for the first week of July! Whew! Campgrounds get expensive, and I really can't do a weekly or monthly rate because we won't be there on weekends, and we'll be changing locales every week. The barter system is alive and well, and I've gotten a load off my mind!
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There there is Walmart ... they have a policy of allowing Motorhomes to overnight in their parking lots and there is power available. I did not know this until last year when we became friends with some ROAD WARRIORS. I was told you can go to the Walmart company website and confirm which locations have power available for free hook up ... no water ... just power. Always a back-up plan. :-)
We have been traveling to shows across the country for 12 years and have stayed at many Walmarts, but have yet to see one with hook-ups! I went to the Walmart website and couldn't find anything. Can you direct me to where this is found on their website? I know some casinos have hook-ups, and Cabelas and Flying J have dump stations, but hook-ups at Walmart is too good to be true!
Lois Anderson > Gary & Maureen ShullJuly 11, 2012 at 12:16pm
I found the following on the Walmart Corporate Site:
Question Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?
Answer While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.
My friends said that the site they used is an RV site and several list the No Parking and Parking Walmarts. The one they told me about was in central Indiana where the store installed electrical hookups in anticipation of electric cars. The car thing does not seem to be happening, but they just left the connect and so it has been used for RVs. I am guessing that the individual store manager made that decision and Corporate clearly does not know about it. LOL :-)
Hi, I live in Southwest Michigan (Union, MI area) ... if an Art Fair Insider ever needs a place to overnight with a plug in ... feel free to let me know you will be in the area.
I also know some artists who are part of the Elks clubs and many of them have full service RV service for free or very reasonable rate if you are a member....just an idea for those trying to save $$$ right now.
Caroline - this might be too late for this trip, but just found a site that might be of interest to you for future trips. For a $30 membership you can get access to Havest Hosts who have partnered with farms, wineries, etc. to provide free camping for RVers.
Not sure how many sites they have in your part of the country, but looks it might be a possible option for us as we drive up and down I-5 on the West Coast, maps can be found at http://www.harvesthosts.com/Maps.htm. The program is set up for 24 hour stays, however depending on the relationship you develop with your Host, for example if you offer to help around the farm or winery, you may be able to stay longer.
Replies
Another great resource for such things is couchsurfing.org The people on there are wonderful and are located all over the country and world.
There there is Walmart ... they have a policy of allowing Motorhomes to overnight in their parking lots and there is power available. I did not know this until last year when we became friends with some ROAD WARRIORS. I was told you can go to the Walmart company website and confirm which locations have power available for free hook up ... no water ... just power. Always a back-up plan. :-)
We have been traveling to shows across the country for 12 years and have stayed at many Walmarts, but have yet to see one with hook-ups! I went to the Walmart website and couldn't find anything. Can you direct me to where this is found on their website? I know some casinos have hook-ups, and Cabelas and Flying J have dump stations, but hook-ups at Walmart is too good to be true!
I found the following on the Walmart Corporate Site:
Question
Can I park my RV at a Walmart store?
Answer
While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV.
My friends said that the site they used is an RV site and several list the No Parking and Parking Walmarts. The one they told me about was in central Indiana where the store installed electrical hookups in anticipation of electric cars. The car thing does not seem to be happening, but they just left the connect and so it has been used for RVs. I am guessing that the individual store manager made that decision and Corporate clearly does not know about it. LOL :-)
thats awesome!!!!!!!!! i didn't realize living on the road was really that expensive, besides gas that is. i'm glad it worked out.
Hi, I live in Southwest Michigan (Union, MI area) ... if an Art Fair Insider ever needs a place to overnight with a plug in ... feel free to let me know you will be in the area.
Lois
thats awesome that you would do that. not to many people do these days.
I also know some artists who are part of the Elks clubs and many of them have full service RV service for free or very reasonable rate if you are a member....just an idea for those trying to save $$$ right now.
Caroline - this might be too late for this trip, but just found a site that might be of interest to you for future trips. For a $30 membership you can get access to Havest Hosts who have partnered with farms, wineries, etc. to provide free camping for RVers.
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