MudChucker
Niverville Manitoba
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We overnight in truckstops all the time and I've never seen a pop up opened...I've seen folks in vans with popups in tow overnight at a truckstop
2005 PILGRIM 274RL 5SS
2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 6.0
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revump
Las Vegas
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Joined: 07/02/2005
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Have never seen a popup open ... might be offensive to truckers
Bob
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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We have seen it on more than one occasion but usually it is off to the side or even on gravel. There is a truck stop about 20 miles out of Vegas that we stay in and on the way down south this year we saw a couple of pop ups pull in and set up. Technically, like us they were not in the truck stop but off on the service road that goes no where. Can't see why you couldn't do it. They specifically parked close to us and under a street light. They were gone before we were in the morning.
2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40C. Smart car CDI diesel TOAD towed on a trailer
2001 22 foot Vanguard VXL 2200 when travelling in Mexico
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lfloom
Pasadena
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Arent there a lot of generators going at truck stops? It is going to get pretty smelly inside the popup.
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jerem0621
SE Tennessee
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I have seen some Aliner type folding campers at our local WalMart.
My opinion... A Pop Up leaves you and your loved ones too exposed to too many things in a parking lot.
-You will have the street lamps in the parking lot that may make it difficult to sleep.
-You will be an easy target for those who wish ill to you and your family.
-The noise pollution MAY be unbearable.
-Hardsided RV's put a solid barrier between you and the outside.
However,
I do not think that it would be difficult to find a cheap local campground whenever you get tired that would allow you to set up for a quick sleep.
Thanks!
P.S. This is my 600th post! Hard to believe...lol
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
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gheicher
Southwestern PA
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Back many years ago the Ohio Turnpike had some overnight RV areas, usually gravel, no hook-ups, but a dump station, adjacent to their rest stops. The rationale was that if you were sleepy and towing an RV, they would encourage you to rest - Seems like a good idea. We did use the Ohio Turnpike's facilities with a canvas popup, but there was a fair amount of noise. Now on most turnpikes and/or interstates it's hard to even find a place to pee.
With my present Aliner if the need arose, I would consider overnight at a truck stop, Walmart, or Cracker Barrel, but due to the safety concerns shared above, I would not be comfortable there with fabric walls. I have read on other forums of popups and other trailers at Walmart, unhooked, with the canopy out and chairs underneath. That's a bit much - They need to find a campground.
* This post was
edited 02/05/12 10:48am by gheicher *
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beemerphile1
I'm only 57, I'm not yet a
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whitetruck wrote:
Beemerphile1, Do you open up your Aliner and sleep in it or do you sleep in you Vibe...
We sleep in the car when pulling the utility trailer with our motorcycle on board. Not very comfortable but better than death by auto accident.
We always sleep in the Aliner when we have it with us.
I have seen canvas pups in parking lots on a number of occasions. They usually stick out though because it is an unusual sight.
We spent the night at a shopping mall in PA last August. We were surprised to find several canvas pups also spending the night. Two even had generators running outside.
I personally wouldn't be comfortable sleeping under canvas in most parking lot situations. That was a major consideration in the purchase of our Aliner. I can pull into a spot, have the trailer opened and be inside in about one minute.
Tim
If you aren't paranoid, you aren't paying attention! 
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900 towed by 1998 Ford E150 4.6L = 8 MPG
2009 Aliner Sport towed by 2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L = 22 MPG
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whitetruck
Boulder City Nevada
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Thanks all for your replys to our question. Seems DW was correct about popups. It was a point that I had not thought of as we had overnighted often on several of our long camping trips.
We're going to have to decide if we have to give up our traveling camping trips or modify them.
thanks again:
bob and jackie
1991 rear bath 24 foot ford 460 gas motor and no slides 7.5 MPG Have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe and love the mileage.
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Had a 2007 Cross Roads Zinger ZT290FB one slide and 7915 lbs SOLD
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bondebond
Searcy, AR
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turninghawk wrote:skipnchar wrote:What possible difference would the KIND of RV you have make? Never been MY idea of fun to camp in ANY parking lot but certainly not because if the RV type.
I agree. Type of RV shouldn't matter.
Plus, we feel the same way. You'll never catch us overnighting at any truck stop, rest area, parking lot, or on city streets (seriously?). Safety is our main concern, and you'll have to excuse us if we just don't feel it at these places. And both of you have contemplated a trip with a PUP and considered parking lots? I think it's one thing to say it, and another to actually face it. To each their own, of course and that's the great thing. But I think (my opinion) that it is not typically done or seen very much is that folks generally recognize the inherent risks with a pup having only a canvas cover and a door lock that I can easily defeat with my bare hands (in my case, pull the velcro canvas away from the door and reach around inside to unlock it). There are other issues that weigh in but a PUP would be the least safest choice of RV in a parking lot. In this case, no better than pitching a tent. I haven't seen any of those outside of campgrounds.
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nitrohorse
pa
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I had a Starcraft Galaxy 8 back in the late 80's. The biggest reason why I couldn't wait to get rid of it was due to the lack of security while sleeping. I was always concerned about my family's safety when we went boondocking. We had fun in the PU, but I really enjoy the TTs now.
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