Using a RV...can I park anywhere overnight?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta (ATL)
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,590
Using a RV...can I park anywhere overnight?
Hi,
as I have never rented a RV before, I was wondering if you can help me on this one:
Is it allowed to park the RV anywhere, maybe on a parking lot or next to a gast station for an overnight stay? Or is it prohibited by law and one has always to look out for an official camping ground? RV will be rented in LAX.
as I have never rented a RV before, I was wondering if you can help me on this one:
Is it allowed to park the RV anywhere, maybe on a parking lot or next to a gast station for an overnight stay? Or is it prohibited by law and one has always to look out for an official camping ground? RV will be rented in LAX.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA, USAir, UA
Posts: 868
No, you should make sure that the place you are parking does not have signs limiting parking.
Many city and residential streets in the Los Angeles area limit parking to certain hours, days, or in a few cases to residents of the neighborhood. Private parking lots often limit their use to customers, employees, or specific hours or amounts of time.
That being said many (but not all) Walmart stores allow overnight RV parking (where not forbidden by local ordinance). Some larger shopping centers don't object to RV users parking overnight in remote corners. Most major truckstops have no problem with overnight RV parking, and in fact if you go into the rear area (which usually says "truckers only") they have a variety of laundry facitities, pay showers, and TV lounges.
Finally, most places in LA have a "72 hour rule" that allows a vehicle otherwise legally parked on public streets to be cited if it is not moved for 72 hours. While not usually rigorously enforced for smaller cars or trucks....RVs and commercial trucks are often targeted by parking enforcement, or called-in by neighbors.
Many city and residential streets in the Los Angeles area limit parking to certain hours, days, or in a few cases to residents of the neighborhood. Private parking lots often limit their use to customers, employees, or specific hours or amounts of time.
That being said many (but not all) Walmart stores allow overnight RV parking (where not forbidden by local ordinance). Some larger shopping centers don't object to RV users parking overnight in remote corners. Most major truckstops have no problem with overnight RV parking, and in fact if you go into the rear area (which usually says "truckers only") they have a variety of laundry facitities, pay showers, and TV lounges.
Finally, most places in LA have a "72 hour rule" that allows a vehicle otherwise legally parked on public streets to be cited if it is not moved for 72 hours. While not usually rigorously enforced for smaller cars or trucks....RVs and commercial trucks are often targeted by parking enforcement, or called-in by neighbors.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
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Posts: 2,002
Hi,
as I have never rented a RV before, I was wondering if you can help me on this one:
Is it allowed to park the RV anywhere, maybe on a parking lot or next to a gast station for an overnight stay? Or is it prohibited by law and one has always to look out for an official camping ground? RV will be rented in LAX.
as I have never rented a RV before, I was wondering if you can help me on this one:
Is it allowed to park the RV anywhere, maybe on a parking lot or next to a gast station for an overnight stay? Or is it prohibited by law and one has always to look out for an official camping ground? RV will be rented in LAX.
If you are looking for campgrounds go search for the KOA (campgrounds of america). They have locations in most areas and cater to motorhomes and campers.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
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#8
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#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, AS Mileage Plan, SPG Gold
Posts: 343
Width
A lot of cities are hostile to street parked RV's. Many of them use a width restriction banning vehicles over 84 inches wide from parking on certain streets.
Call the local PD to check.
Steve
PS: On a different note, back in the 1990's there was a movie which featured a bunch of guys renting an RV and going to a basketball game in Los Angeles. Somewhere along the way to the game, they took a detour around traffic and got stuck in unfamiliar territories which was heavily gang infested. They ended up getting attacked by the gang and abandoning their RV (it was set on fire by the gang) and fleeing through the sewers and alleys of the city. I think all but one of the guys got killed off. Anybody remember the name of this movie?
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UAL, AA, USAIR
Posts: 376
First time RV'er?
There's a lot of stuff you need to know and that would be good to know. I would hope the rental company would have a nice thick version of an FAQ with all that info; if they don't, you might reconsider your choice of renter.
Might also be worth joining the Good Sam Club for their help.
Might also be worth joining the Good Sam Club for their help.
#11
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Our Walmart had signs that prohibited overnight parking, and I'm sure there was an obscure city ordinance behind that, too.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
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Posts: 1,352
It is my understanding that as long as you are legally parked on a PUBLIC road and there is no signage that stipulates that you cannot habitate the vehicle, you may do so up to 72 hours. Private roads have no such stipulations.
If you are looking for campgrounds go search for the KOA (campgrounds of america). They have locations in most areas and cater to motorhomes and campers.
If you are looking for campgrounds go search for the KOA (campgrounds of america). They have locations in most areas and cater to motorhomes and campers.
Best is to call the PD and ask them 1st what the ordinance for parking is and then if acceptable specifically ask about RVs.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2005
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HTB.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
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That sign does not mean "you can't use your brakes to slow down" - wow, how stupid do you think we are here in the States? It just means that big rig truckers can't use their noisy engine brakes within city limits out of respect for the noise laws. If they need their engine brakes inside a populated area they're going too darn fast.
How do I know this? I live just the other side of a noise-reduction dirt berm from an interstate highway that has an 8% 8-mile downhill. We have that same regulation on that stretch of road to allow people to have some peace and quiet. Actually it's an "engine brake mufflers required" rule - they can use them if they are properly set up so that don't sound like machine gun fire. I regularly hear the trucks ignoring the rules. Better than having their regular brakes burn up and the truck go runaway, which happens often enough unfortunately.