Biker56 Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Policman shot & RVer Dead Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 There was likely something illegal going on in that bathroom to warrant any kind of scuffle , let alone shooting anyone . Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 So now an SUV with 8 people living in it is an "RV"? My, oh my! WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 So now an SUV with 8 people living in it is an "RV"? My, oh my! WDR Exactly! Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Yes, there was no mention in the article that the people involved in this incident were NOT in an RV. On another note, according to another post here, the WalMart in question has already banned RVers from staying overnight. Although we are not parking lot overnighters, it's too bad that RVers are banned when the incident had nothing to do with RVers. LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I suspect the people in the SUV were using the restroom to clean up or bath at the sink. Then when an employee talked to them about it the problems began. Might have been avoided if management had noticed they were in the parking lot for more than overnight and got them to move on. Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 More info from the local newspaper: http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=65083 http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1190&articleID=65055 Excellent editorial from the local newspaper: http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&subsectionID=1191&articleID=65023 Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 With all the real boondocking opportunities in the Cottonwood/Sedona/Camp Verde area, some only a few miles from the Walmart; I have never understood why a self contained RV needed to overnight in the Cottonwood Walmart or what the attraction was other than using the restrooms and bathing in the sinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 With all the real boondocking opportunities in the Cottonwood/Sedona/Camp Verde area, some only a few miles from the Walmart; I have never understood why a self contained RV needed to overnight in the Cottonwood Walmart or what the attraction was other than using the restrooms and bathing in the sinks. Would the average RV'er from out of the area know where to find these boondocking opportunities when looking for an easy overnight stopping point? Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Would the average RV'er from out of the area know where to find these boondocking opportunities when looking for an easy overnight stopping point? What is the average RV'er? Does the average RV'er stay at Walmarts? I think not or the parking lots would be so crowded there would be little room for other customers to park. How does this average RV'er from out of town find a Walmart that allows overnights? If one can use the Walmart locator to find a Walmart, they could use Free Campsites.net or other websites to find boondocking locations. In addition to Free Campsites there are other sources like: Free Campgrounds, Bob's Cheap or Free Campgrounds, Dean's List, Boondockers Welcome, and Harvest Hosts, The National Forest Campground Guide and the Ultimate Public Campground Project websites list both free and pay public campgrounds. In printed/ebook versions there is the Escapees Days End Directory and Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Walmart and the other big box stores that allow overnight parking put up these huge signs that make them very easy to find in most locations. I haven't noticed any signs like that for boondocking sites. An RV'er can pull off an Interstate exit in nearly any populated area with a good chance there's a suitable parking lot nearby where they can catch a nights sleep. Personally, I prefer a campground or boondocking to parking lots when our travel situation and location reasonably allows it, but that's not always the case. Try finding and getting into a boondocking spot at 9 o'clock at night after a day of travel delays due to weather and/or traffic have prevented you from reaching your intended destination for the night. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Walmart and the other big box stores that allow overnight parking put up these huge signs that make them very easy to find in most locations. I haven't noticed any signs like that for boondocking sites. An RV'er can pull off an Interstate exit in nearly any populated area with a good chance there's a suitable parking lot nearby where they can catch a nights sleep. Personally, I prefer a campground or boondocking to parking lots when our travel situation and location reasonably allows it, but that's not always the case. Try finding and getting into a boondocking spot at 9 o'clock at night after a day of travel delays due to weather and/or traffic have prevented you from reaching your intended destination for the night. X2.....I am what I consider an "average RVer " and I agree 100% with Dutch. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 The story here isn't about overnight stops by an RV. Its about a group of individuals traveling in a non RV vehicle who crossed the line with local law enforcement. While some may see the local Wal Mart decision to ban overnight parking of any vehicle as unfortunate it speaks to a local need. Obviously these were not "boondockers" in the sense that many here are. Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Folks Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Am I the only one that thinks that this particular WalMart shares, at least, some of the blame? According to RV Newsletter: "Cottonwood WalMart officials have met with local police to "discuss solutions to extended camping" in their lot." Extending camping? Why was WalMart allowing this in the first place? Overnight is one thing, "extended camping" is another. Camping Rig: 2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins 2006 Outback 27 RSDS Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula mix & a Chihuahua mix. Fulltimer since 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Nine people living in an SUV for multiple days in a Walmart lot has nothing to do with RVing. I couldn't even figure out why someone would put family members at the door of a restroom to "guard" it until someone suggested the person in the restroom was probably bathing in a sink in there. I don't consider that RVing behavior either. Even the van dwellers I know would more likely fill some water bottles to take back to camp for bathing. Plus, my understanding of Cottonwood is they are very supportive of people who have little. Apparently there are even public showers available so why would anyone bathe in the Walmart restroom in the first place? There has to be a lot more to this story that we simply have not been made aware of. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 AFAIK WalMart never allowed tent camping, or camping under the stars with just a sleeping bag in their parking lots. From the pictures that is what the Gaver family was doing. No RVs involved. Wal-Mart HAS opened their parking lots to RVrs traveling in RVs to overnight. RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertraveler Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 ...Walmart and the other big box stores that allow overnight parking put up these huge signs that make them very easy to find in most locations. I haven't noticed any signs like that for boondocking sites. An RV'er can pull off an Interstate exit in nearly any populated area with a good chance there's a suitable parking lot nearby where they can catch a nights sleep... My comment was specifically about the Cottonwood Walmart. With all the real boondocking opportunities in the Cottonwood/Sedona/Camp Verde area, some only a few miles from the Walmart; I have never understood why a self contained RV needed to overnight in the Cottonwood Walmart or what the attraction was other than using the restrooms and bathing in the sinks. It is a little over 12 miles from I-17 so no one is going to see a sign for it from the interstate. It doesn't have a Murphy's so there is no fuel sign on the interstate and I have never seen one for a fuel station 12 miles from the exit. If you drive from I-17 to Cottonwood on AZ-260, you do infact pass a sign for the BLM boondocking area adjacent to the Thousand Trails park. As for finding Walmarts from the interstates, my experience is that I m often past the exit by the time I see the sign at the store or the Walmart sign is not visible from the highway. I have never seen a Walmart listed on the blue and white services signs one sees approaching the interstate exits. If it has a fuel station, you will see a Murphy's sign on the Fuel station signs. The Walmart signs at the store give no indication whether overnights are permitted or not, so just pulling into any Walmart can be a hit or miss as far as overnighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Since as Linda pointed out, this incident didn't involve RV'ers in the first place, I'm going to drop out rather than belabor irrelevant points. Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFDR3116 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 As an Rver - fulltime, there are reference material I can use. The problem I have found with boondocking information, forest sites - really any of them is that I cannot find much information regarding the size of the spot, height of trees, condition of the roads, ability to turn around if needed etc. That's what scares me away from trying to find boondocking areas. Pat DeJong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 As an Rver - fulltime, there are reference material I can use. The problem I have found with boondocking information, forest sites - really any of them is that I cannot find much information regarding the size of the spot, height of trees, condition of the roads, ability to turn around if needed etc. That's what scares me away from trying to find boondocking areas. I'm not sure if you are talking about boondocking as a quick overnight stay or finding a boondocking site for a several day or week long stay. If only for quick o/n parking spot, it is not that easy to pick a spot. If looking for longer stay, the Days End list is a great source. You do need to be an Escapees member to get the list. Also I use Google Earth or Google Maps to research how easy it is to access and how large the parking areas are. Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 If looking for longer stay, the Days End list is a great source. You do need to be an Escapees member to get the list. Also, Day's End is pretty good about mentioning obstructions or limitations. For example, it might mention that the site is appropriate only for smaller rigs, or it's suitable for several big rigs. It often mentions the condition of the road getting to the site and, if there are overhanging trees, it often mentions that as well as whether the entry is steep or any other condition that may make it difficult for rigs with long overhangs to navigate. LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 I'm not sure I want to see Walmart portrayed as a bad-guy here. If they were talking to police about long term campers then that implies that they saw it as a problem and they WERE doing something about it. For all we know the police weren't responding to requests by Walmart to remove long-term campers. Blocking overnight camping because of this incident is a typical bureaucratic move. One of the things that annoyed me when I worked for the Federal Government is that someone was always coming up with some rule after an issue. The rule didn't solve the issue, but it gave them ammunition to name a culprit. No one could possibly memorize all the rules, anyway. These people were already breaking the rules; writing another one solves nothing and for all we know might result in one of US continuing to drive when we need to rest. I like Walmart. I have friends who have retired from Walmart and friends who have careers at Walmart. I appreciate their attitude towards RVers and I am pretty sure that any intolerance to overnight parking doesn't come from Walmart but from the community in one way or another. Maybe we could just make being an asshole illegal... WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 There is now a post on another forum of someone being robbed of two laptops in a Cracker Barrel lot while the RVers were eating. These things happen EVERYWHERE, not just at WalMarts. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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