ever gone van "camping" to save $$ ?

   I am going to a huge board game convention for a couple of days this week
in Ohio.  I was remembering how a few years back, we camped in the van
occasionally to save $ when we were up in Canada.  Of course, it was sort of
expected there, and everybody did it at the rest areas at night.

  My question is this: are there places where you can get away with just
parking your van overnight and sleeping in it, without being bothered by
anyone? (here in the US - Ohio in particular) Have any of you habitually
gotten away with it?  For example, I've heard of people doing this at 24
hour mega convenience stores, such as Wal-Mart.  This would give access to
food and bathroom as well.

  I am considering doing something like this the first night, perhaps after
going to a local drive-in or something.  If some of you have had good
experience doing this sort of thing, I may attempt it the first night I'm in
town, and then stay at a hotel the second night.  That would balance out the
cost, letting me enjoy one spartan night of camping out, followed by a
relatively luxurious night at a motel.

  Thanks for any suggestions.

  OhioGuy wrote:


I've heard that too.

Back in the dark ages we van-camped many times all over the country.  The
simple thing was just to find a dark road, turn down it for a while and stop.
Parking lots are too well-lighted for sleeping comfort, but that's probably
solvable with eyeshades or better curtains.  We NEVER paid to camp.


Whatever you do, do NOT mistake the country club driveway for the
aforementioned dark road unless you want Sheriff Bubba and his deputies and his
dawgs to wake you up in the middle of the night with drawn guns.

--
Cheers, Bev
*----------------------------------------------------*
*Are you *sure* there's a hyphen in "anal-retentive?"*

 OhioGuy wrote:


Rest stops on the Ohio turnpike.  At least, a few years ago when I
used to go through a couple of times a year.  Look for the
out-of-the-way parking lot that's separate from the main lot.

Dave

 

You're not "camping out" when you do that.
Interstate rest stops are one thing, city parking lots are another.
You have to think about comfort and security.
If slamming car doors will keep you awake all night, it's best to pay
for a dedicated "camping" spot or a room.

--Vic

 
Truck stops are a better option.  You have access to the same
facilities with none of the potential hassles.  You can even rent a
shower if you want.

Overnight parking anywhere else raises all sorts of issues, not the
least of which is security.