Leaving Parking Lights on at Rest Stops?

[MapNerd]

On occasion, we find ourselves needing to make a longer trip, one that requires a day or day and a half of driving. Often, we’ll find a nicer rest stop and pull in there early, usually trying to snag a spot next to a median or area that allows us to put out the FWS without taking any risks. Anyway, I often find myself desiring to leave my parking lights on overnight just forthe added security of knowing that we can be seen, but I’m always scared to for fear of draining the batteries overnight.

Does anyone leave their parking lights on over night when parked at a rest stop?

 

[Neal]

1) I would not stay at a rest stop unless it's one of those RV equipped ones. Proper planning should prevent this. I don't do this, I don't do Walmart, that's just me
2) I keep four of these (or similar style) in my forward left electrical bay. If you're worried about parking somewhere and someone grazing you, consider putting these out. Probably better than running lights. Amazon.com: TUFFIOM 5Pcs Safety Traffic Cones, 18" Orange Slim Fluorescent Reflective Collars, Road Parking Field Marker Cones for Outdoor Activity & Festive Events Multipurpose: Garden & Outdoor

 

[sheridany]

@MapNerd have you considered harvest host as a layover option? It pays for itself pretty quick. Your kids will like it as some have friendly pets of all kinds.

 

[MapNerd]

1) I would not stay at a rest stop unless it's one of those RV equipped ones. Proper planning should prevent this. I don't do this, I don't do Walmart, that's just me
2) I keep four of these (or similar style) in my forward left electrical bay. If you're worried about parking somewhere and someone grazing you, consider putting these out. Probably better than running lights. Amazon.com: TUFFIOM 5Pcs Safety Traffic Cones, 18" Orange Slim Fluorescent Reflective Collars, Road Parking Field Marker Cones for Outdoor Activity & Festive Events Multipurpose: Garden & Outdoor

To each their own. For us, large, well lit rest stops - typically state welcome centers are fine. They often have colorbooks and such for the kids for free as well. We’ve done it several times and never had much of an issue. We always scope them out ahead of time. Many of them have areas separate from trucks that are intended for buses and we definately take up a bus spot if one is open. If we have to park with the trucks, then we try to grab an end spot and we don’t put out the slides then. We don’t do Walmart, but we’ve done Lowes once and that was really completely fine. Having kids, we’re careful about where we choose to stop.

I wouldn’t put out safety cones in the truck area of a rest stop and my concern is less about being grazed and more about my toad being plowed into and sent into my engine, which is then sent into my bedroom. Lights on would be an easy way to make that less likely.

 

[MapNerd]

@MapNerd have you considered harvest host as a layover option? It pays for itself pretty quick. Your kids will like it as some have friendly pets of all kinds.

We’ve done Harvest Hosts several times and try to when we can. Sometimes we just want to make a quick stop, eat diner, hit the bed and then get back at it and get to the destination.

 

[Neal]

I would never take a place where a truck would rest, there was a long discussion on this once upon a time. Moral is we don't want them in our campgrounds, we can't be taking up their places to rest. My $.02.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

rest areas are not for rv layovers. Many states have laws that state so and signs that say no overnight parking. Arizona has most of it's rest areas closed to all but trucks, this reflects how the government looks at us taking spaces from truckers that the law limits the number of hours a trucker can be on the road without rest. Truck stops on the other hand are much more friendly to the RV community and many have a few RV parking locations away from the trucks.

 

[MapNerd]

rest areas are not for rv layovers. Many states have laws that state so and signs that say no overnight parking. Arizona has most of it's rest areas closed to all but trucks, this reflects how the government looks at us taking spaces from truckers that the law limits the number of hours a trucker can be on the road without rest. Truck stops on the other hand are much more friendly to the RV community and many have a few RV parking locations away from the trucks.

That’s not the question.

I would never take a place where a truck would rest, there was a long discussion on this once upon a time. Moral is we don't want them in our campgrounds, we can't be taking up their places to rest. My $.02.

And I take it that your answer is No - you do not leave your lights on

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You are correct. I don't have LED lights on my rig so I worry about leaving them on overnight.

At one time I used rest areas, a very long time ago.

 

[BGMAC]

Well, my $.02 is... Rest areas are not just for trucks. They are for autos, RV's and yes trucks. There are some "Truck Only rest areas, but they don't have many amenities and are used for truckers to take their required time off.

A rest area is there to allow a tired traveler to take time from driving and relax for safety reasons. There is no real time limit, but yes some do say no overnight parking, but catching 3/4 hrs sleep is fine if you need that much rest. Now I don't necessarily "stay" at a rest stop, but I do stay as long as I need to be safe. If I am traveling a long distance I often stop at a rest stop for 30 min to an hour to take a break and take a nap. You would be surprised how far you can go being refreshed and relaxed. Many rest stops link in FL have security guards for that added security

 

[BGMAC]

Does anyone leave their parking lights on over night when parked at a rest stop?

I forgot, I travel mostly early morning and quit around 2-3 pm, so I don't use light, but If I did it would be no problem because I run the generator anyway for the AC.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Well, my $.02 is... Rest areas are not just for trucks. They are for autos, RV's and yes trucks. There are some "Truck Only rest areas, but they don't have many amenities and are used for truckers to take their required time off.

A rest area is there to allow a tired traveler to take time from driving and relax for safety reasons. There is no real time limit, but yes some do say no overnight parking, but catching 3/4 hrs sleep is fine if you need that much rest. Now I don't necessarily "stay" at a rest stop, but I do stay as long as I need to be safe. If I am traveling a long distance I often stop at a rest stop for 30 min to an hour to take a break and take a nap. You would be surprised how far you can go being refreshed and relaxed. Many rest stops link in FL have security guards for that added security

Sign of the Covid times. Now the truck stops in AZ say trucks only under the rest area sign.

 

[MapNerd]

I forgot, I travel mostly early morning and quit around 2-3 pm, so I don't use light, but If I did it would be no problem because I run the generator anyway for the AC.

We have the AGS set so the generator will come on, but I’m not sure if the generator would run the parking lights. Those are running off the chassis batteries I’d expect and I’m not sure if the generator will charge up the chassis batteries or not. I know it’ll charge the house batteries and then I could jump the chassis from the house, but obviously no one wants to do that unless there’s a real reason to. Thus far, I’ve just been turning on a couple of rechargable bike tail lights on the few occasions we do find ourselves there.

 

[Neemer]

John, your genset should be charging chassis batteries as well. At least that’s how it works on mine.

To answer your original question, I have never left parking lights on. I will always find a well lit area to park.

 

[MapNerd]

John, your genset should be charging chassis batteries as well. At least that’s how it works on mine.

To answer your original question, I have never left parking lights on. I will always find a well lit area to park.

I’ll confirm with Newmar when I’m there next week. I’d next wonder if the AGS would trip if the chassis batteries dipped to a certain level? That is, assume it’s a cool night and AGS never trips for AC, but parking lights are on all night. Would the AGS turn on if the chassis batteries became depleted to a given level?

 

[Neal]

Well, my $.02 is... Rest areas are not just for trucks. They are for autos, RV's and yes trucks. There are some "Truck Only rest areas, but they don't have many amenities and are used for truckers to take their required time off.

A rest area is there to allow a tired traveler to take time from driving and relax for safety reasons. There is no real time limit, but yes some do say no overnight parking, but catching 3/4 hrs sleep is fine if you need that much rest. Now I don't necessarily "stay" at a rest stop, but I do stay as long as I need to be safe. If I am traveling a long distance I often stop at a rest stop for 30 min to an hour to take a break and take a nap. You would be surprised how far you can go being refreshed and relaxed. Many rest stops link in FL have security guards for that added security

Concur. I'll stop at rest areas and have lunch, walk the dog, stretch my legs. I will not "plan" to spend the night at one, ever. I don't leave a CG without a destination reserved for the next stop. If needed, take a nap, I've done that long ago in a long car trip when I had a poor nights' sleep the prior night. An hour power nap does wonders.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The LEO contingent in our family forbids us to overnight at rest areas. To many responses to those areas because bad things are happening. No Walmart’s either. Cabelas and
Bass Pro are usually OK.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

I guess because of my early days of being a teacher, I actually enjoy the research, and planning for our trips. So far we have not had to resort to any of the above mentioned options. Tonight, we had a stop needed on our trip in Wells, Nevada. I had a bit of doubt about the rv park, “Welcome Station”, but after driving across the desert today, we found it to be a simple, well-organized oasis with a creek,grass, and mostty just rvers, not semi-permanents.I have found the sources I use most are Campground Reviews, and Big Rigs.
These are unusual times, and there are sadly more financially stressed folks out there. I think we have to enjoy travel with a bit more safety in mind. Judy D

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Good grief...the way these threads can go sideways and never answer the poor OP’s question. Sorry, a pet peeve of mine and try to catch myself.

John,
If you have LED markers, I’d be almost CERTAIN you could easily last all night with them on.

Next week, have a Tech run an ammeter on your chassis batteries with your markers on.

Please circle back and let me know!

 

[MapNerd]

Good grief...the way these threads can go sideways and never answer the poor OP’s question. Sorry, a pet peeve of mine and try to catch myself.

John,
If you have LED markers, I’d be almost CERTAIN you could easily last all night with them on.

Next week, have a Tech run an ammeter on your chassis batteries with your markers on.

Please circle back and let me know!

I stopped paying attention to it a while ago. Figured I’d find my answer at Newmar. This thread left me pretty disappointed in the forum.