It's been a good many years since traveling with a 60'+ race rig. We always stayed at the truck stops for overnight rest. I have never been a fan of doing that! Some are saying rest stops or Walmart parking lots, not sure I like that either. I researched a little about KOA today, didn't seem like a bad of option. Wouldn't mind hearing what others are doing?

2BKING looking for options.

Been a few years back I went from Baltimore to Pamona and back to Orlando at 72ft long. Stayed mostly in RV resorts and one night in a rest area near Pensacola. Never unhooked and never booked ahead. Doubt you can do that today

I’ll usually use a rest area but have done truck stops too.

I’ve done Walmart a couple times while traveling with others, but at 80+ feet I’d rather not risk getting stuck somewhere or hopping curbs.

No easy answers.
We have found that after early evening most rest stops and truck stops are full and no long pull through spots left.

CASINOS! Camera's everywhere, food, adult beverages, big parking lots, open 24hrs.

Best other options for us are Walmart, rest area, truck stop in that order.

Traveling East of the Missip at night (when I do majority of travel) many rest stops are so overfilled that trucks are parking on the off/on ramps. I stop rest areas mid - late mornings (most always open) to rest when traveling over 1000 miles.

we don't travel far, but we have stopped at rest areas for weather. 31ft motorhome pulling a 20ft open trailer so not quite as big. plan ahead & look for rest areas/walmart or any big parking lot prior to leaving.

rv parks are not good pics with long rigs and can be tricky at best. some flying J plazas now have rv hookups.

Thanks for all the good information, much appreciated!

Not sure what I'm going to do at this time, still got about 3 months to figure it out. Probably wing it or pack in the H00kers & Blow!; just kidding.

2BKING

I do truck stops and rest areas. As said most fill up quickly but if you wait to stop at 3-4am usually find spots. We travel back east every year for racing. Our shortest trip is 1800 miles one way. I usually drive hard to get where I am going. Most every trip for me is one stop to sleep/rest.

quote:

Originally posted by Al Alguire:
I do truck stops and rest areas. As said most fill up quickly but if you wait to stop at 3-4am usually find spots. We travel back east every year for racing. Our shortest trip is 1800 miles one way. I usually drive hard to get where I am going. Most every trip for me is one stop to sleep/rest.

Al,

My past trips back East to race, the shortest being little over 1900 miles & when I go to the East Coast 2200 miles. I travel hard like you do & can put in 1100 miles in one day. I get early starts & usually quit around 10-11 pm at night for 4-5 hours sleep. Yes, it's hard to find a spot to park at that time.

I'm rethinking this trip to be a little more relaxing & not to push the limits. I'm not getting any younger & I don't need to be in a hurry anymore.

2BKING needs to slow down a little.

B King have ya ever tried maybe stayin at race tracks along the way I know all the tracks here in Iowa would welcome you for an overnight most are open gate call ahead also might work

Brian we have been traveling across the country most my life I get it. Every move in the USAF we moved racecars and a motorhome. When the wife or kids are along we usually stay in rest areas and knock off early. Although we have done truck stops a time or two. If you stop early in the day you can usually find something. My rig, well jsut sold the coach(lloking for a new one) is significantly longer than yours so I get it.

Being retired you have more time to stop if you wish and I have never found it to be an issue earlier in the day. I move stuff cross country all the time for folks in addition to racing. In fact will be taking our dragster to its new owner in St Louis here soon. Just trying to find something to bring back with me first. IMO there are a lot of options if you just stop earlier in the day. Its that 10-2am slot that is very limited and even moreso back east

quote:

Originally posted by vetman:
B King have ya ever tried maybe stayin at race tracks along the way I know all the tracks here in Iowa would welcome you for an overnight most are open gate call ahead also might work

Vetman,

Funny you mention that! One year I did stop in Iowa & stayed over for two nights for racing. I think it was call Mid America, entered 3 races; won two of them & skipped the 3rd to get on the road to MI. Went plenty of rounds in MI also at numerous track & lucked out with another win. It was a good trip overall.

Anyway, with the new race rig I'm not so sure I want to put it through it's paces (although very capable). Going 70 through Denver to hit 80 to come across the Northern route. Other than the steep climbs, I enjoy the Northen route the best! Might take you up on the invite & do some more racing in IA.

2BKING it's nice to have options!

PM me your trip dates we have several big money races local this year

quote:

Originally posted by vetman:
PM me your trip dates we have several big money races local this year

I'm not really set on dates yet! The main purpose of the yearly trips back to MI is spending time with my dad on our birthday (yes, same date). This will be the earliest trip back & it would be nice to be back for Father's Day on June 18th.

That being said, it would probably be the 1st part of June. It doesn't have to be a big money race. Looking for 1 or 2 nights rest & racing is secondary. Plus, I'm still unsure on the route I'm going to take.

2BKING thanks member's for taking time & responding.

Its hard to find a weekend without a big money race in Iowa. This year we have ones 2 weeks in May 3 weeks in June and close by in Illinois June and July-August- Sept and October so if you can swing through check them out 5000-100000

quote:

Originally posted by vetman:
Its hard to find a weekend without a big money race in Iowa. This year we have ones 2 weeks in May 3 weeks in June and close by in Illinois June and July-August- Sept and October so if you can swing through check them out 5000-100000

Thanks Vetman!

I found 2 Summit ET Bracket races at Cedar Falls on June 10th & 11th: looks like a possible option. What track(s) do you race at? I think Cedar Falls is Toad1's home track. I wouldn't mind meeting up with you guys.

2BKING

Raced mostly at CFR but also Eddyville- Cordova and Byron in Illinois all nice places-Eddyville has the best lighting around ya Toad used to own CFR and wife and I tee shirt/parts shop many a all nighter there-lol

Minimum of two drivers and my 9 towing with a motor home, we never stop for anything other than fuel.

Never leave home without the 9.

Bob