• ⚠️ Possible issue on January 1
    The current SSL certificate expires on January 1, 2026. It should auto-renew automatically.
    If the site shows as “Not Secure” after that day, you can temporarily bypass the warning by searching Google for:
    “how to ignore expired certificate Safari or your browser.”

    For more information and detailed browser-specific workarounds, click here . This thread will be kept updated.

Where can you park a Teardrop?

ssackett

ssackett

Novice
We are getting close to acting on our dream of becoming teardrop owners. Have located one for sale...and if that doesn't pan out getting ready to order. I have a couple of questions about the "vision".

For next 5+ years, we'll probably just do long weekends in So. Cal, No. Cal, Arizona, etc. But the "vision" (nearing retirement) is of being able to take longer trips, cross-country trips..camping and seeing small towns..BUT be able to pull into a motel/hotel in larger cities to "refresh" and do the urban thing. Will hotels let you park a teardrop? Any experiences with this?

Also, what's the usual requirement in state/fed parks for teardrops? Do they have to go into the RV section or are you able to park in "tent" or more scenic locations? Does going off season help or change this?

Thanks all for any insight and encouragement to the dream!
 
Most hotels don't have any problem with you parking your TD. They're more than happy you're a paying customer. As for State and Fed parks, many of the States have their own rules and some do insist you use trailer sites, so you'll have to check. However, as the CI is so small and doesn't require electrical/water hook ups, often you can use the tent areas especially in the National Parks. Oh, and if one of you is over the age limit (I think it's 60 or 63), you can get a lifetime pass for the National Parks; free entrance and half price camp sites, YAHOO!

And then there's dispersed and BLM camping... Fantastic secluded sites, but better have a porta-potty with you.

County Parks can be fun (hidden and forgotten) or not (in the middle of an urban war zone). If you're really desperate - and I mean really - there's Walmart...but NOT in California and especially not in the SF Bay Area. Yikes!

Off season is the best, hands down. No crowds, beautiful changing weather...just keeps on going good.

The short of it is: your CI is so small and moveable, you can camp just about anywhere you like. We've unhitched and shoved our baby into tight little jewel spots more than once.

You'll figure it out...and have a blast doing it.

Camp On,

Sue and Jim says
 
I'm late to the party, but the answer is yes to all of the above. Stand in front of your teardrop and ask for just about anything. They're so cute it's impossible to say no.
 
By the way, have you been toy shopping at Bass Pro or Cabellas? Lots of fun things. And internet surfing for special little goodies will keep you occupied for hours and hours...just watch your pocket book, so easy to go nuts ticking out your CI.

And did you know you're supposed to name your baby when you get her?

Sue
 
Oh yes you do! It's sorta like christening a ship or, as Frank likes to do, putting nose art on a fighter plane. Trust me on this one, she'll ride so much sweeter with a name.

And you'll have someone to curse when things go sideways.

Just a thought.

Camp On,

Sue
 
I have the Spirit Quest Pendelton in the trailer. It was a graduation gift from my parents when I left home 20+ years ago. They last forever, are really warm and are beautiful! Oh, and thanks for supporting Oregon's economy!
 
We've parked at hotels in the past with no trouble, even unhitched and left it there while we did some sightseeing around a major metro area. Of course, we had a hitch lock on it to prevent theft. In fact, many hotels along the interstate have big rig/RV parking. We've also parked overnight at Wal-Mart, Cabellas, and truck stops (thought I would recommend truck stops as a last resort, they are always noisy).

We've also camped at many tent only sites and had no trouble because of the size, and ability to unhitch and fit within the campsite easily.

No worries!
 
Jenn, I do believe we conned you into buying that Grand Canyon blanket when we got ours at...wait for it...the Grand Canyon. It is so beautiful...and we're such a bad influence on you.

But fun.

Sue
 
Another tip is to check out google Maps and Earth for the street and satellite views. I've done this several times to see if suitable parking is available at somewhere I want to visit. In cities parking can be so tight there aren't any pull through "double" spaces available. That's when I call ahead and make sure parking parallel in 3 spaces will be acceptable or parking in an area I can see online that isn't marked for parking. Has worked like a charm so far.
 
We once parked on the street in Milwaukee while attending a concert, and just made sure to put a 'paid' sticker in both the tow vehicle and teardrop windows. Didn't get a ticket...
 
One night we stayed in a rest stop in Iowa. We were driving really late on our way to our daughter's graduation in Minnesota. The camp-ground we were heading for seemed like it might not accommodate 'late and not terribly skilled backers!" visitors. Iowa has the best rest stops. Cleaned our teeth, climbed into our Teardrop and slept 8 hours! Gently hum of transports coming and going - didn't bother us in the least!. We also belong to Harvest Hosts - an organization that arranges overnight stays for free at wineries and other cool places.
 
SimonHahn said:
One night we stayed in a rest stop in Iowa. We were driving really late on our way to our daughter's graduation in Minnesota. The camp-ground we were heading for seemed like it might not accommodate 'late and not terribly skilled backers!" visitors. Iowa has the best rest stops. Cleaned our teeth, climbed into our Teardrop and slept 8 hours! Gently hum of transports coming and going - didn't bother us in the least!. We also belong to Harvest Hosts - an organization that arranges overnight stays for free at wineries and other cool places.
Click to expand...
Thanks Simon - I'm way late in replying and thanking you for your suggestions. Was rereading the advice I got on finding camping spots when we where just dreaming of becoming a TD owner. We've used so many of these and learned so much since then!

I was struck by your suggestion about Harvest Hosts as I've often wished for just this type of thing. BUT their website says that unless your RV has an interior toilet you won't be accepted. They do however mention teardrops. I'd think a teardrop with side tent and a porta-potty and a solid waste disposal system would work fine.. but it's not interior.

Have you had success using them in a tear drop? Would you still recommend joining?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top