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kfrere · 06-26-2016, 04:37 PM

We're planning a trip to Minnesota in the Fall and I'm trying to find websites for each city we're visiting to get info about parking our AI inside the city. Some are easier to get info on than others.

Makes me curious - have you ever tried to visit a city and just gave up searching for parking in town? (Last year we were thrilled to find open deck parking in downtown Madison, WI.)

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Lily&Me · 06-26-2016, 04:41 PM

You can always find something.

May be a side street, an end parking spot, or an open lot....always something.

Maggie

**Rocinante** · 06-26-2016, 05:32 PM

I confess to being a little jealous - with an AI you can discretely park overnight in lots of legal spots where nobody will be the wiser. Not so easy with a 28' Airstream trailer in tow.

<edit> Regarding just day parking, similar challenges apply. On a Sunday we once found street parking for our rig in downtown Billings, MT, while we went into a nearby restaurant for brunch, but that is definitely not the usual case. </edit>

Lily&Me · 06-26-2016, 05:36 PM

Yes...that's one of the big reasons many of us like being small.

Maggie

Protagonist · 06-26-2016, 05:44 PM

An Airstream Interstate has nearly the same wheelbase and dimensions as a long-bed crew-cab Chevy Silverado pickup, except for the height, of course. Almost anywhere that you can park a big pickup, you can park an Interstate, especially if you can back in without scraping your generator or propane fill port on the curb. But remember that you have a reasonably wide tail-swing for getting in and out if someone parks right next to you. And avoid multi-level parking garages…

Aircruiser · 06-26-2016, 06:39 PM

Protagonist--if you can find on-street parking in New Orleans, you can find it anywhere. I haven't tried, yet, but maybe next year for Jazz Festival.

xrvr · 06-26-2016, 06:45 PM

For backing into curbs without scraping, I put air lift bags on the rear so I could lift it a couple inches to clear a curb. Just make sure you have enough room past the curb. It's a pretty big overhang on the interstate. Sure wish I still had mine, the only Airstream that I miss.

BillyBoy · 06-26-2016, 06:55 PM

I've parked several times in small cities, but it ca be iffy. If there are meters, I take two (if I can get two together), and pay for both. Otherwise, park out of town and use Uber. I've rented cars, and Enterprise, for one, said they would be happy to pick me up at the campground; said they do it all the time. One great resource is Google Earth. You can use it to see what parking is available around museums, etc. If you see a roof where the parking should be, fuggedaboudid.

Haasman · 06-26-2016, 07:17 PM

Most Walmarts welcome overnighters. Often if they prefer you didn't they post No Overnight Stays.

Church parking lots have been most welcoming.

InterBlog · 06-26-2016, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haasman

Most Walmarts welcome overnighters. Often if they prefer you didn't they post No Overnight Stays.....

Be careful with the interpretation of Walmart signs. Sometimes the "No RV" type signs are for specific portions of the lot, not the whole facility. Best thing to do is to review this list of no-park Walmarts and then obey any sub-site restrictions that may be present, such as, don't block the loading docks.

kfrere · 06-26-2016, 10:24 PM

To clarify, I'm not talking about where to spend the night. This is about parking during the day while we see the city. I think renting a car for a couple of days while the AI stays parked in the CG is a good idea. We might try that.

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Boxster1971 · 06-26-2016, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfrere

To clarify, I'm not talking about where to spend the night. This is about parking during the day while we see the city. I think renting a car for a couple of days while the AI stays parked in the CG is a good idea. We might try that.

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Check out this blog for more info on urban parking in you van.

https://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2016/...urban-tourists

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

wbrisett · 06-27-2016, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfrere

To clarify, I'm not talking about where to spend the night. This is about parking during the day while we see the city. I think renting a car for a couple of days while the AI stays parked in the CG is a good idea. We might try that.

When we were looking for a new camper, we looked at a couple of class C units. There was a lot to like about several of them (we had an Aliner at the time), but one thing we kept asking ourselves was "do we want to always have to travel with our 'house'"? It was this question that drove us to the decision of sticking with a regular pull-behind trailer. I have to admit finding parking so we can eat while traveling is a bit of a trick sometimes, but I've almost always found parking on the street or in a parking lot somewhere. We sometimes have to walk a block or two to get to where we're going, but that's OK because we usually need to stretch our legs.

Since I drive a full-size pickup, I don't think finding parking for the AI would be that big of a problem, it's not the size of a class C, so you should be able to find parking almost anywhere.

xrvr · 06-27-2016, 05:22 AM

Enterprise is great. Pick you up and deliver you.

jet1 · 06-27-2016, 09:11 AM

my 2004 is only 22 ft. and I never have a problem parking it in the same space a pickup uses. I do try to avoid parallel parking when possible and I like to park at the beginning or end of a street to make it easier to pull out. I also turn off the main street and usually find a spot easily.

wgoldman · 06-27-2016, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfrere

We're planning a trip to Minnesota in the Fall and I'm trying to find websites for each city we're visiting to get info about parking our AI inside the city. Some are easier to get info on than others.

Makes me curious - have you ever tried to visit a city and just gave up searching for parking in town? (Last year we were thrilled to find open deck parking in downtown Madison, WI.)

I could use some Minnesota and Wisconsin contributions to my map! See my blog post at https://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2016/...urban-tourists

gwilsonobx · 06-27-2016, 12:52 PM

I just returned from a week in Chicago. A Catholic church allowed us to park our Serenity 25 in their fenced parking lot. They asked for nothing, but we gave a donation.

larryglarson · 06-27-2016, 03:28 PM

Yes, churches are great. I have found when you pull in after business hours and leave prior to opening hours you can park in a lot of business lots. I usually park on the edge of a town.

Seemore2006 · 06-27-2016, 03:38 PM

Why not stay at the beautiful MN Airstream Park in Clear Lake MN. It's just south of St Cloud and about 1 1/2 hrs from Minnespolis St Paul. You can drive a short distance to Big Lake MN and take the commuter train from there to connecting trams all over the city or pick up a rental car. Ask for a lot with a gazebo and full hook ups or try the rally site. If you want to relax and play free 9 hole golf on course overlooking the lake or stroll through the beautiful oak savannah then on to sight-seeing.

russ240 · 06-28-2016, 01:50 PM

I see the OP has an EXT. I am afraid that may make the difference. My experience with my short 2012 as that I can park on most any city street in a parallel parking spot and just fit ... or slightly not fit but do it anyhow without trouble. I'm afraid with the extra .. what 16-18"? ... of the EXT that would NOT be the case. It's just that much too long to work ... unless you get an end spot where you can hang out a bit or take two spots and pay for both ... though I suspect that might get you a ticket ... or make you the target of an irate street parker .... or blocked in by a Mini Cooper or a Smart car that uses up your extra room!