Camper Parking

drsolo wrote:
My conversion van is 17', is registered as a passenger vehicle and I have not had a problem surface parking it. It is parked on the street in the city of Milwaukee all the time I am home. I did practice parallel parking since I have found getting it into a "slot" is more difficult. Most of my windows are tinted so it difficult to see in (those looking for stuff to steal). There is easy on, easy off window tint available.Now, however, most windows have been covered by insulation. I do have a drape I can put up to prevent anyone looking in the front windows and side door. Shades that can be pulled down in back. I do have a loud alarm system. My van is old, but does have the top mounted a/c/heat on top so it isnt in complete stealth mode. BTW, some cities not have RV parks in their state fair grounds, Milwaukee and Indianapolis do and they are patrolled. Since what you have is a UHaul maybe they have a map of clearances for parking.

Today I am leaning more toward what you have and then later if I like the lifestyle I can pull a trailer for extra room when I am traveling

My conversion van is 17', is registered as a passenger vehicle and I have not had a problem surface parking it. It is parked on the street in the city of Milwaukee all the time I am home. I did practice parallel parking since I have found getting it into a "slot" is more difficult. Most of my windows are tinted so it difficult to see in (those looking for stuff to steal). There is easy on, easy off window tint available.Now, however, most windows have been covered by insulation. I do have a drape I can put up to prevent anyone looking in the front windows and side door. Shades that can be pulled down in back. I do have a loud alarm system. My van is old, but does have the top mounted a/c/heat on top so it isnt in complete stealth mode. BTW, some cities not have RV parks in their state fair grounds, Milwaukee and Indianapolis do and they are patrolled. Since what you have is a UHaul maybe they have a map of clearances for parking.

We visit cities often and are almost always able to find parking for our 25'class C. We try to find a lot where we can back up enough to use just one space or park on the street taking two spaces. Visiting cities is easiest on the weekends so it'll be more difficult if you're planning on working in the city. I make note of the parking situation for RVs at each location that I post about on my blog.

One trick for parking that usually works is to arrive early. On-street parking usually starts filling up about 9 or 10 around here. If you're there by 8, you can almost always count on getting a choice end-or-row spot, easy-in & easy-out.

I take my 19' class C downtown often on Saturdays. I usually arrive between 7 and 8. I've got a mental list of level spaces where I won't get blocked in. I have parallel-parked in mid-block a few times, but it's something I try to avoid.

Our major mall added a parking deck about 20 years ago. Its ground level can take a tractor trailer, so it's no problem. Surface lots are another option.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

(On edit) You can pre-scout a strange town with Google Earth and its Street View feature. I was able to use that to actually read some of the parking regulatory signs in DC, and to find surface lots and check overhead clearances at their entrances (some kiosks have awnings over the entrance lane).

I've been driving Class B's for 13 year and rarely have had a problem with parking, true that in most cases indoor is out of the question. If you have a standard width long bed van that has not been extended after it left the factory, you can park it anywhere a long bed pickup truck will fit. I have parallel parked ours many times but be sure you stay in the middle of the lines and not too close to the curbs so you have enough room to maneuver when it's time to pull out. The only time I was not allowed in a parking lot was in Provincetown the first time I went there, but in recent years they have allowed me to park in the lots. Just keep your eyes opened until you get used to it's size

Nick

We've actually found surface parking lots and street spots more easily than I expected in medium sized or small cities. For exampe, in Atlantic Canada, we parked in St. John, NB; Halifax, NS; St. John's, NL; Charlottetown, PEI.

But for a major metro area, I agree - park at a satellite lot and take the subway/train. (I often do that anyway in a smaller passenger car, too, because of the difficulty finding parking and high cost of downtown garages.)

I would measure the length of your unit and then measure the actual length of a parking spot. I would think you would be okay. Where you won't be okay is probably in most parking garages.

I suppose that you are talking about a Class B when you say "high top, long bed van". Most Class Bs are almost 9 feet in height or more. I have yet to see an indoor parking garage that will have a tall enough height clearance for my Class B. I am sure there may be one or two out there somewhere, but for the most part - you are not going to find one. Most cities have gone to indoor parking garage lots and gotten rid of surface parking lots. This means there is no place to park a Class B unless you can find street parking - lots of luck - and if you can do you trust leaving your "home" out on a city street while you are gone for any length of time. We have not been able to travel to many cities that we would like to visit because there is no place to park the Class B. What you can do is find a commuter train parking lot in the suburbs - if such exists - and take the train into the city, leaving your Class B parked hopefully in a safe place.

So the simple answer to your quesion is - no, you are not going to find parking in most cities.