We purchased a Motorhome . I will not tell you we are saving money but it tows my trailer well and is very comfortable to get there and back. We checked in the dirtiest room in Austin for the roundup a few years ago. My wife and great grandson slept in the car instead, it was horrible. I was informed they would be staying home before anymore rooms like that .The nice part is ,we are retired and can take off a day or two ahead of time and find tourists stuff to stop at . Some friends and I will follow The Hot Rod Drag Tour this year ,and do not have to worry about making any room reservations.The savings on rooms is about a break even deal with the extra fuel but we do save a lot having a kitchen with us. We are loading the Motorhome for Byron this week as we speak. Do the numbers it may work for you.
I have found that if you do a bit of leg work and are prepared to drive 25-30 miles, you will find motel prices unaffected by car show rates. Big differences at Frog Follies and Back to the Fifties
Planning a trip to a well known southern California event later this summer. Finally gave up on hotel/motels and went with renting a small home for the time we'll be there. Price was the same as a hotel, less chance of bed bugs, nobody starting their straight piped car at 6 am, etc
I can't say I researched this so I may be talking through my hat somewhat, but I suspect that local municipalities are part of the problem. If a city or town can host a couple of events, the city counsel peeps see it as a cash cow and slap on inflated "entertainment taxes", etc. They're quick to do it because they're not taxing the locals, just "out of towners" who don't vote locally. Call it good business sense or call it greed, when the motel and the host club and the local city all want that extra pound of flesh, it adds up. I'm an occasional vendor at car shows and I've settled into the pattern of just doing shows within a 100 miles of home so I can sleep in my own bed to control costs. I also have to deal with the fees for the privilege of having a space. The $30 I pay for my local swap meet, 3 day weekend is not bad. But the $600 or $700 the Power Tour wanted to charge for one day was out of the question for me. I have paid up to $350 in the past and that's a lot of sales before I turn a single dime.
Finding campground space has become as big of a problem as more people do the same thing and campgrounds want several nights reserved too with no refunds. Many campgrounds now have seasonal use where people bring their motorhomes and trailers and park them in the spring and leave in the fall. Some even stay year round. It isn't like the days when you could just drive somewhere and find a room. I live outside a city of 67,000 and the campgrounds around here are only open for some major events. The closest KOA is 57 miles away.
Some years ago I worked for a Fortune 100 company. I asked our corporate travel people if they would book rooms for an employee's personal use - vacation, etc. She said they would if they weren't too busy. I told her how rates were boosted up fo car shows. She knew all about that practice and it's not just car shows. Said she'd see what she could do. Called back the following afternoon with a room. Got me the corporate rate. And said: "Boy, did they give me a hard time - and they'll want to see your corporate ID so don't forget it. "
don't need a campground for a motorhome, just find yourself a Walmart parking lot. I work nights at a Walmart and it is amazing how many campers we get during the summer months that set up for a few days in the far corner of our lot. we even have one that stays a week at a time and has double sides that pop out. normally we don't mind it if they spend the night or 2 but the ones that setup camp for the week might eventually ruin it for the rest some day if others(too many) start doing it that long. but for now we promote it and hope they come in and spend a few dollars and pass on the good word about us. Doesn't bother us as long as you are not right up front or in our loading dock or any other loading area. Farthest corner away from the building and we are fine with it. since we are located right next to the freeway we also get quite a few truckers that spend a few hours napping in our lot too.
Some municipalties have ordinances prohibiting overnight parking by RVs in parking lots of local businesses. This is done to appease local campgrounds. One Walmart was very apologetic and said we couldn't stay in their lot because of the ordinance. Another Walmart told us of that town's ordinance but said nobody ever checks and there are RVs there most nights. They just wouldn't say it was OK or not OK. We stayed there. No problems.
Don't get too excited about counting on W/M lots to crash at will. I know most all of the San Diego area ones have banned it. People that live in their cars frequenting (living there) as well as the RV 'C class' weekly rental places that promoted their rentals by mentioning free camping at W/M got things out of hand. Check ahead on these sites; http://www.walmartlocator.com/no-park-walmarts/ As for hotel price gouging, it happens with all events, not just car related ones. A friend just attended a weekend rock concert event at the Rose Bowl. I recommended a stay at the Comfort Inn in Pasadena where I've stayed for $89. He said rooms were going for $335-and they were sold out! You can drive further away from the venue for more affordable rates, or if you're truly strapped for cash and on a fixed budget, build it into the budget by saving up some $ starting months before the event. That may mean giving up some "luxuries" like Starbucks, smoking, expensive booze, fast food, dining out, etc. Start doing your own car and home repairs, cleaning your own pool, mowing your own lawn, etc. There's probably plenty spent on things in your life/household that you can A) give up at least for a period or B) do yourself instead of paying a tradesman top buck to do it for you.
Yep you can camp on the lake bed right next to the return road at El Mirage $15 for 2 days if memory is correct, includes the event. I just park close to a porta potty at nite and I got the rest with me.
This problem is not limited to the USA. One event we were going to for 25 years has in recent times had 4 nights minimum and is now $1360 for the stay. We always booked for next year as we left to ensure accommodation. Now you pay a $500 deposit on the spot and if you cancel for any reason you lose $250 if it is outside 30 days and the full amount if under 30 days. The show itself has lost its vibe and we didn't bother booking for next year.
I just got off vacation and like was said even hi-way rates are up there, Super 8 in Indiana $90 a night, Econo lodge in podunk MO for 5 nights at $87 a night ,and $116 in Ohio at Hampton Inn on the way back.
hudson48 has it right. Lots of events have lost their vibe while the hotel/motel rates just keep rising. I'm not particularly found of signing up and leaving a deposit for an event too far in advance. Lots can happen between now and then. Not all hotels will refund your full deposit. Gary
In 2 weeks we are going to Fortuna,Ca for the AutoXpo. Last year looking for a better deal our friends recommended an older small motel on Main St that friends of theirs were remodeling. We stopped and were quoted $200 a night for the weekend of the car show. When we mentioned our friends recommended them they said "$180". Took their card I said we'll call you. When I got home I checked on Expedia and found a new place across from the Community Center where they have the sock hop for $109. Including breakfast. That saves us $20 every morning. Last week I checked on our reservations and out of curiosity I searched Expedia and Guess what... that little motel had 3 rooms listed for $105.
One of my biggest gripes is that they raise the rates significantly for a car event and don't pay for a "rent-a-cop" to patrol the parking lot at night to deter theft and vandalism. The only thing I've seen them offer for the increased rates is a box of old towels and a water hose to wash you car with!
The only way we avoid the higher rates is pack 5 grown men in a 2 full bed room with a roll away , talk about feeling like a kid again. Not !!! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
My son uses AirBnB all the time, saves a lot of money and really likes it. I'm seriously considering it for an upcoming race weekend myself. I wonder if maybe the regular motels are jacking up rates to make up for all the business they're losing to Air BnB?!
Some of the small Mom and Pop motels where you park outside your door are not in the computer registries. One year I wanted to go to the Big Syracuse event, went to our admittedly large library and pulled out their Syracuse phone book. Made a list of motels in the yellow pages that were not on the event package list. Got a room on the second call. Was close to Syracuse University. Some guys stayed an hour away. Several rooms were students having parties. Well behaved students. Just tells you rates weren't crazy if students take rooms for parties.
Scrap, Sorry I missed you last weekend. I did the drive back & forth each day. It's not too bad and saved a buck.
Not too found of those motels that charge by the hour. Stayed in possibly the worst motel ever in Evansville Indiana for the Frog Follies at the Blue Sky Inn. The carpet needed an oil change and after we went for dinner and returned the electricity was off. Talk about having a pissed off wife. After that I never again stayed at non major motel chain. I don't live in a dump at home and won't stay at one on the road.
I payed the highest rate i ever have at the HHR in Bowling Green. With that event and the power tour ending there. they had you!But like was said earlier drive 15-20 miles out get a cheaper rate, just not where "the action is".last year in L'ville i drove cross town, rate was half of what it is by the fairgrounds.
i got so pissed I ordered a gooseneck trailer with a shower; bathroom combo in it. the kick up area has a queen size bed and a flat screen. it has ac and a fridge. over the long term I will save money dragging my own room around to were i race or show. the other benefit is I know my room is clean and wasn't rented out by the hour. I have never woke up itching either. they gouged this racer one too many times. when im in the street car the other way I have saved money is to park my ride in the spectator parking lot. for me the fun is the drive. I don't need to pay outrageous entry fees when I can just park on the other side of the fence.
Years ago, it became a reality that I could not go if I took my wife. I simply could not afford the weekend. I have been running with a small group (Fat 47 included) for many years. Four guys to a room helps us get the room rate to a manageable amount. As some have stated, we have watched the room rates jump drastically from a Wednesday/Thursday night to extremely elevated rates for Friday/Saturday. When I travel alone(usually Louisville), I pull my teardrop trailer and stay in the adjacent RV Park. As our group starts to dwindle in size, I can see that I will be priced out of the hobby. The fixed income portion of my life(retirement) starts in just over a month. So, it's just a matter of time.
Don, We do have a spare bed. I'll have to speak to the Misses and get you a price. Reading sheep dip's post reminds me livestock will not be permitted. Gary
It has been said if ya wanna paly ya gotta pay! So I don't attend nearly as many out of town shows and gatherings as I used too. Hell I don't attend as many local shows and cruise inns as I used too, I'm getting more enjoyment from driving around and seeing what I've been driving past at 70mph hustling from one show to another and back through the years! Not only has the prices gone up my income has come down so those two factors will keep me closer to home. I do have to pick and choose what where and when I can attend. But I have never been able to justify Host Hotel prices even when my income was up! Joe
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