Camper at Carlisle

[Rob M.]

Hi all,

Simone and I are planning to visit the East coast of the USA this summer and combine this with the Carlisle Corvette event. We would like to rent a camper for three weeks and do some serious cruising through the countrysite (skipping all the cities).

Do I have to take additional precausions to visit Carlisle (e.g. book a camping spot in advance) or are there enough possibilities to overnight at designated spots in the area during such an event ?

I'll specially be looking for a correct read axle, correct cylinder heads, a correct intake manifold and a sun visor ready upper windscreen trim.

I also hope to find a lot of you guys and girls out there and have a beer (or two) while drewling over your C1 and C2's...

greetings,
Rob & Simone Musquetier
The Netherlands

[Chuck S.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob, I don't know about the East Coast, but in Texas, family camping is a big deal in the summer. Reservations at state parks typically have to be made a couple of months in advance.

I doubt that the east is any different, although there may be more small private parking sites where you can hope to find space, but it will probably be a hit or miss thing. Personally, I am not very much into searching for the next accomodations when it's late and I'm tired.

As for camping around Carlisle, I would suspect that waiting until the meet and showing up with your camper might not be impossible, but it will probably cause you some trouble. Check on the Carlisle website regarding camping accomodations. Others with camping experience at Carlisle can give you better advice. The neighbors living around Carlisle will typically be happy to park you on their front lawn...for a price. Let them know you're from the Netherlands; they'll probably have a special "furriner" rate.

Joking aside, if it were me, I would leave Europe with a complete trip itinerary knowing where I was going to be every night, with camper and campsite reservations. If you alter your plans or find a way to improve your accomodations (cheaper,closer, nicer), you can always cancel. Most places will allow you to cancel pre-paid reservations 24 hours in advance, or they will tell you otherwise. I ususally call those that aren't pre-paid as a courtesy.

[Bob R.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

I went to the Carlisle show last summer. It was a great time. It was also very crowded. I would say a reservation would be a must. I stayed at a hotel about 20 miles away. We made reservations 6 months prior.
I believe there were about 60,000 people there each day and they had about 6,000 Corvettes on display. The traffic backed up on the entry roads. This trip sould be planned in advance.
As far as locating parts goes if it came on a Corvette you can probably find it there. They had a huge vendor area with plenty of reproduction and used parts.

[Steve Junkersfeld]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob,

One thing also to consider is that Carlisle is readily accessible from outlying areas. You can stay within an hours drive and, possibly, find accomodations easily. I live in the Washington DC area and attend, at least, 3 Carlisle events a year - and it is only a 2 hour drive for me. Steve

[Rob Dame]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob, I believe you'll like the Carlisle event. As far as camping goes you can email them direct

http://www.carsatcarlisle.com

Hope to see you there

Rob

[Dave S.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob,
Get yourself a Carlisle fairgrounds map to understand the overall layout. If you get there 1 day prior to the official start date of the event you are attending, you will have no problem finding a space for the camper. There are many small lots to choose from. From all my trips to Carlisle I prefer the lot directly adjacent to Gate 7. It is very inexpensive and within 100 feet of the gate. I think the last time I was there it was $10/day for a car so plan on $25/day or so for your rig.

[Roy B.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Me and MY wife were thinking of going to Carlisle form Ca. but when I called asking for a swap space they said they were all filled up , and if I sent them the money for one they wouldn't know if I had it till two days before the start. Driving all the way from Ca. taking a chance that I would get in is no good. How do you get a reserved space. I was coming with my 55 Corvette to show and sell the bubble tops I now reproducem, for 55 to 62 Corvettes.

[Rob Dame]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Roy, perhaps you could register for the fun field, park your car there or with the SACC group, put a sign on it with the bubble top info. The fun field allows on-site parking, gate passes for two for the three days and the cost is about $40 - $45 last I knew.

Just a thought
Rob

[Rob M.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Where should I start my vacation best if I want to combine it with Carlisle? I pessume New York or Washington are a good start. Any other suggestions, also on parks to visit are welcome...

greetings,
Rob

[Rich G.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob

I live in the NY area and it seems to me you might be better off starting in Wash, DC. Someone who lives there should comment, but I think the area around DC becomes "rural" more quickly and you would have an easier time getting a camper and being on your way, as Dulles airport is already west of DC in Virginia. The Problem with the NY area is that JFK airport is east of NYC so you would have to deal with the metropolitan area before you get on your way. Newark airport is west of the city and may be easier, but not by much. Your worst nightmare could be being lost in Newark at night driving some giant RV.

Also, DC is closer to Carlisle than NYC. Another option would be to rent a car first and then get the RV once you are outside the big cities. All in all, I would start in DC, unless you have a desire to see the New England states, which would be more accessible from NY or even Boston. Boston is even a longer trek to Carlisle, though.

Rich Giannotti

[Len Rayca]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob:you might want to consider arriving in Philadelphia for your trip. The drive to Carlisle is about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours or about the same as the trip from Wash DC. You can rent campers and motor homes of various sizes in the area, and the Pennsylvania turnpike is easily accessable for the drive up to Carlisle. You could stop off at places like Hershey PA, for a nice stay of a day or so on the way. There is really pretty countryside up in that area of Pennsylvania. I am sure others will have personal experience as far as parking sites for campers and will pass their advice on to you. Bon Voyage!

[Kent K.]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

Rob,

There are numerous places where you may rent campers for extended periods. Someone told me that U-Haul, Hertz, Coleman and some others rented campers or motor homes at one time, I suggest you start by looking on the internet.

As to campgrounds, 'KOA' is one of the better campground conglomerates, having privately run facilities that adhere to KOA standards nearly anywhere in the USA. There are state and national parks campgrounds that have fewer facilities and are closer to nature with lower daily fees. If you get to Florida and wish to spend time at Disney World, they have a wonderful facility for campers but, register very early (weeks to months in advance) as they fill up quickly.

If you start in Washington, campgrounds may be way out of town. Suggest you plan a lot of time for all the museums and national monuments there. You could be there for weeks.

Best and enjoy,
Kent #6201

[Mike McKown]

Re: Camper at Carlisle

I contacted them last Summer. The only reference they gave for camping facilities was the National Guard Armory next to their property. They said it was immediately adjacent to their property. I couldn't get excited over their description, so, I stayed home.