Does anyone know where Trailer Parking for Houston is available? I know in 2019 Team 5892 offered space at their high school. Anyone know if that is available again this year.
In past years, we have arranged to keep the trailer at the hotel we were staying at. But you definitely need to call ahead to let them know or it may not be available.
We’ve also used long term lots (Louisiana and Clay if I remember correctly, but there are several located around downtown). It was a little tricky to arrange for a several day rate but once I found the lot manager, it was easy to arrange and not particularly costly.
It was nice to have the trailer close to the venue when it was time to load out.
Can you recommend a nearby lot you have used recently? I would prefer to leave my truck/trailer in a lot rather than my hotels alley.
In 2019, our team was staying at the Hyatt on Louisiana St and we used the lot that is about 2 blocks south on Louisiana. There is a building with a large mural that borders that lot. It is an outdoor lot so you will want to make sure you have a lock for the trailer as well a hitch lock.
In 2017 we stayed at the Courtyard on Dallas and we were able to keep the trailer in the small valet lot in front of the building, that was the best because it was right at the hotel and it was free. However we tried to do that with them again in 2018 and they said no, so we had to find a paid lot to use. I think we found a spot very close to MMF off of Crawford. There were a bunch of team trailers in that lot but I would have preferred if the trailer were parked closer to the hotel.
Most of the lots have Kiosks where you pay and they only have hourly rates at the kiosk. But there is a phone number on the kiosk that you can call and ask for a multi-day parking rate. They are usually confused by this, but are always willing to cut a deal. As I recall, the lot near the hyatt charged me me a rate for my car and the trailer for 4 days that was only slightly more than it would have cost to pay for parking for one night at the hotel.
Still, parking for trailers is one aspect of Houston that always seems a bit of a crap shoot. I would be very interested in a better solution.
Watching the broadcast yesterday I heard several announcements about a North parking lot that was reserved for trucks+trailers, busses, and large passenger vans.
I’ve got to confirm with the school, but I’m 90% sure that 5892 (my team) can host trailers again. The school is fenced and gated… just need to coordinate opening the gate when things finish!
To be VERY Clear: the announcements about Trailer park a GRB you heard only apply to State Champs. I DO NOT know if that applies to Worlds.
To teams bringing trailers: no matter where you park, remember that Houston is a big city. please use trailer locks, boots, etc. to protect your investment.
Seems like this is something FIRST could be handling. Why not bulk rent a whole conveniently located lot for those days and provide 24 hr security there? I would definitely pay a reasonable fee for such a thing, and I suspect it would be very popular.
Liability, for one.
I would expect they already carry quite a large insurance policy
It’s not about a total dollar amount. As with all insurance, additional risk incurs additional cost. Claiming that they can keep trailers safe in a lot is significant additional risk to take on. I’m not saying it’s an invalid idea, but it does make sense that they wouldn’t want to be in this business.
Please let us know as soon as you know of availability.
Working on it, but its the weekend
I agree FIRST wouldn’t want to do it themselves, but I am surprised they haven’t partnered with a local facility as a sponsored vendor. I would love to leave my truck/trailer at a nearby lot for a reasonable fee, although that becomes subjective. I would happily pay $150ish for 4 days of secure parking, but that might seem reasonable to others.
Curious if this is still looking likely or if we should be making other plans. Thanks!
Miss Daisy will be driving down to Houston and we’d love some advice on trailer parking since I finally got through to the Hilton Americas garage and they are out of trailer spaces. Has anyone had any luck finding alternatives in the GRB area that are not unsecured surface lots. Really only worried about Tuesday night since after that it’ll be empty until Saturday. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Similar boat here. I am thinking about staying on the out skirts of Houston Tuesday night in a hotel that has surface parking.
Still waiting on an answer from the principal…
Tagging in here. We are headi g down tomorrow with the trailer so it’ll be good to know our options soon
And if you forget, one of my favorite memories from a southwest trip was seeing a trailer in the motel lot, with a single tyre removed and on a jack stand. When we went to check in a guy in the lobby was carrying the totally fine tire up to a room.
Someone needed to take the truck out and they had forgotten a hitch lock.