Call me crazy... - R-pod Owners Forum

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hogone

Senior Member

Joined: 09 Apr 2013
Location: St. Louis
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Posts: 1042

Topic: Call me crazy...
Posted: 06 Nov 2013 at 3:00pm

What time does everyone normally pull in at the Cracker Barrels? I'm starting to like this option. And what have you been doing if they are closed? hogone

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD

Kokopod

Senior Member

Joined: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Southwest WY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 113

Posted: 06 Nov 2013 at 6:46pm

They're open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. all other nights. We would roll in at least in time to grab dinner. If you call in advance for permission, you could get there anytime you want as long as you're quiet (you could grab their breakfast in the morning). They have special parking for trailers and buses in the rear of the restaurant(very well lit). We never put our stabilizers down, but we would put out the slide. Usually we were just about the only ones in the parking area, but we always felt safe. We stayed at Cracker Barrels in Davenport, IA, Benton Harbor, MI and Lincoln, NE. When we'd call or go in to ask, management acted EAGER to have us!

2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k
2013 Premier 19FBPR
Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE
2011 Dodge Durango
Love a good road trip

HuronSailor View Drop Down

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podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Owosso MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704

Posted: 06 Nov 2013 at 7:59pm

This might be helpful:

http://www.crackerbarrel.com/locations-and-hours/mobile-apps/

.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.

hogone

Senior Member

Joined: 09 Apr 2013
Location: St. Louis
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1042

Posted: 07 Nov 2013 at 6:54am

thanks for all the info, definitely a great option

Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD

Seanl

Senior Member

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Location: Fredericton NB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 633

Posted: 08 Nov 2013 at 9:11am

Originally posted by techntrek

Originally posted by Seanl

[QUOTE=Paige]...The only thing I am carfull about is if it is busey I don't stay. Trucks are their bread and butter so you don't want to take a parking spot that a trucker would need.

As I mentioned earlier, they usually ask you to stay in a corner of their regular lot and not in one of the long truck slots. So you are right, but no reason to shy away. Just ask if you can stay in the unused corner, one of the advantages of us having relatively short rigs.

Yep you did say that and I did not see it because I only scanned your post Smile

Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition

francoisfrogpod View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 24 Feb 2013
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 109

Posted: 09 Nov 2013 at 4:05am

Great information from all of you. Thanks for the input. As our adventure gets closer, I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I know where to get answers!

Denny and Linda

2013 Pod 177
'08 Santa Fe

sammycamper View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Minnesota
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 111

Posted: 11 Nov 2013 at 10:13am

Originally posted by francoisfrogpod

DH and I are planning a mid-winter 3 week trip to south Florida. Due to gas mileage, we have decided not to bring the pod. My question is this: Does anyone have any suggestions for making the van more convenient to sleep in/hang out in during bad weather?

Find a sponsor(promise them anything)/take the pod.

2012 rPod 173
2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6

sammycamper View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Minnesota
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 111

Posted: 11 Nov 2013 at 10:37am

Tips for finding a sponsor, as mostly-jokingly suggested in my previous post:

You'll need approximately $400 to make up the difference in mileage between podding and suffering. A $400 advertising bill isn't huge.

Your pod is cute... very cute...so it attracts attention.

Put your sponsor's removable signage in prominent places on your pod, with web address accentuated.

Promise to add signage to your rDome when setup.

Your sponsor will get exposure and re-exposure (on your return trip) across at least 5 states.

Ideal sponsors sell liesure products, pain relief, or promise great sexual attraction for seniors nationwide from their website.

Go for it.

Sam

2012 rPod 173
2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 11 Nov 2013 at 11:52am

Sponsors! Brilliant!

A Pea in the Pod Maternity Clothing (There actually is a brand!)

Two Peas in a Pod (Green Giant or Birds Eye!) [Uhmmm....and various medical products)

Turtle Wax (Apologies to the frog!)

P.O.D.S. (Portable On Demand Serenity!)

Gonna be looong winter. Smile

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Thinker

Senior Member

Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Location: S. Mississippi
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 171

Posted: 15 Nov 2013 at 10:45am

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

Interstate rest areas generally have a 2 hour limit, probably for good reasons. They could get crowded and there are a lot of potential safety issues.TT

This is a generalization that is not always true. I have traveled coast to cost in motorhome. I noticed in most rest areas that a sign is posted that says no overnight camping. Yet, I noticed that many 18 wheelers were in the parking lot -- often with engine idling.

One that we always liked is the Alabama one on I-10 on the Alabama/Mississippi state line. The sign there says no overnight...

I called the Alabama department of transportation that manages the rest areas and asked them about the sign and how truckers stay over night.

I was told that the sign was necessary to keep squatters from camping there multiple nights and making it home. I was told that I was absolutely welcome to pull in for a good solid 8 eight hours sleep, time to use bathroom, and time to cook supper and breakfast. Just don't make it a three day campsite...

In fact they said that it is a safety thing with most states. They would rather to have you stop for rest than to have to scrape you off their Interstate due to sleepy driving.

Call a few states and check it out...

Most Walmarts let you stop too with a few exceptions.. I check in with security and they usually tool around all night with their golf cart to make sure we are ok.

I have even found hospitals with full hookups.. one in particular was in Idaho Falls Idaho.. but that is another story.

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171