Where to stay overnight with empty horse trailer in Ocala?

[wsmoak]

I need to make an overnight trip to Ocala soon to trade in my horse trailer and pick up a new one.

Looking at the map I have just realized the dealer, NTS, is across from the airport on 40 just off I-75 and literally around the corner from the World Equestrian Center.

Obviously WEC will have trailer parking!! But the hotel prices are… a bit high.

They do have RV spaces but while my trade-in is a gooseneck and I’ve camped in it before, it doesn’t have an air conditioner and May in FL does not sound too comfortable for sleeping in a metal box.

Any advice on hotels or options in or near that genera area? Actually as long as I’m within an hour, (driving south on I-75) it will be fine. I’m planning to drive down, stay overnight, then show up at the dealer first thing in the morning to deal with the inevitable paperwork issues, so I have the whole day if necessary, and head back north to GA.

Peering at the hotels along I-75 on Google Maps I don’t see any with large vehicle parking, and I really don’t want to get the trailer wedged in somewhere I can’t get out of I will extend my search further north and see what I find.

[Jaegermonster]

There are several at the exits near 75 in Ocala with trailer parking. You can just pick one when you get there

[Equisis]

You can fit a trailer in the lots at many of the hotels in that part of Ocala. There are plenty off of 75, especially at routes 27, 40, and 200. If in doubt just call, but I agree you should be fine picking one on the fly. There are also a ton of horse-friendly air bnbs in the area that can accommodate a trailer. If I still lived there I would offer for you to drop the trailer at my place if you run into trouble- maybe another local COTHer can offer this?

[wsmoak]

AirBnB is a good tip, there are a few that look promising!

[happilyretired]

Have you spoken with the trailer dealer? Since you’re trading yours in and picking up a new one they may well agree to let you drop the trailer there the night before.

[js]

What happilyretired said, just go by the trailer dealer and ask if you can drop off your trailer early since you will be taking it there anyway. I’m certain they won’t mind; however, if you have a gooseneck lock I would put that on it.

[wsmoak]

Indeed, I’m not super thrilled with the idea of leaving it anywhere unhitched until it is officially traded in! Trying not to miss too much work, I think I’ll get in after they close / on a Sunday anyway.

Turns out that 5* eventer Ashley Johnson has a barn apartment on AirBnB about 10 minutes away, this looks promising.

I’m a planner, I have to know exactly where I am going. I can just see getting the truck and trailer nosed in around a corner in some hotel parking lot that I thought went all the way around the building but does not, and needing half a dozen people to get me unstuck without squashing several cars.

[MunchingonHay]

When you get down there, go to my favorite Mexican place, Pepe’s. So GOOD!!!

https://pepesrestaurantocalafl.com/

[happilyretired]

That’s what satellite view Google maps are for (checking out parking areas in advance). When I used to drive back and forth between Florida and Western NY with a truck and trailer (sans horses) I always found Hampton Inns along the way with large parking lots and a halfway decent restaurant (with wine!) within walking distance.

[lorilu]

COme in closer to town and most of the hotels have adequate parking. Try those near the Cracker Barrel at the Highway 200 exit.