Imagine hosting a vintage trailer rally in a city park with no hookups, minimal restroom facilities, and no showers. Sounds daunting, right? Not for Wade and Lisa Long. These seasoned problem-solvers have turned a humble city park into a thriving rally destination for over 100 vintage trailers. And next year, they’re upping the ante—combining their event with the Spartan Rally to accommodate nearly 200 trailers. Here’s how they’ve transformed a bare-bones space into a fully functioning campground and how you can follow their lead.
Securing the Space
It all starts with contacting the city park administrator. Wade and Lisa arrange to rent the entire park for a week, from Monday to Monday, allowing ample time to set up and tear down the event. In Brownsville, this costs $2,500, though pricing can vary based on location and park fees. Renting the park for a full week provides flexibility for trailers to arrive and depart without congestion, and the extra days give the Longs time to organize the event and break down afterward.
Portable Restrooms
Since the park doesn’t have enough restrooms to accommodate the rally attendees, the Longs bring in additional porta-potties. Timing their event to coincide with the Fourth of July celebrations helps reduce costs—since the city already rents extra porta-potties for the month, the Longs simply share the cost. They pay approximately $650 for cleaning services and an additional cleaning during the rally, and they move the units throughout the park to ensure convenient access for all attendees.
Bringing the Power
One of the most critical pieces of the puzzle is supplying electricity for the vintage trailers. The park’s existing electrical system is insufficient, so the Longs rent a commercial generator from Herc Rentals, a 45-kilovolt whisper generator, complete with a three-phase distribution box. They distribute power via ten spider boxes and several long cords, allowing up to 100 trailers to plug in. While the total rental and delivery cost is around $6,000, it ensures every trailer has the power it needs for the duration of the rally.
Keeping the Generator Running
Fuel is a key consideration when running a generator for over 100 trailers for four days. The Longs estimate the generator uses between 150 and 200 gallons of diesel. They bring in a portable fuel tank and pump mounted on a truck or trailer to keep the generator fueled and running smoothly throughout the event.
Showers and Sanitation
With no onsite shower facilities, Wade and Lisa rent a shower trailer equipped with three individual bathrooms and showers. These showers are hooked up directly to the city’s sewer system, eliminating the need for costly bladder tanks. The shower trailer is rented for the full rally, with delivery and pick-up included for around $2,000.
Protecting the Event: Liability Insurance
One final consideration is ensuring the rally is protected. The Longs secure a $2 million liability insurance policy, which is required by the park. This step ensures that, in the event of any accidents or damage, the rally is covered and compliant with city regulations.
Growing the Event in the Future
With their experience and efficiency in setting up a fully functional trailer rally from scratch, Wade and Lisa Long are preparing for their biggest event yet in 2025. By combining their existing rally with a Spartan trailer event, they expect up to 200 vintage trailers to gather in Brownsville for an unforgettable rally.
Their approach proves that even without traditional RV park amenities, it’s possible to create a vibrant and successful trailer rally with a little ingenuity, some creative partnerships, and a solid plan. As they gear up for 2025, the Longs are an inspiring example of how to bring a community together in any setting.
