Traveling in an r.v.

[Heartnsoul]

Hubby and i are thinking of renting an rv out west and traveling the parks. Has anyone ever done this?? Don't even know where to start?? Is it costly?? Fun? Worth it?? It's either this or rent a car and travel around?? Would like to hear from those who have done this recently with recommendations

[Sleeper]

We've traveled in the west via RV...it's the best way to see the "big" west including the national parks. We owned but rentals are popular via Denver or Salt Lake. I'd start with a few user forums similar to this site.

RV.Net RV and Camping Forum ? RV, Trailer, Camper, Motorhome, Camping and Campground Information (http://www.rv.net/forum/)
iRV2 Forum | - RV Forum Community and RV News (http://www.irv2.com/)

Good site to plan where to stay:
RV Park Reviews :: Home (http://www.rvparkreviews.com/)
Tons of blogs out there of folks doing all sorts of RV travels this is one of my favorites...young couple traveling full-time in an RV. They visit a lot of interesting places.
Gone With the Wynns (http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/)
Happy travels.

[Midvale]

2 years ago I traveled for 6 weeks in my little motorhome by myself from Rochester, New York 1st through the midwest and St. Louis and then out through South Dakota into Wyoming. I found it is much nicer traveling after Labor Day: less traffic and no problems finding a site w/o reservations.

Stay at Bad Lands National Park and Devils Tower if you get the chance.

(last year traveled 8 weeks down through Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana.)

[Heartnsoul]

yes Bad Lands and Devils Tower are a must.!! Just another question. I'm a little frightened staying in them. Are they safe?? Can people break into easily?? We'd have a rental one of course. Not looking to buy with price of gas these days.

[jimbo2012]

The rv parks/camps are safe, many simply park if in rush at Walmart Flying J's and Cracker Barrel, for a brief overnite.

Never park over nite in hwy rest stop

Having said that I do carry a 12 Gauge shot gun, just because

[gomoho]

My best advice to you is rent locally for a few short trips - there is a HUGE learning curve in both driving and operating an RV. We bought a 38' class A motorhome and were foolish enough to think you just get in and go. Forunately someone advised us to get use to the thing before you take off for sights unknown - some of the best advice we ever followed. That being said you will have the time of your life and meet some of the nicest people in the world. Campgrounds have the reputation for friendly, helpful folks and I'm sure you'll find that to be true. Enjoy!

[chuckinca]

Hubby and i are thinking of renting an rv out west and traveling the parks. Has anyone ever done this?? Don't even know where to start?? Is it costly?? Fun? Worth it?? It's either this or rent a car and travel around?? Would like to hear from those who have done this recently with recommendations

If it's only the two of you, a "Class C" of about 25' length would work fine and you wouldn't have to worry about driving a monster motor home your first time in an RV.

(CruiseAmerica has a one way Class C rental from their factory near Chicago O'Hare to Denver, San Francisco or Seattle with 4 weeks use at $29/nite and 150 miles per day, about 4,500 miles, free of mileage charges).
http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/hot_deals/#
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[BogeyBoy]

If it's only the two of you, a "Class C" of about 25' length would work fine and you wouldn't have to worry about driving a monster motor home your first time in an RV.

(CruiseAmerica has a one way Class C rental from their factory near Chicago O'Hare to Denver, San Francisco or Seattle with 4 weeks use at $29/nite and 150 miles per day, about 4,500 miles, free of mileage charges).
Cruise America: RV Rental Hot Deals (http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/hot_deals/#)
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We've seen a lot of the Cruise America RV's as we travel around the US. They are a convenient way to get around, small enough that you can get in and out of National Parks easily, and you won't feel uncomfortable on busy roadways or driving in city traffic.

There is a little to learn if you have never used a RV - hooking up the electric, water, sewer, etc. Also effectively draining the holding tanks, there is a method.

The downside - you have to pack up everything daily as this is your only vehicle. Loose objects have a way of flying around and breaking. You will be somewhat limited on space, both roominess and places to stow your gear.

The upside - you will enjoy the outdoors more than in a motel. There are a lot of nice campgrounds both state/federal and private. There are a lot of very nice people and it is usually very easy to strike up a conversation - we often will take note of someone's license plate and ask about their home state.

RVing is fun on many levels. From the smallest pop-up tent camper to large motorhomes everyone seems to be enjoying the lifestyle (yes, it is like The Villages, a lifestyle of it's own.) Our daughter has a small travel trailer and they have a blast. We have got to the point where I think we'd miss the HD TV, washer/dryer, dishwasher, king bed, and tons of storage area our diesel pusher offers. (Gotta have the golf clubs, kayaks, bikes, etc., etc. when we hit the road.) Of course, we're gone for months at a time - it's all a matter of choice.

[Heartnsoul]

sounds all great. what about idea of towing a small car to get into the towns etc?? is that necessary?? how do we go about doing all this?? the inexperienced Rv ers

[gomoho]

Yes you can tow a small car, but you car needs to be equipped for towing - or there is the option of putting it on a trailer, but not sure a rental would allow this.

[dgammon6]

Our last trip in our RV before we sold it was out West for 3 1/2 months an awesome trip we will never forget. I would advise having a tow vehicle to get around. It's nice to find a park and spend a few days there and use your car to explore the area. A tow dolly is best suited if you plan to rent an RV. You would need a front wheel drive auto. I agree with the above posts, taking a couple of short trips will help you get familiar with the operations of the RV and will pay off with a great trip.
Have fun, you'll find we live in a magnificent country.

[chuckinca]

Towing a car is expensive if you don't RV often. If you are in a 35 - 40 ft Class A motor home it is just about required because of the size of the RV. In a smaller 25 - 30 ft Class C, it's an inconvenience not having a car but not a necessity because the smaller RV is easier to move around than the Class A's.

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[nrmwrn11]

Do you really want to fiddle with sewer lines, H20(sometimes questionable)lines, 'lectric (do you have the right fitting?) and cable for an hour each time youj move? I delivered new motor homes for a few years, what an expensive way to travel!!!!

[Xavier]

Do you really want to fiddle with sewer lines, H20(sometimes questionable)lines, 'lectric (do you have the right fitting?) and cable for an hour each time youj move? I delivered new motor homes for a few years, what an expensive way to travel!!!!

We have traveled/vacationed in a motor home since 1983. 30 years! After retirement, we lived in a motor home for 10 years - 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year. We absolutely LOVE the lifestyle. When we bought into The Villages we really weren't ready to give up the road completely, but it was a good time to buy. Now we love both. We spend about 7-8 months a year in our Villages home and 4-5 months a year in our motor home - The BEST of both worlds. We don't make it work when we travel. When traveling, we seldom travel more than 250 miles on any given day. We don't travel every day. We don't try to see everything in any area. We figure we'll be back some day. We usually don't hit the road before 9 AM and we're usually off the road by 4 PM. We always stop at a campground and NEVER spend the night in truck stops, Wal-Marts or Rest Areas. We started out in a 23 food class C in 1983 and have worked our way up to 43 foot Class A Diesel Pusher. We flat tow our Saturn Aura behind the motor home. Unless you are an unconverted hyper personality, you should LOVE the experience.

We are headed to the Great Northwest this Summer. Maybe we'll meet you on the road. You'd love the National Parks in Utah.

Xavier

[JAV0108]

My hubby and I are traveling west starting the end of May and traveling the perimeter of the U.S. in our SUV. We are ending our trip in PA heading back down to FL and not traveling the NE until another time. We plan to be gone 8 weeks, but are open to longer if necessary. We did the math, and RV'ing is so much more expensive than hotel/motels so we decided to use our SUV. I think RV'ing would be more fun but one has to do what one has to do expense wise! We do have several friends and family that we will be visiting on the way so it won't be all motels. Hope you have a great trip and enjoy every minute of it. I am so looking forward to ours.

[BogeyBoy]

My hubby and I are traveling west starting the end of May and traveling the perimeter of the U.S. in our SUV. We are ending our trip in PA heading back down to FL and not traveling the NE until another time. We plan to be gone 8 weeks, but are open to longer if necessary. We did the math, and RV'ing is so much more expensive than hotel/motels so we decided to use our SUV. I think RV'ing would be more fun but one has to do what one has to do expense wise! We do have several friends and family that we will be visiting on the way so it won't be all motels. Hope you have a great trip and enjoy every minute of it. I am so looking forward to ours.

One of the most frequent comments you hear about having a large RV - "If you are worried about fuel costs or MPG you shouldn't be buying a RV".

Of course, once you have that RV and are camping somewhere the fuel economy subject always comes up.

You may own a boat, a motorcycle, an antique car, an airplane or some other "toy". Everyone decides to use their disposable income in a different manner.

We enjoy the RV way of traveling. We sleep in our own bed every night, take more "stuff" with us than we probably should, eat in or out at our discretion, and aren't concerned about a place that will allow our dog. We're fortunate to have a large RV so we have all the conveniences of home but I see people in pop-up trailers that are enjoying themselves as much as we do.

Best advice - if you are even thinking about it, rent a RV, try it out, and see what you think. But don't let that rented RV be your only window to what RV's are like. Go to a RV show or to a dealer and look at all the different ways to enjoy them. Pay attention as you drive on interstate highways, you'll see small trailers that cost a few thousand and large motorhomes that cost well over a million dollars.

[RV Guy]

RVing is the best way to travel! I have a 38' RV that has all the luxuries you will need. Washer/Dryer is a huge plus in my RV. A good sized shower, tons of storage, tv, big bed, leather couches and captains chairs etc. Its easy to use with a quick lesson. Contact me for any info you need.

[Kirk]

RVing is the best way to travel! I have a 38' RV that has all the luxuries you will need. Washer/Dryer is a huge plus in my RV. A good sized shower, tons of storage, tv, big bed, leather couches and captains chairs etc. Its easy to use with a quick lesson. Contact me for any info you need.

Hey RV Guy,
We're looking for an RV rental. We'd like to see some of the National Parks out west. Do you rent your RV? Can you teach us what we need to know? Just wondering.

[BogeyBoy]

Hey RV Guy,
We're looking for an RV rental. We'd like to see some of the National Parks out west. Do you rent your RV? Can you teach us what we need to know? Just wondering.

I'm not RV Guy but I can state I would never rent our RV. I would be a basket case while it was gone. One of our RV's was in an accident years ago, I was about 100 miles away. It was in a repair shop being worked on and someone backed into it.

My advice: go to a legitimate RV rental agency and get good insurance.

[George Bieniaszek]

Always thought of flying out to Utah or Arizona and picking up a RV rental there and start touring the National Parks. That would save the days driving west and back.

[chuckinca]

Lotsa really interesting places between here and there! (We make the trek twice a year and go a different way each time)


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