Dockside Chat - RV Vacation Rental?

Anyone have any experience renting an RV for a vacation?

Looking for something different for the wife and kid - he is 10 years old.

we all have a week off between camp and school. Thinking about taking a road trip, and then I had the idea of renting an RV and taking the trip in that instead of the Honda Accord with a motel very night.

Anyone ever do this? we live in S. FL, should I look to rent local or perhaps look to rent in GA and then either head NW (the mountains towards Tennessee or up the East Coast with some stops along the Outer Banks and then perhaps DC)

Anyone have any comments? Good or Bad?

My friend took his kids last year thru the PNW ... Rent America.... Said he had a great time ....

I may do yellowstone next year in an RV

Don't do it because you want to save money...do it because that's the way you want to roll.

The RV rentals are expensive, they change mileage, and even hourly use of the generator. RV Parks aren't much cheaper per night than a hotel.

That said, its a fun way to vacation, especially for a kid that hasn't done it.

Make sure you see the movie "RV" first......................so you know how to empty the holding tank! ;)

We've rented a pop-up from a guy in West Palm. Private owner and the thing was like new, not sure if this fits the bill, but it was easy, fun and cheap. Our friends have one and we went to several really nices parks in N. Fll with them and their kids. That's the way to do it, other kids for yours to play with and stay entertained. If you want his name and number, let me know.

I bought a used "camper" about six months ago. Only $6.5K and it is great fun. Only had 85K miles on it and runs great and is like new inside. I use "Harvey the RV" for all kinds of things now. I've even tiled the kitchen floor to bring it a bit up to date. I haven't been camping yet but I've put 1,200 miles on it!

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/WheatFTC/RamVanMan6900.jpg

Rented one for a 3 week trip in 2005. Ran about $1,000 per week. Campgrounds are not much cheaper than a hotel, but the plus side is that you don't have to unpack and repack your stuff everyday. We had a great time and have even thought about buying one. I personally would not rent one that has "RV RENTAL" plastered on the side, but that's just me. I planned no more than 400-500 miles per day and I think that works out about right. It's all about relaxing and enjoying the experience.

We've rented a couple to take some NASCAR trips... It really is a lot of fun... I'd probably buy a camper trailer if I could stay put and have someplace to keep it.

I've noticed a few rental offers on craigslist. Some from RV sales businesses and some from private folks trying to make some money off their personal RV. I'd try and figure out insurance issues with the private rental though. I'm not sure how that would work. It wouldn't be all that hard to wreck one, compared to a normal car/truck.

We've rented from the Military, Cruise America (ads plastered on the side), and a smaller company outside of DC. I too enjoyed not having "Rental" plastered all over the RV.

I have rented from Cruise America six years in a row, and with one exception the units were clean and new enough. Works well, they can also set you up with all your kitchen needs etc should you need that. Biggest downside: those ugly ads, you're going around like one big billboard.

I rented an RV 36 footer for 8 days went up from Georgia through Tenn. Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, back through Indiana, went many back roads along through many small cool towns along the Ohio & Tennessee Rivers. Only thing planned was to stop and see my Aunt & Uncle 'farmers' up in northern Ohio & some other people we know outside Cinncinatti & Dayton in farm country. Had a great time but I did bitch everytime I filled up with fuel $250 each fillup plus and I think it was in the $1200 total time we got back in the fuel cost. I got a killer deal on the motorhome though $1000 flat no mileage no generator time.

Some of the bennies with an RV, especially with kids, is that when you are traveling you don't have to stop every time someone wants something to eat or has to go to the bathroom. If you can get reservations at state park campgrounds they are much cheaper than many of the others like KOA and are really nice to stay in. If you can plan your trip around a central location it might be best to rent an RV there and leave your car. That would save a lot of miles on the RV that burns much more gas than your Honda. Good luck and have fun.
Mike

I forgot. One of the disadvantages of a motor home is that if you want to leave the campground to go anywhere you have to unhook everything and then rehook if you are returning to the same spot.
Mike

I'm glad to see this thread. I've been thinking about flying into Las Vegas, renting a small motor home then cutting across the canyons of southern Utah and dropping it off in Salt Lake City.

I looked at the Cruise America site and they have a 50% off one-way special in October leaving LV dropping in SLC.