Somehow a road trip is so much more fun in an RV! RVs are perfect for road trips because they provide everything you need to travel in comfort and spend your nights in style. You have the freedom to travel as the mood suits you, stopping wherever your muse leads. No need to worry about hotels, reservations, or constant packing and unpacking. This year enjoy yourselves with a road trip RV rental.
Planning a Road Trip RV Rental with The Family
Traveling with a family usually requires planning and precision. You must coordinate everyone’s needs without boring anyone. Planning an RV trip is much different. Everything you need is conveniently stored in the RV, your home away from home. Games, movies, TV, music, everything is available.
As you travel, you have the freedom to stop along the way at interesting places and attractions. If some family members aren’t interested, they can stay behind and watch a movie or read a book. Everyone’s needs are met, and everyone has a great time.
Since you set your own schedule, you can sleep in after an exhausting day of hiking. There are no hotel checkout times. You don’t need to conform to schedules. Everyone can get their own breakfast in the kitchenette and wait patiently for the stragglers to face a new day.
Traveling by car can be exhausting. Everyone is confined to a small space, so it is only natural that arguments will break out among siblings. We can’t promise the kids will stop arguing. But an RV does give them more room to stretch out and more flexibility with activities while driving. The kids can fasten their seatbelts at the dinette table and pay a game while mom and dad take turns driving and enjoying the view. Stop for lunch when everyone is ready.
Enjoying a Cross Country Road Trip RV Rental
For longer trips, like a cross country road trip, RVs make life easy and enjoyable. Plan to spread the driving over many days and allow plenty of time for enjoying the many parks and attractions that you will pass along the way. When you plan ahead and know which attractions might interest you, you can travel on the interstate without missing anything. If you have plenty of time, skip the interstate and travel the backroads. You’ll pass the most interesting people and places.
On an RV road trip, you’ll naturally meet more people. In a hotel, people rarely exchange more than a polite hello on the elevator. But in an RV, you’ll find interesting people who are anxious to share their best trips and tips. They’ll tell you where to find the best waterfalls, hiking trails, and camping. They’ll share which campgrounds are family friendly and which are best avoided. If you’re lucky, they’ll invite you for a meal or a campfire conversation. You’ll learn a lot about this great country and its people.
Packing for an RV Road Trip
If you are traveling in a class A or Class C motorhome, you should have plenty of space for everything you need. Class B RVs offer enough space for short trips and for those who know how to pack light. Plan to assign each person a little personal space, possibly their own cupboard or under seat space. This way everyone has room to bring a few favorite items with them without crowding out others. On a rainy day, far from home, a personal item or two can make a big difference.
Inquire ahead about the amenities you can expect in road trip RV rentals. Usually, you will enjoy a fully functional kitchen, but you may have to bring your own utensils or pay for a kitchen kit rental. Likewise, sheets, towels, and personal hygiene items are usually your responsibility.
Your family road trip RV rental may come fully equipped with WiFi so you can stay in touch with family and friends throughout the trip. Just don’t tell your boss, or you might end up working on the road. You’ll also enjoy entertainment systems indoors and out. Expect multiple TVs, DVD players, surround sound, and iPod docking stations. You’ll probably enjoy a satellite hook-up so you’ll never need to miss your favorite programs.
Finding the Best RV Road Trip Rental
You might think you need to go to a dealership to inquire about RV rentals, and you could. But the best RV rental rates are found at online peer-to-peer rental sites. These sites will have dealership rentals available, but they also cater to RV owners. RVs are expensive, with many of the luxury models costing more than a house. So, owners list their RVs for rent with peer-to-peer rental sites when they are not using them. Rentals help defray some of the costs of ownership.
Because owners are not trying to make a profit, they can offer much better rental deals than a dealership might. Competition keeps the cost reasonable so that you can enjoy a luxury vacation on a rental price. To learn more about the rental process, see our Guide to Renting an RV: The Process Explained.
When you rent through one of these RV rental sites, you’ll be able to find many choices of RVs in all price ranges. You can sort by location, type, or price. It is tempting to just look at price, but be aware that the nightly or weekly rate doesn’t tell the whole story. Some rentals are flat rate with everything included. They may have a higher nightly rate, while still offering a better deal. Watch out for the incidental fees that some renters tack onto their rates. Cleaning fees, mileage fees, and hourly generator rates can really add up. Make sure you understand the entire cost before putting down a deposit on your road trip RV rental.
Tips for Planning an RV Trip
If you are new to the idea of a family road trip RV rental, you probably need a few tips to get you started. Even the seasoned traveler can benefit from these tips:
• Plan you trip, taking note of interesting stops along the way
• Reserve campsites in advance. Some campgrounds are in heavy demand and booked up to a year in advance. Others cater only to RVs in a specific size range. Investigate the best along your route and call ahead
• Know where to find fuel along the way. Finding fuel is sometimes difficult on rural roads, so know your options and check your gauges before heading into remote areas
• Larger RVs offer more luxury and space, but smaller RVs are more maneuverable. Consider your route and driving skills when choosing your RV rental
Once you’ve experienced a family road trip in an RV, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. It is one of the most enjoyable family vacations you’ll ever experience.