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Six things NOT to do when renting an RV
Forget your trailer park misconceptions: If you're planning a long haul road trip, either in the U.S. or abroad, renting an RV may be your most cost-effective way to travel.
At least that's what my husband and I found when we took a 24-foot-long campervan through the South and North islands of New Zealand last fall. Not only did we have more freedom to go where we wanted without waiting for buses or trains, we saved money on eating out - and had fun meeting other travelers at our campsite each night.
RVing does have its pitfalls, however, and we noticed plenty of them on our week-long trip. Here's a few things that could inject a sour note into your open road opus:
Rent the biggest vehicle you can find. You might see this trip as a time to indulge your Big Rig fantasies. But you're much better off renting a smaller campervan that handles well, particularly if you're going anywhere that involves twisty roads or mountain overpasses. Smaller RVs are also better on stretches of open highway, where strong winds can push your vehicle around the road.
Ignore vehicle briefings. Our campervan came with a DVD that cut off halfway through the instructions. "We'll figure it out," said my husband, who was eager to hit the road. Ha. Those 15 minutes we saved by leaving the parking lot early were nothing compared to the hour it took us to figure out how to dump out the sewage. Never again.
Pack too much stuff. Most campervans have elaborate storage systems, with cubby drawers, hidden compartments and spaces under seats to place your things. Which you'll need, because if you don't put your hiking shoes away, they will become projectile missiles during the next curve in the road.
We passed several RVs that looked stuffed to the brim, with stressed-out people in the driver's seat. Only bring the basics; most RVs come with all of the dishes, silverware, bedding and towels that you'll need.
Fail to check your surroundings. The scene unfolded like one from a Chevy Chase movie: Our mouths screamed "Nooooo" as a neighbor pulled out of his campsite with his RV electrical cord still hooked up to the outlets. The resulting noises were not pleasant. If you're absent-minded, write your debarkation routine on a slip of paper that you review each morning.
Annoy your neighbors. RVers are an early bunch, with many hitting the road before dawn. You'll be the star of the holiday park if you invoke MI6 agent stealth and leave noiselessly, without rattling all of the recycling bins (you know who you are).
Once you've selected your campsite for the night, it's also considered poor etiquette to walk too close to your neighbor's vehicle. Saying hello at the communal BBQ pit is fine, lurking outside someone else's windows isn't. And when that van is rocking, definitely don't go knocking.
Plan a packed itinerary. Sure, you could take 72 hours to criss-cross Arizona. But where's the fun in that? Plan two-day or three-day stops at RV parks so you have time to leave the vehicle and see the sights. Otherwise, you might as well fly.
Travel writer Chris Gray Faust writes about Value Luxury Vacations on her website, Chris Around The World.
We passed several RVs that looked stuffed to the brim, with stressed-out people in the driver's seat. Only bring the basics; most RVs come with all of the dishes, silverware, bedding and towels that you'll need.
Fail to check your surroundings. The scene unfolded like one from a Chevy Chase movie: Our mouths screamed "Nooooo" as a neighbor pulled out of his campsite with his RV electrical cord still hooked up to the outlets. The resulting noises were not pleasant. If you're absent-minded, write your debarkation routine on a slip of paper that you review each morning.
Annoy your neighbors. RVers are an early bunch, with many hitting the road before dawn. You'll be the star of the holiday park if you invoke MI6 agent stealth and leave noiselessly, without rattling all of the recycling bins (you know who you are).
Once you've selected your campsite for the night, it's also considered poor etiquette to walk too close to your neighbor's vehicle. Saying hello at the communal BBQ pit is fine, lurking outside someone else's windows isn't. And when that van is rocking, definitely don't go knocking.
Plan a packed itinerary. Sure, you could take 72 hours to criss-cross Arizona. But where's the fun in that? Plan two-day or three-day stops at RV parks so you have time to leave the vehicle and see the sights. Otherwise, you might as well fly.
Travel writer Chris Gray Faust writes about Value Luxury Vacations on her website, Chris Around The World.
Filed under: Camping
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bb1972b Feb 14th 2012 8:32AM
One very important thing to remember and to understand is: the cruise control feature is NOT AUTO PILOT. Do NOT set the cruise control and then go back to the kitchen area to cook or make a sandwich.
Great Feb 14th 2012 2:34PM
I looked into renting an rv for a cross country vaction trip but after looking at the rental cost the milegae fees and the fuel along with fees to park it was almost 6 times the cost of airfare, hotel stay and entertainment. Seems like the way to go but be prepared to pay much much more then a traditional vaction.
bb1972b Feb 14th 2012 8:38AM
One thing not on the not to do list is a very important one: Remember the cruise control is NOT AUTO PILOT. Do NOT set the cruise control feature and then go to the back and make a sandwich.
56meteorman Feb 14th 2012 8:41AM
We love camping with a simple small pop up. IF we rent a motorized RV, it will be a smaller one - with a small car in tow so we can level the camper at the site once and then explore away from the campsite. Buying a small car like a Chevy Metro for a few bucks makes sense as you can sell it easily if advertised in any of the campling newspapers on arrival home. Also, use public bathrooms as often as possible to lighten the cleanout load. Don't forget the rechargeable flashlights either.
Tom Feb 16th 2012 11:06AM
One of the biggest mistakes in RV'ing is to let your significant other pressure you into buying an RV assuming that you will like it.
Rent an RV first to experience RV'ing. It is not for everyone, especially here in the crowded east.
Lloyd Feb 14th 2012 9:06AM
Additional:
Take a driving course, Driving an RV is different than driving a car or truck. In most cases the Chassis move seperately from the cockpit. If the driver responds to the movement they will be chasing the RV all over the place. Ignore sense of feel and focus on actual position in the driving lane. Don't even get me started on Backing up.
Second, learn the unwritten rules of Campground Courtesy. Your article touched on this, but there are so many more, Not cutting accross camp sites, noise, pets. Renters are always easy to spot, even if they don't have a big sign on thier RV.
RAGENME Feb 14th 2012 9:10AM
We camped as kids in tent's and layed on the ground. This past year we purchased a pop up. The best advise we can give is make a list of what you need and check it twice before you leave. If not we hope there is a Wal mart along the way. Rving is a great way to meet new friend's or reconnect with you family. It's the cheapest vacation we have ever had and the most fun. Happy rving!
TC Watkins Feb 14th 2012 9:14AM
The thought that an RV saves money is a myth.With wide spread motel discounting and free BREAKFAST you're $$ ahead over all.
Tombo Feb 14th 2012 9:40AM
I can see that you don't do much traveling.
Jan Feb 14th 2012 10:11AM
That depends on where you are traveling. In Alaska for example it is way cheaper to rent an RV. First of all they CATER to RVs up there. Second of all it might be 200 miles between one stop to the next. Who wants to HAVE to be at a certain location at a certain day and time. Not to mention the price of hotels up there. In an RV you are free to explore. We have done it twice. The first time a rental the second time our own RV.
NeverJUSTamom Feb 14th 2012 10:50AM
You're so right! We rented an RV to drive around and see 5 west coast states with our 3 kids in 2004 (we live on the east coast and flew out there to rent the RV). It was a great experience and lots of fun, but the 3 week trip cost us $9,000.00!! I'm sure we could have done just as well (if not better) renting a fuel efficient car and staying in budget motels.
Arzish May 2nd 2012 10:01AM
i would say it depends on how you're travelling. in my case travelling with your family with kids, Rving is the best of all choices, you will save on food so much and will be able to adjust to everybody's timings and on top of everything its got freedom of taking your home right up to the point of travel instead of leaving your hotel room after stuffing your belly with extra breakfast. Thats the worst part eat before you leave your hotel and that too before 10:30. We love the late night campfire,BBQs,fishing, trekking, and coming back for breakfast or brunch. In hotels you are just paying all the time even for a can of coke you pay 4 times, tea coffee, everything you pay for, thats off my cards now. have travelled around the world, staying at 6-5-3 star hotels and feel sorry for the countries that do not offer rving/motorhoming as an option..
Steven Feb 14th 2012 9:44AM
Your segment on NYC is good but I noticed 2 important mistakes:
(1) Manhattan STREETS RUN EAST TO WEST with 5th AVENUE dividing west from east. Avenues run NORTH TO SOUTH - at 8th avenue and 34th street, you are on West 34th, not West 8th.
(2) The planetarium that is part of The Museum of Natural History does NOT focus on astrology- it's focus is astronomy.
Jim Feb 14th 2012 9:45AM
My family owned from slide in truck bed style campers to a 'Mini-Winnebago' with bunk beds up to 1981 (and several others after that). Due to a job offer 'falling through' for my Dad, we (5 people. Dad, Mom, sister, brother and I.) spent a whole year living in that 'bunker' camper in Pensacola, Fl during my Jr. and my brother's Sr. years in high school. It was an adventure and taught us a lot about RV's. We had limited space and could only bring with us what would fit in the camper and car (at night) due to selling our house and putting everything in storage in anticipation of moving back to Central Florida. We moved into a house on the west side of Pensacola after my brother had graduated due to lack of funds. What an adventure!
reality check Feb 14th 2012 10:41PM
Also, keep in mind that your handy-dandy GPS unit (or mapquest) doesn't know you are driving an oversized vehicle that doubles as a house! KNOW the height of your vehicle and don't 'push the limits'. Remember, also, that for security and safety reasons, you cannot drive a vehicle with propane tanks through some large tunnels, like the Lincoln Tunnel in NY, no matter WHAT your GPS says! Other tunnels have checkpoints where officials do check to make sure you've disconnected the propane connectors from the tanks. Be prepared. I'm a believer in pop-up camping. It's amazing that so much living space can fit in such a small box for traveling!
Steven Feb 14th 2012 9:50AM
Isn't it a shame that we have to tell drivers that cruise control is different from auto-pilot? What's even worse is that you can make millions by making this mistake on I-95! It's no wonder that it's safer to fly.
Goose Feb 14th 2012 2:02PM
With the price of gas these days; it would cost more to drive the camper. Take your car and a laptop and use priceline and stay at a cheap motel instead. Only reason to take a camper is if its a toy hauler too and you're taking your bike to Sturgis for bike week.
NZ RVer Feb 14th 2012 3:26PM
Like others said before, it depends on where you are traveling. In New Zealand, gas is way cheaper than in the US, and out in the back-country roads, there are not many motels and hotel choices, and they are not cheap or inclusive of breakfast like in the states. The average 2-egg breakfast in New Zealand will run you $20.
However, the country is very well set up for campervans with park sites along every scenic route - maybe only 4 hours drive apart, and that is a very common way to travel there.
guy nelli Feb 14th 2012 9:58AM
i had a motor home 10 years, yes it is great if the gas is cheap. i only got 7 mpg. i then calculated cost for depreciation, prevent maint, ins, repair, finance. boy what vacations i could have had for all my money, and they would have made the bed and cleaned up !!!!
Jack Feb 14th 2012 9:59AM
There is no substitute for experience when it comes to RVing and this atricle appears to show that this person does not have very much. You cannot put all the things that one should know about camping into a short article like this. Those 10 things could easily be expanded to 50 or more. Some of us have been camping (including tents, travel trailers and motor homes) for years. My wife and I have been doing it for over 50 years and we are probably considered amatuers.