Has anyone ever rented an RV?

[flytire 0]

 

i'm thinking of a trip out west maybe next year (Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming loop) (i lived in the Denver area for 11 years but there's a few rivers and streams on my bucket list to fish)

 

if you have rented one what were the pros and cons?

 

what did you need to bring along for your trip?

 

was the rental clean or did it need a hazmat team to disinfect it?

 

did you need advance campsite reservations? or did you just pull into a campground and get a site?

 

i'm only looking for a compact rv for just myself, but would like to hear of any experiences regardless of size

 

thanks in advance

 

norm

 

any info you can provide would be great

[mikechell 0]

I don't have experience myself, my friend ... but I know a bunch of people who regularly rent RVs.

I teach people how to work on motorcycles and outboard engines. People from these two disciplines are constantly going to shows, rallies, races and other assorted trips. Many of them rent RVs to take their families with them. A couple of families can travel and live in a large RV for less than hotels and restaurants.

Once in a while, I've been told of RVs with roach problems, or engine troubles ... but it's extremely rare.

First thing is, they make their money on repeat business, so a bad experience is REALLY bad for them.

Second thing, family oriented business ... a bad experience affects children, which is a terrible liability issue.

 

Most of the people recommend a thorough inspection before accepting the unit you rent ... don't accept it if their are ANY discrepancies noted.

 

 

As far as what to take ... you're retired. Take note of everything you use for as many days as you'll be on the road. Pack that for the trip. The neat thing about an RV ... you're taking "home" with you. You don't have to think in "hotel" terms, just "home" terms.

[fpeachm 0]

We (wife and I, with kids) did that a couple of times.

All said, our rentals were a happily remembered experience.

 

Matter of fact, I highly recommend renting one as opposed to buying one because when you're done you can drop it off and forget about it.

 

Just because you rented one is no guarantee that campsites will be waiting for you to come or that they will reserve a spot for you. It depends on where you're going. When we rented in Alaska, great care had to be taken to arrange a place to stay before we drove several hundred miles to get there. But it all worked out. When you rent you can get guides, I.e. Directories of campgrounds to work with. And of course I bet most grounds now have internet wifi which wasn't available in the 90's when we rented.

 

What I learned is how much I like hotels, where your mess gets left behind each day. Beats taking it with you. Also - An RV is a collection on wheels of things that will need repair often at the most inconvenient times. A rental or two should help you see how you feel about RVs - good luck!

 

AND yes - careful inspection before accepting the rental is highly advised. For just yourself a compact would be perfect, you don't need bigger.