So deciding whether to go with an RV or rent a car was our first decision. We knew we would have to fly out to some destination first. So it really was just a question of once we got to our destination, what were we going to do next. We considered a few things.
Given those 3 things, we opted for an RV. But what kind of RV? My husband and I both are newbies to the RV world. So, as any planner would do, I took to the internet to find some answers. Here's what I learned.
We looked at a few rental companies. All of which had very easy pricing/quote forms on their websites. The main differences, other than price, were the styles, generator usage, mileage and convenience kits, just to name a few.
Styles and Classes
RV's are broken down into classes. Class A is approximately 30 ft - 45 ft+. They have tons of ammenities and definitely more room than the other classes. They look like a bus and definitely harder to drive and maneuver.
Class B is basically just a big van that is on steroids. Bigger than a normal van, but as you would expect, it's a tight squeeze. Still if you are single, or just want to get from A to B, and don't want to hassle with worrying about size, this class is for you.
Class C is in between A and B. Whoever decided to name the classes must have been drunk. Anyway, the Class C is about 20 ft - 30 ft. It has nice features, just not as many as the Class A, and certainly not as roomy. But definitely easier to drive and maneuver.
We decided on a Class C because we wanted something a bit more maneuverable. Being our first time in an RV, we thought operating a huge rig would be just a tad bit intimidating. Not to mention the price for a Class A would be almost twice that of a Class C.
When looking at the different rental companies, it seemed the layout was fairly the same, although there were differences. So take the time to look at each one. Don't assume that just because it's a Class C that it will look the same.
Generator usage
Some RV companies charge for generator usage. Each RV runs on propane and a generator for power. Before you rent, you should understand how much electricity and power you plan on using. There is a meter for the generator onboard to monitor your usage. But typically you'll be charged an hourly rate. So add that in to your overall budget.
Mileage
Rental companies will have a base amount of mileage that they will include in your price. Some may allow you to pay for additional mileage above the base amount. Others will just charge you a fee per every mile over the base amount once your trip is complete. Either way, it's a good idea to know how many miles you will be driving before you ask for a quote. See my section on Destinations for a great app that can help with planning your route and mileage. We chose a package that included a certain amount of miles. That seemed easiest for us.
Convenience Kits
Most rental companies will rent you a bare bone RV. If you want cups, utensils, trashcans, brooms, etc., you will need to purchase their convenience kits. The cost varies per company. But it's a good idea to purchase it if you aren't planning on bringing those items. The kitchen kits are usually separate from the convenience kits. So watch out and make sure you understand what is and what is not included. Towels, blankets, comforters, pillows are all part of the convenience kits. We definitely added that to our RV! I couldn't imagine having to pack a full kitchen set or bedroom set for all 5 of us. So the convenience kit...definitely worth every penny!
- Cost - looking for minimal cost
- Stress - we wanted something easy and stress free
- Fun - after all, we are on an adventure
Given those 3 things, we opted for an RV. But what kind of RV? My husband and I both are newbies to the RV world. So, as any planner would do, I took to the internet to find some answers. Here's what I learned.
- There are 3 different classes of RV: A, B, C
- RV's have a lot of maintenance while you travel. (i.e. dumping, hookups, etc)
- You cannot just park an RV on the side of the road. So finding a place to stay overnight is imperative.
We looked at a few rental companies. All of which had very easy pricing/quote forms on their websites. The main differences, other than price, were the styles, generator usage, mileage and convenience kits, just to name a few.
Styles and Classes
RV's are broken down into classes. Class A is approximately 30 ft - 45 ft+. They have tons of ammenities and definitely more room than the other classes. They look like a bus and definitely harder to drive and maneuver.
Class B is basically just a big van that is on steroids. Bigger than a normal van, but as you would expect, it's a tight squeeze. Still if you are single, or just want to get from A to B, and don't want to hassle with worrying about size, this class is for you.
Class C is in between A and B. Whoever decided to name the classes must have been drunk. Anyway, the Class C is about 20 ft - 30 ft. It has nice features, just not as many as the Class A, and certainly not as roomy. But definitely easier to drive and maneuver.
We decided on a Class C because we wanted something a bit more maneuverable. Being our first time in an RV, we thought operating a huge rig would be just a tad bit intimidating. Not to mention the price for a Class A would be almost twice that of a Class C.
When looking at the different rental companies, it seemed the layout was fairly the same, although there were differences. So take the time to look at each one. Don't assume that just because it's a Class C that it will look the same.
Generator usage
Some RV companies charge for generator usage. Each RV runs on propane and a generator for power. Before you rent, you should understand how much electricity and power you plan on using. There is a meter for the generator onboard to monitor your usage. But typically you'll be charged an hourly rate. So add that in to your overall budget.
Mileage
Rental companies will have a base amount of mileage that they will include in your price. Some may allow you to pay for additional mileage above the base amount. Others will just charge you a fee per every mile over the base amount once your trip is complete. Either way, it's a good idea to know how many miles you will be driving before you ask for a quote. See my section on Destinations for a great app that can help with planning your route and mileage. We chose a package that included a certain amount of miles. That seemed easiest for us.
Convenience Kits
Most rental companies will rent you a bare bone RV. If you want cups, utensils, trashcans, brooms, etc., you will need to purchase their convenience kits. The cost varies per company. But it's a good idea to purchase it if you aren't planning on bringing those items. The kitchen kits are usually separate from the convenience kits. So watch out and make sure you understand what is and what is not included. Towels, blankets, comforters, pillows are all part of the convenience kits. We definitely added that to our RV! I couldn't imagine having to pack a full kitchen set or bedroom set for all 5 of us. So the convenience kit...definitely worth every penny!
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