DH and I are doing a road trip with the kiddos this year, and we were thinking about renting a travel trailer, the kind you drive (not tow). I looked up the info on Hawley's website, and about fell off my chair. To rent one for 2 wks plus 1600 miles would cost us around $5k! I guess this is the going rate, but are there other places to rent travel trailers from that I can at least do a comparison from? Thx.
Are you talking about an RV? the insurance and wear and tear on them can be considerable. Cruise America does rent them, probably less expensively than Hawley's. Check the RV place on New Bern Ave in Raleigh. With our 31 footer, we get 8 mpg and a 55 gallon tank. We save on meals, as we can prepare them while driving, and don;t have to pull off for bathroom breaks. We have plenty of room, and the kids can watch the TV while the miles go by. No hotel or motel bills, so we figure that we break even on thee costs of lodging. And, much as the movie suggests, we tend to be closer as we sleep and eat our meals together. The kids help plan the meals, the stops, and it really is a family oriented time. Apart from a cruise ship, we can't find a more pleasurable, family affordable way to travel. The class "C" RVs are a breeze to drive. These are the ones that have a RV body on a pickup truck chassis. Class "A"s look like a bus. C6 thoght it wold be a bear to drive our RV. I started her on the interstate, with no turns, just long places to drive. She drives it now, without any reservation. Good Luck. If you do decide to rent one and have any questions, feel free to PM. H6
Just to clarify, a travel trailer is the one you tow. The one's you drive are called motor homes. Travel Trailers come in several different flavours including conventional tow, fifth wheel, pop-up, and conversion (a cross between a conventional tow and a pop-up). Motor homes also come in different flavours called classes. A class "A" is the one the looks like a bus. A class "C" looks like a cross between a camper and a van, and a class "B", also called a conversion van, looks like a van with a high roof.
There are a couple for rent on craigslist http://raleigh.craigslist.org/rvs/644578975.html http://raleigh.craigslist.org/rvs/648826538.html
The rental fees are just the beginning. Gasoline (some take diesel) will also kill you. You can figure on getting around 7-8 MPG for most gas RVs and a little better with diesel. 1600mi=$700 for gas at $3.50 per gallon. Next is the cost of RV parks. While National/State Parks are cheaper, they fill up really quick, but you can figure on a minimum of $30 per night at an RV park. If you go to more desirable locations (Beach, Disney, etc) you can pay upwards of $75 per night in peak season. 14 nights @$30 per night=$420 minimum for RV parking. The RV also causes some headaches, especially if you are traveling to different places. Each time you plan to go somewhere, you will have to unhook electric/water/sewer connections. Because of its size, parking an RV is also difficult, especially in urban areas or other really crowded places. At the end of the day, you have to travel back to an RV park, get the rig leveled and reconnect the water/sewer/electric. That's why MANY RV owners tow small cars (called dingies) behind their motorhomes. This is probably not an option for a rental setup because only certain cars can be towed behind RVs. A nice alternative would be to rent a van (or drive your own if you have one) and take a road trip in it. Many RV parks and State/National parks have cabins that you can rent. Or, if you are so inclined, you can tent camp. Additionally, some RV parks have RV rentals that are set up on campsites. These are usually much cheaper than renting one to drive yourself and you don't have the set-up/parking headaches and you get a cheaper gas bill. You will save so much money that you can spend more sightseeing, eating out, or doing other fun stuff. The experience won't be terribly different from RVing. Hope my suggestions help.
As an active RV'er, some of what the taxidermist indicates is true. And some, perhaps not as objectionable to us. Yes, fuel and overnight costs can be expensive. But, figuring in that the fuel cost also covers your motel, it's a wash. And, when traveling to a destination, we know of many places to "boondock", i.e. pull in for the night..Most larger WMs, truck stops, and other places may allow boondocking, depending on local ordinances. We always ask the management before we stay. WMs seem friendly enough to us, and we're always going inside to buy whatever we left or used during the day. And, most RVer's being the responsible people they are, don't trash the place, and also keep their eyes open for suspicious activities the store management might like to know about. You may occasionally see an RV parked on the outer edge of a WM. Chances are they'll be gone after breakfast the next day, after filling up the RV and their tummies. Our dinghy is our Saturn. To set up in a campground, it takes 3 min. to detach the car, 2 to back in a level spot, set brake, 2 to open slideout, 3 to hookup water/elec/sewage, and then you're done for the night. It isn't as arduous a task as it's made out to be. Also, many KOAs do offer KOA cabins at their locations. And, if you pruchase a KOA Kamper Kard, you save 10% off each stay, so if you stay more than 5 nights a year, it pays for itself. If you packed like you were going to an unfurnished beach house for a week, you'd probably have what you need. Yes, some resorts are pricey. I've never seen, nor stayed at one for 75 bucks a night. Most I find in the 35-45 range, although there are discount "Camping Clubs" that can save you up to half the cost of camping. There is a popular RV place nearby to WDW that is a mini resort in itself. Numerous pools, and stuff to do, and it's within walking distance to the Kissimmee ferris wheels, and family stuff at Old Town. Rather than staying at an expensive place near Busch Gardens, we reserve a spot at the Newport News Campground-cheap, secure and plenty to do there as well. When all else is said and done, when we vacation, we realize that the cost is what it is. And, if we have to think that hard in justifying it, we don't go. No point in commiserating over what was supposed to have ben a fun time.
Hatteras6, You are correct in your statements, but you have to remember, you are an EXPERIENCED RVer. You know how to find the better campground deals and boondocking is no problem for someone with experience. Also, you have probably set up enough that you can do it with your eyes closed. The statements I made were geared towards a novice. If you have zero or little experience with an RV, I doubt you will have it that easy. RVing has its rewards and its challenges. Personally, I would have hated it had it not been for my father in-law helping me and giving me guidance when I got started. There is a pretty good learning curve when it comes to RVing. blessed2adopt2, I highly recommend that you rent an RV for a long weekend and see how you like it. It is a different experience that many love and many hate. Two weeks is a long time (and lots of $) if you are miserable. Whatever you do, good luck!
Tax, I apologize if my words sounded to be a shot across the bow of your land yacht. Your suggestion of doing it for a weekend is a good one. Our first trip with our Coleman popup was done 5 miles from the house. As soon as we proudly got it set up with no fussing or cussing, and planned ot enjoy the weekend, we realized we had brought neither blankets, nor pillows, nor sleeping bags...nor Food....nor.well, at least the darned thing was set up. Perhaps we've established such a routine that everyone knows what they have to do. And, one of the greatest strengths of the Internets is that information is available for the searching. Too many fora exist to help advise on all subjects, even RV'ing. All in all, yes it can be an expensive way to vacation, if you don't enjoy it. Then again, that's true of anything. I will tell you that I have met some of the finest people on earth, while Rv'ing. Folks just can;t seem to help one another enough. I recall pulling into a park on Thanksgiving Day. Got set up just before lunch, and we were thinking of nuking some sammiches and calling it a day. 'Bout ten minutes later, a knock on the door.and the person asked if we had a can of veggies that we could spare. We offered up some greens, taters, and they left..for 5 minutes, and then invited us to share with the entire park family T-day meal. I've never been at a loss for finding a helping hand, and lots of advice (sometimes too many divergent sets...but that's the risk one takes -right..LOL) and people that would do anything for you. The movie with Robin Williams had its parts. We enjoy the movie, and realize that when it comes to a sense of community, they were spot on. Safe RV'ing....see you on the road. Sixes...H & C
Thanks! DH has done this most of his 'growing up' years, RVing. I 'had to' tent camp, and hated it. That's why we're thinking of renting for this trip. We've done the 'motelling thing' with our kids, 5 and 7, and we thought of camping would be a nice change. Gives the kids a chance to run around, still gives me 'indoor plumbing', and we all get family time. Thanks for everyone's input. We know we won't be saving any $ on this vacation, but it's the journey, not the destination, right?
Blessed2, We have 3 boys and have just recently started RV camping and it is a nice change from hotels. The boys can step right outside and play and the people are all so friendly, it's great. I think you'll make memories that will last a lifetime.
