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Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1720
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:27 am: |     |
We're going to rent one in a couple of weeks and head down to the Florida Keys for 4 days.
I've never done this before, so don't know what is needed. We are two adults and two elementary age kids. I know that for 4 passengers the smallest they will rent is 22 feet, and then they have a variety of sizes/amenities up to a 34 foot Winnebago.
Also, the models up to 26 feet or so don't have generators. Are generators really needed if we will only be staying at RV parks with electrical hookups?
Thanks for any advice. |
suzanneng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 312
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 8:51 am: | |
Hi Debby!
Several years ago, we rented a 31 ft Class C (?) (The one with a van-front) Motor Home for 3 adults. We drove from NJ, to Northern Alabama, for the Worlds Largest Yard Sale (what a trip, feel free to ask about! -- 450+ miles of roadside yardsales!) .
We had the RV for 2 weeks in the middle of August, so we took the generator feature, but ended up only using it for about 20 minutes, so the meter didn't change and we weren't charged. We stayed in RV parks or KOA's as well , with full hookups, just about every night. I think the time we used the generator is when we had pulled over into a Walmart to do some grocery shopping, and my husband wanted to used the microwave to cook lunch.
I'd personally say you likely won't need the generator for just 4 nights in such a touristy area. We were traveling through the back roads of OH/KY/TN (in the middle of nowhere at times), and the generator would have come in handy if we were unable to make it to our next destination and had to cook (or use the A/C) .
Have a great time! It's a wonderful experience (if everything goes smoothly!)
BTW, most RV places will even rent you linens and cooking gear on a PP basis. I brought my own linens, and some cooking equip, but took advantage of their pots, pans, glasses, etc, that were already stocked into the MH. (we brought dish soap, paper towels, SOS pads, etc) |
Eric Wertheim
Citizen
Username: Bub
Post Number: 27
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 9:28 am: | |
spend some time researching the RV parks you will stay at. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1533
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 9:30 am: | |
We rent RV’s all the time for various trips.
For us the most important thing is having a room in the back of the RV. Some of the smaller models there are bunk beds in the back for the kids and the adults will sleep in the front on either the table that drops down into a bed, or one that comes down from the ceiling. But being able to shut the door and separate the rooms makes it feel like you actually get some alone time, and in those close quarters it’s pretty important.
The generator is pretty unnecessary. Just make sure that you do have some food that can be cooked on the stove (Propane) or cold cuts.
Make sure you join KOA. I think it costs $15 for a year and you’ll save that on the first day.
KOA rates campgrounds just like hotels. So by staying at the nicer ones ($20 a day as opposed to $15) we could avoid showering or using the bathroom in the RV. Worst pat of the whole trip is dealing with that sewer hose.
We usually rent RVs that had a “pop out” side. Once parked it really adds to the space that you have. It’s costs a little more per day, but doubles your living space. I remember being a kid and it was my “Job” to clear off the table, move some stuff around and flip the switch that made the wall move. It was great.
Bikes are good to. Most campgrounds have them but sometimes you’re pretty far from the main desk and it’s nice to be able to jump on the bikes and explore.
Key West is a little short on wood, so try to pick some up before you get there to avoid paying $15 per night for a fire.
A Duroflame log is great for getting things started.
Also once you get to the campground and you get a spot assigned, look around. You can always go back and ask for a different or specific spot.. One year we had a spot about 200 yards from the beach (South Carolina) we went back up and asked for another space and they put us on the beach, it’s worth being a pain in the butt.
RVs are temperamental. The fridge stops, or the propane doesn’t work. We always get the number of a repair shop where we are staying from the company renting us the RV. You just have to call them from the campground and they show up. We of course call the rental company first but it’s nice to not feel stranded.
Last but not least, these things are a pain to park. You’ll save yourself a lot of stress by just parking it where it fit, instead of trying to get close.
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Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 351
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:24 am: | |
Wow. Cool. So glad I found this thread. I've been wanting to rent an RV for some time, but had no idea where to start, or stay for that matter. Lots of valuable information here!
One question. When we drive in the car, all kids are strapped in car seats, of course. What becomes of them when you're on the road in the RV? Do they just wander freely, or is there somewhere to strap them in?
O.K. I lied. Another question, specifically for Brett cuz you sure seem to know a lot. Is there a particular recommendation as to who to rent from? My idea for our trip is to fly out to Utah, visit friends and RV from there to...wherever?
Thanks, and happy camping! |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1534
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:34 am: | |
Unfortunately I don’t have a particular favorite place to rent from. Considering we do this often we just go for the best price. Sorry
As for children, I’ve only been on one trip with a child that required a car seat. She was in a car seat on the couch (there were seatbelts), and was relatively peeved that she couldn’t walk around with the others. But we all had the opportunity to spend a little time with her so in the end she had a great time.
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growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 461
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 11:03 am: | |
Look at this link:
http://gorving.com/
This should answer more quesitons. We have been looking to do that same however have not made the plunge yet....yet.  |
suzanneng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 313
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 1:44 pm: | |
I liked the RV/Campers where you can access the drivers seat from the rest of the RV. Made bathroom / food stops in the rain a little easier! I agree with Brett about getting the "bedroom" in the back of the RV, as well as the ones with the slide outs. Ours had a sliding stiff curtain-like door (vs. a solid door) . The bathroom was roomy enough, (and as Debby knows, I am NOT a small person), but the shower was a bit awkward... the shower door was a bi-fold that folded IN, so I showered in the campground bath houses. I recommend flip flops or shower sandals, for those occasions.
We rented from Adventures on wheels in Middletown, NJ
ADVENTURES ON WHEELS INC
42 HWY 36
MIDDLETOWN, NJ 07748-5247
Phone: (732) 495-0959
( http://www.wheels9.com or http://www.adventuresonwheels.com )
As Brett mentioned, the couch area has lapbelts, so a car seat could be installed there.
Another recommendation... if you already have AAA membership, I'd suggest upgrading to RV Plus. It covers most of the things that could go wrong with the RV, including towing and running out of gas. I don't think you can upgrade for a month or so, so we just upgraded about 4 weeks before we left (enough time to get a new ID card), and cancelled the upgrade when our membership came up for renewal.. I think it was another $30 or so (we are already AAA Plus members).
Definitely research the RV parks... either use KOA or Good Sam... we purchased the Woodalls guide as well, and the AAA Tourbooks/camping Guides have info on the parks/campgrounds as well.
Make sure you understand how everything works before you leave the rental place. You do not want to be fumbling around trying to connect (or disconnect) the sewer hose (or the clean water hose) in the dark! And be sure you remember the order to connect/disconnect the hoses/valves for white, gray and black water connections.
Debby, not sure where you are in relationship to Miami, but Adventures on Wheels has a Miami office. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1723
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 8:27 am: | |
Thanks for all the great advice. Turns out March is an EXTREMELY popular month for RVing - spring break, "Bikeweek", and something at Daytona - made it almost impossible to find one.
So we've done the next best thing - there's a KOA campground/RV park on Sugarloaf Key with nice parked RV's to stay in - we'll drive down there in the Mazda (and save 70% on gas!). If we all like it, and the boys have all their limbs at the end, we'll do a real RV trip next time. |
suzanneng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 316
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 10:04 am: | |
Debby, March may also be the time when they RV rental places move their inventory around... i.e. from North to South, East to West or vice versa. We had to book our RV at least 6 months in advance. (but that was for mid August) |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1738
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 11:50 am: | |
Just got back, and it was a blast! We rented a parked RV with a deck and hot tub. It was way nicer than I anticipated. There was a bedroom for us, cruise ship style bunkbeds in the back for the boys, a surprisingly decent bathroom with a 1/2 size tub the kids could actually sit in, and a very workable kitchenette. This deluxe one was fully furnished with linens, kitchenwares, dishes, etc.
I was also really glad not to be staying on Key West itself. It was fun to visit, but too honkytonk for my taste. It was nice to be in the RV park with all the families and seasonal people. The park had lots of amenities in addition to the hook-ups and showers: there was a nice beach, fishing, kayaks, bikes, a pub, coffee shop, convenience store and a pool. The beach had one of those inflatable icebergs for the kids to climb.
We'll definitely do it again. |
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