When your family goes on a camping vacation, not only do you have your own space, free of the worry about staying socially distant from others, but you also have the opportunity to find places that are sparsely populated. Gas prices are lower this summer, so that’s a big bonus when we are all watching our budget.
With COVID-19 concerns on everyone’s minds, travel restrictions to other countries, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, it’s hard to plan a weekend getaway, let alone a family vacation. Many families, looking for alternatives, are looking to RV’s.
I’ve been camping in RVs for most of my life. When I was a kid, my parents had a camper that went on my dad’s pickup. As an adult, I have owned or driven everything from a 30-foot toy hauler I pulled with an F250, to a fifth-wheel trailer, to a Class C motorhome. Because my kids are grown, and I mostly camp with my dog now, I currently own a tiny travel trailer that I pull with my Jeep Wrangler.
If you are considering joining the ranks of RVers, consider this:
- RV dealers have seen a spike in purchases, with most RV manufacturers seeing a 30% increase in sales over 2019.
- Citing Coronavirus concerns, the RV Industry Association found that 20% of survey respondents are more interested in RV travel than they are in flying, tent camping, cruises, or home rentals via Airbnb or VRBO.
- In a survey of RV owners, 40% said their level of use would remain the same. And 49% said they would be using their RVs more often this year.
THE BASICS
If you are thinking about purchasing an RV and have never owned or driven one before, there are several things to consider. Will you want a travel trailer or a motorhome? A travel trailer is generally less expensive and easier to maintain than a motorhome. Insurance is less costly, and there is more variety in the layout. You need to think about what you will tow it with. How many people will be sleeping in the trailer? What amenities are essential? Do you need a trailer with a generator? Do you have a tow vehicle with the capacity to tow the weight of the trailer you are interested in? For your vehicle and safety, I recommend selecting a trailer with a Gross Dry Vehicle Weight (GDVW) well below your tow vehicle’s towing capacity. Also, in many states, trailers over a specific weight require an electronic brake controller installed on the tow vehicle. You can find information on calculating how much your trailer weighs fully loaded online.
THINKING ABOUT BUYING?
If you plan on purchasing a motorhome, realize you will be making a hefty investment. The most basic new motorhomes start at about as much as I paid for my first home – around $70,000. Buying used is a good option for both motorhomes and travel trailers, as they tend to depreciate quite a bit, and great deals can be had. However, it’s smart to buy from a dealership that offers a warranty. Most importantly, research, research, research! There are too many options to discuss here, so look online at brand reviews, research floorplans, and join a Facebook RV group for excellent tips and information.
Something else to think about is what you plan to do when you get to your destination. This will help you decide if you want a travel trailer, which gives you the use of your tow vehicle once your trailer is unhooked. Or do you want to drive a motorhome, with your whole family comfortable and spread out, during the road trip? Remember that once you’re set up in your campsite, going anywhere will be more difficult, requiring you to unhook everything, find a parking space for an RV wherever you’re going, and eventually back in and re-level the coach when you return. Some people tow a smaller car behind the motorhome to solve this problem.
RENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
If buying is out of your budget or you want to give RVing a try before committing, renting is a good option. It will allow you to see if the RV lifestyle is for you, with a comparatively small investment. Several companies are comparable to AirBnB or VRBO, giving you the option to rent privately-owned RVs. Outdoorsy and RV Share are popular platforms, and both get good reviews. They work much like reserving a vacation home online. There are also larger corporate companies, such as El Monte RV and Cruise America. The advantage of corporate rentals is they are often slightly cheaper. However, the RVs are the equivalent of a well-used rental car: they’ve been beaten up quite a bit. They are usually not luxury models, meaning the inside is basic. Not to mention, they are like rolling billboards with their corporate advertising plastered across the side, announcing to everyone that you are a renter.
In contrast, by renting from an owner, you can access a wide variety of RVs at all levels of luxury. These RVs are privately owned and often used by the owner when not being rented out. They tend to be very well-maintained and often come equipped with everything you need to camp, i.e., linens, dishes, camp chairs, etc.
ADVICE FROM OWNERS
As an RV owner who has considered renting out my rig, I am part of an online group of owners. I asked them: What are some things you want renters to know about before renting an RV?
Here are some of their best tips:
- Read your contract. The fine print is important. Also, if you know little about RVs, watch YouTube videos. You can learn how to dump the tanks, hook up at campsites, and even drive an RV – all on YouTube! Rentals will come with manuals, and the owners will do a walk-through, but it is a lot to take in. Coming in with some knowledge beforehand is invaluable. And be honest with the owner about your level of experience!
- Carry a car seat. If you are renting a motor home, most states will require a small child to be in a car seat during travel. Don’t forget to bring your own.
- Have realistic expectations. Many RVs are very luxurious, but they still aren’t a suite at the Four Seasons. They don’t have gourmet kitchens or two-door refrigerators. Also, RVs are made of wood and Styrofoam, for the most part. Driving down the road is like subjecting them to an earthquake every day. Roll with the flow and communicate with the owner. Almost anything can be fixed on the road.
- Practice driving. Be comfortable pulling a trailer or driving a coach before taking your whole family on a winding road in the mountains.
- Research insurance options thoroughly. Be sure you know exactly what is covered on your personal policy as well as on any additional policy you purchase.
- If you are new to RVing, go small. Renting a 40-foot luxury coach for your first RV experience is inviting disaster. In a similar vein, start on three or four-day trips. Work up to that long road trip.
- Expect to pay for mileage over a certain amount. The limit is usually 100 miles per day. Also expect to pay a hefty (refundable) deposit, generally between $500 and $2000, depending on the RV.
YOUR FIRST VACATION
Once you decide whether to buy or rent, it’s time to plan your vacation. Where will you go? How many miles per day will you want to drive? A lot of new RVers overestimate the number of miles per day they will drive. Keep in mind that you won’t be driving 70 MPH, and you may be on curvy mountain roads. You will also be stopping for gas more than you would in a car.
Will you need reservations at the campground you choose? Most federal and state campgrounds in desirable locations fill up months in advance (and several federal ones are closed at this time). You may have better luck finding a camping spot in a privately owned or membership campground such as KOA or Thousand Trails. There are many “first come, first served” campgrounds, but they do fill up in the summer. Check out gocampingamerica.com for help finding alternatives to public campgrounds. Another bonus of private campgrounds is that most have full hookups (electric, water, and sewer), which makes a huge difference in your comfort. It keeps you from having to use a public restroom.
Being an RVer is like being part of a big, fun-loving club. People are more than happy to share their experiences and information with you. Even when you are camping, if you have a problem, you can most likely solve it with a campground neighbor.
The biggest reward of vacationing in an RV is that it allows your family to return to the basics: campfires, board games, listening to music, and riding bikes. RVing is an outstanding option for relaxation and recreation during these times. Time preparing will help your family stay safe and have fun.
TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.