Taking my first RV trip, any hints/tips/traps?

[SgtTibbs]

I'm planning my first family RV road trip for this summer. Renting a Class-C and taking it on a 1,600 week long trek.

Any suggestions, hints, tricks, traps I should know?

I'm comparing rental company costs right now, looking at:
Daily Rate, Mileage Cost, Insurance, Generator Time.
Anything else I need to add in?

 

[endy]

I dont have an RV but there is lots of good info over on the camping boards.

I have often read that by the time you factor in all the costs it is often cheaper to stay in motels. My biggest worry would be getting all set up and then have to pack it all up to go somewhere for the day or trip to the grocery store.

How many people are going to be on your trip?

Are there costs for bedding and cooking supplies? Propane? Campground costs, depending on where you are can be close to motel rates.
That's a lot of miles to drive in a week.

I'll also add that I could convince a lot more people to camp with me if I had an RV instead of a tent. There's nothing better than a good road trip.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Always think of the RV as an activity, not a means of transportation/lodging. I'd recommend traveling no more than half the distance you would in a car on any given day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like fun!

I have also heard that RVing it is not cheap by any means. Although if you are going to go for it, I suppose now is the time. IF gas climbs high then it becomes too cost prohibitive to RV vacation.

Gas prices of WHERE you are traveling is a factor for sure. I would overestimate $$ for summer prices, which are usually higher.

 

[kdonnel]

Something I didn't know is that if you want to run the AC in the RV other than the AC in the dash, the generator needs to be running. I had never thought about that. So you might need to plan for an hour of generator time for every hour of drive time. If you have people riding anywhere other then the front seat it can get hot or just stuffy with no air moving.

 

[nd5056]

The 2 things for me are: Class-C gas engine will average 8~10 MPG, depending on the road, wind and other factors. And most of the time you'll get a limited miles per day, so if your total miles driven exeed your allowance, you'll pay extra per each mile.

Diesel engine would double the MPG factor, if you can rent one.

Personally, I'd rent a conversion van and sleep in Red Roof or something like that. ..

.

 

[SgtTibbs]

This RV trip is for the August solar eclipse.
Four people total including my dad who has mobility issues so the RV makes for the easiest trip.

Diesel engine would double the MPG factor, if you can rent one.

Good tip, I'll check on that.

Something I didn't know is that if you want to run the AC in the RV other than the AC in the dash, the generator needs to be running. I had never thought about that. So you might need to plan for an hour of generator time for every hour of drive time. If you have people riding anywhere other then the front seat it can get hot or just stuffy with no air moving.

Something I did not know either. Thanks.