What RV to rent?

[alizesmom]

The RV we wanted to borrow fell through so now I need to know what the experts recommend. Two adults and two children in wheelchairs with a lot of medical stuff. No experience driving a big rig on my part. DH will do fine. Kids won't need a lot of room to move around. We'll be driving from PA next Nov. I'll take suggestions. Thanks. Karen

 

[clkelley]

Unless you need the RV for the drive down, let me recommend the following:

There are company's that will set up a camper at the Fort for you and then haul it away.

www.makecampingeasy.com - popup and a fifth wheel

www.campatthefort.com - fifth wheel

The above two companys come highly recommended by many on this board and many on this board have met them in person.

www.myrvhotel.com - Fifth wheel

This third company don't know anything other than have seen the outside of the unit sitting at Fort Wilderness and have seen their website.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

The handicap accessibility is going to be a real problem, especially on a 5th wheel since the bathroom is normally on the elevated portion.

The myrvhotel listed above uses a 5th wheel toy hauler as its unit, so in theory you could drop the whole ramp and wheel someone in, but you still have the same bathroom problem. Of course the bath houses are handicap accessible.

They do have handicap accessible cabins, but they are expensive. My brother-in-law uses them when he comes down.

 

[clkelley]

the 5th wheel at www.makecampingeasy.com also is a toy hauler with a ramp on the side door. Easy to get wheelchairs in on that one.

 

[retired and happy]

Our RV has been a lifesaver for travel with three special needs kids (and at times up to 5), physical and mental disabilities. I agree that there are rentals available to be set up on site that would be suitable while you are there, but that option depends a lot on how much stuff you have to transport, whether your kids need special seating, the age/sizes of your children, whether the equipment needs to run enroute, and what your other means of transportation might be.

We have two on feeding tubes and pulse-ox monitors, one on oxygen, two with little trunk control requiring special seating, one who can sit in a regular seat and eat anything that gets close to him, and one who can eat some 1st and 2nd baby foods. All these "problems" are rolled up in three children and a lot of equipment. It would be next to impossible for us to travel any time or distance without our MH. We put the special seating on opposite sides of the MH, one on the sofa and one in the recliner. The third rides shotgun and "studies" the map a lot. DW finds a seat wherever she can...sofa, dinette, bed. We also tow a cargo trailer with the wheelchairs, GC, extra formula, baby food, oxygen tanks, Christmas decoration in season, etc.

So it just depends on your specific needs for travel, and what your budget allows, as to what a good solution would be. My observations have been that most reputable rental companies rent Class C's. Private rentals are rare and require special precautions for liability, insurance coverage, quality of the product, etc.

Best of luck on settling on the choice that will serve you best. Please be sure to post continuing episodes in your search and decision process.

 

[alizesmom]

We do want to drive one down for all of the reasons retired mentioned. The bathroom isn't an issue since neither child is potty trained. They will be 5 and 6 when we go. We will be hauling diapers, cans of formula, oximeters, feeding pumps, wheelchairs, a walker, suction containers, a vent and all the miscellaneus things that go with them. The kids will need special seating as well. I just want enough room to put them in a bed that isn't too high and adequate elec outlets for the machines. Can you explain what a fifth wheel and a toy hauler are? Thanks. Karen

 

[ftwildernessrick]

A fith wheel is a travel trailer type that has an elevated section that rides over the bed of a truck, where the main bedroom usually is. It attaches to a bed mounted hitch.

A toy hauler can be any type of RV, but it has a ramp (rear or side) that lets down so you can store 4 wheelers, golf garts, motorcycles, etc. The toy hauler portion usually converts to a bedroom or some type of living area after these items are unloaded.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I don't know if you are considering buying an accessible motorhome now or in the future, but there are always some used ones available somewhere.

I do not know if this one is still around.

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=139020

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Also, I have heard that Cruise America (CruiseAmerica.com) has a limited number of accessible Class C's out there, but I have no idea what locations, etc.

You could try contacting them also.