For the socially distanced vacation - we are renting an RV.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

We are typically stay-in-the-Marriott types, but this year is different. So the 2020 vacation plan is to rent a large RV from Cruise America and head out - me, the missus, an adult kid, and a highschooler. We will stop at campsites at a state park and a national park. The idea is that we'll bring food, bedding, tons of hand sanitizer and wipes, and (with the exception of stopping for gas) we will be self-contained.

I expect hilarity to ensue. Or possibly divorce.

[PJMcK]

1. Or maybe a hilarious divorce?

Seriously, it’s great plan. Get the largest vehicle you can handle and afford, (don’t forget how much fuel those machines suck!). The extra space will make everyone more comfortable.

Have a great time!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

3. Thanks. At least gas is cheap right now.

...because I'm told the figure on the pump for filling up is as breathtaking as the park scenery.

It's a serious combination of dread and giddy excitement. But I love the idea of being able to go to some more remote places with all the comforts.

Thanks for the kind wishes.

[DonaldsRump]

2. AM: have fun!

I've been renting RVs for several years now (in CA). Great idea!

Just one thing: take a look at some of the other rental companies like El Monte etc. My understanding is that Cruise America rigs are not as decked out as others.

My biggest rig thus far is a 32' Class C RV from El Monte.

HAVE FUN!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

5. I will keep that in mind

Thanks!

[DonaldsRump]

6. You and your family will have a GREAT time

Just plot your trip out in advance and make sure your rig (and you!) can handle the roads. Living in NorCal, there is AMAZING scenery all along the CA coast. However, there are several places where you don't want to take an RV. Plan ahead in terms of your routing and your overnight stays, and you will have a ball!

I never drove one until a few years ago, and now I wish I could buy one!

[dweller]

4. and may be the highlight of 2020

pack a small tent and sleeping bags in case some solitude is necessary
take a lot of pics, enjoy Nature, what an adventure !

✌🏼

[Sucha NastyWoman]

7. Can anyone give us some idea of the cost?

I’m interested but have no idea what it costs.

[flamingdem]

8. I second that!

Would love to have an idea if this is feasible for me. I have to fly across the country and this could be an alternative. One way rentals might be astronomical methinks.

[csziggy]

11. At the Cruise America web site, I put in for a standard RV, sleeps five, for a week

I didn't put in miles, which increases the price significantly over their standard of 50 miles, but the total without miles was just over $1700 for a week's rental. Base price for a standard RV is $120 a day, then you add miles and other options to that.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

15. Thank you

That gives me some idea

[Algernon Moncrieff]

20. All told, I'm in for about a grand, less gas and food

Hookups/campsites are ~ 30-40 a day
The camper is about $170 a day
900 miles is ~ $320

[LeftInTX]

9. Watch out for mountains - my parent's car overheated numerous times while pulling a trailer

[Algernon Moncrieff]

21. Mostly flat - big hill at the MO Valley in South Dakota.

Otherwise - pretty flat this trip.

[Paladin]

10. Brace yourself for the company you may have to keep.

Most of the Large RV types I'm acquainted with are virulent right-wingers. I'm glad they're on the road, usually far away from me; their Facebook posts are enough of a problem.

[DonaldsRump]

14. I am a POC, and haven't had problems staying in campgrounds in CA or NV

All of our trips have been during the Trump reign of terror and error, but the campgrounds were fine. Most of the times, the campground operators are extremely friendly and helpful, and they're used to helping folks out. They do NOT want trouble on their campgrounds. There are often tons of kids at campgrounds and that makes it less likely to have these kinds of troubles.

To be honest, we have stayed at plenty of KOAs. It's not exactly roughing it, and it's great if you have younger kids. From the OP, I'm not sure that would be too much of interest to four adults, but there are so many campgrounds that are totally fine. The national park ones are good, but you have to reserve these well in advance.

As always, YMMV. But, if I'm an example, it should be fine. Just read the campground reviews carefully and plan your voyages each day, realizing that it's tiring driving an RV. We never did more than 200 miles in a day, which is very leisurely. You want to be able to get up at a decent hour and then have plenty of daylight to make your next stop so that you are not setting up camp at dark, especially if you are new to it. Sometimes it can't be helped, so bring a flashlight. Just plan your stops realistically. Sometimes, we wouldn't even do more than 75-100 miles in a day, taking our time to enjoy things.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

19. Good to know - not for this next trip, but going forward

This is something the missus and I may do in our "golden years."

[Algernon Moncrieff]

18. I get that

I'm not looking to socialize.

[flotsam]

12. Just a fact if you haven't been camping before: Waste products

Depending on water use and the use of the toilet you may need to fill the potable water tank and/or drain the grey water and black water (sewage) tank. Alternately if the park has hookups you will need to connect water feed, electrical feed, and sewage lines. It's not arcane but it is knowledge you need. Alternately a high end camp ground will usually have a guy willing to do these tasks. In a state or national park this is much less likely. I love camping but it is "earthy"...

[DonaldsRump]

13. Just bring rubber gloves!

If you are a newby to an RV, I would strongly suggest staying at campgrounds that have electrical, water, and graywater (sinks and shower)/blackwater (toilet) hook ups. It's pretty easy to do, and just watch videos before doing it. And wear the rubber gloves! There should be no leakage, but wearing gloves is very advisable.

The last time we rented an RV, the rental company did not flush the tanks! Our toilets started to overflow after the first night of camping, but I figured that the tanks were full and was able to solve the issue by emptying the black and graywater tanks. I gave the rental company a piece of my mind when we got back, and they gave us a discount.

Also, if it is freezing outside, I would avoid renting the RV, as it is very difficult/impossible to use the water intake and outake systems. This happened to us at Tahoe, and we got lucky that the pipes in the RV didn't burst.

One downside to an RV is going places once you have set up camp. If you're going hiking etc. in the area, it's fine. But RVs are big and clunky, so you should always plan in advance to make sure anywhere you're going in the RV has RV/bus parking.

It is loads of fun, but, like with flying an airplane, you need to do a bit of planning on your route and make sure the roads are easy to navigate in a big rig, that you have parking etc.

Also, make SURE you have a camera in the back of your rig. The last one I rented was 32' long with two slideouts, so we had tons of room. However, without a camera in the back, changing lanes and backing into spaces was, to say the least, "challenging"!

Finally, consider joining an RV association like Good Sam etc. They have RV travel/route planners, and some also tell you which routes to avoid that are not RV friendly. This is a real lifesaver.

It was a bit scary at first, but, by the end of the trip, I felt very comfortable driving Class C RVs. These are basically U-Haul trucks built on a Ford F-350 or F-450 chassis. Class A RVs are like buses. They have lots of room on the inside, but are a bit different than driving a Class C.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

17. I was stunned that the folks in the instructional video did that barehanded

Electrical yes - water hookup no - so I will have to hit a septic dump site en route out. Good tip.

[Hotler]

22. I you want to have some with the RV when you turn it back in.

Get a cheap small round digital clock with a beep-beep alarm. They're about the size of a fifty cent piece with a peel and stick back. Pop a brand new battery in it. Set the alarm for any time you want (I suggest mid-morning-ish) and then hide it up under the dash or seat or?????

It will only beep once a day and not enough for people to zero in on it's location. Drives people nuts.

You should have a snipe hunt.