Hiring Motorhome in USA

vasya on 11/01/2019 - 15:46
Last edited 11/01/2019 - 17:22

Dear all

I'm going to have a family trip to USA in end September - mid October 2019. We are arriving in Los Angeles and going to rent a motorhome and drive around California, Nevada and Arizona.

I'm looking for recommendations regarding what web site to use to search for a good deal for motorhome. As well I'm looking for any ideas regarding best time for motorhome booking - should I book right now (air tickets are booked already) or should I wait?

BTW it looks like my flight will arrive late so cheap accommodation for 1 night for family of 4 would be required as well, any ideas

Thank you!

Travel

Comments

  • GG57 on 11/01/2019 - 16:07

    I usually (for cars) start with VroomVroomVroom to see what might be available from providers, and then double-check with their own websites. Seems to work ok for campers as well.

    • vasya on 16/01/2019 - 14:37

      Thanks

      BTW it shows prices in AUD, but I noticed that sites that showing prices in USD tend to be cheaper.

  • ThithLord on 11/01/2019 - 16:24
    +2

    Bear in mind that the prices displayed will likely not have tax included, as well as majority of rentals make you pay for mileage.

    That's right - when you pay for a hired vehicle, you also have to pay per mile if you don't purchase one of their ridiculous mileage packages.

    • JimmyF on 11/01/2019 - 21:10
      +1

      Yep, USA the land of 'cheap' prices upfront but, taxes, plus this, plus tips, plus insurance, plus mileage etc, the list goes on.

      • ThithLord on 17/01/2019 - 11:21

        I was very lucky when I went - I found the perfect campervan company that included taxes, and also included 100 miles per day before you had to pay for extra mileage!

    • vasya on 16/01/2019 - 14:37

      Thanks, it was the case

  • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2019 - 17:02

    This comes shortly after We're the Millers aired on TV.

  • RockyRaccoon on 13/01/2019 - 08:49

    If you are looking for a cheap place to stay on your first night this is one

    https://www.google.com/maps/place/Los+Angeles+International+…

    Have stayed there and it was a little rundown, but clean, they also have private rooms. anyway up to you to check. Also have shuttle bus, so suggest you stay there (or anywhere near LAX) and most shuttles will drop you off the next day to the car hire place. Depending on timing etc this could save you on rental costs and mileage as cars/minivans are milegae free vs campers.

    Also if you arent going to take off from LAX for a few days rent a car rather than the camper van to save some money. (works either end of the trip)

    As for booking of motorhome, I can be sure, but this "trick" works for cars.

    As in most cases with cars you can book in advance, but nothing is charged to your credit card, until the last 24hours (and in some cases not at all if you dont pick up). Just check the terms.

    If that is the case. then what I did (with cars) was to recheck weekly (or daily as it got closer) for a rental, if the price went down, I booked this, then I would after confirmation of the booking, cancel the earlier booking. And so on. Obviously if any later quote was higher I left the current booking. This has saved sometimes a couple of hundred dollars. Also you can check other companies. Yes a little work, but a fun Ozbargain way to play the game.

    Also be VERY careful about insurances the US system is very different to ours. Their so called compulsory insurance is woefully inadequate.

    Rather than re-explaining this read the wiki here at ozbargain.

    Be careful, many here think they can save on this, as they have never been involved in an accident in the US (I drove there for 5 trips with this same belief), but after some friends I know who did the same thing had an accident I realised how lucky I was. I dont do that anymore.

    Read this wiki

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/car_rental_insurance

    Also do this with a clear head as it does take a little care to fully understand.

    Consider just renting a car/minivan and staying in motels, which might be cheaper given you are travelling a long distance, the mileage rates can really eat into a budjet (likewise insurance costs are higher as well) and unless you are staying in one place for a few days then lugging around accommodation isnt that easy or cheap. Motel6 and other low budget chains make things easy, and with internet you can often check and book as you go, especially as you are not going in the US peak season.

    Its not easy to just park anywhere and camp like in Oz. If a town is booked out with motels etc, then the RV parks are pretty much going to be full as well. Also RV parks can be up there with accommodation costs. Only negative is not being able to stay in National Parks in the remote areas. Larger Parks have local accommodation fairly close by.

    Given the states you plan to visit internet search these.

    Bryce Canyon
    Slot Canyons (Page Arizona)

    Depending on your travel plans do the following if possible
    Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, then Slot Canyons.

    Why? Because each are great but each betters the other and if you reverse the way you visit, then you lose the wow factor of it getting better.

    • vasya on 16/01/2019 - 14:40
      +1

      Thank you for all your detailed advises.

      Unfortunately the trick with car rentals doesn't work for RVs as they charge a deposit, however I'm going to use it for a car rental for the part of my trip when I will not rent RV.

  • Prefab on 13/01/2019 - 17:57

    Sorry I’m not up to date with RV rentals but here are a few things you may be interested in

    1: Get a KOA membership for $30 US or become a member with Big4 Australia $50. This will get you a 10% discount at any KOA campground. These campgrounds are really good. Also you can down load the app.
    2. If you go to Vagas stay at the only campground on the strip - Circus Circus. It’s not pretty but it’s worth it.
    3: To save some money you can boondock in the car park at most super Walmarts and other places. You’ll know because there will be others boondocking too.
    4. National parks are a good cheaper options to RV Parks.

    RVing is the best holiday experience ever.

    Have fun

    • vasya on 16/01/2019 - 14:50

      Thank you!

  • sitdowndisco on 14/01/2019 - 08:00
    +2

    When I was doing research for an RV trip through the USA a few years back, the costs were huge primarily because of the mileage costs. Distances between national parks when starting in LA are huge and you'll be racking up a lot of mileage which has to be paid for. Ive rented campervans in Australia quite a bit and the price difference with the states is huge.

    In the end, I rented a car in the states and stayed in hotels which were reasonably priced. Still a fantastic trip, but would have preferred an RV if the price was anywhere comparable to hire car + hotel which is wasn't. The other thing you have to figure out is insurance. Car insurance in the states is complicated and varies state by state where some have mandatory minimum coverage, some don't and the hire car companies aren't transparent as to what you actually get when paying the default price. Of course they do this in order to sell you the full insurance package…

    If you end up with a good deal on an RV, share with us!

  • vasya on 16/01/2019 - 14:57

    Thank you

    eventually I booked an RV for less than 200 AUD per day with unlimited mileage. That seems to me reasonable and I'm not sure I can get cheaper hotel+car combination not to mention that it will be less hassle, however I understand that there will be additional costs associated with campgrounds, but I'll try to minimise them. Does it look like a good deal?

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