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RV rental questions...

Crankme69

Crankme69

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I am considering renting a motor home for 4 / 5 day trip around lake Michigan.

I have never done anything even close to this so any advice warnings comments would be greatly appreciated.

TIA
Greg
 
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Expensive to rent, horrible gas mileage, expensive campsites, very tiring to drive since they take every inch of the road and ride like a lumber wagon.
 
I'd video tape it inside and out making note of any existing damage. Nothing wrong with RV'in. I love it but renting one is big bucks.
 
Yea ,I was going to rent one but its way cheaper to just travel and rent a hotel room.
 
Acesneights1 said:
I'd video tape it inside and out making note of any existing damage. Nothing wrong with RV'in. I love it but renting one is big bucks.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice, so they don't charge you for damage you didn't do.
Ask about roadside service in case of breakedowns, possible emergency stay in a motel if the rig is in the shop. I have a motorhome and have used it extensively for 4 years, for months at a time. It takes some getting used to; showering in a "bathroom" the size of an old phone booth, dumping the tanks, monitoring the battery voltage, propane, etc....
It's very "cozy" or CLOSE living space. Everybody must get along well.

Rent RV the movie with Robin Williams; it features two very distinct but large motorhomes. It's mostly humor, but there is truth in it too.

Mine is a 1970 Pace Arrow on a Dodge chassis with a 318 gasser v8. Generator, dual AC, 3way fridge, solar panels...etc. My wife drives it very well.
 
Greg, I just spent a month (and nearly 10K miles) in mine... there is some stuff to manage, as Dave says, but they're a great way to get around. Mine is almost 40', Cat/allison, 2 slides, so it's a bit different than the little class Cs, but I've spent my time in those, also.

Most rental places are really good about being fair for charges, and they expect normal wear/tear, so the video isn't a bad idea, but it probably isn't necessary, either. It's like renting a car; inspect closely and note any issues before you take delivery.

Check closely to make sure your insurance covers any and all damage and liability, just like a rental car; if it doesn't, then make SURE you get the extra insurance from the RV guy. In fact, I'd probably get it anyway. Most people don't know the limits of their own insurance, and find that theirs might cover replacement of the rental, but won't cover public liability (the cost of replacing the power box you backed over or of replacing the Harley you ran into the ditch when you changed lanes)
 
Wow... somebody has shown some pride in taking care of that thing... the decals aren't cracked, the usual scuff-spots inside look good... and 14k is dirt cheap.

That might be worth looking over... you know what to look for with a diesel engine, and you know how to look for leaks.
 
dangerousdave said:
Excellent advice, so they don't charge you for damage you didn't do.
Ask about roadside service in case of breakedowns, possible emergency stay in a motel if the rig is in the shop. I have a motorhome and have used it extensively for 4 years, for months at a time. It takes some getting used to; showering in a "bathroom" the size of an old phone booth, dumping the tanks, monitoring the battery voltage, propane, etc....
It's very "cozy" or CLOSE living space. Everybody must get along well.

Rent RV the movie with Robin Williams; it features two very distinct but large motorhomes. It's mostly humor, but there is truth in it too.

Mine is a 1970 Pace Arrow on a Dodge chassis with a 318 gasser v8. Generator, dual AC, 3way fridge, solar panels...etc. My wife drives it very well.
Click to expand...
Old Dodge ehh....I hope to restore this one soon. My father bought it brand new in 1970 and has his name engraved in the dash. It breaks my heart to see it decaying.
 

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Crankme69 said:
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I am just looking to get a flavor & concept about it, not looking to make a purchase just yet. But then I spotted this :eek:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/rvs/2522862160.html
Click to expand...
If you are serious about it something to watch out for...
First the engine...for that price I'd guarantee it has either a 5.9 cummins or a .65TD(yikes run..:rof:)
A 94 Cummins 12v is a good motor just watch for the KDP.
Now onto the unit....it's 17 yrs old....Look real hard for water damage. Go over that thing with a fine tooth comb. In fact bring someone else with you because when you are looking for something for yourself, you tend to overlook the obvious...:D
Check the outsides of it carefully. I looked at one last year that looked mint in the pics and looked good when we pulled up but water had gotton behind the outer shell and it had soft spots everywhere and that is a nghtmare to repair. Take your time looking at it and bring a step ladder. That is a good price. The fact that it does not have a slide could be part of the reason the price is so low. Seems no bodys wants them nowdays without it..Dunno, the pic I posted above it what I grew up in and I loved it...Nothing wrong with a camper that has no slide. Less to break or leak,,,:D
 
Thanks based on the dash pic it does not appear to have a GM cluster. It's about 100 miles from me, no biggie there...that will be a nice ride on my HD. Waiting to see if the guy calls me back.

Like I said had no plans to leap into anything, but that price if it's really in the shape that pics are showing, I might just take the leap...I ain't getting younger & things can change in a New York second, we only live once!
 
dangerousdave said:
Rent RV the movie with Robin Williams; it features two very distinct but large motorhomes. It's mostly humor, but there is truth in it too.

Mine is a 1970 Pace Arrow on a Dodge chassis with a 318 gasser v8. Generator, dual AC, 3way fridge, solar panels...etc. My wife drives it very well.
Click to expand...

Mine is a class A.
Wife wants us to get a newer class C because the regular dealerships can service the vehicle stuff (Ford, GMC, Etc.).
That looks like a sweet deal.
Do you have an air brake rating on your license?
I'd definetly try one out before buying, it's not for everybody.
 
I knew yours was class A - Pace Arrows are (IMHO) the nicest gassers that Fleetwood makes.

I like Class A motorhomes better because they have a better frame/chassis under them... most class C's are Van chassis conversions.

There are a whole bunch of different reasons for choosing one or the other though, and stuff like what your wife mentioned is pretty important. It's hard to get a dealership to work on a CAT by crawling through the opening in the closet... they don't much like that. (wonder why? :D)

Surprisingly, most states and provinces don't require Air Certification... or a commercial class license, which is why you see these 75 yr olds driving them around. It's sort of scary, really...
 
That is supposed to change. I would not put anything past that lunatic Ray LaHood. soon you'll need a med cert dot# log book and cdl hazmat to drive one.
Was just joking about the 6.5td .....:D
 
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