Hi everyone,I'm a married Mom of 3 who has always dreamed of taking a cross country trip with her kids. Now my kids are 18, 15 and 11 and I'm realizing that I need to do this soon if it is going to happen. As it is, the 18 year old and my husband would only fly out and join us for about a week because they will be working during the summer.That's where I start to panic a bit. I've never RV'd before and I am terrified that I am biting off more than I can chew or that I will somehow find myself in a situation that I can't fix! I am imagining every possible thing that could go wrong. My negative voice is screaming!Here's what I imagine for the trip:Duration of about a month.Departing from Maryland and driving one way, to end in Las Vegas. (cheapest place to fly back.)Renting a Class C.One thing that I get really stressed and worried about is driving in the mountainous regions (like in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah.)I didn't grow up in a camping family. I have no experience with campgrounds, RVs, any of that.That being said, I'm smart and not usually afraid- I have an adventurous spirit and positive outlook. Also, my 11 year old will be sort of useless (!) but my almost 16 year old boy (by then) is stable, bright and helpful. I was thinking of renting an RV for a long weekend with the boys for a trial, to see if I think we can hack it.Also, I was thinking of renting from a place like cruise america, but then I research online and see horror stories of things going wrong and I completely panic.PLEASE PLEASE give me some input, feedback, advice, encouragement etc.I welcome all of it!I don't want to look back and wish that I had done this (I've talked about doing this for 3 years but I've always chickened out!) but on the other hand, I don't want to really mess up.Also, another option would be to rent an RV and take it about midway and then rent a van or SUV for the remaining half. What do you think of that?Thank you in advance for all of your help!!

Well, the idea to rent a Class C for a long weekend is good. Do you have any RVing friends who could give you tips and pointers?Your month long trip is fairly ambitious for somebody with no experience. Have you considered just renting a van/SUV and taking 2 tents? A lot less can go wrong with a tent than an RV and the stress level/expense should be considerably lower.Unless you're mechanically inclined (and take tools/parts), make sure you have AAA or some comparable roadside assistance.

Just do it! You can do it and you will be very happy with the results. You know the saying "Do one thing everyday that scares you". I think this applies very well to your trip. Just be positive and have fun. I'll tell you one thing, not one of us here on the forums or anyone who has driven these units has not been scared the very first time. But use the fear to drive you forward and you will not regret it.Cheers!

You should have a plan with how to deal with a flat tire. RV's seem to be more prone to tire failure than automobiles. And, read about how to go down a step grades without burning out the brakes. Here is good read on handling grades, both up and down. http://rvtravel.com/publish/No_RV_runaways_Steep_grade_slowdown_tips.shtml But don't worry. You will get the hang of it just fine. My wife and I were apprehensive on our first few trips, but we made it through. My wife has become a whizz at driving in all sort of conditions, but she is not so good at changing tires. I don't change tires so good either anymore due to A G E. We use a roadside service for that now.

Do the tent thing or rent cabins, B&B, etc.. It will take all the worry out of the trip and you'll be able to enjoy the trip. It will probably be cheaper if you pack your kitchen with the rest. My Mom dragged my Sister and myself around the US when we were young, even drove to the summit of Pike's Peak. All of that in a '55 Ford and most of it on two lane road.

Try renting for a weekend and see how it goes. There's tons of RV info online, and the trip will seem less daunting once you've studied up a bit. Perhaps your husband or older son can join you at the start of the trip, reducing your workload while your learning curve is adjusting. Stay at campgrounds with hook-ups & restrooms/showers, and it's also a bit easier. Scheduling the trip so your driving is limited to 250 - 350 miles a day, and staying put for a few days at a time when needed, will make it more relaxing. Not going as far away is another option.Don't worry too much about the potential difficulties, they may not happen, and if some do, just consider them to be amusing anecdotes.

Encouragement, Thoughts? Newbie is scared! | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu

Stop fretting and start moving. If you think about it too much you will convince yourself to stay home. You can do it!

Think about it, you are talking about driving a modern RV with all the comforts of home across the USA on smooth paved highways. Our ancestors made the trip in Conestoga wagons or even on foot. They also had bandits and natives attacking and robbing them. Seriously, what the heck do you have to worry about?

Go for it!
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Do it, it will be a great adventure.

We rented motorhomes 4 times before we purchased, once from Cruise America, and 3 times from independent rental companies. Cruise American might be your best bet, as they can probably deal with emergencies and breakdowns than a smaller rental company. We actually bought our first Class C MH from a high-end rental company in Canada, that was low-mileage and very well maintained.

Don't worry about the mountains, just take it slow, especially down grades. It would be great if your first trip would be with another RV, with someone to help lead you through the process of planting yourself for the night, and leaving in the morning. The orientation is usually pretty good, but there are a few tips that are not well covered that will make it easier for you. At most campgrounds there are usually lots of people more than willing to help.

Path1 has some great ideas about saving a bit of $$$. It's the extras that really cost when you rent.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
A couple of summers ago, we did a cross-country road trip with a travel trailer as newbies with three kids (17, 12, 4). Portland, OR to NYC and back (5 weeks) .. It took a year to plan, research trailers, tow vehicles, techniques, methods, etc. I had experience with utility trailers, but not travel trailers. We only had one shakedown run (couple of nights at the coast) before we took off on our road trip. Because of all the research, we didn't have a single issue.

It was a trip that we will all remember for the rest of our lives! I was terrified of all the things that could go wrong, but I was glad we did.
loulou57
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
This is another females point of view......do it!

You sound like a smart woman.
Do your homework.
I would get some sort of emergency roadside assistance for sure.
Rent from a reputable firm that also gives you other franchises along your route that can offer assistance.
Have a back up plan for options in case of emergency
Also have an emergency fund.

If you don't try you will regret it. Just because you are a new female RV'er doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.
If you had never bought a house before would the thoughts of what could go wrong, upkeep etc. stop you from buying that house?

Start planning!
path1
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
IMO...
--Cruise America is just like Camping World or any large place that deals with the public. They are going to have stories that go public that are not good. What percentage are the bad stories? Those stories are usually the only ones you here about.
--Good idea to maybe rent one for weekend to see if you like it or not.
--Should be trip of lifetime.
--I would be more worried about reservations that time of year than break downs or mountain passes. If you break down you'll have food, water and your bed with you, why worry? Mountain passes, I just go down in 3rd if real steep. Never had a problem.
--Just look at all the people having fun. How many do you think are renting for the first time? My bet is many. http://blog.cruiseamerica.com/photo/photo/list

(edit part) We usually make it a point to talk to people with rental RV's. So interesting, many are from different countries. Here is what we've observed from talking with them. $$ money saving ideas.. this one couple bought everything they needed(cook ware, towels)from a junk store where they picked up rental at and before turning it back in at end of trip just stopped by another junk store and gave it back. All the kids got one suit case for their clothes and at the end of trip, flying back was easier with everyone having one carry on. And during the day the suit cases were placed in cabover, out of the way. Many try to cover way too many miles for time allotted. Bring along... a cheap temp gauge for frig/freezer (to keep temps right) and a GPS.
Last couple we talked to were from Denmark and going to get married and was taking trip up and down west coast. Not that Denmark doesn't have dutch ovens but they were amazed at ours and never seen one before. They thought we were "real cowboys in America". Wife and I still laughing about that.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Try renting for a weekend and see how it goes. There's tons of RV info online, and the trip will seem less daunting once you've studied up a bit. Perhaps your husband or older son can join you at the start of the trip, reducing your workload while your learning curve is adjusting. Stay at campgrounds with hook-ups & restrooms/showers, and it's also a bit easier. Scheduling the trip so your driving is limited to 250 - 350 miles a day, and staying put for a few days at a time when needed, will make it more relaxing. Not going as far away is another option.

Don't worry too much about the potential difficulties, they may not happen, and if some do, just consider them to be amusing anecdotes.
westend
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Do the tent thing or rent cabins, B&B, etc.. It will take all the worry out of the trip and you'll be able to enjoy the trip. It will probably be cheaper if you pack your kitchen with the rest. My Mom dragged my Sister and myself around the US when we were young, even drove to the summit of Pike's Peak. All of that in a '55 Ford and most of it on two lane road.
Road_Runners
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
You should have a plan with how to deal with a flat tire. RV's seem to be more prone to tire failure than automobiles. And, read about how to go down a step grades without burning out the brakes. Here is good read on handling grades, both up and down. http://rvtravel.com/publish/No_RV_runaways_Steep_grade_slowdown_tips.shtml

But don't worry. You will get the hang of it just fine. My wife and I were apprehensive on our first few trips, but we made it through. My wife has become a whizz at driving in all sort of conditions, but she is not so good at changing tires. I don't change tires so good either anymore due to A G E. We use a roadside service for that now.
elivi8
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Just do it! You can do it and you will be very happy with the results. You know the saying "Do one thing everyday that scares you". I think this applies very well to your trip.

Just be positive and have fun. I'll tell you one thing, not one of us here on the forums or anyone who has driven these units has not been scared the very first time. But use the fear to drive you forward and you will not regret it.

Cheers!
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2013
Well, the idea to rent a Class C for a long weekend is good. Do you have any RVing friends who could give you tips and pointers?

Your month long trip is fairly ambitious for somebody with no experience. Have you considered just renting a van/SUV and taking 2 tents? A lot less can go wrong with a tent than an RV and the stress level/expense should be considerably lower.

Unless you're mechanically inclined (and take tools/parts), make sure you have AAA or some comparable roadside assistance.

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Encouragement, Thoughts? Newbie is scared!

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