Advice on auto rentals

I use Enterprise because they come pick you up. With AARP discount rate they are usually the cheapest too. Not everywhere, but pretty good coverage. We tow too, but occasionally need a second set of wheels.

Welcome to the forum... :) :)

Stutch wrote:
Hello all. Brand new to RV.net. We are in the process of purchasing a Tiffin Class A and have a question about local transportation. We envision parking at campsites and being "housebound." I know you can tow a vehicle but want would rather not.

Is there a service campsites offer (generally), or are car rental agencies readily and generally available to deliver and pickup a rental from campsites?

I realize all sites a different but just wanted to hear if anyone has had the same challenge and what the solutions may be.

Thanks,
Mike

we've been RVing since 1986 but towing our jeeps only since 2003. in all of the CGs we've stayed with we've seen on-site rental cars maybe 3-4 times. but if you're near a medium sized city you may find a rental car agency in town that will come pick you up. enterprise will do that as a matter of company policy but others may also do that.

just curious...why don't you want to tow?

RK911.. Thank you for your quick reply. We live in Maine and in general, I believe it is a general feeling of tight and crowded streets. A culture thing I think, living in the Northeast. Also, after reading information on towing, there are so many options (vehicle, type of towing apparatus, etc..) I am not sure which way is the best way to go, SO, we wanted to get a feel for the RV at least for the first year or so.

Stutch wrote:
RK911.. Thank you for your quick reply. We live in Maine and in general, I believe it is a general feeling of tight and crowded streets. A culture thing I think, living in the Northeast. Also, after reading information on towing, there are so many options (vehicle, type of towing apparatus, etc..) I am not sure which way is the best way to go, SO, we wanted to get a feel for the RV at least for the first year or so.

I think that's wise. we didn't tow for the first 7-years primarily because our minivans at the time could not be flat towed without modification. early on it wasn't a big deal. our MH was just 26' long and we learned to stop for food and supplies before checking into our CG but we were also pretty good at breaking camp to go places.

but eventually that became tiresome so when we were shopping for a new vehicle in 2003 we looked for one we could flat tow and went with a jeep wrangler. what a difference. suddenly we weren't tied to the CG or dependent on renting cars for day trips.

give it a year or so and if you enjoy the lifestyle then take another look at towing. your narrow streets shouldn't be an issue since most toads are going to have a narrower footprint than your MH. in the meantime enjoy!

We got our MH in 2009. We didn't have a vehicle that could be towed, so we just went. For the most part, we were content with the amenities at the CG's we went to. The one CG had a shuttle bus that would take you different places. We rented a car just occasionally.

Fast forward 2 years - DH ended up needing dialysis. So we were free to travel more, but he HAD to have a car available for his treatments every other day. That got very expensive fast.

We ended up buying a cheap car - I told DH I didn't care what it was as long as it would get us from point A to point B and the a/c had to work. It was cheaper paying the insurance and tags on the little car than renting a car all the time.

When we purchased our used MH, we got a car dolly with it. So we use that. It's fine, but if I were buying a tow set up, I would prefer the tow bar type. I don't like having the dolly sitting around on the campsite. And there is a toll road in NJ where you are not allowed on with a tow dolly -- tow bars only.

I think you are smart getting a feel for the MH before adding the toad. Just go and have a good time, and you'll figure out what works for you. Like anything else, everyone has different preferences.

I've never seen a rental place on site at a CG. If there is a rental place nearby, some of them will come and pick you up, and take you back to their facility to do the paperwork. Will repeat in reverse for drop-off. The one place we passed on the way to our destination CG, so we would stop and pick up the car on the way in. Leaving, I'd drive the car and follow DH in the MH, to drop off. So there's different ways around it.

When we visit crowded city we will rent vehicle - campground is often far from the city though so I just drop off the spouse at local car rental outfit - quicker than hanging around waiting for Enterprise.

One time we decided to not tow and rent from enterprise. They didn't have anyone available to come and get me but had a car if I could get there. I managed to scrounge a ride there. They had NO car and I wasa stranded. I had to get an expensive taxi back to the MH. That was my first and last time for Enterprise. It is not much different to tow a small car. I have towed since getting my second MH back in '89. It won't take long to get used to driving the MH. I would check out towing 4 down with an easy brake system to hook up. We can hookup in less than 5 minutes (quicker in rain) and we are set to go.

WOW... All great information. Thank you all. The major difference for us, if I read between the lines, is that the CG is not the destination but the "hotel room" for the RV. Not the the CG is unimportant in itself, but we are sightseers and like to explore. Also, I didn't mention, we have a 2002 Honda Goldwing (sort of a car on 2 wheels) and towing that would be very simple. I am tempted to buy a trailer for that for the 1st year at least.

We are very psyched about this new adventure in our lives and can't wait to explore the USA. We've been around the world a few times and now it is time to see our own back yard, Canada, etc..

Thanks all for your comments.

If you're planning on renting be prepared for sticker shock. We just took delivery of our 2013 Adventurer. It isn't set up to tow yet, and Ford says not to tow anything for th first 1,000 miles.

We took our first trip last week and needed to rent a car. Avis was $350.00 plus taxes & fees for a 5 day period and Hertz was about $450.00. We found a local outfit for $200.00 plus taxes.

If you plan many trips the cost of renting could easily be more than the cost of campsites. As soon as our motorhome is ready we'll be back to towing the Jeep. All the associated towing equipment cost less than $2000.00 and we've used it 7 years and over 75,000 miles. I hate to think what it would have cost to rent during that time.

Stutch wrote:
WOW... All great information. Thank you all. The major difference for us, if I read between the lines, is that the CG is not the destination but the "hotel room" for the RV. Not the the CG is unimportant in itself, but we are sightseers and like to explore. Also, I didn't mention, we have a 2002 Honda Goldwing (sort of a car on 2 wheels) and towing that would be very simple. I am tempted to buy a trailer for that for the 1st year at least.

We are very psyched about this new adventure in our lives and can't wait to explore the USA. We've been around the world a few times and now it is time to see our own back yard, Canada, etc..

Thanks all for your comments.

that analogy is pretty accurate but every now and then you may run across auto rental at the CG but only in major destinations. we've seen them in Orlando/kissimee, fl and custer, sd.

before you spend dollar one on anything having anything to do with towing be certain you know your weight ratings and actual weights of the MH and trailer/MC combination. in our experience it's not at all uncommon to find motorhomes that are, essentially, overweight as they come off of the assembly line. don't assume....know.