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Newbie with only Cruise America experience

ajrallen
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, I'm planning to rent a class C next summer for 4 weeks and tour the west with my husband and 3 kids. I've done a lot of research, but our only experience is using pop-up campers when we were kids ourselves, so as a trial run this summer we rented a 30 foot from Cruise America for 3 days. The one we got had 138,000 miles on it. The one I'm looking at for next summer is a 2004 Jayco Greyhawk with 40,000 miles (private owner). It has a big slide and an awning, whereas the CruiseAmerica one did not. When we took our test trip this summer, we found the RV to be convenient, not hard to drive or park, easy to hook up, and comfortable.

The one thing that wasn't quite as great as I imagined was riding in it. I thought it would be more enjoyable to ride in than a car, but it was easier to get motion sick and it was very bumpy and loud. I messed around a lot with the windows and microwave door and other things to make it quieter, and that helped, but it was still loud. It's making me wonder a little bit how much we really want to drive it around a lot. But I only have experience with that one RV. Are they all like that? Are some smoother/quieter? Does anyone have experience with CruiseAmerica or the Greyhawk so that you can compare?

Thanks in advance!
17 REPLIES 17

ajrallen
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, good point about towing a trailer. When we started planning, we thought we'd like to buy a vehicle big enough to tow with (I needed a newer car anyway) and then rent a trailer. But not a lot of places rent trailers (because you'd need a tow vehicle and hitch) and I ultimately didn't want to own a big truck just so I could pull a trailer for one month. Even fewer places will rent you a trailer AND a tow vehicle. And the kids were enthralled with the idea of being able to sit at a table while riding in a big RV. So now the plan is do a Class C & TOAD.

the_bear_II
Explorer
Explorer
Rental RVs get abused vs the way a private owner would treat one.

You might try taking a test drive in new or slightly used RVs at a dealer to judge the ride and noise.

Another option is a trailer. The tow vehicle can be selected to provide a good quiet ride. You won't hear any of the rattles from inside the trailer while towing.

pauldub
Explorer
Explorer
A class C will never be more comfortable than riding in a car and I don't think your experience was unusual. They can be quieter than a Cruise America if they have carpet but bumpy in the back end is the norm.