New to RV'ing, many questions

[Chargenrse]

I am researching and planning a cross country trip from Florida to the West Coast. I would need to rent and RV since buying is not an option, but am curious if anyone can help me decide whether a type A or C would be the better option? We are a family of 5 with the youngest being 18. We want to stop in Las Vegas, LA, San Fran, Portland, Seattle and then maybe hitting Colorado on the way back to Florida. Is this possible in two to three weeks? How many days in each? Any information would be much appreciated.

[DrewE]

Chargenrse wrote:
Wow thank you for all the great information. A lot to consider, it looks like I am trying to bite of more than I can chew lol. There will be 4 of us that can drive, but no none of us has ever driven and RV. My husband and I have driven larger uhaul trucks, not sure if that is even a comparison. This is why I wanted to get as much info as possible.

I think driving a U-Haul is a very reasonable comparison. I generally find my class C is generally similar to a loaded U-Haul with slightly better visibility to the sides and the back and a slightly more comfortable driver's seat (but there is still some room for improvement there).

With four drivers, it's not out of the question to go from Florida to Seattle in maybe five or six long days. You would not get to stop and stretch your legs much or see a lot in between save through the windshield, but it should be doable if rather less than pleasant. Besides that, Vegas to LA is a pretty full day's drive, LA to San Fran a full day, San Fran to Portland another full day...so at least three or four more of the days just driving, not touring.

Frankly, if you're looking mainly to see the cities you list, an RV is not the most practical way to travel. Driving a motorhome (or pulling a trailer) through city streets is quite stressful, and finding a place to park it far from easy. You'd probably end up staying in a rather urban campground, which often means something like a large parking lot with RVs crammed in more or less like sardines, and taking mass transit or taxis or Uber cars wherever you go. Where the RV really shines is for seeing more out-of-the-way places. (Much of Colorado would be splendid in an RV, on the other hand.)

I might look into Amtrak rail passes for the trip (and hotels or motels in the cities). They have some multi-trip ticket deals that are a pretty good value, and on some of the lines you get to see a lot of great scenery. A train also gives a bit more room to stretch one's legs while en route, though less privacy and comfort at night unless you fork over for a bedroom of some sort or another--which is a pretty steep forkful of coin, admittedly, but it still may well end up being a less expensive proposition, and I think a lot more enjoyable for all.

[Chargenrse]

Wow thank you for all the great information. A lot to consider, it looks like I am trying to bite of more than I can chew lol. There will be 4 of us that can drive, but no none of us has ever driven and RV. My husband and I have driven larger uhaul trucks, not sure if that is even a comparison. This is why I wanted to get as much info as possible.

[DutchmenSport]

First, I hope everything works out very well for you and you have a fantastic time on your upcoming trip.

The choice of camper is still your decision. As I am not an "A" or a "C" owner, I won't give any recommendations which is the better choice. I do know, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. And as far as a rental goes, you'll probably find more availability renting a "C". Check Cruise America for a start. And be prepared to fork over a good chunk of change for the rental. You may want to re-think buying one of your own, and may find a used one more affordable. Just a suggestion here ... check into the costs.

I will respond to your intended travel. As a general rule, the "general" conscious on these forums is an average speed of 50 mph for your entire trip. If you are planning at driving 80 mph, and traveling 80 miles in that hour as a basis for the distance you are planning on traveling, well.... it just doesn't work out that way.

If you are planning on driving 300 miles, you should plan 6 hours @ 50 mph. If you think you can average that 300 miles in 4 hours and 20 minutes @ 70 mph, that just probably will not happen. Between fuel stops, rest breaks, sightseeing along the way, traffic, potential road problems, detours, and any number of things, you will be traveling more realistically, averaging 50 miles and hour.

If you plan your trip at 50 miles per hour, your distances will be more realistic. One thing you do not want to do, even in a motorhome, with the advantage of your passengers being able to move around, traveling, you and everyone else, will get worn out and you'll need a day on your travels for some down time and rest.

If you are planning on zooming to (lets say, Las Vegas) and then you are there for a day, and you run as fast as you can to see it all, and then the next day you hit the road again, you're going to be exhausted, very quickly, you'll not be enjoying anything. The entire trip will be remember as a blur. Not to mention the very real possibility of everyone getting on everyone elses nerves being trapped inside a 35 foot box without space escape each other for a while. Once tempers begin to flair, it's hard to regroup and make the rest of the trip a fun experience after that.

If you travel 2 days, then I suggest the 3rd you park it and rest, have fun, explore an area, but the biggest thing is to get some rest.

This may change to the total distance you can travel, but it's really better to travel half the distance and enjoy what you experience twice as much!

That's my only suggestion.... Anticipate your daily stops based on an average of 50 mph. If leaving at 8:00 am and driving till 4:00 in the after noon so you can find a place to park for the night, get your utilities hooked up, and get something to eat, an 8 hour driving day is pretty realistic, that would translate to 400 miles a day.

Good luck, and enjoy!

[swphotobug]

With a family of 5 I would vote for a Class A, you would have more space as a family, especially on a rain day. Try to get bunk beds and a pull out sofa for sleeping.

Have you ever driven an RV before? If so, you know what you are doing. If not I would rent one for a week and try it out to see how you handle and drive it. Driving an RV is not like driving a car. Will your wife be driving also so it is not as tiring. Your 18 year old will not be able to drive due to the RV being a rental. I would consider a good day, primarily interstates, at 300-350. You need to figure time to pack up in the morning and set up in the evening plus food shopping and cooking, big gas tanks(80+ gals, will probably need to fill-up each d day), propane etc. All this takes time.

Are you going to rent a car for each of your planned stops? RV's are not conducive to driving in cities or heavy traffic.

The distance from Orlando to San Francisco is about 2800 miles, 8 days out and 8-9(figuring Seattle) days back(that is driving 350 a day.

If you encounter headwinds or sidewinds another day might be needed. Driving a big box in a sidewind is extremely tiring.

You might consider just using your car and driving cross country. Rent an RV from LA to Seattle. Then you will have a car for touring, save time crossing the country. You will have 3 drivers so you can put on the miles.

Good luck in you decision.

[donn0128]

Two or three weeks cross country? Your talking about 5 thousand miles minimum! You realize your talking about more than 230 miles each and every day dont you? Do you really want to see the country thru the windshield?
Simply NOT practical. You would be better off flying cross country, rent say in LV explore for 18 days, drop the MH and fly back to FL.
Time of year for this adventure are important. LV in August will be unbearably HOT.