open for suggestions

[JEKU]

hi forum
We are a family of 5 (2 adults 3 kids (3,5,9)) that are planning a 2.5 month trip from Houston up and down the west coast with final stop in Los Angeles.
Dates jan. 2 nd through March 15th. 2014. Trip distance about 5000 miles.
We are experienced campers but only from Europe.
We want to do the trip in an Class C motorhome.
We are looking for input on the following:
1) Since it is a long trip, should be buy or rent. If we buy our budget would then be 45.000 to 50.000
2) If we rent i have read that you can rent for arround $400/month but cant seem to finde those offers anywere.
3) Should we rent private or through recommended dealer?
4) how far up the west coast can you travle at that time of year before it gets too cold and rainy?

[JEKU]

Thanks everybody. This is great feedback. Exactly what I was looking for.
I should maybe tell that we are not looking for summer vacation but more for an experience for life and the possibilities to see more of this great country.
we have now lived in Houston for the last 2 years with hot weather and a pool in the back yard.
From April we will go back to Europe with very little chance of doing this again. We can't leave earlier due to my job. So this is our only chance.
We don't mind tempatures around 70'. Just that it is not frezziinnnggg cold al the time 🙂
As a bonus we be ending the trip in Hawaii end of march out of LA.
We plan to drive to these points:
grand canyon-Mesa verde-petrified forest-las vegas-san diego-San Jose-Los Angeles-san fransisco. Not in that direction but just as an indicator. And then see how for north of San fransisco we can get 🙂

[louiskathy]

JEKU wrote:
hi forum
We are a family of 5 (2 adults 3 kids (3,5,9)) that are planning a 2.5 month trip from Houston up and down the west coast with final stop in Los Angeles.
Dates jan. 2 nd through March 15th. 2014. Trip distance about 5000 miles.
We are experienced campers but only from Europe.
We want to do the trip in an Class C motorhome.
We are looking for input on the following:
1) Since it is a long trip, should be buy or rent. If we buy our budget would then be 45.000 to 50.000
2) If we rent i have read that you can rent for arround $400/month but cant seem to finde those offers anywere.
3) Should we rent private or through recommended dealer?
4) how far up the west coast can you travle at that time of year before it gets too cold and rainy?

...Dates jan. 2 nd through March 15th. 2014. Trip distance about 5000 miles....

With those dates... anything in the Cascade mountains over 1500 ft elevation will have snow. That means anything east of I5 in Oregon and Washington will require you to have snow chains for your tires, on board. In fact, you'll be required to carry snow chains to travel East-West routes in the Coastal Mountains between I5 and the Ocean. Come to think of it, the rolling passes on I5 in Southern Oregon and down into California would require a watchful eye on temps since they get icy this time of year.

Extend your time in California. San Francisco area is beautiful... so is Monterey... Disney Land...

Consider renting a car and staying in hostels... at some of the coastal lighthouses and The Highlands just north of the SF Golden Gate Bridge. A car beats driving a class C around SF.

[homelesshobo]

If you could rent for 400 per month, they would have to give new units away.

[bikendan]

as far as weather that time of year, it will be wet from Central California and up, especially from San Francisco and north of there.
even Southern California will be quite cloudy, even if it doesn't rain.

[2gypsies1]

Renting will be way too expensive for you. It's best to buy a good used one and sell it upon return. Or...you might really like it and just keep it for other trips!

As stated, Jan - March are not good months for travel. You'll be hitting a LOT of rain and cold weather. The rainy season starts in October/November - earlier in some places north. Good weather for the coastline above San Francisco would begin in May, possibly April in some places.

I would suggest you start from Houston in April and head to San Diego and upward finishing your trip mid-June or else do a summer trip or leave Houston in August and return mid-October.

[GENECOP]

Check out ElMonte, they Rent and will be competitive in pricing....

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Even with the high cost of rental, I don't think buying for 2.5 months would be smart either. You would then have to sell it when you're done. I would rent from a reputable dealer and purchase appropriate insurance.
You can find temperatures and rainfall-snow amounts on www.weather.com for each month. Look for averages. You might have to search by city.
You may also need snow chains for your tires if you go to higher elevations.

[donn0128]

Other than southern California your dates are the absolute worst time of year to visit. Oregon and Washington don't officially start decent weather until July 5. The time of year your looking at is mid winter. Cold and lots of rain.

[johnwalkerpa1]

Hello!

I am not from the west coast so I cannot answer most of your questions.....But, as to the cost of the rental, I can say for sure that you will not be able to rent for $400/month. In fact, it may be a challenge to find a rental for $4,000 a month depending on what you are looking for.