Toadless car renters

[garmp]

We've had a 21' Class B+ and now are moving up to a 26' unit.
Wanting to camp & sight see near some congested areas and are leery of taking the larger unit into the locals. Thusly thinking of renting a car while there (Pensacola, FL). Question is are car rental companies willing to bring the car to the campground and days later pick it up? I heard that this is a common practice. Which company is your preferred one?
Thought I'd post this here rather than calling half a dozen companies.
thanks.

[winniman]

Sometimes rental cars are not available unless you book them ahead of time. The few times we attempted to rent a car, none were available. We ended up hiring a taxi to get us around. Its hard to beat having your own vehicle behind you. Travelling with your own vehicle gives you flexibility to change your schedule if you want or need to.

[Grit_dog]

If ones car insurance doesn’t cover rentals and you rent cars, you have a very poor policy. Find new insurance before paying the exorbitant rates the rental companies charge.
Caveat, if your only insurance is a min limits liability policy on an old junker vehicle, you may not be in the position to upgrade to a policy that does cover rentals.

[Expyinflight]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
We used either Enterprise; or an off-airport rental company that we could pick up the car with the motorhome. Worked great!

We did the same thing last summer. 15 states and 5,000 miles. Used Enterprise in numerous locations. Planned months ahead.
Our motorhome is relatively small, and I have no problem driving it in city traffic. We would drive the motorhome to Enterprise, and pick up the rental car for however many days. Head to the RV park. Then we returned the car to Enterprise when we were ready to move on. Most locations have a 'key drop box' so you can drop off the car before they even open in the morning, which worked great for us. (Snap a couple of pics of the car when you drop it off) Got free upgrades to nicer vehicles several times. Everything worked very smoothly.
When we were in Indiana, there had been a recent hail storm, so they had no vehicles available the day we arrived. We got settled in an RV park. Enterprise sent their privately contracted taxi driver (not an Enterprise employee) to pick us up early the next morning at the RV park and deliver us to Enterprise to pick up the car, free of charge. And again a free upgrade to a better car. He offered to do the return ride for us when we left town also. We thought that was outstanding service.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We used either Enterprise; or an off-airport rental company that we could pick up the car with the motorhome. Worked great!

[Crowe]

Last time I rented an Enterprise it was (with insurance) something like 300 bucks for the weekend. I later found my existing vehicle insurance (The RV policy) would NOT have covered it so .... good thing.

Most car insurance policies cover rental insurance. Certain credit card companies such as Capital One also take on the liability. Just ask your agent or look at the CC company's agreement. Enterprise will pick you up/drop you off but be prepared it may take some time as you are not always the only one in the vehicle.

[PartyOf_Five]

In larger cities like Pensacola, it's probably easier and cheaper to take Lyft and leave the driving to them. This model is becoming very cost effective when you consider all the costs and figure out if you really really need to drive yourself. They just dispatch someone to you via an app.

[SDcampowneroper]

Many private parks in touristy areas have their own rental cars, or access to a dealer with used and newer to rent a car. We have both, if our rental cars are taken we can connect you with all the offerings in the area. None are chains.
Typically fees for a used sedan for any day are less than the chains and are more available.
Call The Camp Area car dealers.

[garyemunson]

We quit using a toad in favor of Enterprise. So much easier getting around and finding places to park. No worrying about having to unhook if you have to back up somewhere.

[K_Charles]

If you just want to get around and you don't care about look or ride or keeping up with the Joneses, a toad is way cheaper then renting.

[wildtoad]

We tried going without a toad and depending on rental companies. Alas we found areas where there were no rental companies. Rentals also aren’t a lot of help if you break down in the middle of nowhere.

[jdc1]

Turo is another option. The cars are less expensive to rent too. We used them a few times, without a hiccup.

[wa8yxm]

Last time I rented an Enterprise it was (with insurance) something like 300 bucks for the weekend. I later found my existing vehicle insurance (The RV policy) would NOT have covered it so .... good thing.

My Towed. Is a bit older (2001) and cost me 2000 dollars when I bought it
Plus about another 2000 to make it towable

And I've put about 1000 in it since 2013 not counting oil, filters, tires and gasoline. I'd say it is way way way cheaper to tow.

[ItsyRV]

Enterprise is the one most likely to pick you up and drop you off as that is part of their philosophy. But it is an office by office, staffing by staffing decision. During peak rental times and periods, they just may not be able to accommodate you on your schedule so call and speak to them in advance.

If your flexible and willing to work with them, you'll be surprised what you can get. I reserved for a busy Friday and returning Monday. They offered to pick me up late on Thursday (I mean 9pm), but only charge me for weekend special if I agreed. And I got a full size luxury car at midsize car rates just because it was a special rental that was returned and it wasn't schedule for picked up back to the pool until Tuesday so to them it was banked money. Flexibility get the best results.

Also check local shuttles in touristy areas as they may stop near the campground and where the rental cars are located. And as said, check with the campground office as there could be some arrangements they can make for you.

[rk911]

some Enterprise locations will pick you up to get the car and some will take you back to your RV when returning the car. you’ll need to call first. other rental outfits may as well. again, call. while we were toad-less it was quite the hassle to rent. seemed to take forever. once i waited at the office for about an hour for another staffer to show up so we could get a ride back. your other option might be to uber/lyft to/from the office.