10 Tips for Renting an RV

For many people renting an RV or motor home can be a very exciting proposition. It is not only a great way of touring the nation, it is also a great way to reduce your travel expenses and at the same time enjoy a lot of quality time with family and friends. Considering air fare costs and hotel room expenses, RV trips can be quite inexpensive. If you decide on renting an RV then you will have several options to choose from. To get the best available deal and to choose the motor home that best suits your requirements you should take some time to get familiar with these options. The following are some tips that will help you to make a wise choice.

1. To start with you will have a wide choice of RV rental companies from which to choose. Some of the good resources for finding RV rentals is to search the internet, local business directories or your local phone book. If you know others who have hired an RV before find out about their experiences. Read online or magazine reviews. Finally after short listing the companies that seem to pass muster visit their offices to get first hand information. Examine their average prices and compare rental rates of different companies for the type of RV you need. Choose the one that offers the best deal and also has a good reputation for customer service.

2. Motor homes come in all types of sizes and styles. Make sure that the one you choose suits you and your family well. There should be adequate sleeping space and also adequate space for other daytime activities and activities of your children. Remember that you will be spending several days in your home away from home and therefore comfort should get top consideration. For long trips choose a modern and luxury RV.

3. Estimate your mileage properly so that you don't have to pay on per mile basis for extra miles. This can turn out to be quite expensive. If there is possibility of exceeding the estimate then it may be much cheaper to buy extra mileage before you start.

4. Checkout all the features of the RV you will be renting for your trip. The older ones may not come fitted with the latest gadgets like TV, Movie player, GPS system, etc. Look for other essential features like dining table and shower. The latest luxury models come equipped with all the latest gadgets.

5. Check out the rental periods and choose the period that most suits your plan. Additional days will usually cost more without extra mileage. Planning ahead will help you to keep your costs down.

6. Pack adequately but don't over pack. Travel as lightly as possible without compromising your comfort. Also consider the climate of the places you will be visiting and pack accordingly. You will need mostly casual clothes but have a nice dress or two for special occasions. Be prepared to encounter rainy weather.

7. Find out about the company's policies for breakdowns. Mechanical breakdowns are always a possibility. Find out from the company what happens if and when the RV breaks down. How the company is going to compensate you? Will the company pay for hotel and traveling charges until they make alternate arrangements? What happens in the case of an accident? By being prepared for all eventualities you can make sure that any unforeseen incidents don't spoil your trip.

8. Find out about insurance. Have a look at the RV's insurance package. Find out what happens in case you are involved in an accident? What are your liabilities, financial or otherwise? Knowing about the insurance package will save you from some unpleasant surprises in case of a mishap.

9. Have an itinerary for the trip so that you will not have expensive time and mileage overruns. Pack the necessary maps and collect as many maps as necessary from the visitor centers along the way. They will cover the local area better than general atlas maps.

10. Driving an RV is is not the same as driving your car. Make sure you know who will be driving the RV. Designate who will help in the navigation. A TomTom or Garmin navigation system can be a great help when you are looking for an RV park at night when it is late.