Mount Rushmore, SD
Custer State Park, Custer, SD
We have found that with all the trips we have been on, RVing by far is our favorite mode of transportation and an awesome way to travel the country. We liked the idea of sleeping in our own bed every night. Cooking our own food for meals. Bringing our pets along. We didn’t just want to sight see and be tourists. We wanted adventures.
Whether it was NASCAR with friends or white water rafting in the Adirondacks.
White Water Rafting In The Adirondacks
Kayaking In Tennessee
We’ve been to small town America as well as large cities.
Zip Lining In Newfoundland
Watching A Parade In LeRoy, NY
Visiting NYC
We have dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean and enjoyed the late afternoon sun in the deserts of Arizona.
Sunset On The Pacific Ocean
The Desert In Arizona
Looking back, we’ve done a lot since we started traveling in 2008. This country of ours is so vast and different that it would take a lifetime to see it all. And let’s face it, flying over the country at 35,000 feet, you really can not see a lot, other than clouds. Air travel is not what it used to be.
Life is to short to only explore the small corner of the country that you call home. Here, let me say it this way… GET OUT AND SEE SOME OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS AT LEAST ONCE VIA RV! (Did you hear me?)
So, if you are looking for a nice vacation idea and you don’t want to invest in an RV for the couple times a year you may use it, then renting would be a great alternative. Then even exploring the opposite side of the country that you live is not out of the question, just fly in and rent an RV from that locale. That way you can maximize your time exploring. And there is a lot of that you can do.
We see rental units everywhere we go. There is one in the campground that we are at right now as a matter of fact. They came in from Calf and rented to see NYS. They are making memories around a campfire and exploring areas you just do not see unless you hit the road.
A Rental RV In Our Campground Now
The Rental RV Form The Movie "RV"
Another thought on renting…When we started RVing in 2008, we jumped full in. We were lucky. You see, we have come across many couples that thought they knew what they wanted in an RV only to find out after being in it for a while that it really is not the right fit for them and their needs. They would like something bigger or smaller, a fifth wheel vs a class A. They end up loosing money trading in their RV for something that they truly want. Renting an RV could have saved them much frustration as well as saved their pocketbook. And if this happened to you already, I do apologize for rubbing salt in the wound.
We came across a novel website for those looking to rent. A site called RVShare, which helps to rent out people’s personal RV’s! That’s right…No big RENT ME sign on the side. (It’s worth it just for that.) You can find all shapes, sizes, and types of RV’s to fit your travel needs as you look to explore.
And here is an idea…if you are considering buying an RV, renting a personal one first would be a great advantage to determine what type of rig is right for you before you spend your hard earned money. And renting through RVShare, you talk directly with the owner of the RV that you are considering. That could prove to be a big advantage before you buy.
And if you find yourself in a rental unit that is shrink wrapped with an advertisement that just screams “RENTAL”, don’t mind us staring at you. You are our entertainment for the evening when you try to park and hook up. (Come on, we all have been their.) Hopefully you won’t be as bad as Robin Williams in the movie “RV”.
And if you don’t get that reference, make sure you get the movie before your trip so your family can be prepared for their own adventure.
We saw a lot of rentals in Alberta and B.C. last month.
Great advise! We rented for a couple of weeks to see if we were compatible with the lifestyle. The answer? We bought a 38′ Class A and are going fulltime as soon as the house sells.
Congrats! And welcome to the “life style”. Be aware, people will not get it…or why. :)
Great post. We are taking 2 months this summer in NC mountains.
Hey Dave check out my recent food photos on our blog, great BBQ
Great article and oh so true, even in New Zealand.
Great ideas. Thanks for posting.
I rented for 2 months to see if I liked the lifestyle and could feel safe traveling alone. I loved it and just bought my own RV. The biggest advantage is that I knew exactly what I wanted and didn’t want.
Renting a Class A, where I am anyway, is $200+ a night, some $300+, not doable for me. Class C are almost as bad, have not found a place that will rent a TT or a 5er, both of which would mean renting the truck to pull them with as well. I am going to check out the above mentioned web site FOR SURE and see what they offer> I guess kinda’ like VRBO but in an RV.LOL . Thanks for the info.