Motor Home Rentals - Questions and Answers For the First Time

A motor home rental is a good way to enjoy travel and vacationing without having to purchase the motor home. Whether it is the first trip or once a year travel, many people do not want the expense of maintaining the motor home all year round, or simply cannot afford to buy a motor home. In both cases, renting is the perfect option. Many people have questions, however, about what to expect.

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Motor Home Rentals - Questions and Answers For the First Time

>Q. Do I need a special license to drive a motor home?

>A. No special or additional license is needed for the average motor home. Although driving a much larger vehicle is a bit different than driving your regular car, any experienced driver can adapt quickly with a little practice. Keep in mind, though, that many rental companies will not rent to drivers under 25 years old.

>Q. What gas mileage can I expect to get with a motor home?

>A. It is a bit hard to predict an exact mileage as so much depends on the size of the motor home you are renting, the style of driving for any individual, and even the areas in which you will drive. Going through many cities with stop and start traffic, uphill climbs, etc., can use more gas. Some rules of thumb, however, are the larger and heavier the motor home, the less miles you can expect per gallon. Typically, the range is between 6 and 14 miles a gallon. A 22 ft. motor home may average 8 to 10 miles per gallon, while a 32 ft. motor home may only get 6 to 8 miles from a gallon of gasoline. A motor home tank can usually carry 30 to 70 gallons.

>Q. Where do we park the motor home at the end of a day’s travel?

>A. It is important to have some idea about how far you will travel each day, and where you will park for the night. You can make up your own itinerary with maps and campground research, or consult a travel agency to help you locate proper places to stop. Mainly, travelers choose campgrounds to park for the night. In some remote areas, you can camp for the night, but for safety’s sake, and legal reasons, become familiar with the local laws where you plan to stop.

>Q. How do we get clean water for cooking and showering?

>A. When you park in a campground a water hook-up will be provided for each pad, or parking space. A few older campgrounds may have a common service area to fill your on-board water tank for your needs while traveling. You can also connect to a wastewater outlet and dump used water through the drain hose in your motor home.

>Q. Will we need reservations to park at a campground?

>A. It is always a good idea to have reservations ahead of time. Although some campgrounds will admit you if there is room, and it is not during their busy season, taking a chance on having a place to stay is not advisable.
Certain campgrounds have restrictions on the length of the motor home they will admit, and the length of time you can stay. Also, ask about price. In general, just as with hotels, the closer you are to a theme park or tourist attraction, the higher the cost. Public parks are usually less expensive than privately owned campgrounds. Have a written list of questions to ask before you call to reserve a space.

>Q. Where can we get electric power?

> A. Most motor homes will have a generator on board that will run the air conditioner and appliances, so that the engine will not have to keep running. Usually propane gas powers the stove and refrigerator. Most campgrounds will have a hook-up for electricity at your parking space. The charge per day normally includes the water and electric hook-ups where available.

Proper planning, research and familiarizing yourself with all aspects of motor home rentals will help to ensure an enjoyable experience.