Hello Everybody! Recently registered and happy to join RV community. 👋
Me and my wife are planning to spend holidays in US by renting a RV from San Fran and drop it in Denver, visiting on the way some iconic places an enjoy "The Journey" itself. I am wondering about your opinion about a few things which I am yet not sure how to tackle them.
After some research and based on our route, we probably have only 2 choices of rental company: Cruise America or EL Monte RV (Btw. Thanks @Kirk W for great post which was very helpul https://www.rvnetwork.com/topic/136297-first-time-rental-all-any-advice-sought/?do=findComment&comment=988753). After some thoughts we would like to rent Class C 30ft, as smaller ones will compromise living space and shower/toilet facilities, and bigger camping spots and access to different places. Here comes the question itself: Which company is better? CA has exactly 30ft options, seems to have more branches but I found some bad reviews about them and vehicles are a bit older than El Monte if I'm correct. El Monte seems to have newer RVs, interior looks a bit more modern, but has strange information provided about the length 30-32ft? Do you know what does it mean? I already booked some camping spots which allow only up to 30ft RV. How strict are these guys on campgrounds or at the entrances to national parks? If I have 2 more feet won't that affect my plans if only 30ft is allowed? Wondering how it works in the real life.
Another question I have, is about safety. We are originally from Poland, but from several years we are living in one of the safest city on Earth which is Abu Dhabi. Yes, I am not joking, it is so safe that it makes you "lazy" and so comfortable that right now I know I have to come back to reality and be more aware about basic things. As we are going to get RV in San Fran, I am wondering about stocking for our trip after vehicle's pick up. How it works in other places as well? Is it OK to leave your RV on the supermarket's parking and go to buy some stuff? Let's say Walmart parking for example. If people willing to break car's window to steel a pair of dirty underwear (joking at least I hope I am... ) then RV might be seen as a very attractive place, full of supplies and with some extra dirty socks to be stolen. Is that a problem at all? From San Francisco we will be going directly to the south part of Lake Tahoe. In the worse case scenario I am planning to stock somewhere there if SF is that bad...
2 more questions are about camping grounds. I didn't manage to secure spot in Yosemite Valley unfortunately (maybe fortunately based on the crowds there...) and we ended up in Hodgdon Meadow. Have anybody been there? I can't find information about transportation from there to the valley as shuttle operation in the valley only. Am I wrong? How did you guys travel inside the park? Are you taking your RVs and crossing fingers to find parking spot near to the trails? We want to do there some hiking.
After Yosemite we will travel to Kings Canyon, Sequoia National Park and Forest (with 1 night stay there) and then going to Utah/Arizona, not sure yet where exactly, as we are waiting for the Wave lottery results🤞🏻🤞🏻. But I am considering stop in Vegas, as it seems to be on the way. We both are not into these kind of cities/attractions but if it's on the way, why not to see it at night. I was actually planning to leave our RV on some safe campground/parking with access to dump station and potable water to "recharge" our drive but on the same time go for 1 night to hotel in the city for a change. Can you recommend a good place to keep the RV and be able to i.e. use Uber to go to hotel?
Thanks
