First Time RV trip - a bunch of questions

[Kamil]

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  

 

[Kirk W]

I believe that you are correct that Cruise America and El Monte RV are the only 2 practical options for a one way rental from San Francisco to Denver. To answer which of them is the better choice would be very much an opinion and very few of us here have experience renting from either of the two companies. All that I can say is that I see far more Cruise America RVs than any other. They do seem to be the larger of the two and I have met several visitors from other countries traveling in them. 

7 hours ago, Kamil said:

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?

I have never seen the park rangers or employees of any park or campground measure an RV to check the length. Length limits are published to help the person who is using the campground and are for information only but are not exact limits. Some parks list the length of the RV sites that you need to fit into and in such cases you can usually allow the RV to overhang the rear of a site to get an RV that is a little longer into it. In other cases the length limit is listed due to the narrow roads, tight turns, or rocks and trees that you must pass through in order to get to or into the campsites. Again it is an estimate that is based on the average driver's skills and so an experienced driver might get a much larger RV into the site while a new and unskilled driver might have difficulty but should be able to get an RV of the stated length into the site. If the campsite is listed as 30 feet long and your RV is 31 feet than I'd not be very concerned but if you book a site of 30 feet it may be difficult to get the 32+ foot long into the site, depending on your ability to maneuver the RV. 

7 hours ago, Kamil said:

. 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.

Hodgdon Meadow Campground is located along the Big Oak Flat Road at the Big Oak Flat Entrance. At an elevation of 4,900 feet (1,219 m), the campground is located along the western edge of the park, 25 miles and approximately 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley visitor center. You will need to drive to the park but the park does have a free shuttle system and there is a map and schedule on the park website.

7 hours ago, Kamil said:

Another question I have, is about safety.

Traveling by RV is probably one of the most safe ways to visit the US and tourist areas here. We have traveled the US in RVs for more than 40 years, staying in parks, national forests, commercial RV parks, and even Walmart parking lots and have never experienced any type of danger. If staying in a national park you do need to follow the rules about food storage to avoid problems with wildlife but visitors are given instructions about what to do. 

7 hours ago, Kamil said:

Me and my wife are planning to spend holidays in US by renting a RV from San Fran and drop it in Denver,

I am wondering about the holidays that you plan to spend in the US? If you mean Christmas and New Year's Day then you need to be aware of the snow in the mountains but if you mean a summer holiday then you should have no serious weather problems.

[sandsys]

Walmarts are popular grocery shopping places for RVers because you can park along the outer edges of the lot while shopping. Most Walmarts will let you stay overnight as well but you do need to find out which ones allow that.

Some casinos have RV parking and hotel on site. I would check that out for your hotel overnight. We have stayed in Comfort Inn hotels while driving our RV but you have to take up a lot of parking spaces to do that.

Linda

[Kamil]

Thank you for answers! 

Interesting option Linda. Didn't thought about that. Definitely will explore casinos permissions.

 

[Solo18]

I am a 79 year old woman who has traveled alone in a 32' Motorhome for the past 10 years, driving 183,000 miles in that time.  Obviously, I have to do grocery and other kinds of shopping, and I have never had my rig broken into or had anything stolen while in a campground or in a parking lot.  I do not spend the night in parking lots of highway rest areas, but instead almost always stay in county, state, and federal campgrounds.  I would not feel safe sleeping at night in a parking lot, though some people do it.  But, I have never felt unsafe parking there during the day to do my shopping, so you should feel comfortable parking in a grocery store parking lot during the day. 

Be careful of overhanging branches in parking lots, however.  One once grabbed my TV antenna and damaged it.  And more recently, I hit some overhead branches in a parking lot that broke the plastic cover on my refrigerator vent fan. 

[Dutch_12078]

One woman traveling alone put a sign on her door when leaving the RV to shop similar to this: "Fred, don't open the door until I get back, the snake got loose." She never had a problem with break ins...:) 

[Anawilliam850]

As for which company is better, both Cruise America and El Monte RV have pros and cons. Cruise America has more locations, but the vehicles might be older. On the other hand, El Monte RV has newer vehicles with a more modern interior, but the information about the length of their RVs is confusing. When it comes to RV length restrictions, national parks and campgrounds can be strict, but some may be more lenient. It's best to call ahead and ask about the restrictions, and to make sure the RV you rent fits within the limitations.

As for safety, it's generally safe to park an RV in a well-lit and busy area like a Walmart parking lot. However, it's always wise to use common sense and take precautions to protect your belongings. It's also a good idea to research the area you'll be staying in beforehand to see if there have been any incidents reported.

Regarding Hodgdon Meadow Campground in Yosemite National Park, I couldn't find information on transportation options to Yosemite Valley. You may want to check with the park directly or other visitors' experiences to find out the best way to get around inside the park.

For a safe place to park your RV near Las Vegas, you can check out RV parks in the area that have amenities like dump stations and potable water. Some RV parks even offer shuttle service to the city. You can also check websites like RV Park Reviews to find the best options.

[sandsys]

When checking out sources like RV Park Reviews it is important to read the review not just look at the stars. Different people have different likes/dislikes/needs so you need to find the ones most similar to you. We, for instance, never needed a playground or dog park.

Linda Sand

 

[Jinx & Wayne]

On 1/29/2023 at 8:21 AM, Dutch_12078 said:

One woman traveling alone put a sign on her door when leaving the RV to shop similar to this: "Fred, don't open the door until I get back, the snake got loose." She never had a problem with break ins...:) 

Going on fifty years ago I was working at our family-run commercial hunting/fishing camp in Maine. My stepfather and I came back from the long run to town after sunset to find the lodge dark. On the door was a piece of paper. We had no light, but my stepfather had a cigarette lighter that was out of fluid. We peered at the note as he sparked the lighter. Gradually we made out ...

"Wa...Watch..Watch out...Watch out f...Watch out for..Watch out for the bear."

The satisfaction of finally making out the note was spoiled by the chill running down my back.

Wayne

[Dutch_12078]

On 2/6/2023 at 9:14 AM, Jinx & Wayne said:

Going on fifty years ago I was working at our family-run commercial hunting/fishing camp in Maine. My stepfather and I came back from the long run to town after sunset to find the lodge dark. On the door was a piece of paper. We had no light, but my stepfather had a cigarette lighter that was out of fluid. We peered at the note as he sparked the lighter. Gradually we made out ...

"Wa...Watch..Watch out...Watch out f...Watch out for..Watch out for the bear."

The satisfaction of finally making out the note was spoiled by the chill running down my back.

Wayne

I can imagine!

[LovinRVing]

Kamil, I would be very leery of parking anywhere in San Francisco. Walmarts are great places to overnight (call in advance if a particular will let you) as well as will Lowes, Home Depots, Cracker Barrel restaurants, and Bass Pro/Cabela's.  Going to So. Lake Tahoe however is great! If you don't have reservations to stay around LT you can go over the Sierra Nevada mountains a very short drive away to Reno, Nevada where there are some casinos with attached campgrounds and the town itself is very nice, less congested, and less expensive.

If you have the ability to visit Las Vegas even for a day and you have never been there, Go! There may not be another place like it. Today 'Vegas is expensive, but you can fill several days there just walking and looking, at times with your jaw dropped.

I have no experience with El Monte RV, but my sister-in-law has rented Cruise America several times to join us on trips. In my opinion, their rigs seem to be very basic and rattle traps going down the road. My view of EM's just visually passing by them they appear to be nicer model class C's.

When touring around Yosemite you will encounter some very steep mountain grades and California doesn't believe in guard rails (IMHO) even if they add a visual level of assurance.

 

Enjoy your trip! RV'ing is for leaving lasting memories.

[2gypsies]

On 1/18/2023 at 6:37 AM, Kirk W said:

I have never seen the park rangers or employees of any park or campground measure an RV to check the length. 

I am wondering about the holidays that you plan to spend in the US? If you mean Christmas and New Year's Day then you need to be aware of the snow in the mountains but if you mean a summer holiday then you should have no serious weather problems.

I hope he's not planning to visit Yosemite soon as it's closed because of heavy snow! 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/us/yosemite-national-park-closed-snow.html

 

We were measured at Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, AZ...... don't know if they still do it.  They had lines marked on the pavement and you had to fit in them.

[LovinRVing]

gypsies, that's the first time I've ever heard of your RV being measured to fit.

Two years ago while touring Florida to get away from WNY winter we stayed at a Florida state park. On their website, I think Reserve America, it said the max vehicle length is 30 feet. This park was where we really wanted to stay because it fit our itinerary perfectly heading to Key West. So Googled some pictures of sites at the campground and found a video on YouTube that someone took of every site while they drove through the campground. I saw a couple of 5th wheels that appeared larger than my 36' motorhome. So I took a flier and booked the site. Checking in to the campground I was apprehensive as we approached the ranger station. Not only was it before 12 noon, but the ranger couldn't have been friendlier! Well, the sand-covered park roads were narrow and tight, and I barely made it around a loop turn towards my campsite. When we arrived at the site it was well over 40 feet long. Though the road was narrow and the vegetation heavy I made it into our site on the first attempt. One of the best campground experiences we have enjoyed through the years.

Edited March 3, 2023 by LovinRVing

[2gypsies]

6 hours ago, LovinRVing said:

Two years ago while touring Florida to get away from WNY winter we stayed at a Florida state park. On their website, I think Reserve America, it said the max vehicle length is 30 feet. ....I saw a couple of 5th wheels that appeared larger than my 36' motorhome. So I took a flier and booked the site. ........ When we arrived at the site it was well over 40 feet long. Though the road was narrow and the vegetation heavy I made it into our site on the first attempt. One of the best campground experiences we have enjoyed through the years.

Yes, you really can't go by printed material as to if you'd fit or not.  We volunteered and national and state parks and we found that they don't measure sites.  They guesstimate!  Plus, non-RVers usually state the size of RV that would fit.   In fact, at Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park one of our gigs was assigning incoming reservations with a campsite for the day's arrival.  They had an old list to go by for size.  We knew from walking the campground often that there were many more big sites than what was on the list.  We offered to measure each site and create a new list.  The rangers were amazed at how many more big rig sites we found.

[Kirk W]

6 hours ago, LovinRVing said:

Well, the sand-covered park roads were narrow and tight, and I barely made it around a loop turn towards my campsite.

The site access is often the reason for the length limits that are listed. I will never forget when we were working the information booth in the Ft Stephen's State Park campground, watching some folks with a very long fifth wheel that they had on a loop that limited length as they were departing. The driver misjudged the tight turn just a little and the trailer was hard up against a large pine tree such that he was unable to move ahead or to back. It took 2 large wreckers to get the trailer to a point that it could be moved. We also once were unable to get to a campground in Rocky Mountain NP because the road was blocked by an RV that was longer then recommended that was hung up on a turn so the road was closed. 

[LovinRVing]

Kirk, I don't know if it's the same experience you guys met with the camper tieing up the road heading to Rocky Mtn. NP, but I have seen posts on other forums showing huge 5th wheels unable to make sharp switchback turns and then blocking mountain roads.

In my experience, If I didn't find the YouTube Video of rigs my size or larger at the Florida SP, even suggesting which sites are the largest,  I wouldn't have booked it.

[Anawilliam850]

Regarding campground restrictions on RV length, it's difficult to say how strictly they will be enforced. Some campgrounds may be more flexible than others, but it's always best to follow their rules to avoid any issues. If you are only 2 feet over the limit, it's possible that you may be able to negotiate with the campground or park ranger to allow you to stay, but it's not a guarantee. You may want to consider booking sites that allow for slightly larger RVs, just to be safe.

[Dutch_12078]

On return visits to some parks, we do sometimes take sites that are listed  as a few feet shorter than our motorhome. In those cases, the sites we take are ones that we know from visual inspection are easily capable of taking the few extra feet and access is not an issue. In one case, one of our favorite water view sites at a Georgia state park is listed at 30 feet max, yet we know our 34 foot motorhome fits with room to spare. It seems the listed length is left over from a previous listing before the park sites were completely rebuilt several years ago. We've stayed on that site a few times now, and even with our screen house set up behind the coach and our car in front of it, there's still room to spare. When we reserve online, I do have to fib about our length to get the site, but the one time I reserved by phone, they never asked the length.

[lappir]

If you can fit in the spot without damaging the ground around where you are supposed to be parking, I don't know what they can say about putting a 34 ft. RV in s spot for a 30.

Just my opinion. 

 

Rod

[Kirk W]

13 hours ago, Dutch_12078 said:

On return visits to some parks, we do sometimes take sites that are listed  as a few feet shorter than our motorhome.

We have done that many times but you do need to make sure that you have the driving skills to get your RV into and out of the site that you wish to use. If so, no problem in any park that we have been to.

23 minutes ago, lappir said:

I don't know what they can say about putting a 34 ft. RV in s spot for a 30.

In a public park or campground, why would anyone care? If there is a place that actually checks, we have never been there or heard about it. In a commercial park you are usually assigned to a specific site, although I have had the management tell me to just pick one.

[sandsys]

In Las Vegas, we only got a spot because we were only 35 feet long so most rigs would not fit in that spot. There was NO extra room; we had to park the car separately. The same happened in Austin, TX, with my conversion van, although there was a little extras space beyond my 24 feet, it was a short site that most rigs could not use. Sometimes it's good to be small.

Linda Sand

[Dutch_12078]

8 hours ago, Kirk W said:

We have done that many times but you do need to make sure that you have the driving skills to get your RV into and out of the site that you wish to use. If so, no problem in any park that we have been to.

 

You left off where I said, "In those cases, the sites we take are ones that we know from visual inspection are easily capable of taking the few extra feet and access is not an issue."

[Anawilliam850]

Regarding your camping plans, I'm not familiar with Hodgdon Meadow specifically, but in general, transportation within national parks can be a challenge. Some parks have shuttle services that can take you to popular hiking areas, while others require you to drive your own vehicle. It's worth checking the specific park's website for transportation options and planning accordingly. As for finding parking spots near trails, it can be a challenge during peak season, but arriving early in the morning can help.

Finally, regarding leaving your RV in Vegas while you stay in a hotel, there are several RV parks and campgrounds in the area that offer amenities such as dump stations and potable water. However, it's worth noting that Vegas can be a high-crime area, so it's important to choose a secure location and take necessary precautions to protect your RV.

I hope this helps, and happy travels!

[RV_]

When we did Vegas we stayed at Sam's Town which is off the strip and seemed to be secure. But do check more recent reviews on it.

https://www.samstownlv.com/stay/rv-park

Edited April 4, 2023 by RV_