Planning Your Big RV Trip

Each year, we answer a lot of questions about RV rentals from first-timers and RV veterans alike. Here are five of the most frequently asked questions:

1. What type of RV should I take?
2. When should we rent an RV?
3. How long can I take an RV without hookups?
4. Do we need to bring our houseware?
5. How much will it cost?

 We have your answers! We are going to break down each question into a five blog-post series. We have a lot of information to cover! Let’s get started with #3

Why do you need RV Hookups?

RV hookups at campsites supply water, power, and waste dumping. An RV needs to be connected to these sites routinely to keep you moving on down (or off) the road. How long you can go after each time you dump, fill, or charge your vehicle depends significantly on the unit and your use. Each RV have different storage sizes for their auxiliaries. When these storage spaces get low, you will find yourself needing to get back to camp more often.

Water

Motorhomes vary in the size of their water tanks. Smaller trailers with no bathroom may have a water tank with only 15 gallons. Larger motorhomes can go much further, with holding tanks of 40 gallons or more.

A 40-gallon tank for a motorhome will likely run out before a 15-gallon tank in a trailer. Without a bathroom in the trailer, your water consumption goes down dramatically. With regular usage, you will likely find yourself heading back into town to fill up on water every 2 to 3 days.

Power

The appliances in your RV consume a lot more power than you think. Customers are often surprised to find how quickly a battery will die while  “dry camping.” RV’s are very dependent upon good batteries and proper battery voltage. Most, if not all, the RV appliances are dependent upon battery power to operate, so when they are dead; so is your fridge, water heater, furnace, water pump, etc.

Ensure that if you plan on being out in the wild for extended periods that you charge up every day, and as needed. A reasonable charge should last you for at least a few hours with moderate consumption. If your batteries die on you frequently, they may need replacing.

If you don’t have a generator for your trailer, consider buying one. The cost of renting a generator can be made up in about 2-3 good trips if you choose to buy one instead.

Waste

RV plumbing systems are not like your home plumbing system. When you flush your toilet at home, the waste ‘magically’ goes away.  But when you flush your RV’s toilet, the water and waste go 3 feet away and stays there until you dump your tanks. It would do you well to educate yourself on the fresh and wastewater systems on your RV. You’ll need to know about things like RV/Marine toilet paper, waste tank treatments, water conservation (your RV’s tank only holds so much), flushing and sanitizing tanks, etc.

Empty your waste system often. Most of our customers find themselves dumping the RV plumbing waste every 3-5 days on the road.

Conclusion

Now that you’re up to date on RV Hook-Ups, we’d love to help you plan your next trip. We have a full-blown trip planner attached to the menu on our main page. If you’re planning on an RV trip in Utah, make sure to check it out!

Planning Your Big RV Trip

Each year, we answer a lot of questions about RV rentals from first-timers and RV veteran’s alike. Here are five of the most frequently asked questions:

1. What type of RV should I take?
2. When should we rent an RV?
3. How long can we take an RV without hookups?
4. Do we need to bring our houseware?
5. How much will it cost?

 We have your answers! We are going to break down each question into a five blog-post series. We have a lot of information to cover! Let’s get started with #2

When should I rent an RV?

An RV is quite literally and ‘everywhere’ and ‘everything’ camping machine! One thing that will surprise a lot of people is how much fun they are. Many families have a long history of enjoying and loving the outdoors. RV’s are just one way to help get outside and “camp” where you want: many fail to realize that their RV can act as a catalyst to many more outdoor activities. Do you enjoy football and tail-gating? Take your RV. Do you enjoy riding quads or side-by-sides? Take your RV so you can spend more time at the dunes or in the woods.

You can take an RV year-round, and don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions about how to RV in the winter.

Best time to book

If you are the frugal type, and you want to know how to save money, this is for you!

RV rentals are a lot like hotels. The busy season (around April to September) is competitive, and prices go up based on availability. The longer you wait to book your rental, the more you’re going to pay.

Whenever you decide to go, planning at least three months ahead of time. Planning before ensures that the unit you want to rent is available. If you want the best price possible, consider booking your trip up to 1 year out. The early bird gets the worm, and booking early it makes it easier for rental companies to accommodate you.

In our off-season, it is easy to find low prices for quick weekend trips.

Best time to go

Timing your trip is essential because it affects your price; weather, and travel plans; and where you can go.

Price

We have gone over this a little so we won’t go crazy about it here. If the price is essential, consider booking outside of the busy season. Taking a trip during late September/early October gives you relatively comfortable temperatures and less than half of the crowd. If your trip doesn’t have to be on a specific timeframe, the off-season is your friend.

Weather

Going in the summer is hot hot hot sometimes, and that can make camping less enjoyable. Going in the late fall sometimes means snow. When it is snowing, driving takes longer and can be more difficult. Because of off-season prices, it is a lot easier to plan a last-minute trip.

Where you can go

Where can’t you go in September and October? Once school season starts the campgrounds clear up and the road is open to exploring! Take advantage of the freedom and go on a weekend trip. If you can afford a weeklong trip, go check out the west coast, or explore in Yellowstone. Once the snow starts falling, National Parks will have some closures, and a trailer or motorhome won’t be able to go everywhere, but there are still plenty of places to go!

We have a full-blown trip planner attached to the menu on our main page. If you’re planning on an RV trip in Utah, make sure to check it out!

Planning Your Big RV Trip

Each year, we answer a lot of questions about RV rentals from first-timers and RV veteran’s alike. Here are five of the most frequently asked questions:

1. What type of RV should I take?
2. When should I rent an RV?
3. How long can we take an RV without hookups?
4. Do we need to bring our houseware?
5. How much will it cost?

 We have your answers! We are going to break down each question into a five blog-post series. We have a lot of information to cover! Let’s get started with #1

What type of RV should I rent?

Decisions, decisions…

“What RV Should I Take?” This is the first question we get almost every day. To decide, you’ll have to look at a few things.

The debate between a motorhome or a travel trailer is years-long, let’s go over the pros and cons together!

Motorhomes

A motorhome is meant to be your all-in-one solution. A child dreams of driving an RV down the road, listening to Disney music hits, and cooking Hot Pockets in the microwave all at the same time. There is little need to make pit stops for food or bathroom breaks because it’s all in there. Motorhomes are incredible machines!

Travel trailers are packed with value for any camping trip! When you take a trailer, you take the freedom of being able to leave camp without shutting it down. A trailer becomes your home base for all the travel adventures; they have almost all the same benefits as a motorhome. 

If you want to take a trailer, you’ll need to make sure you have enough power for your needs. Check out this video if you have questions on how power works in an RV.

If you decide on a motorhome, you’re ready to move on. If you want to tow a trailer, there are a few more things to cover.

Trailers

Disclaimer: There is a lot more to this conversation than is listed here. Here is a fairly comprehensive guide to towing

Standard travel trailers can range in weight from 2,500 to 7,000 lbs depending on the size (there are quite a few outliers, but not in our rentals)! A truck’s ability to tow is indicated by its GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Each towing vehicle and trailer have a GVWR given to show how much weight a vehicle is capable to tow. 

Most cars have their GVWR printed on a label on the doorframe of the driver-side door. IIn example, if your car GVWR reads 7,500 lbs, it should match a trailer’s rating at 7,500 pounds at the most.  Think of it as a balancing act.

Our rule of thumb is to tow at 80% or *less* of your car’s GVWR. This ensures that your vehicle is well within the range, and can easily control whatever it is pulling.

If your GVWR matches up well, then you’ll want to check for a few extra items to make sure you’re ready to hit the road. Our trailers require an electronic trailer brake controller, a Class III receiver, and a 7-point trailer connector. Once you know you can tow, you’re ready to rent a trailer!

So, there you have it! What kind of RV do you want to take? Make sure to let us know!