Let’s find out why people choose RV rentals. The main reason why people choose RVs lies in the purpose itself. They can reach their destination within limited period of time. RV rentals are affordable. Hiring RVs can be economical for bigger families rather than traveling their own private vehicles. When gas prices goes very high, hiring a RV vehicles can be the best idea to save a lot of money.

Traveling in a motor home or other RVs is very convenient and comfortable. It’s even stress free too. RV rentals provide opportunities to buy the best vehicle for you. Let’s find how it happens. You cannot go to every vehicle showroom and ask for a test drive every time you want. It frustrates them. By hiring various types of RVs you can have the opportunity to test the vehicles and decide to buy the best one from the market. Motor homes are very comfortable and cheap. You can hire them if you have children since they enjoy the ride in it. It is even equipment with television, music boxes, and refrigerator to entertain you to the maximum level. Most RVs provides housekeeping packages such as pots, dishes, and other necessary things. Some RVs even provide you pillow, blanket, linen, bath towel which should be given back when you finish your trip. However, hiring RVs with good housekeeping packages can be very expensive.

To hire a RV, you only need to produce a valid driver’s license and something which proves your age. Some companies recommend that the person who is hiring the vehicle should be at least 25 years of age. You will have to pay some extra cash to those companies if you didn’t cross 25 years of age.

The rental cost of the vehicle that you are hiring depends upon the type, size and age of the vehicle. The cost varies during seasons too. A motor home can cost you around $100 to $250 a single day, where as travel trailers and truck campers will be available at cheaper rates around $50 to $120 per day. Some RV rentals want you to pay additional charges for insurance. While the others agencies include the insurance in the rental price itself. You are required to pay a percentage of the total amount as deposit which usually will be around $500 and that amount will be refunded when you are bringing back the vehicle without any major damages. By hiring a RV, you can solve all sorts of headaches, mistakes and problems that come in your way when you plan out for a trip.

RV Rentals are offered by several travel companies and they are broadly categorized into three main categories. The class A is considered as the most luxurious type of RV rental. The rental rates for this model will depend on daily basis. It normally varies from six hundred dollars to nine hundred dollars per day. They are said to be the most expensive ones. However, the companies are offering their service during on-seasons as well as off-seasons. The rates for the off-season are found to be much lesser. Some of the companies are even providing special discount offers. This will help them in saving some amount of their money.

The minimum rental period for the special packages are 50 days or for more than that. You can get the complete information on the discount packages by having a direct talk with the local travel agent. You can also make a thorough search over the web based applications for knowing more information. In this current period, most of the RVs are found to be custom built. Even though the other models are providing the required features, these kinds of services are sometimes opted by certain group of people. There are lots of features which you can include in the Recreational Vehicles.

You can have internet facilities, king-sized beds, large bathrooms which are having showers along with whirlpool baths as well as stylish furnishings. In addition to all the added features, there are automatic camp setups and certain automated cooling and heating systems. Security systems are also being installed in the RVs for ensuring the safety of those who are traveling in it. Some of the top RVs may also contain touch screens for checking the conditions of the entire house systems like fuel, battery backup, electric etc. Most of the RV rentals will be charging refundable deposit for security purpose and this may vary depending on the company which you are choosing.

The RV rental firms are having wide range of vehicles. You can choose either economical models or luxury models based on your financial plan. These kinds of rental services will help in making your vacation more enjoyable with your friends or family. The cost associated with the packages can be reduced considerably by choosing the right company. The vehicles are comprised on all the basic amenities that make it more and more popular and the convenient method for traveling. These kinds of services are made available in all parts of the countries.

The A class RV rental is considered as the most luxurious and best one. These vehicles are quite expensive. The average rents of these vehicles vary from $6000 to $9000 per day. However the companies provide lesser rates for off-season. Special and attractive discount packages are provided by the RV rental companies for those individuals who travel extensively. Fifty days is the minimum rental duration for such discount packages. Travel agencies, online sites and travel desk will provide the information regarding the special packages.

The recreation vehicles have internet facilities, stylish furnishing, king-sized beds and large sized bathrooms with whirlpool baths and showers. Automatic cooling and heating systems are available in these vehicles. Different modern amenities including plasma televisions, generator and DVD players are available in the recreation vehicles. Housekeeping facilities such as dishes, pans and pots are provided by many rental companies. Security systems are installed in the vehicle which gives alert signal when any security breach occurs. Some of the RVs include touch screens which will help to check the conditions of the systems. The touch screens will check the fuel, electric and the battery backup of the vehicle.

A lot of RV rental companies are available all over the world. While choosing such companies a various factors need to be considered. Before shopping, you should make a comparison of the different companies. You should clearly go through the reviews of the companies. The review will give all the information about the company’s goals and motto. You can clearly judge a company through these reviews. You should also consider the size of the vehicle. Different trucks and vans of varying sizes are available. Ensure that there is enough space in the vehicle. While going overboard it is better to avoid huge vehicles.

During RV rentals cost is given more importance. A lot of RV rental companies are providing most modern luxuries at affordable costs. Before commencing the trip it is important to consider all the factors regarding the charges. Advance planning will help you to cut down the costs. It is better to have insurance packages for the recreation vehicles. If any breakdown occurs during the trip, the insurance policies will cover the expenses. Most of the RV rental companies provides insurance plan along with their vehicles. All such tips should be implemented during RV rentals and this will ensure an enjoyable trip for you.

Be sure to tell the rental agency in advance that you want written endorsement on your rental contract that you can take the car into Nevada. It’s never been a problem when I’ve told them in advance. The advice about auto insurance is also good.  Assuming NZ handles insurance similar to Australia and the UK, I can say the categories here are different from what you have back home.  See what if anything can be covered by your company.

Two examples about insurance differences (I), I’ll be heading to Scotland next month.  The insurance that comes with the car covers all damage, and all medical except for the driver.  The remaining insurance comes from an “umbrella” policy that have here in the US, based on my commitment to get the maximum insurance available on the rental contract.  (II) In the US the insurance is divided into personal liability (as in being responsible for repaying costs for personal injury – medical, lawsuits), collision (damage to vehicles), being the major ones, with another category for uninsured motorist.  The latter covers you if the UM is considered at fault, but is driving without insurance.  Some states make it illegal not to  have insurance, but that doesn’t prevent uninsured drivers from other states from driving in California.  I’ve never had to invoke UM, but its good to have.

Last summer we did a 7,000 mile tour of the US, just to see where we wanted to go back to, and the Rialta performed wonderfully on some of the “don’t you DARE take a truck on THIS road” roads in the Tetons, climbed the Rockies easily, and cruised RT 1 with class and plumb. The only problem we have had the involved the chassis (VW) was a bit of a pickle, however.  The Rialta wouldn’t fit in the VW dealership’s shop.  We do find the VR6 engine smooth and reliable, and we got a little over 17 mpg on that long trip.  My wife who at times thinks if anyone is in front of her, they shouldn’t be, was able to navigate Wyoming at +100 MPH, until I woke up and fainted. We bought the Rialta over the Internet from Mobility RV in upstate Iowa, saving $13,000 off list.  However, they did an abismal job of prep on it.  I guess you get what you pay for.

As for shopping malls, they are so many that you probably would not be able to cover the basic ones in a couple weeks’ vacation.  And be ready to spend some major Euros and Deutschmarks because the exchange rate is in Romania’s favor these days.  Do visit the Gucci outlet on Ceau Ceau Boulevard – Here you can have clothing, jewelry and other necessary accessories individually designed.  Nearby, enjoy some Caspian Beluga or malosol on toast points for an appetizer with your American lobster from Maine, flown in daily at one of Bucharest’s new “California style” restaurants.  Jicama and cilantro are no strangers to todays’ Romanian cuisine. You will certainly enjoy the quiet of a true civil society. Regrettably, however, because of the high standard of living, you might be a tad disappointed with service industry workers.

Prepare for your journey by considering your wardrobe.  You won’t seem out of place if you wear a decent pair of English walking shoes and riding boots, although expensive, have become de rigeur for Bucharest’s inclement weather.  A camel hair sport coat will make you “fit in” with the locals.  Accessorize with a silk scarf.  This is one country, by the way, where furs are frequently encountered and you won’t be stigmatized for wearing one.  In general, please dress well;  you wouldn’t want to be considered one of those dirty unwashed tourists who is under the false impression that he can “do” Romania on the cheap. The local custom, if you want to be treated as well as the ordinary citizen, is for travelers to bring their belongings in belting leather luggage. You’ll pay a bit higher than normal tip for your sky cap service and a bit more than usual per bag for the taxis, but fitting in will determine how you are treated in this fortunate country.  Fortunately, you will be able to save money on your car rental and, again fortunately, you will be pleased to note the ready availability of parking spaces and the high level of civil society.  This is no Bulgaria where you need fear your windshield wipers being stolen.  

You are undoubtedly traveling to Romania for investment purposes. Everyone who is anyone is trying to get a piece of the thriving Romanian economy these days so be prepared for some hard bargaining.  But Romania’s place in Europe is incredibly secure and its ports clean and thriving.  The Tisza and the Danube have especially delicious drinking water.  One pays a bit for such a favorable location and cleanliness – the price of Central European success so near tourist mecca of the nearby intriguing Balkans.

I’m afraid that the Romanians have become a bit lazy over the centuries from their massive wealth and no longer perform their own folk music and customs, being completely westernized. However, you will note that Romani (Gypsy) musicians make quite incredible incomes preserving Romanian folk customs on behalf of Romanians. This symbiotic cultural arrangement is the result of a centuries long special inter cultural communion resulting in a selection of personal tasks within the society.  If ROmania had not treated its Romani so well in the past centuries, you would not be able to enjoy the odd Roma violinist.

Do in enjoy your trip.  It may be expensive, but such luxuries are enjoyed rarely in one’s lifetime. Don’t hesitate to come back to this newsgroup and let everyone here know about the wonderful time you had there.

Just one more tip.  I would suggest renting your RV rental in advance.  SUVs and other luxury cars are in great demand these days. You wouldn’t want to end up slumming it and taking taxis everywhere so plan ahead!

        The other vehicle falls under severe.  It gets started, run 6 miles through neighborhood streets, never over 25 mph speed limit, shut off to drop the kid at daycare, then started and run 1/4 mile to work.  This is 3-4 days a week; the other days are often short trips (2 miles to store, 6 miles to grandma’s house).  This is also the Rental RV, so it gets loaded up and driven on the highway occasionally.  70-75 MPH, loaded down, AC blasting (small 2.5 liter engine).

My theory is that you need to run the engine long enough to get up to full oil temp – at least half an hour – every week or so to be sure that you’re getting the water out of it.  If you do that than your driving is normal, bar towing or racing.  In that case I change my oil about every 10,000 to 15,000 Km.  I use Mobil 1 10w 30 in just about everything except the MGB, which gets an oil change every spring and uses dino 20w 50.  I guess that I’ve never had a car long enough to wear out the engine (if you don’t count the aluminium block Vega that I had in high school), and I’ve never had a failure that could in any way be caused by long oil change intervals.

The race car gets a damn engine rebuild about every 20 hours – 1,500 miles – to magnaflux the crank and look for stupid things that happen to race engines.  I get to look at bearings and journals that are perfect – they don’t even need to be polished, I usually put the same timing chain back in because the cam timing hasn’t budged.  I don’t take the pistons out if the leakdown is ok.  That’s on an engine that has 100 hp per litre, 12:1 compression and lives between 6k and 7k rpm’s which should be considered extreme duty.

My vote is that with today’s oil and filters, and even more importantly ring technology and combustion management, oil changes at 10k to 15k kilometers is normal and fine.  Listening to oil manufacturers tell you to change three times more often is like asking the bartender if you should have another beer or asking the used car salesman if you should buy the undercoating and the extended warranty!

I had a similar problem in my Ford Ranger with a 3.0 V-6 and automatic transmission. I was driving to the deer lease up and down hills while engaged in overdrive. After 120 miles, I pulled of the road to turn. When I did, fluid and smoke were billowing out from under my truck. I thought the transmission was a goner. I drove it a few more miles to the deer lease and let it set until morning. In the morning I started it up and the fluid was still burning off of the pipes but it wasn’t leaking any more. I replenished the lost fluid and drove back home, and have had no further problems. My conclusion to all this is that the transmission overheated when climbing the long hills and using overdrive. If your car was loaded, as most RV rental is, you probably overheated the transmission if you were using overdrive and climbing. If it is no longer leaking, I would change the fluid and keep on driving. My truck has given me no more problems since the incident, but I don’t use overdrive on the hills or if I have a load in the back.

First, what are the merits of automatic transmission over manual?  Friends I have spoken too say that automatics are better for very slow creeping over the roughest of terrain.  On the other hand, manuals are better for creeping downhill (engine brakeing).  My two current vehicles have manual tranny and both my wife and I like shifting for ourselves.  This truck is intended for a go anywhere RV rental for 2 to 4 weeks a year, a second car otherwise.

Second, what is different about the manual transmission offered with the 5.7l engine vs. the manual on the smaller engines?  I would expect the larger engine to require a transmission with a higher torque handling ability.  Are the gear ratios different?  Does this unit have “granny” gear, and if so, would this counter the above cited advantage of an automatic?

Third, I have never owned a 4X4 before, so I do not know the merits of various systems available.  According the the pamphlet from the dealer, push-button 4-wheel drive selection is standard on all 4X4 units, but the photos all show a shift lever in the cab.  The price list I obtained from the Edmond’s WWW site does not mention this “option” at all.  Is this issue affected by transmission choice?  What about the front wheel hubs?  Is limited slip available for the front?

Lastly, how much over invioce can I expect to pay?  According to the Edmond’s list, the truck optioned the way I want it comes to $21K invoice, $23.5K MSRP.  I live in the San Diego area where trucks sell very well.

Autos have several advantages over manuals for off-roading.  First, the torque converter effectively increases your gear reduction when going uphill at lower engine rpms.  At higher rpms, the converter slips less (if at all).  Also, you don’t have to worry about stalling and the whole need for a third foot in tricky situations.  When going downhill, the wheels are turning the engine (engine braking).  Torque converters don’t like to work in this direction and will require the wheels to turn faster before the engine starts to turn.
Therefore, as you say, a manual is better for downhills.

In the cargo section of the Explorer there is a spring loaded pull cover to cover your luggage and cargo. I noticed that there is a gap between the back seat and where this cover starts. I am concerned with this gap showing anyone there is “stuff” under it. Any after-market devices or clips that can be put on it?

The seats sit very well for me at six feet tall but my wife has problems with the seatback not providing a lot of support at her 5’4″ height. The view of the road is nice and handling is good, overall rates a 7 on a scale of 10 for vacation vehicles. The leather WILL show marks but a feed/cleaner will take care of most of them.  It might be worthwhile to purchase a dog-blanket seat-cover to eliminate those marks. The cargo cover has the gap to allow the rear seats to recline, and if you have the tinted windows then it is very hard to see anything through the crack.  The cover is not very strong and won’t prevent a heavy item from flying through the air in a panic-stop or rollover situation, get a cago net that attatches to the floor clips.  Any paramedic will tell you that a stuffed doll flying out of the back seat in a wreck can break your neck, just imagine what a suitcase would do.  I bolted a cargo box to the floor for stuff I carry all the time, and use a cargo net for the rest.