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BEFORE YOU BUY ö WHY NOT RENT A VACATION ON WHEELS |
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| The vacation list. An annual chore for many: choosing a vacation destination. Well, now you can shorten your list and expand the possibilities by including a recreational vehicle (RV) in your plans. With an RV there is only one destination: everywhere. Yes, everywhere! Driving to a destination expands family choices and also the adventure factor. In fact, the only thing holding some folks back from committing to the RV lifestyle is the initial cost and the nagging question ö will I like it? Thatâs where rentals come in. There are companies offering all types of rental RVs located right across Canada (meaning you donât necessarily have to start from home). For many folks, renting RVs for vacations is something theyâll do for years before they think of buying one ö and for others ö one trip and theyâre hooked. Short trips on long weekends are a popular first-timers choice, as well as renting RVs for sporting events, festivals and family reunions. Theyâre easier to drive ö or tow ö than you think and you always have your own bathroom available. Costs for an RV vacation vary depending on your needs and initially it may be hard to estimate what youâll spend. So, looking at costs for a typical week-long vacation (as researched by international travel and tourism firm PKF Consulting) may help. They reported that, depending on the type owned, going by RV costs an average of 65 to 80 percent less than a cruise; 57 to 72 percent less than an all-inclusive air/hotel/meal package; 50 to 66 percent less than a trip involving air travel, rental cars, restaurants and hotels; and 34 to 56 percent less than travel to a condo or rental property by personal car or airline. To get started check your local Yellow Pages under ăRecreational Vehicles: Renting and Leasingä. Youâll find that many RV dealers also offer rentals and thatâs fine locally, but if youâre interested in rentals in other provinces one of the most comprehensive lists can be found at the Go RVing Website. (www.gorving.ca) While there, take advantage of the section titled ăWhat kind of RV?ä ö because that will be the first question a rental company will ask you and the right RV is critical to a successful vacation. If youâll be towing with your own vehicle you can consider a folding camping trailer: a lightweight unit that can be towed by even some compact cars. Great value for the money, they provide kitchen, dining and sleeping facilities for up to eight people. For something larger and more luxurious consider the travel trailer. These provide home-like comforts such as full kitchen, toilet, dining and living facilities, hot water, and often heat and air conditioning. The advantage with any towed RV is once parked your vehicle is free for convenient local travel. Motorized RVs have the advantage of being home and transportation all in one, and are usually the choice of families flying to different parts of the country and then RVing. The Class As are the largest motorhomes. The amenities and features they contain are limited only by imagination and budget. For folks who prefer to drive smaller vehicles the Class B or "camper van" is popular. Based on a van chassis with a raised roof, these vehicles can still feature bathrooms, showers, kitchens (with a microwave) and dinettes. The Class C or "mini-motorhome" with its distinctive built-over-the-cab sleeping area is also very popular with families. Once you know what you want, comparison-shop before you rent. Costs will usually be presented as a daily/weekly rate, plus mileage (on motorized), insurance and a refundable security deposit. Make sure you understand the terms of the agreement, and take the vehicle out for a test drive. Reserve as far in advance as possible, several months in advance might not be a bad idea for the popular summer months. If you are thinking of buying you may even be able to negotiate with a dealer to apply the cost of the rental to the final sale price. Happy vacation! For a free introductory brochure to the RV Lifestyle please call 1-888-Go RVing (467-8464) or visit www.GoRVing.ca. |
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Go RVing Canada, 2175 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite 310, Toronto, ON M2J 1W8 |
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