RV Hire FAQ's

How much do I pay when I make a booking?

Your payment depends on the rental company you choose. Some rental companies require full payment at least 28 days in advance. Other companies just require a deposit up front, with the balance due at pick-up. If you have a preference, we can advise which companies offer the different payment options.

RV rental hire in the USA is based on calendar days (up until 31 March 2011). This means that the days of pick-up and drop-off are counted as a day of rental each, regardless of actual pick-up and drop-off times. For example, a rental from 05-15 May would be calculated as 11 days' rental, regardless of the pick-up and drop-off times.

From 01 April 2011 onwards, rv rental hire will be calculated on a nightly basis. So a rental from 05-15 May would be calculated as 10 days rental, regardless of the pick-up and drop-off times.

Cancellation fees are payable for all campervan bookings. Please refer to your quote for the cancellations fees pertaining to your booking.

All cancellations must be in writing and can either be per email, facsimile, or by letter. No cancellation will be accepted unless received in writing and received by us directly from you. The date that we receive the cancellation notice is the date that it is deemed cancelled.

Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather, illness in the family, etc. We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance, including cancellation insurance!

You have a number of options when it comes to overnight camping in the USA :

1. Caravan Parks
2. National Parks
3. Free Camping

Caravan Parks

Staying overnight in an RV caravan park is recommended when travelling in the USA . The USA has an extensive network of RV caravan parks in all major tourist centres and in most towns.

There is ordinarily no need to book ahead, however it may be wise to book ahead in peak periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc).

http://www.koa.com/where/usa.htm
http://www.gocampingamerica.com
http://www.reserveamerica.com
http://www.passportamerica.com
http://www.overnightrvparking.com

National Parks

Most national parks have areas set aside for camping. There are often shower and toilets, barbeques and picnic areas and of course national parks provide a scenic and peaceful place to stay at overnight. Please note that most national parks require a pass or permit for overnight camping.

http://www.nps.gov
http://www.recreation.gov

Free Camping

In certain areas, you do have the option to “free camp” (i.e. away from an RV caravan park). These areas are generally flat parking lots, including:

- behind casinos
- RV-friendly gas (petrol) station
- truck stops
- some Wal-Mart parking lots

http://www.freecampgrounds.com

Baby Capsules

Recommended for children:
- newborn to 6 months (approximately)

Most rental companies do not permit baby capsules in their campervans. The rental companies who do permit baby capsules are Kea (can hire or bring own) and Maui/Britz (must bring own). Please check check individual vehicle specifications for more details. If you intend to bring your own baby capsule, it must be secured to an anchor point and comply with the strict New Zealand child restraint standards.

For USA rv campervan rental, all drivers must be 21 years and over and hold a valid, current and full (i.e. non-provisional) car driver’s licence. Please note that Apollo and Cheapa require drivers to have held their full licence for at least 2 years.

Some rental companies have a maximum age limit (e.g. 75 years). Please refer to the relevant rental company's Terms & Conditions.

The Excess is the amount of money that you are responsible for if the vehicle or any third party property is damaged while on hire. This is regardless of who actually causes the damage.

The Excess can be up to US$1000 for some vehicles. So, for example, if you are involved in an accident (regardless of whether you are at fault or not), you would be liable for the first US$1000 worth of damage.

The rental companies therefore offer a number of protection options to reduce this Excess. The amount of protection that you take (or do not take) determines the amount of your Security Deposit (Bond). More information on each company's Excess reduction packages are available in their Terms and Conditions.

Many rental companies offer "flex rates". Flex rates are based on a simple system of supply and demand. So when there are a large number of vehicles available for hire from a particular branch, then the rental rate is lower (and vice versa).

Flex rates are released each week. The rates can therefore change (i.e. increase or decrease) from one week to the next, depending on the movement of vehicles between branches. To secure the current rate, you must book by Saturday (Australian time). After Saturday, the rate may change for the coming week. (We cannot offer flex rates that were displayed weeks or months ago).

Special conditions apply for making changes to a flex rate booking - please refer to the rental company's terms and condtions for more details.

In USA, rv rentals, campervans and motorhomes either use unleaded petrol (gasoline) or diesel. Fuel is sold by the gallon. Gasoline costs between $2.80 - $3.30 per gallon and diesel costs between $3.00 - $4.00 per gallon and can be higher especially in country areas.

For more information on USA gas prices, see Gas Buddy USA.

In Canda, rv rentals, campervans and motorhomes use unleaded petrol (gasoline) or diesel. Fuel is sold by the litre. Gasoline costs between $1.00 - $1.20 per litre and diesel costs between $1.05 - $1.20 per litre and can be higher especially in country areas.

For more information Canada gas prices, see Gas Buddy Canada.

One way rentals are possible but minimum rental periods apply. A fee may also apply for particular one way rentals during certain times of the year (e.g. July to September). Please refer to the rental company's terms and condtions for more details.

Most rv campers have a dual battery system. This means that the engine battery is separate from the battery system used for internal appliances, such as the fridge, lights and water pump. The appliance battery system will last approximately 12 hours when fully charged. The batteries only recharge when you drive the vehicle. Since the engine battery is separate, if you flatten one of the engine batteries, you will still be able to start the engine and drive.

All rv campervans have the facility to plug into electricity. When you plug into electricity in a caravan park, all appliances automatically run off 110V electricity rather than the batteries. You can then use appliances such as the television, microwave and rear air-conditioning that only run off 110V electricity.

Some rv vehicles also come with generators, which can be used to run appliances such as the television, microwave and rear air-conditioning when you can't connect to 110V. Generators use is charged per hour as determined by the running time meter installed in the vehicle. This charge is payable at drop-off. The generator runs on the rv camper's fuel supply and normally cuts out when the fuel tank has 1/4 left.

We strongly recommend that you take out your own Personal Injury Travel Insurance. The insurance options to reduce the Excess on the rental vehicle do not include cover for personal injury or loss of personal belongings.

Some clients may wish to use their own travel insurance (for example, through their credit card company) to cover the Excess on the rental vehicle. In regards to using insurance from another source, the rental companies will still require you to cover their Excess (e.g. US$1000) up front. This is because the insurance cover is between you and the independent source, not the rental company and the insurer. Also, you may not be able to "double-up" on insurance (i.e. you may not be able to take any optional insurance with the rental company as well as use the cover of your insurance broker).

So this means your Excess will be US$1000 which in turns means you will have to leave a Bond of US$1000 with the rental company. They only accept payment of the US$1000 Bond with credit card (and your card will be debited immediately). If the vehicle is returned safely, this money will be refunded back to you. However, if the vehicle is damaged in any way (regardless of who is at fault), you will be liable for the first US$1000 worth of damage. You would then have to claim these expenses back from your insurance broker independently. Please check the finer details with your insurance broker to ensure that they cover recreations vehicles, campervans and motorhomes.

The USA is a big country and there is a lot ot explore on an rv rental vacation. We recommend that you research your intended travelling route thoroughly, particularly your travelling distances. It is far better to travel at a leisurely pace and visit the many attractions of America rather than spend each day driving long distances. Aim to cover 95 - 155 miles (150 - 250 kilometres) per day and you will experience the USA in comfort.