How Much RV Do I Need?
Rental motorhomes are available in Class C (cabover motorhomes) and Class A (buslike) configurations and in lengths ranging from 21 to 40 feet. Depending on the size, they can accommodate up to eight people, but it is important to remember that the larger the unit, the more expensive it is to rent and the more fuel it uses. So the trick is to choose the unit that offers the right amount of accommodation, but not one so big that it will be expensive or difficult to drive. In short, don't rent more RV than you need.

Sounds simple enough, right? In theory it is simple, but in the real world it can get more complicated. Although a few companies, such as El Monte RV, rent the large buslike Class A units, most of the industry has settled on the Class C because they drive like the family minivan and are about 20 percent more fuel efficient than the Class A units. Typical fuel economy on a Class A motorcoach is 5-6 mpg, while most Class Cs get 7-10 mpg. Of course, renting a smaller RV can save you fuel costs.

Next is size, and yes, it does matter! Units ranging from 21 to 25 feet will accommodate four or five people, and units between 26 and 32 feet will sleep six or seven. Larger units can sleep as many as eight people. To save money, most people rent the smallest RV that will accommodate their group, but this isn't always smart. A family of four can almost always survive a weekend in a 21- to 25-footer without any problems, but on longer trips, close quarters create friction. On trips longer than three days, the comfort provided by a roomier RV almost always offsets the higher rental rates.

Who Rents RVs?
By now you should be convinced of the economics of renting, so the task at hand is to find out who to rent from and where they are. Motorhome rentals are available in all 50 states through many RV dealers and through RV-specific rental companies. Many of these businesses are locally oriented and won't rent to people taking out-of-state trips or who come from out of the area. A number of national and regional rental companies are there to accommodate you. We suggest that when considering a specific RV rental agent, it is best to go with a company that has multiple offices or specializes in a particular region. That way, if problems occur, help will be more readily at hand.

ABC Motorhome & Car Rentals, Cruise America, El Monte RV, OCRV, United RV Rentals and USA RV Rentals are all well-known regional and national rental outfits that have a reputation for providing good customer service and mechanically reliable RVs that are clean and in good condition.