Our rental guide may answer your possible questions for planning your holiday with a motorhome in the USA. In addition to many information about renting a motorhome, you can also find specific instructions, tips and legal regulations for an unforgettable motorhome holiday in the USA.
Use our convenient price comparison page to calculate a motorhome hire in the USA. For your further questions you are welcome to contact us personally.
Our website is constantly updated and new Special Offers regularly available. However it may happen on rare occurrence that you cannot calculate your trip online. This is usually the case when you are planning your trip very far in advance. It may be the case that we have not yet received the new rates from the rental company. If you are unable to get a quote for your trip please call us to check and we will advise you when the new rates will be available online.
Our website functions as a catalogue. It is not directly linked to the rental partners and therefore will only show the price and not the availability. We will check the availability for you on receipt of your booking request. This is then confirmed by the rental company and the vehicle is firmly booked for you and you will receive your booking confirmation. If the rental partner cannot confirm the desired vehicle, we will contact you and discuss any alternatives with you.
In general, the more short-term the booking is made the more difficult it is to find an available vehicle.
Should you want to rent more than one motorhome with the same rental partner you may be eligible for a discount. Each rental company offers their own individual discounts. We will be more than happy to inform you of any discounts you will receive. Discounts for rentals during the same travel period, for example groups or several families, are typically not available.
It is not possible to get a quote for rentals longer than 99 days on our website. Should you wish to rent for more than 99 days please contact us and we will be more than happy to provide you with an individual quote.
One-way fees may be applicable should you plan to return the motorhome to another depot than that which you collected it from, for example collection in Los Angeles and return to Las Vegas.
Collection and return rental stations need to be determined when submitting the booking request. A spontaneous change will require us to speak to the rental company again to see if this is possible and often results in larger fees.
Even though all vehicles have similar equipment and layout, small differences in vehicle design may exist. All measurements and size indications are approximate values and are based on the information provided to us by the rental company.
The rental company will make every effort to ensure that the booked vehicle model is provided. However, it reserves the right, to provide either a vehicle of the same or a higher value without upgrade costs if the model booked is not available due to unforeseen circumstances.
During the last week of August, running up to Labour Day, is the famous Burning Man Festival each year in the Black Rock desert (www.burningman.com).
Should you plan to rent a motorhome along the US West Coast, particularly in California, we would strongly advise you to book early, with rates available one year in advance. Often many rental companies are fully booked very quickly in San Francisco and other western depots once the rates are available.
When collecting the motorhome you are required to leave a security deposit. The level of deposit required varies between rental companies and will depend on the package booked. The deposit is required to be paid by credit card. Details of the deposit can be found in the rental agreement and with some rental companies a credit card fee may apply.
All costs covered by the agreement with Motorhome Bookers include taxes. However fees paid directly to the depot on collection, for example should you choose to rent a GPS Navigation System, do not include sales tax and this is to be added on to the costs.
Additional drivers can be registered at pick-up time. Anyone wanting to drive the motorhome must have their details entered in the rental agreement and present a valid driving license and passport. In some instances additional fees may be charged. Please see the rental conditions for more details.
Many of our rental partners offer transfers. Detailed information can be found in the rental information under the heading "Pick up / Drop off". We are happy to help you with the choice of hotels. We advise you to call the rental station at the latest on the day of pick-up to confirm the transfer time.
The minimum age of drivers is 21 years. Some rental partners have separate insurance conditions for drivers under the age of 25 years. Some of our rental partners stipulate a maximum age of 70 or 75 years old.
A valid national license is acceptable for use in the USA as long as all details are also provided in English. If the license does not provide information in English, an international driving license is then required together with the original license. An International driving licence alone cannot be accepted, it must be presented along with the original.
Please allow enough time for you to collect the motorhome. We suggest that you do not plan too much on the first day of your hire. By the time you pick-up the vehicle, make yourself at home in it and buy your groceries the afternoon will normally be well under way. For detailed information about pick-up and drop-off times please refer to the 'Important rental info' for the rental company in question.
A staff member will go through the motorhome with you and explain the functions. We recommend that you go through the vehicle from the outside as well as inside and inspect it for any possible damage before leaving the depot. If you do not use a transfer, we recommend you call the station on the morning of the collection and arrange a time for the pick-up.
The rental stations are generally far outside the inner cities and international airports. If no transfer is provided, we recommend taking a taxi to the rental depot. The location of each rental location and the distance to the airport can be viewed on our website by clicking on the preferred rental company then selecting the heading "Rental Depots"
Storage can often be limited in motorhomes, we recommend taking hold all travel bags and backpacks rather than hard suitcases. Some rental stations are happy to provide space to store your luggage during the hire. We are happy to clarify this prior to your arrival. It is not possible to store luggage for a one-way rental.
Unfortunately it is not possible to collect the motorhome on the day of your arrival in the United States. Due to the time difference, it is necessary that, after your long haul flight, you take a night to rest before the vehicle acquisition. If you have entered the USA, Canada or Mexico some days before, another night is not necessary. We would also ask you to observe the pick-up/drop-off times. If your return flight departs before 12 noon we recommend you return the motorhome the day before.
Unfortunately, there is generally no parking available at the rental branches. If necessary, we will be happy to clarify this for you individually.
All rental partners will provide vehicle equipment such as bedding, towels and kitchen equipment. Unless a special offer is included an additional fee will be charged for the rental of these items at the depot. We advise you to check the completeness of these kits.
Depending on the rental company many additional extras are available for hire from the depots such as camping tables and chairs and GPS Navigation Systems etc. We recommend reserving these in advance to ensure that they are available in sufficient numbers for you. Payment is due at pick-up.
All motorhomes are equipped with CD Player and Radio. Some vehicles already offer MP3 ports. However, since this varies depending on the rental partner and the vehicle model, it is unfortunately not possible to guarantee MP3 / AUX ports. However, we will happily pass your request to the rental company and where possible, they will adhere to meet your request.
We recommend you purchase a local SIM card with credit before your rental. All rental partners provide local phone numbers should you need to contact them during your rental however this can be expensive to call from an international phone.
Smoking is prohibited in principle with all rental companies. Should you violate this rule you will be subject to large fines.
Transportation of pets is currently accepted with Cruise America and El Monte, with prior agreement. Partial charges may apply. As a renter, you will be responsible for the cleaning of the vehicle as well as any damage caused. Please note that due to allergies no animal hair may be left in the vehicle when the motorhome is returned, otherwise, high cleaning costs can be incurred.
Televisions
Some motorhome models are equipped with a TV so you can watch films on the go. These will not work whilst driving and require an appropriate power connection such as on the camp site or when using the generator.
Power inside the vehicles
All motorhomes are equipped with a 12v connector in the driver’s cab which can be used to charge phones and GPS navigation devices etc. Depending on the vehicle size it will be equipped with several 110v power points. An American adaptor will be needed to use the power sockets. Please note that the power sockets can only be used when connected to a power source such as in a camp ground.
The only exception is JUCY Campervans which do not have any power sockets.
Many camp grounds offer a power supply with the choice of 30/45 Amps. Almost all of our US rental partners have an integrated generator that you can use for a fee, although we do recommend using camp grounds with electricity connections (hook-ups.)
If it is likely that you will experience temperature levels below zero, all connections such as water and chemical tanks should be emptied. If frost temperatures are expected the rental depot will have already winterised the vehicle by emptying the water to avoid freezing, etc. prior to your pick-up date. Winterised by definition means that the water has to be emptied out of all water tanks. Following this it is not permitted to pour any more water into the fresh water tank and none of the water connections can be used any more. No water in the vehicle is available for use. The basins, sink, showers and toilets can no longer be used. Winterisation should not be done by the renter and is only possible from the depot or in workshops.
It is not allowed to free camp in the United States. Please use the designated camp sites. You will frequently see campers on larger supermarket car parks. If you would like to do this we advise you to obtain permission from the supermarket manager in advance.
Camp Grounds – Public and Private, National Parks, State Parks and Website Links
You have the possibility to book many camp grounds online. Should you travel during the summer months, or during public holidays we recommend that you reserve your camping place in advance.
The USA have a very dense network of varying private and public camping grounds. The prices vary depending on the facilities and infrastructure provided.
Furthermore many private camp grounds and state parks also offer online camping spots bookings. For a more detailed list please contact us with your booking details.
If you are planning to take your motorhome on a ferry we would advise you to make the ferry reservation as early as possible. We advise that you book the ferry for at least a 30ft motorhome to avoid any potential problems should you not receive the motorhome booked at collection due to unforeseen circumstances. We do not recommend booking a ferry on the same day as collection, as a delay at the depot can lead you to miss the crossing.
You can book the famous Inside Passage at www.bcferries.com.
Please note that neither the rental companies nor Motorhome Bookers make any ferry reservations.
If you have a breakdown, accident or a mechanical defect for example with the refrigerator, you must call the rental company on all occasions. For this purpose a contact number will be provided. Should you have an accident in the motorhome you must notify the police.
Motorhomes in the USA are not renowned for their fuel efficiency and as such fuel consumption can be quite high.
To get an understanding of current fuel prices please visit www.gasbuddy.com
Understandably fuel prices suffer constant price fluctuations.
If you drive long distances through lonely landscapes, it is advisable to fill the tank at every gas station possible.
Please take note and make yourself aware of the rental companies driving restrictions.
There are no problems for you to take your motorhome between the USA and Canada and vice versa. However a one way rental between the two countries is unfortunately not possible. Trips to Mexico (certain areas) are currently only allowed when renting with El Monte, and then with special insurance conditions. Should you wish to drive to Mexico additional insurance forms must be completed at pick-up.
Driving to Alaska, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Newfoundland are prohibited with some rental companies. Where it is permitted there is a Northern Surcharge. The level of this charge varies between the rental companies and we will be happy to advise you during your planning stage.
In all desert regions, but in particular in Death Valley, there can be large temperature fluctuations and you should take extra care in these regions. Most rental partners prohibit you from taking the motorhome in to Death Valley between May and September. For further details please check the rental conditions under the heading "Driving Restrictions".
You have the option to choose from a selection of mile packs to be booked in advance. The miles already driven on the motorhome will be read when you collect the vehicle and again on return. Should you drive over the prepaid allowance then all additional miles will be charged at the depot on return of the vehicle.
All rental companies reserve the right to charge you a service fee for parking tickets and fines, these often take a while to process and can be charged long after returning the motorhome. You will often see this called a handling fee, the actual ticket will be provided directly by the relevant authority charged.
To avoid subsequent processing fees paid by the rental partners, we recommend tolls be paid directly. Tolls often fall in inner cities as well as when driving on bridges.
Britz USA and Road Bear are currently the only rental partners to rent bike racks.