Western US RV Trip – Tips & Tricks?

[sgharford]

This is off topic, but I know there are number of members who have RV’s and experience with them. I am trying to plan a 10-day RV trip with my family April 6^th to 15^th. Thinking of flying into either Phoenix or Las Vegas to pickup and drop off. Hoping to see the Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, and Yellow Stone Park at minimum. We are a family of 8 (2 adults, 6 kids), so thinking a 32’ Class C RV. The biggest Cruise America has sleeps 7 and was told will not release RV if I show up with 8, so looks like I may have to rent one privately through what look like ‘Airbnb’ type sites. I’ve never done the RV thing before, so thought I would ask a couple of questions from the forum I know and trust:

1. Can anybody recommend a reliable place to rent a 30’+ 8 person Class C RV in the Las Vegas or Phoenix area?

2. Any ‘must haves’ in an RV for a 10 day RV-trip?

3. Any must see destinations you can recommend in Arizona, Nevada, Utah or Wyoming outside of Grand Canyon, Grand Tenons, or Yellow Stone?

4. Tips and tricks for picking a good RV campground?

5. Any good RV apps (like Active Captain) for picking RV sites and local knowledge where to park at major attractions?

I’m open to other loops in the Western part of the country if anybody knows a good one. Thanks all!

[zigzag930]

We did 6 a month trip in our RV a few years back. Just 2 of us (and two dogs) in a 40' diesel pusher. Years ago, I owned a 31' class A gas coach and traveled with my ex-wife and 3 young boys. I can tell you 8 people in a 30 class C will be really interesting.

Anyway, of the areas you mention - Yellowstone, Glacier (a bit North of that) and Utah were our absolute favorite places. Yellowstone is huge. It will be a minimum of 3 days to see only a part of that National Park. Glacier is also fantastic, if you can make it there. Utah, don't miss Red Rock Canyon, Brice and Zion.

The real issue I see for you (aside from being extremely cramped in the RV) is that you won't have a car in tow. Parking the Rig and using your car is the way to go. In many areas, you will have a hard time getting the RV close enough to the things you want to see. In some Parks, the roads will limit you (28' max I believe on Going to the Sun Hwy in Glacier).

We loved traveling in our coach and will probably buy another one down the road. It's a fantastic way to see the country, particularly out West and into Western Canada, Alaska, etc.

I wish you the best. This will be a great adventure for the family.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I'll be glad to offer my advice.

J

[boatwright]

i apologize in advance for my comments. Please understand i mean well. having been on the receiving end of a couple great concept /poor reality vacations. Think how it would be putting 8 people,(6 children!) in a single bedroom one bath for at least 5- 6 days. (that will be approximate driving time) i fear the memory's you will be making are not what you envision. Less time spent in a traveling vehicle and more time really seeing one magnificent area might be more fun and enjoyable for all. in any case you should make any needed reservations now, it is already late for some places. best of luck in whatever you plan. a good reference to watch for context would be the movie " if this is Tuesday it must be Belgium "

[brettportzer]

We did 6 a month trip in our RV a few years back. Just 2 of us (and two dogs) in a 40' diesel pusher. Years ago, I owned a 31' class A gas coach and traveled with my ex-wife and 3 young boys. I can tell you 8 people in a 30 class C will be really interesting.

Anyway, of the areas you mention - Yellowstone, Glacier (a bit North of that) and Utah were our absolute favorite places. Yellowstone is huge. It will be a minimum of 3 days to see only a part of that National Park. Glacier is also fantastic, if you can make it there. Utah, don't miss Red Rock Canyon, Brice and Zion.

The real issue I see for you (aside from being extremely cramped in the RV) is that you won't have a car in tow. Parking the Rig and using your car is the way to go. In many areas, you will have a hard time getting the RV close enough to the things you want to see. In some Parks, the roads will limit you (28' max I believe on Going to the Sun Hwy in Glacier).

We loved traveling in our coach and will probably buy another one down the road. It's a fantastic way to see the country, particularly out West and into Western Canada, Alaska, etc.

I wish you the best. This will be a great adventure for the family.

If you have any specific questions, PM me and I'll be glad to offer my advice.

J

What did you have?

[Retired1]

Off topic is my specialty. I wrote a long detailed itinerary but it didn’t post. So a quick summary;

No to RV (slow fuel suckers, the best places-RV’s are banned or won’t make it)yes to a passenger van (fast and get at least 18 mpg) . No to RV Parks (cost as much as hotels with none of the perks) , yes to Casino Hotels in the week days, Priceline on weekends.

Great Trips:
Vegas to Sedona and Jerome to Vegas.
Vegas through Utah to Salt Lake City
Reno through Tahoe to San Francisco down PCH back to Reno through the parks..
Phoenix to San Diego to Long Beach to LA to PCH to Marin County fly out of SF
LA to Buffalo Bills, Vegas, Mount Charleston Lodg, up through Death Valley to Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine, up to Reno.
Denver to Telluride to Aspen to Denver.
Salt Lake City to Reno to Vegas.
Seattle to Columbia River gorge, Portland, Ferry trips from Seattle, Annacortes, ferry trips to Friday Harbor, Vancouver-back to Seattle.
etc
All routes have many activities for kids. Casinos are now very kid friendly with movie theaters, driving ranges, roller coasters, arcades, and bowling alleys. Lone Pine California has incredible easy rock scrambling adventures in the Alabama Hills.

[sgharford]

Thank you guys for replies thus far. I was/am worried about parking at these places and I really appreciate calling that out as legitimate concern. We happen to have a 9 passenger GMC Savana 3500 conversion van that's a road tripping beast. Maybe I'll switch dates to Summer time when we can take 2+ weeks off and drive directly from New York. Could maybe rent a towable camper trailer locally instead and take it along. I would love to spend a night or 2 camping in New Mexico desert and visit Carlsbad Caverns. If anybody has any other input on traveling with an RV and/or places to see out West I warmly welcome it.

[Dan Mapes]

Check out Rvtripwizard. It has route planning and crowd sourced reviews of campgrounds, parks and etc..
We were at Yellowstone Summer before last and I have been there as a child some 60+ years ago. Today does not compare with what I experienced years ago. Yes, Old Faithful still is an amazing display when it works but getting into all of the other sites along the roads is next to impossible in an RV. Not only that you must start early in the day! Perhaps fly in and rent a van along with a cabin if it is not too late. We parked the RV in Gardiner Mt. At Sun Outdoors and drove the car into yellowstone and back. It's not wise to take the RV down into the park due to the parking situation at stops. Toilets frequently have lines.
If you want to get stuck on the road surrounded by Bison, drive down to Custer State Park. Just remember to be cool in and with the car. We were surrounded in a Chevy Sonic and well, it was uncomfortable LOL. We drove down to Custer from the Badlands Summer before last. The Badlands and trails are a hoot and many families were there. Our point of view said the kids enjoyed it. Walldrug was a fun walkabout and many families were there as well. A minute man missile site was near by and if you reserve in advance you might all get down inside it. We had a docent who actually served there and while we did not get down inside it was quite interesting (maybe not for kids).
Cedar City Utah had a campground with a water park. Perhaps from there you could hit Zion but it will be a drive. Map it out.
As mentioned Utah is way scenic. I was unable to get a June campsite for the RV recently. There was one site available at Kodachrome and I should have hit enter a second earlier at 8AM mountain when the reservation site opened up. So we wound up with a power/water site but no sewer.
BTW with that crowd having a full hookup is a must.

More than 300 miles a day with all of those people in a van/rv is going to be ugly. We did 300 today in our class A and I am glad we are the only two aboard. Two weeks round trip from NY? Don't do it. You will be driving hundreds of miles every day and with a crowd it will not be something to brag about.

If you want a real off the path cave place, check out Caverns of Sonora.

[SKYCHENEY]

If you plan to stay in National Parks, they have a length limit on their RV sites. I think it is 35' but it may be less. You might want to check that. I own a 43' coach and I can't get into those places. Look at Good Sam for reviews and listings of campgrounds.

[sgharford]

Thank you for software recommendations and possible destinations. I just checked out Yellow Stone occupancy in April, it's about 1% occupancy of average annual visits, with June thru September being the highest. Then checked out the April weather in Yellowstone and average high is 43 degrees and low 18 degrees. I can't imagine the heat works all that great at these low temperatures in a less expensive RV. I could foresee snowy or closed roads in April. Looks like Yellowstone out if April trip happens. I'll ramp up use of trip software. I'm putting all the destinations and commentary into my excel spread sheet in the mean time. We drive straight thru to Florida from NY and back every year, 1,300 miles and 24 hours with food stops and to empty bottles - 6/8 are boys . Not ideal, but we can put in the pavement when necessary to get to the good places.

[julianj08]

One important thing is the weather… some parts (Wyoming, Montana, Utah will be very very cold and will have snow Be prepared…