I am currently on an extended trip out west and have been amazed at how many rental motor homes there are. El Monte, Cruise America, etc.) And like was said they do indeed cater to foreigners. Right now there seems to be every language imaginable spoken in the campgrounds out west, it's great! I just met a family from Germany that was having some problems with hook-ups on a rental. His English was not great but a lot better than my German! We figured it out. My only suggestion would be if you can come a little later. Our schools are pretty much back in session by Sept. 1 and things will be a lot less hectic. The National Parks are still wonderful places and a must see but their campgrounds are suffering a little from lack of funding for major repairs. You will have a ball and meet a lot of interesting people! Maybe some will even be Americans! lol. In the meantime we will be visiting Great Britain in May to enjoy your hospitality!
Gary
Tracy,
August is traditionally one of the hottest months just about anywhere you go in the continental US. The northern states are going to have the mildest temperatures at that point.
I'd suggest starting in New England and follow the Appalachian Mountains southward. Along the way, you can stop at or nations Capitol, followed by some of the more notable Civil War battlefields. I promise you will gain a real sense of the passions that have made our country, and us what we are today.
Swinging westward, Nashville, Tennessee is a fun place to visit. Dipping deeper south, Missippi and Louisiana are both known for sprawling plantations and beautiful gardens.
Target San Antonio next, and visit the Alamo. Nearby Austin has a lively nightscene as big as all of Texas, that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
I've been to the UK several times over the years, and enjoyed it immensly, however, I don't remember ever seeing anything in either country as beautiful as the Painted Desert in Arizona at sunset. No tour is complete without driving at least part of the old Route 66.
At that point you'll probably need to jump on Interstate 40 East to Oklahoma City, jumping onto I35 North. This will head you to the Great Lakes region, where you can visit the Windy City of Chicago. Continuing east on I80 will get you close to Niagra Falls. Kind of like the Cliffs of Dover with lots of water! You could even venture into that other part of North America, Canada. Toronto always has something interesting going on, it seems. And the people of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia are among some of the friendliest I've come across (excluding Vancouver, Canada's party town!).
As said before, there is so very much to see and do, and unfortunately my suggested route misses a huge chunk of this amazing place we call home.
Regards,
Warren
1988 24' Alumilite XL Class A by Holiday Rambler w/Ford 460
1990 25' 2609IN Innsbruck by Gulf Stream
2006 F150 5.7L with 3.73 gears and factory tow package
I noticed recently that Camping World now rents RV's. I did not have good luck when I rented from Cruise America (to give them credit it was a long time ago). El Monte might be a better choice?? For 3 people, a Class C with overhead bunk over the cab would be great. 21 or 23' minimum. We rented one in Alaska and it was easy to drive. Other factors are: they usually charge for linens, etc. and insurance is usually extra. If you go to the NW, don't miss Mt. St Helens visitor center.
Lonny & Diane
2004 Country Coach Allure 33' "Big Blue"
Towing 2008 Chev Colorado 4x4
Semper Fi
Check www.campingworld.com and click on rv rentals upper right corner. It shows all their pickup locations, rates, extras, insurance, etc. A very good site to start your research even if you don't go with their company.
FYI their driver's requirements are:
DRIVER’S REQUIREMENTS
Drivers License A national automobile driver's license is required. We recommend customers
to carry a translation of the national driver's license or an international driver's license, but
under any circumstances, customer must provide a valid national driver's license at pick-up.
Drivers Age
Minimum age is 21 years for all vehicles.
Please keep us posted of your decision and your travels! We have met many people renting RV's from other countries so I'm sure it can be done easily (maybe not cheaply but the trip and experience will be priceless!)
DW and I are ex-pat Brits who have lived in the US since 1968, most of that time in Washington State.
If you want to do West Coast travelling (California, Oregon, Washington) feel free to send us a private message. This is a beautiful part of the country and we feel fortunate to be able to live here.
My sister, who still lives in Leyland (Lancs.) says that Anancortes is where God comes on his holidays.
We have both El Monte and CruiseAmerica outlets within about 50 miles. There are also some private rentals.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
Frank Damp, DW - Eileen
Anacortes, WA
'02 Georgetown 325, F53, V-10, bought used in 2010 at 13,000 miles.
Dogs - 2 Labs again, both yellow males, both 9 yrs old and both adopted.
Exchange rates must be the reason for the increase in the number of Visitors renting Motor homes.
We though about renting our out, a big mistake. The Dealer was going to charge 3,000.00 a week, plus fuel, mileage, insurance, damage deposit etc.
We saw four class c's apparently traveling together plus several other rentals at the campground last night.
Tracy69 wrote: ...we are planning our trip in August 2012, the first three weeks we think,We would be flying from London to wherever we would need to land in order to collect the RV, I like the idea of the grand Canyon etc, and also Yellowstone park. though any park would be great! We love the mountains and the countryside so taking all that into consideration...
Given that you're looking at 3 weeks and you're interested in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and that you love mountains and countryside, you might consider flying into Los Angeles or Las Vegas and renting, and doing Utah & Colorado, and then either south toward Arizona (usually very hot in Arizona in August), or north toward Wyoming / Yellowstone.
Tracy, you do realize we drive on the 'other' side, right? LOL!, just kidding! Our gas prices will seem very cheap to you! As many times as I've been to England, Ireland, Scotland, etc... I've never attempted to rent a car. I've only rented in places where 'they' drive like we do... Germany, Spain, etc.
Our country is SO large that you would need to focus on one area. Maybe, the west coast. You will love California, my favorite state.
Good luck, keep us posted on what you and your family decide to do.
MM.
Mr.Mark
2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42.2 ft., 4 slides, 425 hp clean-air Cummins diesel
2013 Honda CR-V EXL, AWD, w/Nav, SMI Air Force One vacuum-assisted braking
Stop at Wat-Mart to stock up on supplies including a good atlas. I-5 DOES NOT go to Yellowstone. It goes up the west coast, CA, OR, WA.
In the USA even numbered US (federal) highways, interstates (equal to GB's dual carriageways) run generally east-west. Odd numbered run north-south. A good atlas breaks all that down in the front. Southwest inland from the coast will be extremely hot in Aug; well over 100 degrees, even at night.
Be VERY careful about sleeping at night with the generator running to operate the air if you don't have hookups. A real danger of carbon monoxide DEATH.
I would stay out of Texas and gulf coast in AUG. Very hot and humid. Go Pacific northwest, coast of Oregon, Yosemite, CA coast. Pick no more than 2-3 states
as they are big.
I think the rental agencies may charge per day AND mileage. It won't be cheap but a lot cheaper than hotels and restaurants.
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