How to Rent an RV in Washington
Renting a recreational vehicle, more commonly known as an RV, in Washington state is a good way to experience the variety of scenic roadways available in the Evergreen State with the whole family. An RV offers an economical way to travel with a group of people, even when gas prices top $3 a gallon, since you don't need to pay for additional nightly lodging. Renting an RV in Washington provides many of the comforts and conveniences of home as you tour the Olympic Peninsula's Rainforest, the desert scab lands in the southeast of the state or the mountain roads of the North Cascades Loop.
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Instructions
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Gather your required documents. You will need a valid driver's license that shows your age, and proof of insurance that covers RV rentals if you don't plan on purchasing additional insurance with your rental. Some RV dealerships will not rent to persons under the age of 25; others charge an additional daily fee for those under 25 but over 21. Determine at this point if your rental will be one-way or round trip and the number of days you will need the RV.
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Find an RV dealership in Washington that rents Recreational Vehicles. Cruise America and El Monte RV are two of the biggest national chains that rent RVs, but there are a number of smaller Washington dealerships that rent, as well. Online websites such as the Recreational Vehicle Rental Association allow you to search for dealerships based on your location. In Washington, RV dealerships that rent can be found across the state in and around cities like Seattle, Olympia and Spokane.
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Reserve your RV. Contact the dealership several weeks in advance, especially if you plan on renting in the busy summer months, to reserve your vehicle. This is the time to contact more than one dealership to compare costs and available vehicles, as well.
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Pick up your RV at the dealership. Arrive early so that you have time to read over the RV rental dealership's paperwork, insurance requirements, tips for driving an RV and to make note of any damages or missing items from the rental RV. You may also want to take a test drive to acclimate yourself with driving a large vehicle if this is your first time driving an RV.
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Tips & Warnings
Depending on your needs, RV dealerships offer everything from camper trailers to luxury motorhomes for rentals. The prices for different vehicles vary dramatically, but expect to spend between $125 to $200 per night for your rental as of October 2010.
Be thorough in listing any damages or missing items when you pick up your RV rental so that you don't become responsible for them when you return the RV.
In addition to daily rental fees, be sure to factor in any mileage fees, insurance fees and pick-up/drop-off fees when you price compare.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rv,motorcoach image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
