| RV Rental FAQ |
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How much does a one week rental cost?
Is there a minimum amount of time that we have to rent?
Is there a maximum amount of time we are allowed to rent?
Is mileage included in the rental cost?
What deposit is required?
Is there a charge for the generator?
What kind of petrol consumption will we get?
Do I need a special drivers license to drive a motorhome?
When can I pick up the motorhome?
What kind of motorhomes do you rent?
I saw a picture of a motorhome with a garage in the back. Do you rent those?
Is it difficult to drive a motorhome?
Are Motorhomes difficult to hook up?
Does the motorhome come equipped with pots and pans?
Besides the rental cost are there any other charges I will incur?
Does the motorhome come with a TV, VCR or stereo?
Are there rollout awnings on the motorhome?
Is there a limit to how many people can ride in the motorhome?
Where can I rent a Motorhome?
Are there facilities close to the rental center where we can purchase supplies, propane and dispose of holding tank contents?
Can we leave our luggage at the rental location?
Are we allowed to travel into Canada (or vise versa)?
Are we allowed into Mexico?
Can we travel one way to our destination or do we have to travel round trip?
How do I pay for a rental?
Do you have pick-up trucks with Campers?
Can I tow my car or boat behind the Motorhome?
How much does it cost to stay in campgrounds?
What kind of facilities might a campground offer?
Do you plan itineraries for trips?
Is it possible to travel in the Winter in the colder areas of the US?
Are there any places we cannot take the Motorhome?
What if I return the vehicle before the date it is due?
What if I am late in returning the vehicle?
Do you have baby car seats and cribs available?
Is it safe to drink the water from the Motorhome tank?
What kinds of coverage for damage and liability do you offer?
What if I am involved in an accident?
What if the motorhome breaks down?
Is there a ladder so we can get on the roof to watch the race?
Are there bike racks?
Are there levelers provided?
Can you pick me up/drop me off at the airport?
What if I have to cancel my reservation?
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| How much does a one week rental cost? |
| All of the prices and terms for motorhome rentals can be found on our web site. Use this link to get to our What it Costs to Rent page. From there, you will see the rate chart showing a range of possible prices you might pay per day for your rental. By calling our office you will be given an instant quotation, valid until 5pm on Friday of the week in which you are calling for the quote. |
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| Is there a minimum amount of time that we have to rent? |
| Our minimum rental is 7 nights. There may be extended minimums over Holidays and during special events in which case the minimum may range from 7 to 14 nights per rental. |
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| Is there a maximum amount of time we are allowed to rent? |
| No- however there are conditions attached to long-term rentals. You may, for instance, only rent for sixty days on any one contract; this means visiting a Cruise America location to have a second, or third contract issued. This may or may not require a change of vehicle; if yours is due for full service and yet you wish to continue your travels right away, we would replace your vehicle. Each contract will be treated as a separate rental for pricing purposes. |
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| Is mileage included in the rental cost? |
Basic rentals contain no mileage; the Inclusive upgrade program allows a 140miles/210 kilometres per day average. You may pre-purchase additional miles in 500 mile/800 kilometers blocks for US$138 or pay 29 US cents per mile for the extra mileage at the end of the rental.
In Canada, you may pre-purchase 800 KM for $175 (CDN), or pay 28 cents (CDN) per KM at completion of the rental. |
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| What deposit is required? |
We do not require a rental deposit at the time of booking, but we do require that you leave your credit card details as a guarantee. This will be charged, without further notice, the full amount due per invoice eight weeks prior to pick up date unless you notify us that you wish instead to pay by US$ Bankers Draft.
A damage deposit of $300 ($450 CDN) is required at the time of departure.
Upon vehicle return any extra charges (such as extra per mile charges) will be balanced against the deposit, and the remainder will be refunded. |
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| Is there a charge for the generator? |
| Yes. The generator charge is $3 per hour when fitted; the generator is not necessary for normal vehicle operation. You can save on this expense by staying in locations that have electrical hookups and not leaving the generator running when you are not in the vehicle. |
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| What kind of petrol consumption will we get? |
| Please remember that the cost of fuel in North America is about one third of the cost in the UK. Mileage you will get per gallon depends on the size of the motorhome, your speed and the driving conditions, i.e. whether the road is flat or hilly. Generally, you might expect to get between 7 and 15 miles per gallon. |
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| Do I need a special driver's license to drive a motorhome? |
| All you need is to be 21 years of age or older and possess a valid driver's license. No special endorsement is needed. |
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| When can I pick up the motorhome? |
| Cruise America is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. The normal pick up time is between 1 pm and 4 pm and the normal return time is between 9 am and 11am. You must make your own way to and from the rental station. If you have booked an 'Early Bird Departure' and pre-paid the appropriate supplement you may pick up your vehicle in the morning and return it in the afternoon and in this unique case we will include your transfer to and from the rental station. Rental Centers are closed on Sundays and Holidays.
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| What kind of motorhomes do you rent? |
| Our web site lists all of the types and sizes of vehicles we rent. Please go to our What's Available page. You can click between the 4 categories to see the sizes and specifications of each vehicle. |
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| I saw a picture of a motorhome with a garage in the back. Do you rent those? |
| The Fun Mover is our motorhome with a garage. This vehicle is about 28 feet in length, which includes an 8.5 ft garage in the back. For travelling, this motorhome can accommodate 4 people maximum. The Fun Mover has a queen size bed over the cab. Behind the cab, there is a captain's chair on one side and a dinette that can fold into a single bed on the other. Behind the dinette, there is a bathroom with a sink, shower, and toilet. Behind the captain's chair, there is a kitchenette with an oven, stove, microwave, and refrigerator. The motorhome does not come equipped with bedding or cookware. You could rent that from us or provide your own. |
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| Is it difficult to drive a motorhome? |
| Motorhomes handle much like a car, especially the "C" class which has a van chassis. |
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| Are motorhomes difficult to hook up? |
| Can you plug in an electric iron or a hair dryer? Then understand you plug in your motorhome in just the same way. Can you fix a garden hose to the tap? Then you'll have no problem connecting your motorhome to mains water. But to be on the safe side, at departure you will be given a 30-60 minute familiarization tour of the vehicle and learn how to hook it up to mains water, electricity and, on occasion, waste disposal and how to operate appliances; you will also be shown an instruction video at most rental centres. |
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| Does the motorhome come equipped with pots and pans? |
No, but we rent 2 types of packages for bedding and cookware:
The Personal Provisioning Kit costs $35 per person, for the duration of the trip. It includes a rucksack, RV sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase, sheet, bath towel and wash cloth.
The Vehicle Provisioning Kit costs $85 per vehicle, also for the duration of the trip. It includes a flashlight, sponge, hot pad, can opener, bottle opener, broom with dust pan, pail, spatula, cups, plates and cutlery for the party, serving spoon, serving fork, utility knife, platter, tea kettle, colander, mixing bowl, and a six piece cookware set. |
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| Besides the rental cost are there any other charges I will incur? |
| There is tax on the rental charges and any kits you order. You can choose to pre-pay this before you leave home or you can pay it when you pick up your motorhome. The generator fee is $3 per hour and will be collected upon return of the vehicle. You may also be asked to pay fuel and cleaning/dumping deposits at the time of pick-up. |
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| Does the motorhome come with a TV, VCR or stereo? |
| There is an AM/FM radio, often with a cassette player, in the dash. There is not a TV or stereo or cable hook-up. |
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| Are there rollout awnings on the motorhome? |
| No. We suggest you bring a canopy if you need shade or check with the RV park if you are staying in one. |
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| Is there a limit to how many people can ride in the motorhome? |
The Compact CT22 motorhome can hold a family up to 3, the Standard C25 motorhome can hold a family up to 5, the Intermediate C27 motorhome can hold a family up to 6, and the Large C30 can hold a family up to 7 maximum for travelling.
Cruise America wants you to have an enjoyable and safe vacation experience - part of that experience is getting the right vehicle to meet your needs.
We realise that our customers use our vehicles for many purposes - The possible uses are as numerous as your needs. Some examples:
- As a comfortable means of travel but not sleeping in them or as a spare bedrooms and not drive them.
- For on-site hospitality at special events like automobile races.
- As mobile Offices or Showrooms.
Because of the various different Federal, State and Provincial laws we recommend customers ALWAYS adhere to the following:
- Never exceed the maximum capacity as posted in the actual vehicle you will be using. Maximum capacity includes the vehicle, all fluids, all occupants and their gear
- All passengers should use the provided seatbelts. The total number of seatbelts will vary according the vehicle and according to the floor plan of the actual vehicle you are using.
- Please bring your own child safety seats and use where applicable. The installation and use of these seats should follow the recommendation of the child seat manufacturer
- Areas designed only for sleeping should not be occupied while the vehicle is in motion.
- The vehicle should be properly secured prior to travel. This includes locking the doors and dead-bolting them where applicable. Stow the entry step and secure the outside compartments
We ask that you use good judgment and prudence in your decisions.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE LAW |
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| Where can I rent a motorhome? |
Flex rate rentals for International Travellers (i.e. non USA/Canadian passport holders) are available from many locations:
In Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal
In the United States: Anchorage, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Albuquerque, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Minneapolis & St.Paul, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Tampa. |
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| Are there facilities close to the rental center where we can purchase supplies, propane and dispose of holding tank contents? |
| The staff at the rental centre will be glad to direct you to the closest shopping center, fueling facilities and waste treatment centre. |
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| Can we leave our luggage at the rental location? |
| Often this is not a problem, but space is often restricted and it may not be an option. Anything left at the rental centre is at your own risk. We always recommend you take soft side luggage/barrel bag style/ruck-sack so they can stay with you and be easily stored in the motorhome. |
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| Are we allowed to travel into Canada (or vice versa)? |
| US registered RV's may enter Canada and return to the US and Canadian registered RV's may enter the US and return to Canada without problem. One way rentals between the two countries are not allowed. Canadian residents are not allowed to rent a US registered vehicle in the US and enter Canada. |
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| Are we allowed to travel into Mexico? |
Cruise America does allow travel into Mexico with its motorhomes, however there are restrictions. Travel into mainland Mexico is limited to within the northern states of Mexico contiguous to the US border. We offer Mexican accident coverage for $20 per night and subject to the area restriction. If the motorhome is taken beyond the northern states of Mexico it will void the contract. The primary contract holder would be personally liable for any damage, accident, or breakdown.
Fantasy Caravans offers planned tours throughout Mexico and if you travel with them on an escorted tour you can go anywhere in Mexico: www.fantasycaravans.com. |
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| Can we travel one way to our destination or do we have to travel round trip? |
| One Way reservations are available between most rental centres by advance reservation only and are subject to availability and some restrictions. The drop fee is as follows: |
| USA |
- Between stations within Florida:
| Orlando or Tampa -To Miami = $100 |
| All other Florida one-ways = $50 |
- Within California:
| San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX) = $200 |
| Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO) = $100 |
- To California, Washington State and Oregon (except from Nevada and Arizona) = $750
- To Nevada and Arizona (except from California, Washington State and Oregon and cities mentioned in # 7) = $500
- Between California, Washington State, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona = $375
- To/From Anchorage = $750
- From Boston (BOS), Chicago (CHI), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (EWR or JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD) & Philadelphia (PHL) to locations outside of the seven locations mentioned here = $750
- Between any of the seven locations mentioned in #7 = $375
- All other USA one-way rentals = $375
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| CANADA (CDN$) |
- To Vancouver (YVR) = $750
- From Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL) to Calgary (YYC) = $500
- To or From Whitehorse (YXY) = $750
- To or From Halifax (YHZ) = $750
- All other Canadian one-way rentals = $375
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| NB: ONEWAYS BETWEEN THE USA AND CANADA ARE NOT ALLOWED |
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| How do I pay for the rental? |
| Cruise America requests that all pre-payments before you travel be done with a major credit card (we will expect the number at the time of booking) or US Dollar Bankers Draft. Cruise America rental stations only accept alternative forms of payment on a pre-qualification basis from US or Canadian citizens who must pass a credit check. This payment policy is very strict and there are no exceptions |
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| Do you have pick-up trucks with campers? |
| Yes we do, but not in all of our rental centres. The Truck/Camperhome is about 18-19 feet in length and it can hold up to 3 people. The camperhome is a full size, four-wheel drive, pick-up truck (with an extended cab) that has a slide-in camper. The camper has a wet bathroom (the toilet, shower, and sink are all in the same compartment). The kitchenette has a refrigerator and stove. The camperhome has water tanks, but no generator. For sleeping, there is a double bed over the cab of the truck and a dinette that folds into a single bed. The camperhome does not come equipped with bedding or cookware. You could rent that from us or provide your own. You are not allowed to de-mount the camper portion from the truck. |
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| Can I tow my car or boat behind the motorhome? |
| We do allow towing with all sizes of our motorhomes. The motorhomes are only equipped with a receiver hitch, so you would need to provide your own tow bar. We allow a maximum tongue weight of 200 lbs. and a maximum gross weight of 2500 lbs. Towing also costs $12 per day extra. You will need to inform us of your intentions to tow, so we can reserve a motorhome specifically with a receiver hitch. |
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| How much does it cost to stay in campgrounds? |
| Campground rates vary based on time of year, their location in relation to cities or major attractions, whether they are National/State Park or private campgrounds and what facilities they offer. They also vary according to the number of passengers in your motorhome. Generally you can expect to pay a base rate (two passengers) between $10 and $15 per night at a State or National Park facility and around $30-$35 per night for a regular private campground. Be aware that campgrounds close to major cities, near major attractions or in more isolated areas (ie Florida Keys) you may be looking at $45-$60 per night. Extra person rates are, on average, around $2 per night. |
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| What kind of facilities might a campground offer? |
| A partial list of commonly found facilities would include: electric, water, waste disposal hook-ups, washer, dryer, swimming pool, playground, BBQ pits, on-site convenience store. |
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| Do you plan itineraries for trips? |
| Yes - for a small fee the UK Office will create a mapped itinerary based either on your own rough outline, your aspiration or our own suggestion after your briefing about your personal likes and dislikes. We also provide, in advance, a KOA Directory with listings of over 600 campgrounds. We can tie your itinerary into KOA campground reservations or leave those entirely to you. For information on a range of campgrounds, we recommend that you check with Woodalls: www.woodalls.com. For guided caravan tours contact Fantasy Caravans on 1-800-952-8496, or their web site www.fantasycaravans.com. |
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| Is it possible to travel in the winter in the colder areas of the U.S.? |
| Yes, however, in locations with harsh winter weather, our motorhomes are "winterised" from approximately November to March. This means we have drained the water and holding tanks, and filled them with anti-freeze. This will prevent the tanks and pipes from freezing and bursting. If you chose to have your rental motorhome "de-winterised" (so that you can use your sink, shower, and toilet) it will cost $75. You will need to exercise extreme care while travelling in a "de-winterised" motorhome during frigid weather. You will need to run the heater at all times to protect the tanks and pipes from freeze damage, or in extreme cases you would need to put anti-freeze in the water and holding tanks (by doing so, you could only use the toilet). If the pipes or tanks were damaged from freezing, it is considered negligent damage and you would have to pay a $5000 deductible for the repairs. If you have any more questions on the rental policies during winter, please contact the rental centre where your trip would originate. They can provide you with specific information. |
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| Are there any places we cannot take the motorhome? |
Vehicles are restricted from operation in Death Valley and other desert areas during July and August. Damage waivers are voided should this rule be violated. Customer will also be held liable for all damages to vehicle, tires, towing charges, and all other related expenses as a result of a breakdown associated with operating in these areas during the months of May, June and September. During certain periods, these areas are not habitable and could pose a danger to the customer and passengers. Consult your rental office for restricted areas and times. Vehicles are not allowed on "logging" and other non-public roads, and selected highways such as the Apache Trail in Arizona.
Due to restrictions on vehicle heights, propane gas and parking, vehicles with propane are not permitted in Manhattan and are not permitted to travel through any underground or underwater tunnels. Violations of these restrictions void damage waivers and customer may also be held liable for all damages and all other related expenses.
Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories - You may drive to Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Territories however, travel in Newfoundland on Dalton or Dempster Highways and other selected highways is prohibited under all conditions for all vehicles Mexico - Vehicles are permitted and must be confirmed in advance to travel into Northern Baja and states contiguous to USA border. Area restrictions apply. No automobile liability or other coverages apply to vehicle operation in Mexico. The customer is responsible for automobile liability insurance purchase, which is sold at south-western rental centres. When travelling in Mexico, travellers' assistance is not available and any repair costs, towing, or fines incurred in Mexico are the responsibility of the renter. |
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| What if I return the vehicle before the date it is due? |
| No refunds will be made for early returns, late pick-ups or unused miles. |
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| What if I am late in returning the vehicle? |
| The vehicle is overdue after 11:00 AM on the date of return; 4pm if you booked an Early Bird Departure special. A fee of $25 per hour will be charged for each hour you are late. Please notify the rental centre if you will be late in returning. |
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| Do you have baby car seats and cribs available? |
| Unfortunately not. Please plan to bring your own car seats and cribs/cots - your babes will be more comfortable in a familiar style of seat. |
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| Is it safe to drink the water from the motorhome tank? |
| No, we do not recommend this. It is difficult to know if the water is potable when you fill the tank at a variety of locations. We recommend you use bottled water for drinking and cooking. The water from the tank is fine for washing and bathing. |
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| What kinds of coverage for damage and liability do you offer? |
| Please see our Policy Section |
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| What if I am involved in an accident? |
| You must notify Cruise America within 24 hours of an accident and make a full report in writing as well as file a police report - even if no injury was sustained. |
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| What if the motorhome breaks down? |
| Cruise America provides 24-hour toll free travellers assistance line. All repairs in excess of $75 must have prior approval from our customer service department. The toll free number is 800-334-4110. |
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| Is there a ladder so we can get on the roof to watch the race? |
| We do not have ladders on the RV for safety reasons and to prevent damage to the motorhome. You are not permitted to climb on to the vehicles roof area. |
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| Are there bike racks? |
| No. Check with the rental centres where you will be picking up, some have them available for rent or can suggest a place to rent them. |
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| Are there levelers provided? |
| No. |
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| Can you pick me up/ drop me off at the airport? |
| Unless you have booked the Early Bird Departure special you must arrange your own transportation to and from the airport. However, we will advise you of recommended transportation companies with an idea of their costs, prior to your departure. |
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| What if I have to cancel my reservation? |
| You may cancel your reservation up to 46 business days prior to the pick-up date and you will be refunded your full payment. Cancellation 17-45 days prior to departure forfeits $400, cancellation 7-16 days prior to departure forfeits $750, cancellation 7 days prior to departure and no-show forfeits the full rental cost. |
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