| 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, toaster and coffee pot and can we rent a Sat Nav?
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 this web site. You can get a QUOTATION on line but be aware that prices change weekly and the price of your rental may change if you don't book in the same week as you got your quotation. This is very likely if you are booking late or close to your departure date. You can also BOOK on line if you wish. However, our belief is that our customers like to 'talk things through' so call us on 0844 910 3271 so we can share our knowledge and expertise with you. |
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| Is there a minimum amount of time that we have to rent? |
| The 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 thirty days on any one contract. 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; you may purchase Unlimited Mileage for a fixed fee for up to 21 days, followed by a daily charge. There are often discounts on unlimited mileage on specific vehicles at certain time of year. If preferred, you may also pre-purchase additional miles in 500 mile/800 kilometers blocks and pay 32 US cents plus tax per mile, or 32 cents per kilometer plus tax in Canada, for any extra miles driven at the end of the rental. There are NO REFUNDS for unused pre-paid miles.
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| What deposit is required? |
Cruise America do not require a rental deposit at the time of booking, but they 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. A security deposit of $500 is required by Cruise America at the time of departure. This is payable by credit card which will be charged on pick up day. 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 generator useage? |
| Yes. If there is a generator fitted the charge for use is $3 per hour; there is a meter fitted. Remember, a 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. If you wish you could pay $7 per day for unlimited generator use but unless you are staying 90% of the time in N ational Parks with no electrical hook-up, our experience shows it is better to pay by the hour. |
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| What kind of petrol consumption will we get? |
| Please remember that the cost of fuel in North America is a lot less than 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 around 15 miles per gallon on the mid-size vehicle. |
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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 a Cruise America 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 before noon and return it by 3pm on the last day. In this unique case the rental company 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 three 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. Also motorhomes with a 'slide out' ? Do you rent those? |
| Cruise America used to rent the 'Funmover' with the garage but no longer. Cruise America do not have slide-out vehicles though other suppliers we work with do provide them. |
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| Is it difficult to drive a motorhome? |
| Motorhomes handle much like a car, especially the "C19" class which is narrower than the norm |
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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 the company rents two types of packages for bedding and cookware:
The Personal Provisioning Kit costs $50 per person plus tax, for the duration of the trip. It includes bedding, bath towel and wash cloth.
The Vehicle Kitchen Kit costs $100 per vehicle plus tax, also for the duration of the trip. It includes things like a 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. We can either include the cost of kits in your pre-payment or you can pay for them locally. |
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| Besides the rental cost are there any other charges I will incur? |
| Tax is payable on everything but WE INCLUDE TAX in everything you pre-pay. The generator fee is $3 per hour plus tax and will be collected upon return of the vehicle. Extra mileage at 32 cents plus tax per mile or per kilomter is also payable at the end of the rental. You may also be asked to pay fuel and cleaning deposits at the time of pick-up which will be returned at the end provided the vehicle is returned in good order. |
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| Do Cruise America motorhomes come with a TV, VCR or stereo, toaster and coffee maker and can we rent a Sat Nav? |
| There is an AM/FM radio in the dash. There is no TV or stereo or cable hook-up. Toasters and Coffee makers are not available and no, Cruise America do not rent Sat Navs. |
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| Are there rollout awnings on Cruise America motorhomes? |
| No. We suggest you buy a sun shade umbrella at somewhere like Walmart 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 C19 motorhome can hold a family up to 3, the Standard C25 motorhome can hold a family up to 5 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.
They realise that customers use the 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 bedroom 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 number of allowed passengers for fear of nullifying your insurance
- All passengers should use the provided seatbelts. The total number of seatbelts will vary according the number of passengers allowed in 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 any 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 Cruise America motorhome? |
Flex rate rentals for International Travellers (i.e. non USA/Canadian passport holders) are available from many locations:
In Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Whitehorse
In the United States: Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Albuquerque, Houston, Atlanta, Minneapolis St.Paul, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston North, Boston South, New York, Newark, Chicago, Miami South, Miami North, Orlando, Tampa. |
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| Are there facilities close to the Cruise America rental centers 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 locations? |
| Often this is not a problem, but space is sometimes 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. Be sure you have the correct visa or visa waiver requirements to enter the USA. |
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| Are we allowed to take a Cruise America vehicle into Mexico? |
| No. |
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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. |
| 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 take the number at the time of booking and Cruise America Inc will charge the card eight weeks prior to your pick up date). This payment policy is very strict and there are no exceptions |
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| Do you have pick-up trucks with campers and van conversions? |
| No |
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| Can I tow my car or boat behind the motorhome? |
| No |
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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 - once your motorhome has been booked and confirmed back to you, The Motorhome Experts will create a mapped itinerary based either on your own rough outline of your aspiration; or our own suggestion after your briefing about your personal likes and dislikes. We will also provide a list of suggested campgrounds along your route. |
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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, motorhomes are "winterised" from approximately November to March. This means water and holding tanks with anti-freeze. This will prevent the tanks and pipes from freezing and bursting. 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 noty permitted to enter Mexico or Baja California under any circumstances ALWAYS PLAN TO BE GUIDED BY THE RENTAL STATION STAFF AS WEATHER CONDITIONS SOMETIMES CONTROL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS. |
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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; 3pm if you booked an Early Bird Departure special. A fee of $25 per hour, or the locally posted daily rate, will be charged. Please notify the rental centre if you will be late in returning. If you are late back you could be jeopardising another traveller's holiday. |
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| Do you have baby car seats and cribs available? |
| No, Cruise America and Cruise Canada do not supply these. Please plan to bring your own car seats and cribs/cots - your babes will be more comfortable in a familiar seat/bed. |
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| Is it safe to drink the water from the motorhome tank? |
| This is not recommended. 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 the Cruise America 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 races? |
| 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? |
| Not automatically fitted to the vehicle. Check with the rental centres where you will be picking up; some centres have them subject to availability at time of arrival for rent or can suggest a place to rent them. |
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| Are there levelers provided? |
| No. These should not be necessary. |
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| Can
you pick me up/ drop me off at the airport? |
| Unless you have booked the Cruise America 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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