Courtesy of Keystone
Montana Fifth Wheel
With the pandemic keeping many Alexandria travelers homebound these days, people are getting creative about getting out of town and seeing some new surroundings.
Even if you don’t have your own rig, you can get behind the wheel of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) by renting one in Northern Virginia and striking out for the hinterlands.
Not unexpectedly, rentals of RVs are up this year, according to the Reston based RV Industry Association, with many travelers looking for a vacation option that allows them to control their environment, maintain social distancing, get outdoors and have a little fun.
There are several RV rental companies in the area including Ace RV Sales and Rentals in Herndon and Beckley’s RV Rentals in Frederick, Maryland. You can also rent an RV from an Airbnb-like company called outdoorsy.com. National RV rental companies are also good options, including El Monte RV and Cruise America.
In addition, you can check out the website GoRVing.com and click the tab “Where to Find,” then click on “Rentals.” You’ll pay an average of about $225 per night for an RV — rates start at about $100 and can go up to $350, depending on the time of year you rent, the size of the RV, the location and demand. Gas for motorhomes is not included, so be sure to budget for that based on the vehicle’s gas mileage and the distance you’re traveling.
TYPES OF RVS
Travel trailers. Over 88 percent of the RVs sold in 2019 were travel trailers. Smaller models can be towed by mid-size vehicles, including the family car, minivan, SUV or pickup truck equipped with a hitch. Larger travel trailers, like fifthwheels may require a heavy-duty pickup outfitted with a special hitch located in the bed of the truck.
Motorhomes. These make up the next largest category with 11 percent sold in 2019. This group includes the smallest mini-motorhomes (Type C), to Type B camper vans all the way up to the mack daddy Type A motorhomes with many sizes in between. The layouts and amenities can seem as varied as homes.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN RENTING AN RV
First things first: Decide whether you want to drive a motorhome or tow a travel trailer. If you don’t have any experience towing, a motorhome may be preferable.
If you decide to tow, it’s important to match the loaded weight of the RV to the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. Always check your vehicle owner’s manual for towing weight restrictions and have your tow package professionally installed.
Once you’ve decided between tow or drive, you’ll want to choose an RV that has enough room for everyone. Everyone should be seated using a seatbelt when the RV is moving. Some offer “over cab” beds, others have bunk beds, and most offer a pull-out couch that turns into a bed.
Courtesy of Cherry Hill Park
Cherry Hill RV Park and Campground
Cherry Hill Park, photographed 29 June 2018 in College Park MD.
CAMPGROUND CHOICES
You won’t want to hit the road until you nail down reservations at a campsite.
Campgrounds, much like RVs, have different prices for site rentals depending on the season, location and amenities. They range from rustic to fully equipped. Campgrounds with few amenities but often-great scenery might cost between $35 to $60 per night.
Other campsites might include pools, miniature golf, activities and hook-ups for water, electric, cable and sewer. Those can range from $70 to $150 per night.
Luxury campsite options might include wine tastings, spa treatments, golf courses and concierge-like amenities. That will cost $100 to $250 per night.
Campgrounds in the region include:
• Cape May KOA in Cape May, New Jersey
• Jellystone Park in Quarryville, Pennsylvania
• Endless Caverns RV Resort in New Market, Virginia
• Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland
• BayShore Campground in Rock Hall, Maryland
You can also stay at nearby vineyards, breweries or farms by joining member-based Harvest Hosts (harvesthosts.com). If you’re thinking about joining, you can look at a map to see generally where some of their hosts are located.
There are several options in Virginia, but you won’t get specifics until you pay the annual $79 membership fee.
If you plan to make a reservation at one of the Harvest Host spots, you must have a self-contained RV with a toilet, water tank and inside cooking facilities. No tents are allowed. Overnight stays are limited to one night. (We must admit, vineyard-hopping sounds fun!)
LUXURY CAMPING OR ‘GLAMPING,’ ANYONE?
If the idea of roughing it just doesn’t sound like a vacation to you, you might want to try luxury camping or ”glamping.“
You can try it out in the Great Smoky Mountains, about a seven-hour drive from Alexandria, where luxury camp-ing company, Under Canvas, features nine safari-style tent options on its 182-acre property. Tents come with beds, bathrooms, showers, wood stoves and decks.
The camp is located about 10 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just minutes from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Luxury camp amenities include: Daily housekeeping, USB battery packs, picnic areas and grills, fire pit and s’mores, West Elm furnishings, organic bath products, on-site dining, a guest experience coordinator and complimentary camp activities.
In addition to guided hiking tours, other activities campers can take part in include whitewater rafting, zip-lining, ATV rides, fly fishing, helicopter tours and horseback riding.
The camp is open through Nov. 30. Under Canvas has other locations as well, including at Yellowstone, Moab, Zion, Mount Rushmore and Glacier National Parks. A variety of vacation packages are available. Check out the options at their website, undercanvas.com.
Words from the Wise
We decided to ask an expert on having fun: John Busby, director of hospitality at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, Calif., (who also just happens to be my little brother). An occasional RVer with his wife Debbie and daughter Kendall or his UT Longhorn buddies, he offered a few tips for first-timers:
• Reserve your camping spot in advance if possible.
• Know the exact height of your vehicle for clearance purposes.
• Pack smart and be sure all your items are stowed properly, as things have a tendency to bounce around when you’re on the open road.
• Know how to operate gray and black water tanks (and know what those are).
• Read your user guide/operating manual thoroughly prior to departure.
• If you’re renting, the dealer should provide you with a service phone number. Keep it in a safe place.
• Bring a small portable grill and a short length of garden hose.
• Have a plan for shade if your rig doesn’t come with an awning.
"Finally...and this is important...spring for the highest quality steaks and finest wine your budget allows — trust me," he said.
A Few Additional Tips
Make sure you read the contract and the fine print. Some rentals charge extra if you go over a certain number of miles, use the generator more than the specified time or have fees if you don’t empty the RV tanks or return it without cleaning it.
Make time for the tutorial on how to drive the RV and use the operating systems. It normally takes between 30-60 minutes. Tip: Use your phone to take short videos during the tutorial, they’ll come in handy when you’re unsure how to work something.
Insurance is needed. You can purchase it from the rental agency or check with your own insurance agent for a quote.
