Unlike a test drive around the block of an RV dealership, renting an RV really lets you test the power of an engine. Even if two RVs have the same exact engine, they will drive differently because of the variances in the length, size, and weight of the house. Not to mention that once you fill up all your tanks, the added weight will affect how it drives.
Now I won’t pretend to know much about engines, but I do know that some make for a more stressful driving experience than others. Trust me, you don’t want to be in Grand Teton National Park thinking “Can we make it up this 10% grade?”
We drove three different diesel engines in our rentals: Fiat, Mercedes, and Ford. The European diesel engines take a second to get up and go after you press the gas compared to the American engine. In fact, more than once we worried that the engine stalled because it could take two full seconds after putting the pedal to the metal for the motorhome to lurch forward and gain speed. It drove me crazy!
When we drove the Ford Transit engine, we had no such problem. In fact, that’s my absolute favorite RV engine we’ve ever driven because I felt it gave us the most power, handled mountains like a pro, and was perfectly smooth on the road. (I also learned that I prefer a diesel engine to gas!)
If you’re specifically wanting a motorhome, the engine in your rig is a big consideration that will affect other decisions like if you can tow a car. While you likely won’t be allowed to tow anything behind your rental, you can still get a feel for how an engine can handle when you spend a week driving it around.
Alyssa, your rent an RV 1st story popped up on my phone. We’ve rented twice now, but not looking to own because of the rare use, both with Cruise America. The best prices and they go thru everything you talked about before turning the key. Yes basic but can’t beat the company, leaving again in Oct for the desert sw. You with film background would like where we’re planning, hwy 395 and hwy 191 in California and Utah, 100s of movie sites on both! Sam and Mary Phillips.
My uncle has been thinking about renting an RV so that he can travel more and can see more of the land around him. He would really like to rent one from a professional so that it can be really nice and find what is best suited to him. Thanks for your tips about how he should consider what engine is in the home and the different weights can really affect how it drives.
Alyssa nailed it. Before our first purchase we rented a 5th wheel for 1 1/2 weeks. We quickly learned we could fulltime easily. One other suggestion is to go to RV shows. It gives you a chance to spend time in different Floorplans. Take a notebook with you to create a list of pros and cons on each Floorplan you’re interested in. Plan on spending several hours in each model. This is going to be one the largest purchases you’ll make. You’ll want to get it right the first time.