Tenting is cool; the Proper Van Will Make It Cooler.

As a lifelong road-tripper, there’s nothing I like greater than escaping the insanity of town and hitting the open highway. Lately, I elevated my highway journey expertise by exploring the mountains, nationwide parks, and deserts within the Southwest USA by campervan. Whereas I recognize the lure of an enormous RV with all of the comforts of dwelling, I’m not up for driving one thing that large, and I actually don’t need to tow a automobile. The answer? A campervan.

The campervan affords most of the advantages of an RV – simply not as elaborate. But it surely additionally gives the comfort of an easy-to-drive automobile that may park in a normal-sized parking area and nonetheless provide you with a spot to arrange meals and sleep. The campervan we selected additionally had a toilet on board with a bathe. It was small, nevertheless it labored.

Associated: Prime 10 Causes You Ought to Strive an RV Rental

The roadsurfer Expertise

For our journey, German-based roadsurfer loaned us a campervan. roadsurfer was began by a bunch of childhood associates with a ardour for tenting. Their purpose was to make the method of renting a campervan seamless and easy. Europe has benefited from the roadsurfer expertise since 2016. Happily, roadsurfer is now in North America with places in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and, most lately, Las Vegas. The corporate additionally has two Canadian places, Vancouver and Calgary.

For our campervan expertise, we selected the Las Vegas location, which was superb for exploring the Southwest. Because the founders hoped, the method was easy. As soon as the van was reserved, we obtained an e-mail with a hyperlink to a tutorial to familiarize ourselves with the mannequin we had been renting. After we arrived to select up the van, we additionally obtained in-person directions. There was ample time to ask all of the questions we needed as an worker demonstrated easy methods to use all of the van’s options.

You’ll seemingly have many questions if you happen to’ve by no means rented a campervan. I actually did the primary time I rented a campervan. My husband was the beginner this time, however I wanted a refresher course. Listed below are a few of the questions you’ll need to cowl along with your rental firm earlier than venturing off to discover.

Associated: ‘Tis the Season! The Greatest Automobiles for Your Summer season Highway Journey

What’s Included with the Campervan Rental?

Most campervan rental corporations don’t present an all-inclusive charge. The extra expenses for facilities rely upon the corporate you’re renting from. With roadsurfer, a “kitchen field” that features consuming and cooking utensils, espresso cups, glassware, plates, and pots and pans is supplied freed from cost. Nonetheless, there may be a further price for mattress linens. Within the {Couples} Apartment van for 2 people, roadsurfer gives two camp chairs freed from cost. Simply make sure you ask so there aren’t any surprises.

Associated: No Minivan Disgrace: 6 Causes A Minivan is the Greatest Factor Ever

Is Your Mileage Limitless?

Limitless mileage is a perk I all the time search for, whether or not I’m renting a automotive or a campervan. Contemplating that hitting the highway in a campervan to discover backroads, nationwide parks, and the wide-open areas we crave will rack up some severe miles, it’s greatest to discover a firm that features limitless mileage. With roadsurfer, mileage is limitless. On our current highway journey by means of the southwest, the place miles of desert begged exploration, not paying for extra mileage was an enormous profit.

Associated: Highway Journey! Uncover the Treasures of Southwest Virginia

What Insurance coverage is Included with Your Rental?

Nobody desires a tenting trip to show right into a monetary nightmare. To maintain that from occurring, however certain to search out out what kind of insurance coverage is obtainable or included along with your campervan rental. At roadsurfer, a coverage is included that covers most potential conditions. In the event you’re extra snug with an improve to the coverage, that’s doable for a price.

We selected to stick with the supplied protection and had no points. But it surely’s vital to know what isn’t lined. For instance, the coverage that comes customary with the Roadsurfer rental doesn’t embrace protection for awning injury as a result of extreme winds. We knew to not open the awning throughout excessive winds, so we had no points. A bit of frequent sense goes a great distance.

Who Ought to You Contact if You Have Any Mechanical Points?

Every firm has emergency contacts, and it’s vital to know that quantity earlier than you drive away in your campervan. Within the roadsurfer campervan, there’s a QR code on the dashboard that gives a hyperlink to the automobile’s guide in addition to contact data for emergencies. Be sure you obtain the guide and extra data earlier than you drive away. In the event you occur to finish up in a spot with no cell service, you’ll be glad you took care of that prematurely.

Does the Campervan Have Scorching Water and Warmth?

Exploring the southwestern deserts of Arizona, we skilled big temperature swings. Days introduced sunshine and highs near 80 levels, however at night time, these temperatures dropped to 30 levels at instances.

Happily, the roadsurfer has heating and sizzling water, and the whole lot is managed by means of an onboard panel. Nonetheless, typically issues occur. One night time we forgot to flip the swap situated on the van’s exterior to activate the propane that’s wanted for the heater to work. My husband needed to enterprise out within the freezing night time air to appropriate that. He was rewarded for his efforts with a view of the Milky Means and a taking pictures star set to the backdrop of howling coyotes within the distance.

Extra Issues to Learn about roadsurfer

Whereas there are lots of corporations providing campervan leases, I’ve been extremely pleased with the roadsurfer model. My first roadsurfer expertise was within the Liberty Lodge (previously generally known as the Highway Home XL) – a pop-up Sprinter camper. That mannequin sleeps 4, making it the proper alternative for a ladies’ journey I did final 12 months. This time, we selected the {Couples} Apartment because it was simply my husband and me. roadsurfer additionally affords Class C RV motorhomes for many who want a bigger automobile.

In case your highway journey adventures broaden into Europe, there are much more choices. I’m scoping out the chances, so don’t be stunned while you be taught that I’ve been driving throughout Europe in one other roadsurfer mannequin. It’s inevitable!