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03-01-2015, 07:36 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 103
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Seeking A Summer Class A Motorhome Charter
Hi All,
I posted this in another thread and I hope you don't mind that I'm also posting it here. I'm new to this forum and am impressed by the knowledge found here. Thanks and sorry about the cross-post, but I'm on a timeframe and need to move forward in my quest. Here's the original post:
This is my first post in IRV2 so I hope it's appropriate that I take a moment to introduce myself, my name is Andy and I live in the South Florida area. While I've never owned a Motorhome, I'm not new to the industry. My background is a technology/new products reporter and spent a few decades penning a syndicated newspaper column, a regular feature in USA Today and produced and appeared in 400+ live segments as a contributing correspondent with NBC's Today Show in the 1990's. I worked under the name The Gadget Guru. Some have called me the Godfather of the modern tech blog, but I'm not sure I believe that.
The reason I mention my background is that during my journalism years, I would occasionally produce TV and print stories highlighting what's new in the world of RV's. On multiple occasions I worked with the RVIA and Barton-Gilanelli PR to have multiple campers/RV's delivered to the Today Show plaza at 30 Rock in NYC and would do a live broadcast moving from model to model. It was always a fun spot to produce and even back then, I was amazed at the breakthroughs delivered by the RV manufacturers.
Because I brought a lot of eyeballs to the world of RVs to those who may not know about them, I was honored by the RVIA in the late 90's with the Journalism Man of the Year award and I was the keynote speaker at the RVIA's dealer meeting in Louisville. It was a wonderful event and I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people in the RV industry...but that was many years ago.
With that said, I'm attempting to plan a trip of the lifetime and it starts with the charter of a top of the line, Class A motorhome. I say "charter" as I am looking to work with a reputable management company who will provide not only the RV, but the driver as well. This way, it will (hopefully) be a headache-free trip. I'm also considering hiring a gourmet chef to make this truly a trip of a lifetime. Yes, I'm a bit eccentric!
I'm attempting to charter (rental with a driver) an RV on the scale of a Newmar Essex, King Aire or a Newell. I've found one outlet, All Star Coaches (Ft. Lauderdale) that seems to have an Essex and that model may fit my needs. I'll be driving down to take a look at it soon and if all goes as planned, I'll book a paid day rental to do a six hour trip to see if this specific RV meets my needs. If so, my plan is to charter it for six- to eight-weeks over the Summer to take a coast-to-coast trip. I'm planning on producing a documentary along the way...but we'll see how that goes!
While I've looked online for other companies who may offer this charter service, I'm coming up empty and I'm hoping that others can guide me in the right direction and provide constructive input.
Please note, that if the Summer trip goes well, my next step will be to purchase an RV in the same or higher category of the Essex.
I greatly appreciate input and advice on this topic.
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03-01-2015, 07:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Posts: 1,033
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PBG..
Seems like an interesting trip and a very interesting life!
Can't add much other than go for it.. My wife and I have enjoyed the lifestyle over the past number of years.. We do not full time but travel a good bit..
I will be following your adventure and living vicariously through your travels..
Good luck and welcome to this site!!!
Ron Husak
__________________
Ron Husak
Conifer, CO
Living at 9200 Feet and looking down at ya!
04 Travel Supreme 40DS04 400 Cummins ISL
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03-01-2015, 08:05 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,864
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Andy,
Welcome to this Forum. By the way, my wife and I always enjoyed your "gadget" segments on the Today Show.
It looks like you have it covered. I am not aware of any charter outfits but your choice of an Essex, King Aire, or a Newell can't go wrong. I am surprised that you have found such an arrangement with a coach in this class. It should be a memorable trip.
Will you keep a blog about your adventures? If so, please publish here your contact info for the blog. I would be interested in following along.
Driver? Gourmet Chef?
You lucky dog!
Don
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03-01-2015, 08:18 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akadeadeye
Andy,
Welcome to this Forum. By the way, my wife and I always enjoyed your "gadget" segments on the Today Show.
It looks like you have it covered. I am not aware of any charter outfits but your choice of an Essex, King Aire, or a Newell can't go wrong. I am surprised that you have found such an arrangement with a coach in this class. It should be a memorable trip.
Will you keep a blog about your adventures? If so, please publish here your contact info for the blog. I would be interested in following along.
Driver? Gourmet Chef?
You lucky dog!
Don
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Thanks for the kind words Don!
Yes, I'm attempting to plan a Trip of a Lifetime and I do hope to document my adventures with video and a journal. My timeframe is to start in mid-July and my route has me connecting with Friends in all corners of the USA.
The equipment (RV) is not yet secured and in the case this specific RV (Essex) does not work out nor is it like the photos, I hope that others can provide some good advice on where to find the perfect RV for this trip.
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03-01-2015, 08:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,797
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You likely have better industry contacts, but have you looked into companies that charter converted buses to musical groups?. I would think Nashville, Tennessee, might have some that cater to country music people. I'm not suggesting a bus with lots of sleeping bunks, rather something outfitted for one "star" (of course, there may be lots of mirrors and twinklie lights ).
Quote:
Originally Posted by PBG
...While I've looked online for other companies who may offer this charter service, I'm coming up empty and I'm hoping that others can guide me in the right direction and provide constructive input...
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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03-01-2015, 08:45 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by George Schweikle
You likely have better industry contacts, but have you looked into companies that charter converted buses to musical groups?. I would think Nashville, Tennessee, might have some that cater to country music people. I'm not suggesting a bus with lots of sleeping bunks, rather something outfitted for one "star" (of course, there may be lots of mirrors and twinklie lights ).
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Thanks George!
I'm originally from the Nashville area and great minds think alike as that was my first point of contact. It seems that my time frame (mid-July) conflicts with the country music tour schedules and the buses are booked until Fall. One of the companies I found with some interesting equipment was Hemphill.
When that route failed to produce results and after giving it much thought, I feel that chartering an RV is a better route to go as I have interest in ownership down the road and this will give me a great opportunity to see if I like RV life and if so, will provide a good basis for knowing which features are important to me.
In terms of industry contacts, the folks I worked with back in the day are, for the most part, retired from the industry.
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03-01-2015, 08:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,549
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__________________
Joe and Debbie, Emma the Aussie Cattle Dog who adopted us
2012 Discovery 36J, Blue Ox and Air Force One, 2010 GMC Acadia Toad
USAF (Ret) WDØM https://wd0m.com
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03-01-2015, 08:56 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: michigan-tip of the mitt
Posts: 1,444
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Perhaps you should contact the manufacturers of the coaches you like and see if they will supply a coach and help you produce a documentary. I bet they can find a driver/living companion.
__________________
2003 Class C, 29' Gulfstream
Next stop?
Previous rigs..2 Pickup campers,2 TT's, 3 DP MH's
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03-01-2015, 09:06 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pagosajoe
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Great Info! Thank You!
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03-01-2015, 11:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t55watson
Perhaps you should contact the manufacturers of the coaches you like and see if they will supply a coach and help you produce a documentary. I bet they can find a driver/living companion.
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Thanks for the note. While I have some feelers out to a few select manufacturers, I'm being very clear that I'm not looking for freebies. (I'll guess they get quite a few inquiries from others).
Just getting some guidance on dealing with reputable companies, making sure I'm selecting the right RV for a first class experience and paying a fair price as well as getting some assistance in planning the routes and overnights from the manufacturers would be helpful at this stage. Remember, while I covered the RV industry for the national media for a period, I'm far from being an expert in the field. However, I'm at the stage in my life where if this Summer trip goes well, I'm wide open to ownership possibilities.
I've also reached out to the RVIA, but so far, no response. I'm hoping they read this forum!
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03-01-2015, 03:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Amory, Ms
Posts: 1,112
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Celebrity Coach in Tupelo Ms does a lot of what you are looking for, or at least they do coaches for entertainers. Might be worth a call or search.
__________________
Roger And Kim Goodwin
bout them DAWGS!!
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03-01-2015, 03:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Oklahoma Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Woodward, OK
Posts: 1,147
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PPG/Andy just sent you a private message with contact info for a fellow I know in Fla that deals with this sort of thing. Best of luck to you.
__________________
Jay Devereaux
1992 Country Coach Magna #4926 "Maggie" 25' Stacker "The Toy Box"
Facebook | IRV2[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-01-2015, 05:05 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 334
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for the write price I will send mine on a trip with a driver, no chef though, where are the driver and cook going to sleep hotels or the trailer?
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03-03-2015, 06:22 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,080
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At the Tampa RV show the Prevost site had a coach there that was for rent.
She said they furnished the driver. The way I understood her was they had more than one coach. Cost was $500 per day with driver for the cheapest one.
I'm not sure if that coach was owned by a private company or by Prevost. It was the coach that was outside of the pavilion. Might check with the Tampa fairgrounds they might know who owned that one ?
Russell
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