Non-RVer Family Seeking Transportation Advice

[GrooveTonic]

Hello everyone,

It's a pleasure to be a newcomer of this fine community. Unfortunately I neither own an RV nor am able to get one in the near future. Instead, I've come to this forum looking for advice from actual RV enthusiasts.

To avoid getting banned right off the bat for improper posting, I contacted the site admins, and it seems like I have their blessing to post this.

Here's our situation:

At the end of this month I'm relocating from Louisville, Kentucky to Leesburg, Virginia, with my family of six (including two senior citizens, one VERY senior 90-year-old citizen, one not-quite-senior 3-year-old citizen, and a cat that may or may not be a citizen).

A 550-mile trip, no easy feat.

Due to health reasons, plane travel is out of the question. Due to possession of said feline, train travel is also out of the question. Due to the size of our family, travel by normal vehicle is also kaput.

That leaves RVs.

Sadly, none of us are qualified to drive one nor do we have one available. That's where this community comes in.

So I'm checking with you to see if you had any advice for our predicament. Where would be a good place to get an RV driver or owner who can exchange their time and driving talents for cash and help us get to our destination?

Thank you in advance, and sorry that I can't contribute much (at least, not yet ).

~Eugene

[Dixieray53]

It will be far cheaper to look into a van or small bus rental. A RV's fuel cost alone would make it cost prohibited. IMO. Good Luck.

[jfran304]

Have you checked into renting a 9 passenger van? Enterprise rents out 15 passenger vans.

Good Luck,
Jon

[GrooveTonic]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Unfortunately, a large van seems to be a rare commodity. None of the major rental places seem to want to rent one-way between the two locations. This is certainly an option still on the table, though.

There's also the problem of the great-grandmother of the clan not having a place to lie down in a van.

RV is still top choice so far.

[Purplefans & Harvey]

Possibly a RV dealership might be able to recommend someone. Maybe they can rent the RV and driver to you. Good luck!

[NLOVNIT]

Even for an RV, 6 people (7 including the driver) is a lot to find seatbelted places for. I realize the great-grandmother would like a place to lie down, but if you're thinking of having her ride on the bed (or lying on the couch) in an RV, that is not safe in the event of an emergency stop or accident. Too much liability for an RV driver to take the responsibility.

You might consider hiring a professional driver if you're able to procure a large enough van.

Lori-

[skigramp]

I suggest you contact a local bus company that has small coaches ... (like the shuttle busses to the rental cars at airports) ... I suggest you hire the coach and a driver ...

[NLOVNIT]

Another option I thought of is, find a reliable/caring pet transport service (check with your vet for references & cross-check with the BBB) to ship the cat & you folks take Greyhound (or even the train you thought you couldn't do because of the cat). For Greyhound, there are terminals in Louisville, KY & Frederick, MD. Frederick is only half an hour from Leesburg.

Lori-

[bldrbob]

If you have a vehicle it will have to be moved too.So rent the van ,move the people and return the van to get the car.A lot of driving but moving usually involves that.Maybe even have some stay behind for second trip to have room for grandma to lay down.

[TXiceman]

Check the major auto rental companies for a 9 or 15 passenger van. Set up on of the seats as a place to lay down. You may have to hire a driver to retrun the van if you cannot find a one way rental.

Ken

[GrooveTonic]

Thanks for your help, everyone! We're looking into a 12-15 person van and already found a guy to drive us. Hopefully things will go smoothly. *crosses fingers*

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrooveTonic Thanks for your help, everyone! We're looking into a 12-15 person van and already found a guy to drive us. Hopefully things will go smoothly. *crosses fingers*

By the time I reached your response I had already thought of the people who drive/transport Amish people from place to place in vans. Seems you have also, Good Luck and safe traveling!