USAToday RV rental article...Lol.

[Isaac-1]

Imagine how much of this could be solved if the major rental companies were to just add a wall mounted touch screen pre-loaded with common how to videos.

[hohenwald48]

It always amazes me how much non-RV folks are fixated on the black tank dumping aspect of RVs. I've been doing this for more than 20 years and when I dump the black tank my hands don't get any dirtier than they would if I picked up a rock on the ground. Maybe too many novices get their instructions from Hollywood movies.

[Tim_T]

Everyone has a first time. Hopefully it is a positive experience.

2 years ago, we hopped on a plane from Michigan to San Francisco, taxi'd to the Cruise america lot, visited the local Walmart for provisions, and headed out. I'd watched a few videos on general how-to including operation of the plumbing. And we'd over-planned so we brought or bought what we needed - we thought. Yes, I asked a few questions from helpful neighbors. And answered a couple for a guy more clueless than us who had just left a dealership with his new class A earlier that day.

A week and 1100 miles into our experiment, we'd learned a lot. The most important lesson was that we could do fine living in a box on wheels, and should go ahead with our plan to buy in a couple of years.

Other lessons:
- Leveling blocks are a good thing.
- RV mirrors stick out further than standard pickup mirrors.

Note the leveling "block" and the duct taped mirror.

Now we get to be clueless newbies again. Our 5th wheel finally arrived at the dealership and we will pick it up next week. We will be more prepared this time but will still have plenty of opportunity for newbishness.

[egwilly]

Good luck Tim T with the new fifth wheel.

I for one would like to know how the towing goes with your 7.3 gas Godzilla motor. Thinking about selling my F350 with the diesel. Too many issues with the DPF and SCR systems. The gas V8 with a good rear axle should be fine.

PS: you're lucky you only wacked the mirror.

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

I sent the article to my nephew who is planning a cruise America rental this fall. He and a couple of college buddies are planning to go from NYC to SF cross country. I think it will be useful to them, but the conversations we have are helping them a lot.

Regards.

Chuck