Florida is one the best places to experience the outdoors and the best way to do it would be in an RV. Camping in an RV will allow you to enjoy the sunset or sunrise, a campfire in the middle of the woods all from the comfort of a well-furnished and comfortable vehicle.
Choosing an RV can be a daunting task especially if you have not done it before. This guide will hopefully give you some useful tips and pointers on how to choose the best RV for your needs. So if you’re interested in florida renting rv tips, keep reading to find out more!
Know Your ‘Why’
First, you need to identify why you are renting an RV. Not everyone would be renting an RV with the only intention to go once on a trip and probably never ride in one ever again while others might be interested in testing a variety of RVs because they want to purchase one for the long run. There are a wide variety of RVs so even if you are not confident or not experienced enough to be driving a motorhome or driving with a trailer behind you will not have to worry as there will be other types of RVs that will cater to not only your needs but also your comfort level.
The first place you can begin to look for rental would be at rental services. Some examples are Outdoorsy and Cruise America. These are reputable companies that have been around for a while already and have credibility in the industry. You are also able to find RVs that are already parked at the campsite which means you would not have to drive the RV all the way to the camping site. Such sites that offer this service and option are RV Share, Hipcamp, and Airbnb. You will be spoilt for choice as you can select different capacities and types of RVs.
This would be beneficial if you are not looking to tire yourself out by driving a vehicle that will only stress you out. You are then better able to enjoy yourself on the trip.
Buying and Servicing Your RV
If you already own an RV, you might then be better off servicing your old RV than renting a new one. There are several establishments that can provide such a service such as Camping World, Lazy Days, and Giant Recreation World. You are also able to stock up your RV with any essentials that might have run low over the years.
As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of RVs and you will not find a simple go-to choice or option that will yield perfect results in all circumstances. Therefore it is important you identify your needs and requirements so as to select the most appropriate RV for your trip. To break it down, there are several classes of RVs ranging from Class A to Class C and a travel trailer.
Find Your Fit
The Class A RVs will consist of your most luxurious choices. Most of the RVs in this range will be equipped with a bathroom that has both a toilet and a shower. This is most suitable for large families who are looking for the maximum comfort an RV can provide.
The Class B RVs although is considered more economical, will typically come with a bathroom that also has a toilet and shower but will definitely be smaller in size due to a small vehicle. Overall, the capacity for water storage in Class B RVs will be lesser than Class A. This definitely affects the maximum toilet size and also any other water needs.
The Class C RVs are actually similar in size to the Class A options. The key difference is that the Class C RV would be able to accommodate one more guest as it has an additional sleeping area.
The travel trailer would be like an extension to an RV where you are able to tow along a larger facility to accommodate more people on the trip.
Generally, the larger your RV the more facilities and amenities you will be able to enjoy as most of these luxuries require space such as a microwave or oven.
Therefore, the most important question you will need to ask is how many people will be on the trip and what are their needs. The type of guests will also matter to a large extent.
Get Technical with Mobile Apps
Using mobile applications can go a long way in making your hunt for the perfect RV easier. Applications such as Allstays Camp and RV and Campendium can give you vital information on the countless camping grounds that can be found in Florida. It is also important to be always aware of your location. Sometimes Google Maps might not be sufficient as it might lack information pertaining to national parks. The Florida Trail Association app can therefore provide more precise information regarding specialized locations.
When and Where to Camping In Your RV
It is important that you plan and book where you will be parking your RV at the same time as you are planning to rent one. You are typically expected to book the facilities ahead of time. Depending on the season you will have to account for where it is more suitable to visit. If you are unlucky you should definitely keep your eyes peeled for vacancies as people might not show up or cancel their bookings last minute.
You are definitely not limited to expensive and crowded national parks as there are a lot of options that are actually free if you are able to live closer to nature.
At the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve and Cypress Creek Preserve, you are able to enjoy camping there free of charge as long as you make a booking beforehand.
There are many other options that are free of charge and it really depends on your interests and objectives of the trip. For example, the Serenova Tract of the Southwest Florida Water Management District is more suited for fishing and cycling as there are lakes there.
Most if not all the locations require a permit before you set up camp or enjoy any of the activities so make sure you apply ahead of time.
Conclusion
With that, we’ve come to the end of your tips for renting an RV and camping in Florida. RV camping is both fun and easy — if you do your research and plan beforehand! So, the next time you’re thinking of going RV camping, whip out this article!