nutty idea?

[ArtW]

So seeing Nadine's post re flying in and renting a van ,I got to thinking, and checking
Driving to Quartzsite will run me maybe $250-300 in gas at a guess
Looking at Cheapo air I could fly round trip to Las Vegas for $100, and the Jucy RV minivans rent for $40 or so, so for 7 days it'd be a bit over $300

Upsides; I'd be in a vehicle designed to camp in, vs a truck I rigged up, with more room, I wouldn't put all those miles on my truck, I would have zero concern re breakdowns
Now, my truck has been very reliable to date, and I'm not really afraid it's gonna leave me stranded, but it's a possibility

Downsides, no chance to test my rig, would be restricted in how long I could stay, and I'd have to buy some stuff on the way (bedding, cookware maybe)

Opinions?

 

[WriterMs]

Wow. Lots of pros and cons.

First, it is a little over 200 miles each way to get to Q from Vegas. So you do have some gas expenditure to add in. Plus a cab maybe from the airport (unless Jucy picks you up.. and do they do a mileage charge in addition to the daily rental rate?).

You could perhaps ship a box with warm covers or a sleeping bag and some pots and pans to someone in Q?? I bet the rental vans come with basic cookware actually. But keeping warm on chilly nights will be important.

You are right that you won't get to test using your truck. But you will get to test how the space in a van feels.. and then you can compare that to the comforts you build into your truck. You may even put together a list of things you do and don't want in own rig.

That said, if you have your own rig, your timetable is your own for the trip to and from and for how long you stay. You will be comfy with your own stuff around you.. like fave pillow and or comforter, etc.

I wonder if there is another trip another time where you could try out a rental van?

Not much help am I? LOL :-/

 

[jimindenver]

Oh Art you nut.

How long could you stay if you drove and does that include driving time?

How much will you spend to convert your rig and get it ready?

As for the things you may need, there is large item with the airlines or you might be able to mail it to yourself somehow.

 

[ArtW]

Mileage: Jucy gives you 100 miles / day free, after that it's .25 / mile, the allotment is total miles, they don't monitor you daily, 400 miles in a mil at 20 mpg = 10 gallons
Taxi: maybe, depends how far they are from the airport, I'd have to call and ask, Vegas does have public transport as well as taxis, last I was there, but if they're not too far, my feet work just fine as transport

The vans do not come with bedding, you can rent or buy elsewhere, and you don't want to know what they charge for it lol They don't come with cookware, either

Now here comes the big poopoo: the vans use a FOLD OUT CAR SEAT / BED not good, I have never been on one of those that is comfy, and it's a space hog in a minivan
Then there's the pillow, I can't sleep worth crap without my old Sobukowa pillow, glad you mentioned that, wasn't thinking
See, you are a help lol

If i drive, I will have 10 days total travel / camp time, if I can get it all at once, so still maybe 6 / 7 days stay time, and a nice drive cross country (i do hate flying on commercial airliners: I'm fine in small planes, but hate big ones lol)
My rig won't cost much to get ready, really all i'd HAVE to do is toss a mattress, sheet of plywood, and gear in the back, although if I want those 15" front tires that's another $200

I could, if I want, drive and rent a van for a bit to compare, too, I mean U Haul, which I could rent in Q, is only 20bux / day and fifty cents a mile
meh, I dunno, driving is sounding better lol

 

[Txjaybird]

For me driving in my own vehicle beats flying or riding a bus.  It's a matter of control for me.  I like to go down the road at my own rate of speed, see something interesting...stop and look.  Sleepy   :huh:   sleep   {after pulling over}.  Hungry...etc.  I've been like this since I had my first car. When I was 16ys old,  I had a 1957 Ford Fairlane .........it wasn't vintage then......just old, like me now  

Jewellann

 

[ArtW]

Good Point, Jewellann, I might get there quicker, but I'd miss a lot of the journey, flying The bus got no consideration at all, it costs as much to ride the dog as it does to fly

 

[wagoneer]

Blythe has a U-Haul I believe, just getting there you would need a bus ride, but it's closer to the RTR. Needles is the closest HUB for railway travel

 

[ArtW]

Q has a U Haul location, according to their website
Maybe the dog don't go there, though

 

[Gadget728]

ArtW - Test your rig, drive at your own pace, drive any route you choose, drive a different route back. The RTR seems like a great place to "get your (my) feet wet" an see if a person OR their rig is really ready for this lifestyle.

Although I'm debt free right now, I still have a $5000 MC to sell. I might take out a small bank loan to finance my trip to Q and possibly stop at Arizona wind & solar and pick up my solar panels & charge controller, then pay off the bank this spring when my bike sells. Just thinking out loud.

Whatever you decide, I hope you make it to Q, and I'm eager to meet anyone from here at that time. - gadget

 

[TrainChaser]

With all of the extras that you would have to pay for, cost will be be close to a wash.

Flying, you get to deal with TSA. Personally, I would PAY to avoid that.

ANY vehicle can break down, even new ones -- (JiffyLube worker: "Waddaya mean, I needed to put oil in after taking it out???")

Taking your own rig, you could see how it goes, and get some ideas from fellow RTRers on how you might want to fix it up. If you have problems (which I feel is better to discover sooner than later), there will probably be folks at the RTR who are capable of helping you cheaper than going to a mechanic.

Personally, I would look at the Big Picture, not just the RTR.

But good luck on whichever way you choose.

 

[vanman2300]

Ever think about pairing up with someone going to the RTR? If they have room like in a class C or you don't mind a tent to make room it might work. Kind of a long shot...

 

[ArtW]

Gadget, you are absolutely right, better to test my rig and see what's up, than go the 'easy way' by throwing money at the idea
I too have a bike to sell, and with a note on it, it's not easy lol. My only consolation each month when I write that check is it paved the way for me to buy my travel trailer
TrainChaser, it would actually cost more to fly in and rent (assuming no breakdowns on the way)
And OMG I FORGOT ABOUT TSA! AGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGH! RUUUUUN!
have mercy you are right about that, no way i'm dealing with those folks, thanks for reminding me, BIIIIG fistbump to you for that one

 

[ArtW]

Vanman me and Gunny are in communication about that, probably have a loose, small caravan, meeting at 20 and 10, and keeping company along the way
i was just being lazy haha
Thank you folks for the perspective, sometimes I just get lazy

 

[eDJ_]

If it were just to be a show-up and visit on the cheap....


Recently someone posted one of those hammock stands anchored under the front and rear wheel of a vehicle.
If you owned a jungle hammock (roof and screen netting)  You could just rent a budget car.  It would be easy enough to take it down each day, throw it int he trunk and visit and have the car to go to restaurants etc. (visit Gym's like Planet Fitness if you belong to any and clean up and change clothes etc) 

If you have some old Boy Scout mess gear,  you could pick up a foam ice cooler and some food to stow in the car.  It may only take a bit of rigging up and a couple of duffle bags to arrive with and then rent a budget car in order to attend.

It's just a thought.

 

[ArtW]

not a bad notion
Of course, most regular rent cars rent for about $40 a night, right there with the Jucy
And there's still that TSA thing
I don't mind physical contact, but I prefer it be friendly, not invasive

 

[shanna-travels]

Downsides, no chance to test my rig, would be restricted in how long I could stay, and I'd have to buy some stuff on the way (bedding, cookware maybe)

Opinions?

Actually, I think Jucy provides everything you'd need including bedding and kitchen set-up, so just a few personal items and you'd be good to go!

 

[ArtW]

You're right, I misread that part, good catch

 

[DrJean]

I can rent RV in FL but can't drive it out of the State of Fl!

 

[Txjaybird]

not a bad notion
Of course, most regular rent cars rent for about $40 a night, right there with the Jucy
And there's still that TSA thing
I don't mind physical contact, but I prefer it be friendly, not invasive

:huh:  WHATSA TSA THINGY? THEY'RE GONNA GET PHYSICAL? :-/ :-/ OH MY!!!  

WHEN I TOLD QUEENIE SHE GOT SCARED AND WENT UNDER THE COVERS........SHE DON'T LIKE TO BE MAN-HANDLED!!

JEWELLANN

 

[ArtW]

Dr Jean that sounds like a sorta dumb rule for a rental company to have, gues they're afraid someone will take their mega $$$ RV and run off to Michigan with it

C;mon, Jewelann, you know, the Transportation Security Administration, those nice folks at the airports who keep us safe from foreign terrorism by strip searching old white Americans and waving the foreign tourists and immigrants through to avoid accusations of racial profiling