Everything you need to know about traveling in an RV

Renting an RV is a way to have an unforgettable vacation. This kind of travel will work well for people who are spontaneous and do not plan their vacation too carefully. However, those who enjoy careful planning of the route and places to visit will also find a lot of pleasure. 

Why rent an RV?

Vacationing in an RV can be an excellent alternative to vacationing in a cottage or guesthouse. Having your own, and mobile, place to sleep gives you independence. This makes it possible to spend your vacation both in a crowded resort and near the forest in a remote area. 

In Poland, as well as in many other countries, you can camp wild in an RV. This means that you can stop the car in any parking lot or on the side of the road and spend the night. The only thing to remember is that the car must not block or obstruct the passage of other road users. A camper is also not allowed to park in forests, nature reserves and national parks, or in places where motorized traffic is prohibited. You also can't leave the car on private land (such as fields or meadows) without the owner's permission. 

Advantages of traveling on wheels

Traveling in an RV is all about freedom and liberty. You can park the camper in a different place every day and thus explore more in even a short vacation. 

Free accommodation and your own kitchen guarantee that your vacation will be much cheaper than if you rent accommodation. Besides, a vacation in an RV is an excellent excuse to spend time close to nature. Many tourists who travel on wheels confirm that the campervan rental is a much cheaper option than spending your vacation in the traditional way. 

Choosing the perfect camper: types, sizes and features

There are four main types of RVs on the market: 

Camper van

This is a semi-delivery or delivery car (commonly called a tin truck), the interior of which is converted so that you can live in it while on vacation. It is not large and will work well if two adults, possibly with a small child, are going on a trip. 

Sometimes it has a folding roof, which gives you sleeping space. Its equipment is very basic: a small annex with a stove, a table, sometimes a toilet. 

The advantages of traveling in such a car include: 

- compact size (not every driver feels confident in a large car) 

- lower fuel consumption 

- ability to develop higher speeds 

Alkowa

This type of camper is also based on vans, but much larger. It has an extra space above the driver's cabin, which can be used for storage or a bedroom. Depending on the size, the alcove will accommodate 5 to 7 people. 

Such a camper has a small kitchenette, a toilet with a shower, a refrigerator and plenty of storage space to keep the things you need for your trip. 

The biggest advantages that go along with hiring such a car is that: 

- will prove useful for longer trips where you take more things 

- accommodates the whole family 

When leaving, you need to take into account its size - it is taller and will not fit under every bridge. In addition, in windy weather it is prone to side gusts and thus can be less stable, especially for an inexperienced driver. 

Semi-integer

This is the most popular type of body. It differs from an alcove in that there is no additional space to manage above the driver's cabin. Besides, it has the advantage over the alcove that it is much better to drive (due to better aerodynamics) and consumes less fuel. It can carry 4-5 passengers. 

Integra

The most luxurious campers are those of the integra type. In this case, the entire body of the car is designed as a camper. Therefore, it is more comfortable and has many amenities. The other three types of campervans use ready-made vehicles, in the case of the integra, manufacturers only use a ready-made floor. This is the car with which larger families can travel (4-7 people). Its biggest advantages are: 

- high convenience and comfort 

- luxuriously furnished interior 

However, it must be remembered that a driver with a category B license cannot drive an RV with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons. In practice, the integra camper is sometimes heavier and the driver must have a category C license. 

How to rent an RV? Practical tips for beginners

To rent an RV you need: 

- sign a contract (the contract is signed by a person with a driver's license, often on an exclusive basis, meaning the vehicle cannot be shared with third parties) 

- pay a deposit, which is refunded when the vehicle is returned, may be reduced by the amount of cleaning of the camper if the traveler has not done so. 

An RV rental agreement can be very detailed and include such information as: 

- Prohibition of exceeding the speed limit of 120km/h 

- A ban on travel to countries with armed conflicts 

- The need to empty the gray water cassette before returning the car 

- Additional charges for: cleaning the car, running out of fuel or specific damage 

People who want to rent an RV should answer questions such as: 

- Whether to rent a car close to home or, for example, only in Pomerania to explore the entire Polish coastline 

- What must be on the car's equipment (e.g., bike rack, coffee maker, decent heating). 

- whether the standard (travel conditions) is important - renting a car in a lower standard means lower costs 

Campers for families: Comfortable solutions for vacations with children

Families with children like to choose RV vacations due to the fact that children find sleeping in the car and driving a motorhome very appealing. It is then necessary to remember that the car should be equipped with seats for smaller children (a child up to 150 cm tall must travel in a seat or on a stand). 

Parents of noisy toddlers need not fear the stares of neighbors who are disturbed by children. In hotels, unfortunately, this sometimes happens. 

If the children feel tired, you can stop the car in a safe place and continue the trip the next day. 

The most beautiful routes by camper van: Inspired travel at home and abroad 

RV enthusiasts often share practical tips on convenient travel routes with other travelers. Such a trip can be planned meticulously, if one likes to have everything to the last button. However, this is not necessary, as an RV allows you to plan your route hour by hour. When you arrive at an attractive place, you can decide whether it's a place to stay overnight or just a short stop with sightseeing. 

Popular 7-day routes in Poland: 

- A journey along the Baltic Sea (you can start in Krynica Morska and end on the west coast, such as in Darlowo) 

- Bieszczady Mountains (here you need to remember not to enter places where traffic is prohibited and you can't spend the night there), where you can visit: Polańczyk, Solina, Ustrzyki 

- Giant Mountains (part of the trip can be spent in the Czech Republic, where there are also a lot of tourist attractions)

Experienced drivers are also eager to travel by camper to remote areas. They spend 2-3 days on the road to reach Southern Europe and vacation there in the sun. Before such a trip, it is imperative to check whether it is possible to spend the night outside a campsite in a particular country. Often, even if it is possible, authorities advise against wilderness vacations due to robbery attacks that occur. Undoubtedly, the safest place to stay is in marked campgrounds, where it is much cheaper than staying in a hotel. 

Any tourist curious about new experiences should consider spending their vacation in an RV. Renting a car with a family of four or five is no more expensive than staying in a hotel. Besides, if all travelers love this way of vacationing, you can consider buying a car or converting a van into a family camper.