Our 1st true RV adventure consisted of renting a 30’ class A and driving round trip from Sacramento to Las Vegas. Why? We decided we were ready to experience actually driving a class A, we're NASCAR fans, and an RV trip to Las Vegas in February sounded like a perfect destination.
When this idea 1st crossed our minds of course we envisioned parking infield with full hookups and a view of the track from the roof of our RV. In reality there's about a 100 year waiting list and a huge price tag associated with those prime spots, so as 1st timers we were able to secure a spot dry camping within shuttle distance to the track. As it turned out I doubt we could have had a better time if we'd been infield in a Prevost Bus.
After buying tickets and reserving a spot the next quest was finding the right RV. I searched the internet & found a 30’ Admiral Flair available in our home town of Sacramento. If we drove the entire distance we knew we would exceed the 700 allowable miles included in the rental, but it would also give us a healthy taste for driving a class A long distance on the road (aver 300 miles each way). In hindsight since the rental place was local I should have viewed the RV in person before making a commitment, but the pictures on the internet looked great, the price was right, so I booked.
With all preparations made we picked up the RV the night before we departed; Steve drove it from the rental lot back to our house very carefully, then we both went to a nearby parking lot to practice. Steve had driven an RV in the past and after the 20+ mile drive home he'd mastered turning and parking fairly well, I was not as confident and decided to limit my 1st driving experience to driving to a straight line only.
We had 2 criteria for our drive: to arrive and park during daylight & to avoid road work along the way. That appeared to be no problem, Cal Trans website showed all clear and we left home early in the morning.
All started off as planned and after a few hours on the road Steve pulled into a drive through rest area and I took over the wheel! I fell into line behind an 18 wheeler and found keeping between the lines much easier than I expected, after awhile I was brave enough to even pass!! The trip was truly a blast, it felt great sitting up high in the big seats and the ability to get up and run to the bathroom without stopping made long hours on the road substantially freer than being stuck in a truck.
When this idea 1st crossed our minds of course we envisioned parking infield with full hookups and a view of the track from the roof of our RV. In reality there's about a 100 year waiting list and a huge price tag associated with those prime spots, so as 1st timers we were able to secure a spot dry camping within shuttle distance to the track. As it turned out I doubt we could have had a better time if we'd been infield in a Prevost Bus.
After buying tickets and reserving a spot the next quest was finding the right RV. I searched the internet & found a 30’ Admiral Flair available in our home town of Sacramento. If we drove the entire distance we knew we would exceed the 700 allowable miles included in the rental, but it would also give us a healthy taste for driving a class A long distance on the road (aver 300 miles each way). In hindsight since the rental place was local I should have viewed the RV in person before making a commitment, but the pictures on the internet looked great, the price was right, so I booked.
With all preparations made we picked up the RV the night before we departed; Steve drove it from the rental lot back to our house very carefully, then we both went to a nearby parking lot to practice. Steve had driven an RV in the past and after the 20+ mile drive home he'd mastered turning and parking fairly well, I was not as confident and decided to limit my 1st driving experience to driving to a straight line only.
We had 2 criteria for our drive: to arrive and park during daylight & to avoid road work along the way. That appeared to be no problem, Cal Trans website showed all clear and we left home early in the morning.
All started off as planned and after a few hours on the road Steve pulled into a drive through rest area and I took over the wheel! I fell into line behind an 18 wheeler and found keeping between the lines much easier than I expected, after awhile I was brave enough to even pass!! The trip was truly a blast, it felt great sitting up high in the big seats and the ability to get up and run to the bathroom without stopping made long hours on the road substantially freer than being stuck in a truck.
