Motorhome trip in Canada

Nebulous2

We are contemplating spending a month or so in Canada next year, with 2-3 weeks of that touring in a motorhome and the rest visiting family. Looking at Calgary / Banff / Jasper sort of area. I'm getting quotes for motorhomes that are cheaper than New Zealand, and even cheaper than at home. 

I'm wondering if I'm missing something with the motorhome rental - will I be hit with lots of additional costs? I know fuel and campsites aren't included. 

Any tips or suggestions? 

blindman

Fuel consumption is high.
Slower to drive than a car, so longer journey times.
Camp site fees can be high
Can't just park it in town easily.
Need specialist insurance, normal car insurance is not applicable.
Get one with a toilet-Pro-convenient-Con you have to empty it in special areas.
If the're just two of you, IMHO cheaper, better to hire a car and stop at AirBnb's

Brie

someone was saying that insurance wasn't included in the price so make sure you look for that.

And be conscious of the distances you will travel..  I've met too many people who think that an inch on the map in Canada can be traveled in an hour.  Grew up there so I know this isn't true!!!

TELLIT01

The question is probably better asked on a site such as TripAdvisor.

Alan_Bowen

Most motor homes have limited mileage included and then a per mile charge above that rate. I drove from Vancouver to Whistler and back and then across to Jasper, Banff and Calgary. The distances driven were enormous and I also got hit with a large one way charge as well. I did it by car and hotel/lodge each night and the route is spectacular but I wouldn't have contemplated driving anything the size of a motor home

Nebulous2

Alan_Bowen said:

Most motor homes have limited mileage included and then a per mile charge above that rate. I drove from Vancouver to Whistler and back and then across to Jasper, Banff and Calgary. The distances driven were enormous and I also got hit with a large one way charge as well. I did it by car and hotel/lodge each night and the route is spectacular but I wouldn't have contemplated driving anything the size of a motor home

I noticed the one-way charge. Picking up in Calgary and dropping off in Vancouver almost doubled the cost of a two week hire, compared with picking up and dropping off in Calgary. 

blindman

Depending on  your flexibility you can get one way trips moving camper vans for the firms who need them from one coast to another.

I got a one way from Toronto to Vancouver for £1.

Had a time limit of 10 days IIRC and mileage which gave an extra 500 miles from the direct route.

Wasn't as great as it could have been TBHO so will never do that again.  LOL

Olenna

I would suggest only doing the motorhome thing for about week and just use hotels/cars/flights the rest of the time.

We were there last year and found the Canadian supermarkets to be good quality but expensive and takeout/ eating out was often comparable. Alberta was also noticeably cheaper than either British Colombia or Quebec. 

Flair airlines and WestJet are both based in the province so provide good connectivity along with Air Canada.

darrenbilly

Nebulous2 said:

We are contemplating spending a month or so in Canada next year, with 2-3 weeks of that touring in a motorhome and the rest visiting family. Looking at Calgary / Banff / Jasper sort of area. I'm getting quotes for motorhomes that are cheaper than New Zealand, and even cheaper than at home. 

I'm wondering if I'm missing something with the motorhome rental - will I be hit with lots of additional costs? I know fuel and campsites aren't included. 

Any tips or suggestions? 

I really hope you make this trip, I can tell you now, you will have a great time. I've done it twice myself. First time in a car I owned, second time after I moved back to the UK I went over with my dad and we rented a lovely motorhome from Canadream. I'm looking to go again this year - same route, same experiences. The price on their site is the price you pay. Banff and Jasper are glorious must see places. 
Gas and campsite fees will be the second and third highest costs after the motorhome. However, of got fly into Calgary and rent/return there, the roadtrip out and back would be about 1500+1800kms if I remember correctly. Food and drink (groceries and eating out) might cost more than you spend on gas! 
Feel free to message me any questions.

darrenbilly

blindman said:

Depending on  your flexibility you can get one way trips moving camper vans for the firms who need them from one coast to another.

I got a one way from Toronto to Vancouver for £1.

Had a time limit of 10 days IIRC and mileage which gave an extra 500 miles from the direct route.

Wasn't as great as it could have been TBHO so will never do that again.  LOL

I did this in Australia. Never again. I spent the entire time driving because I had to meet the deadline. I also spent 8 hours at a mechanics because the power steering fluid leaked out and I couldn't drive. I lost an entire day of my already delayed trip. No help from the motorhome company. I should have left the vehicle at the mechanic and jumped on a bus for the rest of my trip. 

darrenbilly

Nebulous2 said:

Alan_Bowen said:

Most motor homes have limited mileage included and then a per mile charge above that rate. I drove from Vancouver to Whistler and back and then across to Jasper, Banff and Calgary. The distances driven were enormous and I also got hit with a large one way charge as well. I did it by car and hotel/lodge each night and the route is spectacular but I wouldn't have contemplated driving anything the size of a motor home

I noticed the one-way charge. Picking up in Calgary and dropping off in Vancouver almost doubled the cost of a two week hire, compared with picking up and dropping off in Calgary. 

Depends on who you book with and when. You could catch a deal that waives the one way charge or gives free unlimited Kms. If you plan your trip unlimited Kms may be unnecessary and a waste