Frequently Asked Questions - USA Campervan and RV Rentals

Vehicle Options

Please check out the following page for more detailed FAQs on campervan rentals

What options do I have for my road trip adventure?
Bakpak Dave can book a range of rental vehicles for you including campervans, Motorhome/RVs, both regular class C and smaller Class B camper and minivans.

What is the difference between a camper and a campervan?
What we call a camper in the USA, are vehicles that have a bathroom and kitchen and sleep two or more people. A campervan includes a bed and table, a propane stove, small fridge but no bathroom or shower. Campervans offer some room to relax and dine in the back during the day and then easily convert to sleeping quarters at night.

Why Rent a Campervan?
Campervans offer the best of both worlds - the freedom to go where you want, when you want, whether you’re in the heart of a city or tucked away in a campground in a National Park. Since they are small vans/mini-van type vehicles converted to campers, they are easy to drive compared to a camper or motohome. And they use much less gas too!

Why Rent a Camper?
If you have a larger budget, a camper provides you more room to lounge inside. It includes a kitchen, bathroom and shower. You can also hook up a camper to a power source in a campground.

Why Rent an RV/Motorhome?
A motorhome is great for a family of four or a group of friends, offering sleeping quarters from 4-7 travelers and ranging in size from 22-33 feet.

Are the vehicle transmissions manual or auto?
All rental vehicles have automatic transmissions. If you have not driven an Automatic before, don't worry as it's much easier than a manual transmission.

Can I sleep in a minivan?
The seats in the back of the minivan fold down into the floor, making a cozy sleeping area in the back. But the minivan does not come with standard campervan gear like a mattress, fridge or stove. You can rent a convenience kit that includes bedding, cookware and utensils.

What about breakdowns/emergency service?
Repairs for vehicles that breakdown are covered including towing unless the accident/breakdown is due to driver negligence.

Rental Requirements

How old must I be?
The minimum age to rent is 21 years old for both campervans and RVs. Some RVs options have a minimum age of 25. Bakpak Dave can help you find the right RV option if you are under 25. There are no extra fees for being under 25

Do I need an international drivers license?
An international drivers license is not required but can be helpful if your native language is not English. You do however, need a drivers license from your home country.

Are there extra charges if under 25 ?
Under 25 fees are small and only apply to the minivan rentals. There is no under 25 fee for campervan or RV rentals. See our article for Under 25 rentals.

Booking a Campervan or RV

How do I book a campervan or RV/motorhome rental?
Complete one of our Quote Request Forms which can be found on the vehicle type/departure point pages. Bakpak Dave will then check availability and provide you a quote. To reserve your rental, you will pay a deposit that varies by vehicle, with the balance due to at vehicle pick up or 40 days prior to pickup. The deposit is generally non-refundable.

Do I need to book in advance?
For cross-country and summer rentals, it is recommended to book in advance. For winter/off season travel, it is not as important. In general, it is best to book as soon as you can or are ready.

Why Book with Bakpak Dave?
Bakpak Dave offers personalized travel agency services to independent travelers planning their USA road trip adventure. He will help you find the best rental for your budget and itinerary and book it for you at no additional cost and no mark ups. He’ll also give you some extra freebies and travel discounts, where possible.

How do I Contact Bakpak Dave
Bakpak Dave is here to help you with your car, campervan or camper rental. You can email me at usarentals@bakpakguide.com, or complete one of our Rental Inquiry Forms. I am also available for a phone-consulation if arranged in advance (Pacific Standard Time). And yes, that is what I really look like!

The Road Trip

Where can I stay overnight?
In addition to campgrounds throughout the USA, you can park almost anywhere although you do need to check local parking ordinances and signs to make sure. Otherwise, you may get a ticket or be towed away. Many Walmart stores allow overnight camping in their parking lots. Check out article Freestyle Camping Across America with a Campervan Rental.

How long does it take to drive cross-country?
Of course it all depends on where you want to go and how quickly or slowly you want to see America. The distance is 3,000 miles or 4800 kilometres between Los Angeles and New York and requires about 50-60 hours of driving time.

Which Side of the Road?
In the US and Canada, you will drive on the right side of the road.

What States/Countries can I travel to?
You can travel to all US states (except Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada. Mexico travel is not permitted.