Buying / Renting and route advice

[ilan]

Hello RV mates,
We are a family of two adults and two teens from New Zealand that are looking to travel from LA, north to Canada, then east across Canada and then south to NY and Washington DC - The general plan is for 12 weeks, starting mid July and finishing mid October.
We are very interested with advice:
a. about the route: what is you suggestion?
b. about the most cost effective way to purchase and sell (or hire) a 20-23 feet camper. We are really new to this idea and need all the advice we can get. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Ilan

 

[LEN]

Re: Buying / Renting and route advice

We spent a year ago now in your N & S Island and had a wonderful time.
Now to your questions, As to route LA up I-5 a bit to get out of the LA area then over to the coast and up the coast through California, Oregon and into Washington, then back to I5 up to St Helens for the volcano. Then around the Olympic Peninsula and on to Mt Rainer, and out the east entrance to I90 to Glacier National Park and Waterton National Park in Canada, then north to Banff-Jasper and on to Edmonton. From here I don't have much to tell so I will let someone else add.
As to purchase or rent, for the cost of renting for the time you are here, I would think one could purchase and then sell for a loss and still come out ahead. But time is running short for the purchase and then there is the time it takes to sell. I would look at the rental cost then the purchase price and see which has the best cost. It looks like you are not coming back to LA so cast might be much better on the purchase.

LEN

 

[Kirk]

Re: Buying / Renting and route advice

First let me invite you to read a page that was written by an Aussie friend of ours about coming to the USA to RV. Check out what he has to say here:
http://adventure.1tree.net/index.php/rv-living/lifestyle/the-austrailian-perspective

Next, let me deal with the route. Were it me, I would travel north toward Santa Barbra from Los Angeles and then follow the coast highway north. If you wish to visit the city of San Fransisco, it would be right on your path but if not, you may still want to at least visit a few select sights there and also cross the Golden Gate Bridge. With an RV, I would route from there north on US101 to Ukiah and then take CA1 north from there all of the way to northern Oregon. Northern CA and OR have the most spectacular coastal areas that exist. I would also continue on up the Olympic Peninsula and take a trip from Port Angles to Victoria, BC as well. You could take the RV over on the ferry, or make a day trip and then continue by RV to the Seattle area.

In western Canada I don't have much experience, but when you travel to the east, be sure to take the time to stop and visit Ottawa, Montreal and the Quebec City.

 

[ilan]

Re: Buying / Renting and route advice

Hi Len,
Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Yes, time is running out as we intend to be in the US in two weeks. Do you think that one of the RV clubs/members could assist us in locating a suitable camper van that we could purchase or rent?
Much appreciated,
Ilan

 

[ilan]

Re: Buying / Renting and route advice

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the useful link - I am still reading it and find it very detailed. We will definitely check the route that you had suggested!
Can you recommend any of the RV clubs in LA that may provide further information on easy way to purchase and sell a camper van?
Thanks,
Ilan