| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Baby/Booster Seats
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| Baby Capsules |
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Recommended for infants:
- 0 to 6 months of age (on average)
- 0 to 9kg / 5 to 30lbs weight
- Up to 70cm / 27 inches in length |
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| Apollo: |
- Do not permit baby capsules in their vehicles. |
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| Cheapa: |
- Do not permit baby capsules in their vehicles. |
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| Baby Seats |
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Recommended for children:
- 6 months to 4 years (approximately)
- 9 to 18kg / 20 to 40lbs weight
- Above 70cm / 27 inches in length
- Children must be able to support their own head in a sitting position. |
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| Apollo: |
- Permit baby seats in their 5 and 6 Berth motorhomes (maximum 2).
- Baby seats are available for hire (see Terms & Conditions for prices).
- Client can supply their own baby seats but they must comply with the USA child restraint standards. |
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| Cheapa: |
- Permit baby seats in their E-22 (4 Berth) and and E-25 Berth (6 Berth) motorhomes (maximum 2).
- Baby seats are available for hire (see Terms & Conditions for prices).
- Client can supply their own baby seats but they must comply with the USA child restraint standards. |
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| Booster Seats |
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Recommended for children:
- 4 to 7 years (on average)
- 14 to 45kg / 30 to 100 lbs weight
- A booster seat enables a child to use a standard 3-point seatbelt that fits across the chest. Please note that in some motorhomes, the seatbelts in the main cabin are lap belts (i.e. they only come across the lap). |
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| Apollo: |
- Permit booster seats in their 5 and 6 Berth motorhomes (maximum 2).
- Booster seats are available for hire (see Terms & Conditions for prices).
- Client can supply their own booster seats but they must comply with the USA child restraint standards. |
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| Cheapa: |
- Permit booster seats in their E-22 (4 Berth) and and E-25 Berth (6 Berth) motorhomes (maximum 2).
- Booster seats are available for hire (see Terms & Conditions for prices).
- Client can supply their own booster seats but they must comply with the USA child restraint standards. |
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| This information is current but please be advised that child restraint information can change. |
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| Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the use of baby capsules, baby seats and booster seats. |
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| © SelfdriveShop.com |
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Branch Locations |
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We can assist with rentals from Los Angeles (California), San Francisco (California), Las Vegas (Nevada) and Denver (Colorado) - from 01 April 2011.
Unfortunately we cannot help with any other branch locations at this stage but watch this space for new announcements! |
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Booking Payments and Deposits |
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How much do I pay when I make a booking?
A deposit will be required to confirm any booking. Deposit conditions for different brands may vary and we will advise you in writing of these conditions at the time of quotation.
On the rare occasion, we will take a deposit and then require the balance 28 days prior to pick-up. Again, we will advise these conditions at the time of quotation.
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What are Calendar Days? |
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RV and motorhome rentals are based on calendar days. This means that the days of pick-up and drop-off are counted as a day of rental each, regardless of actual pick-up and drop-off times.
For example, a rental from 05-15 December would be calculated as 11 days' rental, regardless of the pick-up and drop-off times. |
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Cancellation Fees |
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Please refer to our Conditions page for details on cancellation fees. |
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Caravan Parks in the USA |
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You have a number of options when it comes to overnight camping in the USA:
1. Caravan Parks
2. National Parks
3. Free Camping
Caravan Parks
Staying overnight in an RV caravan park is recommended when travelling in the USA . The USA has an extensive network of RV caravan parks in all major tourist centres and in most towns.
There is ordinarily no need to book ahead, however it may be wise to book ahead in peak periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc).
www.koa.com/where/usa
www.gocampingamerica.com
www.reserveamerica.com
www.passportamerica.com
www.overnightrvparking.com
National Parks
Most national parks have areas set aside for camping. There are often shower and toilets, barbeques and picnic areas and of course national parks provide a scenic and peaceful place to stay at overnight. Please note that most national parks require a pass or permit for overnight camping.
www.recreation.gov
www.nps.gov
Free Camping
In certain areas, you do have the option to “free camp” (i.e. away from an RV caravan park). These areas are generally flat parking lots, including:
- behind casinos
- RV-friendly gas (petrol) station
- truck stops
- some Wal-Mart parking lots
www.freecampgrounds.com
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Driver's Licence & Age Requirements |
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All drivers must be 21 years and over and hold a valid, current and full (i.e. non-provisional) car driver’s licence. Please note that Apollo and Cheapa require drivers to have held their full licence for at least 2 years.
All licences must be readable in English. If the licence is not readable in English (e.g. if the licence is in German, French, Chinese, etc), an International driver's licence must also accompany the country licence.
International clients are also required to show their passports as a form of identification.
Some rental companies have a maximum age limit (e.g. 75 years). Please refer to the relevant rental company's Terms & Conditions.
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Deductible/Liability |
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The Liability is the amount of money that you are responsible for if the vehicle is damaged while on hire. This is regardless of who actually causes the damage.
Most motorhome rental companies have an Excess or Liability of US$2500. So, for example, if you are involved in an accident (regardless of whether you are at fault or not), you would be liable for the first US$2500 worth of damage.
The rental companies therefore offer a number of protection options to reduce this Liability. The amount of protection that you take (or do not take) determines the amount of your Security Deposit (Bond). More information on each company's Liability reduction packages are available in their Terms and Conditions. |
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Flex Rates |
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Many rental companies offer "flex" rates (flex standard and flex inclusive). The Quote Calculator will often display the different types of rates for the same vehicle. You then have the choice of which rate is best for your rental. Regardless of which rate you select, you are still booking the same vehicle.
Flex rates are based on a simple system of supply and demand. So when there are a large number of vehicles available for hire from a particular branch, then the rental rate is lower (and vice versa).
Flex rates are released each week. The rates can therefore change (i.e. increase or decrease) from one week to the next, depending on the movement of vehicles between branches. To secure the current rate, you must book by Saturday (Australian time). After Saturday, the rate may change for the coming week. (We cannot offer flex rates that were displayed weeks or months ago).
Special conditions apply for making changes to a flex rate booking - please refer to the rental company's terms and condtions for more details. |
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Fuel Costs |
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All USA rv and campervans use gas (gasoline), charged by the gallon. For up-to-date gasoline prices in the USA and Canada, please refer to Gas Buddy. |
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MP3 CD's and iPods |
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Many clients ask if they can play their MP3 CD's and iPods in the RV's and campervans. MP3 CD's can be played in the Apollo and Cheapa RV campervans. Please contact us for other campervan brands.
Some of the Apollo and Cheapa RV's are also fitted with iPod jacks but this cannot be guaranteed. Given that it cannot be guaranteed, we recommend you purchase a radio transmitter once in the US which will allow you to play your iPod in the Apollo RV's and Cheapa RV's.
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Travel Insurance |
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We strongly recommend that you take out your own Personal Injury Travel Insurance. The insurance options to reduce the Excess/Liability on the rental vehicle do not include cover for personal injury or loss of personal belongings.
We do not recommend any particular insurance, but insurance is available through local travel agents, airlines, credit card providers and independent companies found on the Internet.
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Travelling Distances (Kilometres / Miles) |
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The USA is a big country and there is a lot ot explore on an rv rental vacation. We recommend that you research your intended travelling route thoroughly, particularly your travelling distances. It is far better to travel at a leisurely pace and visit the many attractions of America rather than spend each day driving long distances. Aim to cover 95 - 155 miles (150 - 250 kilometres) per day and you will experience the USA in comfort.
Los Angles (CA) |
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725 km
450 mi |
San Francisco (CA) |
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430 km
265 mi |
1015 km*
630 mi* |
Las Vegas (NV) |
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1636 km
1017 mi |
2043 km^
1270 mi^ |
1211 km
753 mi |
Denver (CO) |
* Distances between San Francisco and Las Vegas are via Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks
^ Distances between San Francisco and Denver are via Salt Lake City |
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Winterized RV's and Campervans |
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Temperatures below freezing can ruin the plumbing and heating systems in RV campervans by freezing the water that runs through the sinks, water tanks and bathrooms.
Apollo and Cheapa are not winterized, so we recommend that the RV campervans are not taken into areas where there is a risk of water freezing.
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