The purpose of this blog isn’t to showcase expertise, but rather to share my personal experiences while traveling cross-country in a (Class B) RV for the very first time. I’m certainly no pro when it comes to RV travel, but hopefully, someone with more experience can chime in with more detailed insights for fellow readers.
Why I Was Traveling So Far
After more than five decades away, I finally managed to plan a trip to attend my family’s annual reunion, celebrating its 90th anniversary. This gathering of descendants from the original settlers (dating back to 1860) in the Mecosta, Michigan area has been held every third Saturday in August at the same park location since 1934. My great-grandfather was one of the founders of this tradition. For generations, these families have shown immense interest in maintaining their connections, genealogy, and family history—long before the existence of platforms like Ancestry®. I hadn’t attended a reunion since high school, as I moved south to Atlanta, Georgia for college, where I still reside today. It was an incredible event, with over 500 attendees.
[Image: A map showing the location of Mecosta, Michigan on a purple background with text indicating "90th Annual Old Settlers Reunion, Saturday, August 17, 2024, Mecosta, Michigan"]
[Image: A group photo of people gathered in a park in Mecosta. Courtesy of cousin N. Williams from Detroit.]
[Image: A smiling Karen sitting in a power chair at the family reunion.]
Why We Chose to Rent a Class B RV
We initially planned to rent a full-sized (Class A) RV capable of sleeping around ten people. However, that plan fell through due to a scheduling conflict involving our experienced driver and camping expert. With just a smaller group, we decided to switch to a Class B conversion van instead, which is much easier to drive. My primary motivation for choosing this option was my disability, as I wanted to avoid the hassle of constantly getting in and out of a vehicle to use public restrooms during our journey. Honestly, I’ve always felt uncomfortable using public toilets. Therefore, I specifically looked for vans equipped with a toilet. Since everyone else on the trip was fully-abled, and the “black tank†would be relatively small, we agreed that the toilet would be reserved for my exclusive use.
Did Everything Go According to Plan?
Even with careful planning and reserving the rental van well in advance, we encountered another unexpected challenge. Just weeks before the trip, the "host" (the van owner) informed me that the van had been involved in an accident and would be out of commission for a while. Thankfully, she managed to find me another rental from a different host. Surprisingly, this new van was actually a newer model, better equipped, and priced similarly. The downside? After months of studying floor plans and layouts, I didn’t have time to personally inspect this van for my accessibility needs ahead of time.
[Image: A Black Mercedes Class B RV Rental Van]
[Image: The rear of the van showing the trunk doors open, revealing an ADA-height porcelain toilet and sink.]
The Journey Itself
Despite the initial hiccup, the long journey turned out to be quite enjoyable, and time seemed to fly by. This luxury van came equipped with six comfortable captain's chairs, two flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and every streaming service, pull-out desks at each seat, a stereo for music streaming, footrests, loveseats that converted into beds, a microwave, sink, refrigerator, exterior cameras, ambient lighting, window shades, dual A/C controls, and a big-screen GPS. While it was pricey, I had budgeted accordingly. We could have chosen to sleep in the van, but we opted for hotel rooms upon arrival. The rental also included insurance for each registered driver and roadside assistance/coaching when booked through Outdoorsy.
Challenges:
- Tight space in the front passenger seat made it difficult for me to comfortably enter the van.
- No grip or handle near the sliding side door for balance.
- Narrow, low steps (two) to get inside.
- Captain's chairs behind the driver's seat prevented the use of a ramp for wheelchair access.
- Limited storage, particularly in the cargo net in the bathroom.
- Narrow aisle leading to the bathroom; too narrow for a walker or wheelchair.
Fortunately, I can still walk and managed to climb into the van (which became easier over time), holding onto the chairs to reach the toilet. My power wheelchair folds flat, so my husband and son were able to store it behind the driver's seat. The six captain's chairs were unnecessary, but they couldn't be removed. Four would have been perfect, offering more space.
[Image: Inside the rental van labeled with pros and cons]
Considerations:
- Pack lightly.
- Plan and budget carefully: pricing varies significantly; mileage may not be included in the base price; you’re responsible for gas.
- Study van floor plans to ensure compatibility with your needs. Some models have unobstructed doorways.
- Use rental sites with filters specifically designed for accessible vans for maximum comfort.
- Read up on RV travel tips; someone should know how to empty the "black" tank if necessary; RV toilets differ from standard ones—some are plastic, not porcelain.
- Some vans accommodate walkers or wheelchairs.
- Never use the toilet while the van is in motion.
- Avoid household cleaners and regular toilet paper (use RV-specific products).
- Ask your host if they handle return cleaning (ours did for a fee).
- Inquire about delivery/drop-off fees or whether you need to pick up the van yourself.
- Check if there’s secure storage for your personal vehicle at their site while you travel.
- Always ask about insurance. Ours included insurance for each registered driver and roadside assistance/coaching when booked through Outdoorsy.
Resources for Renting:
- Outdoorsy.com
- RVShare.com
Below are additional photos (from Outdoorsy.com) of the van we rented, with my own annotations. It was built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, but there are equally luxurious vans built on Dodge, Ford, and other foundations, so don’t focus solely on the brand. Pay closer attention to the layout and floor plan. Interestingly, I didn’t take any pictures of the van myself. This is the exact van we rented. And yes, I’ll definitely travel by RV again, hopefully even the larger Class A. Happy travels!
[Image: Looking toward the bathroom, with a TV on the door. Two captain seats and two loveseats are visible, along with a large window and overhead grab bars.]
[Image: From the bathroom door, looking toward the front of the van. Parts of the loveseats and four captain seats are visible, along with the driver and front passenger seats. An arrow points to the driver's camera view/map.]
[Image: Trunk doors open, revealing the bathroom in the back of the van, featuring an ADA-height porcelain toilet and sink.]
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Karen is a regular reviewer and blogger for Day Undefined. In her series, "Karen's Corner," she invites you to join her in exploring her passion for gardening and other hobbies while sharing tips to make them more accessible.
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