Renting a Van in California?

[Redheddedwonder]

Does anyone know of any company that’s rent campervans in California? I’ve found the typical ones like those purple caravans, and cruise America. We are wanting to go winter camping in Yosemite, and none of those options offer 4wd in case of snowy roads.

We fly free and it would be a quick trip the end of the month is why I am thinking rent rather than spend 2 days for driving my van down from Washington and back.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Yosemite roads and associated road conditions are pretty binary. They are often either fine or closed, without a bunch of grades in between. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive a 2wd van to Yosemite valley in any season. We used to do it frequently in our Dodge Charger, similarly RWD on street tires. Make sure you take chains, (also rentable) chain up if required or if you are uncomfortable, try your best to drive daylight hours, take it slow, and stay on main roads. Have a good trip.

Oh yeah, air down for winter roads slightly, same reasons as sand, extend the contact patch and flex of tire on icy road.

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Thanks! Kinda what I was wondering! I have plenty of experience driving in snow but the website for Yosemite made it seem worse than it is I think!

Any other tips for rentals to use or for Yosemite would also be welcome!

 

[NatersXJ6]

You have to consider that 90+% of Yosemite visitors have virtually no snow driving experience and are rolling in poorly prepped cars and think they are a million miles from help. The reality is that traffic will back up on you in seconds if you have an issue, although communication is limited. Sometimes we stop at the gate and watch people try to chain up for the completely fine roads they are about to face... sort of like watching a holiday weekend boat ramp.

As far as California car prep, I still remember moving here from the Great Lakes and being told by my company motor pool that I was getting the truck with “off road” tires. I laughed, my Buick Park Ave back east had better tread and siping than the thing they considered “off road”.

If you are 30% cautious, odds are that you will be fine unless they close the roads. Plan a tiny bit of schedule flexibility for that possibility, depending on last minute forecasts.

 

[Vandit]

Trekker Vans out of SF is worth looking into.

https://www.trekkervans.com/

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Thanks for the information guys! Sounds like we will be fine!

 

[AbleGuy]

Check out the Sportsmobile Forum thread on renting camper vans before buying:

Other campervans to rent and test before deciding on an SMB - Sportsmobile Forum

https://www.curbed.com/2017/8/23/161...van-rental-usa I see a lot of the Juicy Vans around the campsites in CA.

www.sportsmobileforum.com

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Sweet thanks!

 

[b. rock]

GrampsWRX is a SMB forum member and has rental vans. Not 100% sure on type or quantity however.

 

[grampswrx]

Yeah, come get one of mine! Only thing is I am about 7 hours south of Yosemite. SCvans.com.

My suggestion would be to get on outdoorsy.com and find something in the SF area or wherever you are flying into. That will be much more convenient. Also, like someone said, CA is super picky about road conditions. They close roads on many occasions when the snow begins to stick. Even with chains and 4x4 the road will be closed. Unless you are going to a ski resort, I wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere in a 2wd in CA. All my vans are 2wd but we have chains (unused and free) that you can take if you want. People take them, never been used.

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Thanks for the information everyone! Looked into a few so far, gonna book something this weekend after me and my wife sit down and plan a little bit!