Apollo RV relocation adventure

[isisdave]

This story began with Karen G's tipoff about Apollo RV's relocation adventure, in which customers pick up a new motorhome from Winnebago in Forest City IA and drive it to one of 7 or 8 destinations. The rates were very low ... actually $1 per day, plus some upsell.

The adventure begins:

We flew from SAN to MSP Thursday afternoon drove down to Albert Lea MN to spend the night. There's a Walmart Supercenter across the street, so we stocked up on some food and stuff we didn't want to bring in luggage. Friday morning, on to Forest City IA, arriving about 11AM, along with a bus of about 70 other folks. Took 5 hours for the presentation, contract signing, instruction, and debugging of the new RV (the tank drain valves hadn't been closed, which made the test of the water system quite exciting). More on this when I have free WiFi.

Anyway, it's a Winnebago Outlook 27-footer. We've spent the night in a municipal campground in Worthington MN where we're one of only two occupants. It really isn't the season yet. Off to Wall SD or maybe Badlands NP today.

Slightly later: well, when disconnecting the power to prepare for leaving, I discovered a flat rear tire. I can see the screw in it, and it's about half flat, probably only because there are dual tires on each side. So I called the trouble number and they said they'd get someone to help, but I had to pay for it because I didn't sign up for their extended coverage. However, I asked when booking, and again when picking up, if roadside coverage was included. Yes both times, so I didn't bother extending my AAA coverage to RVs.

So I agreed to pay for the service call, and will fight the reimbursement battle later. It turns out there's NO SPARE TIRE in the vehicle, and no owner's manual. Plus it's Saturday noon, everything is closing, but a truck tire service here in delightful Worthington MN says they can be on site in less than an hour. We're not getting to Wall, SD today, I think.

So now, flashback to yesterday. Apollo was taking delivery of 330 vehicles this week (601 total for the season), and of course Friday was the last day. Staff clearly were tired and wanted to leave. The familiarization was pretty fast and the vehicle had not been adequately inspected. There was still writing on the windshield, the water system had not been tested as mentioned earlier. And there was no spare, although from what the service guy say, this is intentional. I can't imagine how they're going to handle a flat tire 200 miles from any significant city, and there are lots of places like that in our country.

On the other hand, the weather is pleasant and mid-70s, there's only a slight chance of rain, we've got food and decent cell/hotspot coverage, books and a lovely lake view, and I'm with people I love. So, as I like to say, if this is my worst problem, I'm lucky. We would, though, like to get across South Dakota and begin the mountain part of the adventure.

Stay tuned!

Oh, and I'm thinking of buying Good Sam's Platinum Plus Roadside Assistance plan if I can't get Apollo to cave on adding coverage. I've seen people recommend that for international travel as well. Comments on this, or alternate plans, would be happily received. There is a 48-hour period before it becomes active, but AAA has a 7-day delay when you want to add RV coverage.

 

[DaveNV]

Any chance you have Costco's Ameriprise insurance? It includes free roadside assistance, and I believe it covers RVs. You may have options you don't know about. Just a random thought.

Good luck with the rest of the trip!

Dave

 

[Nancy]

Please keep us updated. Would have been interested if we'd been a few years younger. Do you have any camping experience?

 

[isisdave]

We have no RV experience, and our camping experience is very old. However, I'd say it doesn't apply to RVing in 2018.

The RV is built on a Ford E-450 chassis, and is VERY noisy even on a smooth road, of which there are few in Iowa or Minnesota, although the ones in South Dakota (I-90) seem better.

Through the kind help of a local towing company, who helped us realize we didn't have a spare, and a local commercial tire company, we got back on the road again about 2:30. Having left 4 hours later than intended, we didn't make it to Wall as hoped, but are stopped for the night at Al's Oasis Campground in Chamberlain SD. If you eat at Al's be sure to have the hot apple pie with cinnamon ice cream, although all of our meals were at least OK.

Sun sets at 8:45 here tonight! DW wants to watch the UCLA men's volleyball tournament final on whatever website the semifinals were on this Wednesday, so time to hunt around for that. Tomorrow the goal is to see Mt Rushmore and make it into Wyoming, staying somewhere -- maybe Cody -- for early arrival at Yellowstone the next morning. It's 3.5 hours to Rushmore, so that should be doable.

 

[Passepartout]

Ahhh, the adventure of road trips. But on the good news side, you only paid a buck for the privilege. Woo-Hoo! Seriously, though. Drive carefully.

 

[PamMo]

Thanks for posting your update, Isisdave! I thought it sounded like an adventure, and it certainly sounds like you're having one! Hopefully you'll have smooth sailing/driving from now on. We drove our 1 and 3-year-old grands from Washington state to Washington, D.C. and thought it would've been fun and a lot easier to do it in an RV. This would've been a great way to try it out.

 

[Timeshare Von]

. . .

Slightly later: well, when disconnecting the power to prepare for leaving, I discovered a flat rear tire. I can see the screw in it, and it's about half flat, probably only because there are dual tires on each side. So I called the trouble number and they said they'd get someone to help, but I had to pay for it because I didn't sign up for their extended coverage. However, I asked when booking, and again when picking up, if roadside coverage was included. Yes both times, so I didn't bother extending my AAA coverage to RVs.

So I agreed to pay for the service call, and will fight the reimbursement battle later. It turns out there's NO SPARE TIRE in the vehicle, and no owner's manual. Plus it's Saturday noon, everything is closing, but a truck tire service here in delightful Worthington MN says they can be on site in less than an hour. We're not getting to Wall, SD today, I think.

<<snipped>>

Oh, and I'm thinking of buying Good Sam's Platinum Plus Roadside Assistance plan if I can't get Apollo to cave on adding coverage. I've seen people recommend that for international travel as well. Comments on this, or alternate plans, would be happily received. There is a 48-hour period before it becomes active, but AAA has a 7-day delay when you want to add RV coverage.

Not a great start with the flat and all. Hopefully things go smoother from here on out.

As for the Good Sam's Platinum plan . . . that is exactly what we did when we use our friend's RV up in Alaska. Since we have it for 2 weeks (and we've done this three times) . . . we join Good Sam's and the platinum roadside plan. It's about $120 as a member, but well worth the peace of mind. Also, that plan also transfers and can be used for your personal home vehicles . . . so we feel like we get good opportunity to use it beyond the two weeks with our friends' RV.

 

[b2bailey]

Thanks for posting your update, Isisdave! I thought it sounded like an adventure, and it certainly sounds like you're having one! Hopefully you'll have smooth sailing/driving from now on. We drove our 1 and 3-year-old grands from Washington state to Washington, D.C. and thought it would've been fun and a lot easier to do it in an RV. This would've been a great way to try it out.

I would call that drive an act of "Saintly" grandparenting proportions.

 

[PamMo]

I would call that drive an act of "Saintly" grandparenting proportions.

How sweet of you to say that, but it was a true joy! We stopped in Yellowstone to see geysers and bison, had a summer snowball fight in the mountains, spent a night in a dude ranch, saw LOTS of trains and big trucks(!!!!!!) driving cross country, etc... What fun to experience it all through the eyes of small children.

I never thought it would be this much fun having grandchildren. Both sets of our grandkids, their parents, DH, and I look forward to our special bonding time together at what we all call "Gramp Camp". We're on Hilton Head now with our 18-month-old, 3-year-old, and 5-year-old, after a week exploring Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to do this!

Now, if ONLY we had an RV with lots of bunkbeds, we could REALLY have an adventure!

 

[elaine]

Might do this is a few years. How long in advance do you need to sign up?
How long do you have to drop at your location?

 

[ace2000]

Thanks for the updates! So, what's the plan for the trip? I presume from N. Iowa to California? When do you have to turn it back to them?

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks for the updates! So, what's the plan for the trip? I presume from N. Iowa to California? When do you have to turn it back to them?

He said they’re going to Rushmore, then on to Yellowstone.

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

Thanks for the updates! So, what's the plan for the trip? I presume from N. Iowa to California? When do you have to turn it back to them?

IIRC they are headed to Las Vegas. There is another thread that details their trip. Isisdave said they could have chosen to deliver their coach to S. California, but they didn't get any extra time for the extra miles.

 

[isisdave]

Things improved, functionally, and we're now in Jackson WY at an outrageously overpriced RV park. It's overpriced because there are only two parks here, and "everything is expensive in Jackson." But it seems to me that 30 campers at $40 brings in more income than 3 at $75.

Yellowstone was great for the experience as I'd never been there and it's quite unique. It was relatively empty; Madison is the only reservable RV campground open and we stayed there three nights and in the Old Faithful Inn for one. The latter is a classic place, but the $350 room has no TV Internet or A/C. The bird poop on the windows was complimentary, and the room had a view of geysers (but not Old Faithful). Great bed though. The campground was fine, and at $14.08 per night (senior rate) a treasure.

But Yellowstone is stuck in a time warp. There is plenty of advanced technology in the park, but the only wireless carrier with much presence is Verizon. We all have T-Mobile, and the only other GSM carriers are AT&T with a limited presence in one or two places, and "US Mobile Telephone" which we could connect to, but not make calls on, in Old Faithful. Texts arrived 15 minutes or more, or never. No WiFi anywhere except $5/hr lobby only in a few of the lodges. No phone calling cards are sold, and there are very few pay phone -- and few of the staff know where they are. I found three of the same style that were in my freshman dorm in 1966, except the light in the ceiling didn't work, so I couldn't read my notes. All of this would have been solved by a cell phone that would connect, but that is not to be for T-Mobilers.

The motorhome is getting about 7.5 mpg and is behaving better on roads that are slower and have less wind. No further mechanical problems.

We stayed an extra day in the park, because the South Entrance (and Exit) didn't open until today, and the alternative route to Jackson would have been three times as long. That means we now have only three travel days to arrive in Vegas -- 720 miles -- on the evening of the 15th so we can turn in the RV on Thursday morning. So we're not likely to be able to stop at a Utah national park. We're expected to clean it, although no cleaning supplies were furnished. Thank goodness for WalMart, which is almost literally everywhere.

We rented a car here as I found one for $15 a day at Enterprise. After failing to sell me an upgrade to an SUV, they gave us a Dodge minivan anyway, which is probably better; it's certainly larger. It was rainy and cold, so we're hoping for some better weather tomorrow to explore the area.

I'll have more for you Sunday or Monday night.

 

[isisdave]

Apparently posted twice.

 

[Passepartout]

Great adventure! Be careful. Snow is expected in Wyoming's high country.

 

[DaveNV]

I understand the wifi issues you're experiencing. No fun, when you're used to being connected all the time. Old Faithful Inn trades on their old-timey atmosphere. Wifi is a non-issue when you have a volcano under your feet, a geyser out your window, and a four-story log building around you. Add in the "bathroom down the hall" experience, and it's like being in another world.

Drive safe, and try to enjoy yourselves. If you can arrange to cut through Zion on your way south, at least you'll be able to see some of the Park.

Dave

 

[isisdave]

Jackson was predicting another solid day of rain, and at 40 degrees at that, so we lit out for Utah. Wend over US 89 and down to I-15 at Brigham City, down to Springville KOA to spend the night. Continued on to Bryce Canyon, having reserved one night at a park nearby. This afternoon we visited just briefly, and tomorrow will hit it for most of the photographic highlights, as the weather looks pretty good, only 20% chance of rain.

I had investigated dumping the tanks a day or two ago, before all the rain, only to discover that the hose is stuck in the square bumper-thingee and apparently has no fittings anyway. Springville has a WalMart (bless those folks) so bought the right one and will see if we can get Apollo to reimburse, but only $19 so not a big deal. I was thinking I'd try it tomorrow, but actually I think we have enough capacity to make it to Vegas Tuesday night, when we have to dump anyway.

The plan is now to spend one more night in Bryce, probably in Sunset campground (which is possible as we can get there early), and then Tuesday hit the road for Vegas (4 hours) where we need to camp as we have to return the RV by 11am Wednesday. And "clean" which is a little puzzling as we had to buy a broom and paper towels etc, but it really needs a vacuum to get all the crumbs out.

Other than the tire not much went wrong. I've got about $700 into gas for the 1800 miles we've come. We're all still friends. Life is good.

 

[Passepartout]

Clean is one thing, 'detailed' is something else. You might find a vacuum at a car wash. We found a Swiffer invaluable to keep the hard surface floors presentable. I wondered when I read the promo of what was provided (and what is provided to renters of these RVs). Why don't they include a plastic pail with a Swiffer, a couple of refills, a couple of microfiber cloths, a duster and a dish sponge/scrubber. (90% of your cleanup can be accomplished with this and some dish soap and paper towels.) Oh well, When I get to be emperor, things will be different.

Glad the end is in sight for you, Dave, and without major misfortune. Happy Trails!

Jim

 

[Nancy]

I've enjoyed your updates. Thanks

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thanks for letting us follow along!

I'm heading out for Yellowstone this week . . . I cannot wait.

 

[ottawasquaw]

Hey, a great trip and a wonderful way to do! Congrats! $75 a night was eye-opening! I've heard how expensive sites can be. I stayed in Jackson years ago at an old basic roadside motor inn. I'm guessing it's long gone. Those were the days! So much fun!
I need to re-read your Inn experience. People really forget the point of exploring the wilderness is to get away from it all. LOL!
It's a huge problem because people expect to have use of their technology and they don't. It's the same in Yosemite and many places here.

 

[isisdave]

We did spend a night in a Bryce Canyon campground, but it was North, partly because of the more convenient location and because the ranger at the entrance said that Sunset had a lot of "green fences" to keep people out of areas that are being rehabilitated, and they were somewhat unsightly. So that worked fine, $15 with 50% senior discount, but no hookups, and cold-water flush bathroom nearby. We've all been to Bryce before, but it's a park we'd revisit. It's funny -- we feel Bryce is "better than" Zion because you don't see hoodoos many places, but we overheard someone else opining that Zion is "more magnificent," so I guess it's really up to your taste.

It was only 4 hours from Bryce to Vegas, plus you get back an hour in time change, so we were there in the Oasis RV park (capacity 900!) just south of the airport by 2pm. Ninety degrees! Where are those shorts?? Did the tank dump-and-flush with the hose I bought at a Walmart somewhere several states ago. Most campgrounds now insist that the fitting on their end be a secure one, not just stuffing the tubing into the opening. I saw why -- you can get a big enough flow to pop the hose out unless the Assistant Dumper has her foot on it.

Now the fun began. We chose the park near the airport so I could Uber to the airport to pick up our rental car for the trip home. Did that, got all the stuff loaded, set out for the Apollo station, bought gas, and of course arrived in the midst of six other RVers returning theirs. They were not going to accept my tire claim: "that's just the same as any other damage, and you're responsible." And they knew that there was no spare: "there never is these days." This would be a big deal if you had the problem mid-Mojave, for example. Anyway, they returned all but $6 (generator use) of the $1000 on-the-road deposit.

At this point the Darling Women advised me that the AC in the rental car barely worked, certainly not enough for 5 hours trans-desert. So back to LAS for an exchange, which took nearly an hour, and then zooming home in the five hours it usually takes on a weekday. It's great to sleep in your own bed, isn't it? BTW, the new Ford Edge got a surprising 23.5 mpg on that trip.

I'll have more thoughts and cost info in a day or two, but the basic conclusion was "An RV is the way to go for staying in National Parks, etc., if you're not going to be a tent camper. But it's not fun to drive, so stay-several-days mode is much better than drive-every-day. And for destinations where affordable motels and last-minute timeshares are available, those are better." It did rain several nights and that one day in Jackson, and a dry RV is better than a wet campground, but not better that a lodge with a fireplace!

Cleaning: Jim, they did provide a pail and dustpan/brush, but that's it. We bought a cheap old-fashioned broom, and used that probably 4x a day to sweep out, even though we had a doormat too. Little rocks just kept sneaking in. We cleaned the sink and stovetop with sponge and paper towels. There wasn't a toilet brush, so we didn't clean that (although we mainly used it only during the night, part of the reason 3 people + 12 nights = only one dump). They said it was fine.

 

[Passepartout]

Thanks muchly for the report. It was quite an adventure, and I think that from it just about anyone can tell that there is a certain amount of good old-fashioned problem solving involved. Glad you got home safe and sound. Enjoy that bed at home. Looking forward to your notes looking back on the experience.

It makes me think that there are some circumstances where renting a motor home is the way to go, but I can safely attest that owning one isn't.

Jim

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks muchly for the report. It was quite an adventure, and I think that from it just about anyone can tell that there is a certain amount of good old-fashioned problem solving involved. Glad you got home safe and sound. Enjoy that bed at home. Looking forward to your notes looking back on the experience.

It makes me think that there are some circumstances where renting a motor home is the way to go, but I can safely attest that owning one isn't.

Jim

I agree with your assessment, Jim. What Dave experienced was a better-than-average first time use situation, and I suspect a less savvy person would have had a much less pleasant experience. When I lived in my motorhome and traveled around for that year, I met many people who had nothing but bad stories to share. As a weekend travel warrior, those RV renters were among the least educated into the nuances of successful RV travel. After nearly 15 months on the road, I came away with some vivid memories of things I'd never want to repeat, and I was a reasonably experienced camper/traveler going in. A newbie would be overwhelmed.

Just as with any kind of travel, it's a "live and learn" situation. You develop knowledge and a sixth-sense about things. You learn what does and doesn't work for you and your companions. You acquire a toolbox of skills and equipment that make RV travel easier. But to step into a factory-fresh bare bones RV and drive across country with no accessories, and plans to enjoy the ride? Let's just say Dave is a braver man than I am. Kudos, sir. You earned your "I Survived..." ball cap. Wear it with pride.

Dave