My Review And Tips For Renting a Cruise America RV (With Kids)

Renting an RV can be a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors with the comforts of home on wheels. I have rented RVs several times now from several companies, and I have more than 10,000 miles in RV rentals!

Our last RV rental was from Cruise America. Our family of five traveled from Missouri to Colorado and back, a nearly two-week road trip. This review covers all aspects of the Cruise America experience.

We rented the Cruise America Standard RV. It is 25 feet long. My aunt and uncle also rented one. This review will cover both of our experiences with the Standard RV.

Here is our full video review of renting a Cruise America RV.

Saving on Your Rental

One of the best ways to save on your Cruise America RV rental is by booking early. Early reservations can often secure lower rates and better availability.

Cruise America frequently offers promotions, so it’s worth checking their website for any current deals. For this trip I took advantage of their 4th of July Promo. We paid $1200 for 10 days.

Planning your trip during off-peak seasons can also result in significant savings, as rates tend to be lower when demand is not as high.

Another way to save is by renting the RV for a longer duration, as many rental companies offer discounts for extended rentals.

My favorite way to save on renting an RV is by renting from some place on the way to where we are going. It shaves a few total days off the rental cost. Plus it saves on gas. This time we rented the RV in Lee’s Summit, MO. This was 240 miles closer to our destination, so it shaved almost 500 miles off the rental expenses.

Another tip is to look for promo codes to save on their mileage expenses. The miles can add up.

Driving the Cruise America RV

Driving a Cruise America Standard RV is similar to driving a large SUV, like a Yukon XL. It handles well and is generally easy to drive, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

The Cruise America RV gas mileage is only about 8-10 miles per gallon, so it’s smart to use Google Maps to find the cheapest gas along your route. In general, you might find yourself driving 5-10% slower than the speed limit, which means you should anticipate arriving at your destination a bit later than Google Maps projects.

That is the Cruise America Standard RV gas mileage. Their larger RV will be worse, and their smaller one will have better gas mileage.

Toward the end of the trip my uncle told me he was using the Upside App. I completely forgot to use it. He scored $2.65 a gallon gas at a place that was advertised at $3.30. That was way less than Costco on this trip.

Windy conditions can make driving tricky, as the RV can act like a sail. There were times when I had to keep the steering wheel pointed at 3 o’clock to counteract strong winds.

It was surprising that there was no backup camera, and the side mirror rattled a lot, making it hard to see out.

Related: Secret Ways to Get Free Gas. How to Get Gas For Free Or Save On Gas!

Cruise America Standard RV Driving Tips

• Plan for Fuel Stops: Since the RV consumes more fuel than a regular car, plan your fuel stops ahead of time to avoid running out of gas in remote areas. I try to time these stops for the best gas prices I see on Google maps, and also the kids advertisements
• Adjust for Wind: Be prepared for windy conditions and learn how to handle the RV in such scenarios. Keeping both hands on the steering wheel is essential.
• Mirror Adjustments: Check and adjust the side mirrors before starting your road trip to ensure maximum visibility. Ours vibrated so much that lights on cars behind us looked like police lights and the cars were blurry. It made concentrating draining.

Related: Smart Travel: Before You Leave On Vacation Get These Done

Cruise America RV Noise Levels

One of the surprising aspects of driving a Cruise America RV is the noise level. Using a decibel meter on my phone, I found that the interior noise level was in the 70s. That is equivalent to a vacuum cleaner.

Locking the door and closing the vents helps make it a little quieter.

Finding and fixing anything that rattles can also reduce noise. The mirror, in particular, rattled a lot and made it hard to see out. Our stove top had a counter that closed over it.

We put a towel in between the closed countertop and stove to reduce the rattle. We also slid a towel between the screen door and door to reduce the rattle.

Our rental was much louder than any RV I’ve rented before. But, the one my uncle rented from Cruise America was much quieter. So we must have just had one with more wear and tear, and less tightening up of things.

Noise Management in A Cruise America RV

• Secure Loose Items: Before starting your journey, secure any loose items that might rattle or fall.
• Close Vents and Doors: Locking the door and closing all vents can significantly reduce noise levels.
• Earplugs: Consider bringing earplugs if you are sensitive to noise. We couldn’t even hear the radio despite going under the speed limit.

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Video Review Of Inside And Outside Of Cruise America Standard RV

We also created this video review of the outside of a Cruise America Standard RV.

We created this video review of the inside of a Cruise America Standard RV.

What To Pack When Renting A Cruise America Standard RV

When packing for your RV trip, assume that the camper has nothing you need. You will need to bring everything, including kitchen supplies, bedding, pillows, zip lock bags, duct tape, simple tools, soap, paper plates, utensils, napkins, and latex gloves for dumping the tanks.

The RV has plenty of storage space, with cabinets and cubbies everywhere, and a huge storage area underneath. As a family of five, we had more than enough room for all our belongings.

We even fit two toddler bikes in the underneath storage with all our other stuff. There was still room left over. This was substantially more room than other RVs we have rented in the past. That is despite it being smaller in length.

The table converts to a bed, and there are also queen-sized beds in the loft and main bedroom, allowing us to sleep five very comfortably. Bring some basic tools because things can rattle and break.

Packing List

• Kitchen Supplies: Pots, pans, utensils, paper plates, cups, dish soap, sponges.
• Bedding: Sheets, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags.
• Personal Items: Toiletries, towels, clothing, zip lock bags.
• Tools: Duct tape, screwdriver set, small hammer, pliers.
• Miscellaneous: Camping toilet paper (Costco’s Kirkland brand is okay), latex gloves, trash bags, paper towels.

Video Of Kitchen & Storage In 25ft Standard Cruise America RV

Here is a video reviewing the Kitchen & Storage Of 25ft Standard Cruise America RV.

Don’t Forget To Pack Kids Activities

I am adding this as its own section. I have 10,000 miles experience in an RV with kids under 7 years old. Last year, I did a 5,000-mile road trip with three kids six and under. One thing I have mastered is how to keep kids from being bored on a long road trip.

Make sure you have kids activities and snacks accessible to them. Also have backup stuff that they do not know about for after they exhaust the activities they have. If they know everything they have to play with at the beginning of the ride they will get bored quicker.

But if you wait until they are bored with what they have and give them another rounds of coloring books and games, then it recharges them.

For more tips from my experience, read: How To Save Money And Keep Kids Entertained On A Family Road Trip

Using the Appliances and HVAC

The RV is equipped with a variety of appliances, including a fridge, microwave, and HVAC system. The fridge uses propane when the RV is not plugged into electricity and switches to electricity when plugged in, ensuring that it stays cold while driving.

The HVAC system can be a bit tricky at first. The thermostat on the wall by the bathroom controls the heater, not the AC. The unit on the top of the RV controls the cold air.

We learned this the hard way when we set the thermostat by the bathroom, which kicked on the furnace while the AC was running. After a day, and wasted propane, we figured it out.

Cruise America Appliance and HVAC Tips

• Fridge Operation: Make sure the fridge is working properly before you start your journey. It should switch between propane and electricity seamlessly.
• HVAC Controls: Familiarize yourself with the HVAC controls. Remember that the thermostat by the bathroom is for heating only.
• Microwave and Generator: The microwave requires the generator or shore power to operate, so plan your meals accordingly.

Managing the Tanks

The RV has black and grey tanks for sewage and a freshwater tank. Depending on how conservative you are with water usage, the tanks can last about three days off-grid for a family of four to five.

You don’t need to be overly conservative, but you can’t take long, hot showers like you would at home. Also, avoid wasting water while washing dishes. The generator is mainly needed when you’re not hooked up to electricity and need to use the AC or microwave.

Only have the Water Heater switched on when you need it, or you will waste propane. Only flip on the water pump when you are not hooked up to a hose.

Cruise America Standard RV Tank Management

• Water Usage: Be mindful of your water usage. Shorten your showers and limit dishwashing to conserve water.
• Dumping Tanks: Learn how to properly empty the black and grey tanks. Use latex gloves for hygiene.
• Fresh Water Refills: Plan your route to include stops where you can refill your fresh water tank if needed.

How To Empty The Tanks In a Cruise America RV Video

We created this video to show How To Empty The Tanks In a Cruise America RV.

How Many Seat Belts Does A Cruise America RV Have?

Safety is a priority, and the RV is equipped with seven-seat belts. In the table area, there are four seat belts that can fit four car seats. The jump seat also has a car seat.

We set up two car seats in the table area and a booster seat in the jump seat. You can actually setup 5 car seats in the standard RV, which is a lot. When I’ve researched 27 foot or shorter RVs in the past on Outdoorsy and RVShare, I have always struggled to find more than a couple spots for a car seat.

Usually there are not enough seat belts, or the seat belts are too short. If you have more than two car seats, rent from Cruise America.

To fit a car seat in the table area, you need to remove all the cushions; otherwise, the kids’ legs won’t fit.

Safety Tips

• Car Seat Installation: Remove the table cushions to fit car seats properly and ensure the children’s legs have enough space.
• Seat Belt Check: Before starting your journey, make sure all seat belts are functioning correctly and securely fastened.

How To Install Car Seats In a Cruise America RV Video

We created this video to show how to install car seats in a Cruise America RV.

Additional Tips

The RV is very basic and doesn’t have many USB ports (none up front in ours), so bring cigarette lighter charger adapters. The radio is purely AM/FM, and there is no TV.

You need camping toilet paper, but Costco’s Kirkland toilet paper is okay to use. Attaching a bike rack on the back is a great option for additional storage.

Practical Tips

• Chargers: Bring cigarette lighter charger adapters for your devices, as USB ports are limited.
• Entertainment: Since there’s no TV, plan for other forms of entertainment like books, board games, or tablets with downloaded content.
• Storage: Make use of the RV’s ample storage space by organizing your belongings in cabinets and cubbies.

Loading and unloading the RV takes about 30-45 minutes and can be tough with kids. We kept them busy with activities while we handled the packing. Things will fall during transit, so make sure everything is stored correctly and don’t leave anything on the counter.

Loading and Unloading

• Kid Activities: Keep kids occupied with games, books, or electronic devices while you load and unload.
• Secure Items: Store all items securely to prevent them from falling during transit.

Gas Usage

The RV gets about 8-10 miles per gallon. Using Google Maps to find the cheapest gas in the next few hundred miles is smart. Anticipate driving slower than the speed limit, which affects your travel time.

I know I am beating a dead horse here, and that I already mentioned gas at the beginning, but we are a site focused on helping you save money. Gas adds up in an RV.

Fuel Tips

• Gas Planning: Plan your gas stops in advance to avoid running low in remote areas.
• Driving Speed: Drive slightly below the speed limit to maximize fuel efficiency and maintain control of the RV.
• Use Apps!: Like I mentioned, I forgot to use Apps like Upside.

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Video Review Of Bathroom & Features Of 25ft Standard Cruise America RV

We created this video review of the Bathroom & Various Features Of 25ft Standard Cruise America RV.

Bedding and Comfort

The RV offers plenty of storage space and comfortable sleeping arrangements. We slept five people comfortably, with the table converting to a bed and the loft and main bedroom each having queen-sized beds.

Comfort Tips

• Bedding: Bring your own bedding and pillows for maximum comfort.
• Sleeping Arrangements: Plan your sleeping arrangements in advance to ensure everyone has a comfortable spot.

Overall Review

We really enjoyed our Cruise America RV rental. It was spacious, easy to drive, affordable, and user-friendly. Despite some minor inconveniences like the noise and the lack of certain amenities, the overall experience was very positive.

We will definitely use Cruise America again for our future road trips.

Final Thoughts:

“Our Cruise America RV trip was a memorable adventure. The RV was a reliable home on wheels, and we look forward to our next journey.”

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