Apart from any IdeaMerge special discount, the prices and policies presented on the IdeaMerge Website match the prices and policies of our vendors. You aren't paying extra by going through IdeaMerge — in fact you may be paying less.

IdeaMerge facilitates the whole rental process, presenting a single total cost you can count on and acting for you as an accessible resource and, if necessary, as an advocate.

With a foot naturally in the vendor's camp, we carefully manage expectations so that the entire rental experience is maximally enjoyable for all involved.

currency

Our motorhome and campervan rental rates match our vendor's rates and are therefore calculated in US Dollars (US$ or USD). And because we are based in the US, we also charge the downpayment and balance in US Dollars.

Moreover, unlike our main competition we do not impose a credit card transaction fee. What's more, being a USA company, IdeaMerge charges the USA total price in USD. Therefore if you are from the USA you suffer no retail foreign exchange transaction; and if you are from outside the USA (i.e. if your funds are not in USD), you avoid involving in the overall transaction a third (i.e. middle) currency (that of a non-USA-based competitor of IdeaMerge) and the concomitant retail foreign exchange thereto from USD, which avoidance saves you about 2% on the total cost. Of course neither IdeaMerge nor the vendor is responsible for exchange rate fluctuations and the consequent variances that are possible in a particular foreign currency's value relative to these USD charges.

reservation

In accord with the automobile rental industry standard, reservations may be made for a vendor's particular vehicle category (what we might call a vendor's "group") only, not for a specific vehicle. Which is to say, although the various images, model numbers and vehicle specifications presented throughout the IdeaMerge motorhome rental pages — especially on the vehicle-specification pages — are carefully selected to accurately and precisely indicate the vehicle that you will get, the vehicle model (and layout) you get might not be identical to what is indicated by said information. In the very unlikely event that a vehicle in the reserved category is not available upon the pick-up date, the rental company reserves the right to substitute a comparable or larger vehicle with the same equipment and the capacity to accommodate the number persons you have delineated (in terms of, say, adults and children) as being in your party. In this case there will be no additional charge for a larger vehicle. However, the higher ancillary costs associated with a larger vehicle — such as ferry charges, tolls, and fueling costs — are to be borne by the customer.

The USA rental motorhomes presented on this Website are designed to safely transport the number of occupants which equals the maximum number of sleeping places stated as characterizing the vehicle. To transport in such motorhome more than said maximum number of people is to risk violating traffic safety laws in this respect and, due in part to the cumulative weight of the passengers, causing mechanical failure or accidental damage to the vehicle and injury to the occupants and other persons. The rental client (i.e. the customer) will be held fully responsible for such damages and injuries. Of course all driver's seats and front passenger seats of these vehicles have safety belts, and these devices should be worn whenever the vehicle is in motion. Although many motorhomes accommodate passengers in places where safety belts are perhaps not required by law (e.g. at the dining table), any safety belts present in the rear area are at least significant of a recommended rear seating position. Rear occupants of a moving motorhome should oblige themselves — and any rear occupants dependent on them — to sit in such places only and to use appropriately the seatbelt gracing such seat. Riding in a place which is not equipped with a safety belt increases the danger of injury to one's self and others.

downpayment

balance

cancellation fees

changes

A first change to a booking (i.e. to a reservation request that has already been confirmed by IdeaMerge and El Monte RV) entails no change fee. Each subsequent change might entail change fee, the amount of which is usually modest/nominal yet is generally commensurate with the degree to which the change compromises the vendor's ability to rent the vehicle. In most cases such fee is US$ 50.

El Monte RV's rates are flex rates, meaning they are re-determined frequently (in this case about two or three times a month) relative to supply and demand considerations. A particular flex rate is associated with every vehicle, pick-up location and date; and the customer locks-in to the rate(s) by placing a booking. However, insofar as an El Monte RV rental booking is subsequently changed at the customer's request such that a new location (or locations), vehicle and/or dates are involved, the rates applying to these new parameters are determined according to the set of flex rates effective on the date of the change.

If after the rental has commenced the client wants to change drop-off location, the client should first obtain authorization from the vendor and ascertain the additional charge that would apply.

If after the rental has commenced the client wants to extend the duration of the rental, the client should obtain authorization from the vendor. Failure to obtain such authorization will result in a US$ 50 per hour penalty. Authorized extensions of the rental duration are those which occur at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of return.

taxes

The tax is determined according state and city in which the pick-up occurs: 10% at Dallas, 4.85% at Denver, 7.75% at Las Vegas, 8.25% at Los Angeles, 7.00% at New York / New Jersey, 6.5% at Orlando, 8.75% at San Francisco, 14.5% at Seattle / Vancouver. Of course the IdeaMerge online reservation software includes the tax in the total cost it computes.

fees

Certain fees imposed by state governments might apply, depending on the pick-up location. The IdeaMerge online reservation software incorporates these fees into the total price presented to you.

pick-up & return constraints

The minimum official rental duration is 7 nights.

Clients are allowed to pick-up the rental vehicle on the day their flight arrives — but only if the client calls El Monte RV (tel. 800 367 6507) upon that arrival and arrives by his/her own means at the rental depot no less than one hour before the depot's official closing time. El Monte RV does not provide transfer service in connection with same-day flight arrival.

Similarly, other clients who provide their own transportation to the rental depot — i.e. who do not take advantage of El Monte RV's transfer shuttle service — must call El Monte RV at tel. 800 367 6507 between 8:00 am and 9:30 am on the morning of the pick-up day, this to learn precisely when the vehicle will be ready that afternoon; such clients must arrive at the rental depot no less than one hour before the depot's closing time. Customer vehicles cannot be stored at the rental depot without prior authorization from the depot's rental manager; and nominal charges apply, typically US$ 5 per night. … Towing is allowed with non-one-way rentals of the C25, CS25, C26, CS26, C28, CS28 and AS30 El Monte RV vehicles, but a 3000 pound maximum weight applies (therefore most cars are prohibited; small utility, motorcycle and single axle enclosed trailers no larger than 5 feet by 8 feet are usually less than 3000 pounds). Only one object may be towed at a time and the combined length of motorhome and object being towed cannot exceed 40 feet. The towing surcharge is US$ 10 per night (with a US$ 100 minimum for the AS32 vehicle, US$ 50 minimum for the other vehicles listed here). The vehicles have a 2 inch x 2 inch square receiver mounted to the rear. However, El Monte RV neither carries nor provides nor installs a towing hitch nor assists clients in this respect. There are different plug-styles for electrical hook-up; 2-prong, 3-prong and 4-prong systems exist. This feature varies year by year, model by model and manufacturer by manufacturer. As the specific vehicle to be received is not assigned until the day of scheduled pick-up, the clients will need to find out at the counter what plug-style is in place on their assigned unit. Only then should one acquire an adaptor. El Monte RV provides no insurance to cover towed items.

Standard shuttle transfer: The shuttle service is not available at Denver; and at Seattle / Vancouver the service is available in connection with Vancouver, BC, airport area hotels only (not with the Seattle area), this for a cost of US$ 80 each way, plus US$ 6 fee to be paid at the border. (Typically this trip takes about one hour. However, due to increased security and summer traffic, a delay crossing into the USA is possible. During the summer months the delay might be on the order of an hour or so. El Monte RV is not responsible for refunds of any type as a result of such delays.) Otherwise the shuttle service is free of charge. The client opting for this service must call the rental depot directly no later than 9:30 am the morning of motorhome pick-up, this to schedule transfer and the precise pick-up time. The shuttle arrives between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm (or at the Vancouver airport area about 11:30 am) at designated hotels only. … Transfer from the rental depot following the return occasion occurs between 8:00 and 13:00 (8 am and 1 pm), although at the Seattle / Vancouver depot the shuttle departs about 10:00 am; these return transfers typically stop at the airports as well as at the airport area hotels. … Delays may occur during peak season and certain holiday periods; no refunds are given for transfer delays. Transfers are provided as a courtesy and are not financially negotiable or refundable. Transfers to the rental depot may occasionally be subject to restrictions or limitations beyond El Monte RV’s control. In such circumstances, transfers may be the financial and logistical responsibility of the renter.

Priority AM Departure (PAD): This option guarantees a departure-ready motorhome by 11:00 am, this for a one-time surcharge of US$85. PAD departure must be booked at least 7 days in advance and is not available at Dallas, Denver and Seattle / Vancouver. The PAD shuttle service is restricted to those hotels designated as PAD shuttle hotels by El Monte RV. Upon arriving at the hotel, clients should call 800 337 2199 for recorded detailed instructions. To meet the shuttle, clients must be at the designated point mentioned. The PAD shuttle typically arrives between 7:15 am and 8:00 am, although it may need to arrive as early as 6:45 am. There are no refunds for PAD surcharge if El Monte RV does not receive PAD hotel information 7 days prior to pick up.

Luggage capacity of the El Monte RV shuttles is of course limited and may require clients with excess luggage or oversized items to store and later retrieve them from their hotel. Typically the complimentary luggage capacity is in accordance with the airline regulations: two suitcases weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) plus two pieces of hand luggage per person.

Note: for motorhome travel soft-sided or collapsable bags are the best sort to use.

Vehicle pick-up (or return) is not possible directly at locations other than the depots.

The depots are closed during certain holidays, which are accounted for by our online reservation software.

The depots are open for standard pick-up Monday–Saturday (except Denver, which is closed all Saturdays) 13:00 to 16:00 (1 pm to 4 pm), Sunday (except Dallas, Denver, New York / New Jersey, Seattle* / Vancouver*, which are closed Sundays) 13:00 to 15:00 am — although Priority AM Departure (PAD), as described above, facilitates pick-up between 8:00 am and 11:00 am for a surcharge of US$ 85. In all cases clients must call ahead to El Monte RV, as described above, to learn precisely the time the vehicle will be ready for them.

The depots are open for standard return Monday–Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 am, Sunday 8:00 am to 11:00 am, i.e. mornings. Again, however, Denver is closed every weekend, and Dallas, New York / New Jersey, and Seattle* / Vancouver* are closed Sundays. Recall as well, transfer from the rental depot following the return occasion occurs between 8:00 and 13:00 (8 am and 1 pm), although at the Seattle / Vancouver depot the shuttle departs about 10:00 am.

* The Seattle / Vancouver depot is closed Saturdays during October–March, and is closed every day between the last full week of January and the first full week of February. During October–April this depot closes an hour early; therefore the standard pick-up window becomes 13:00 to 15:00 (1 pm to 3 pm)

A non-standard return time (i.e. an afternoon return) entails an extra night's worth of cost. The vendor imposes the standard pick-up and return times such that most vehicles can be prepared during regular business hours and delivered to a client on the same day that the vehicle is returned by the previous client. Thus the vendor doesn't lose out on renting that vehicle for that night. The IdeaMerge software accounts for non-standard return times.

A fee of at least US$ 50 per hour applies to unauthorized late return of the vehicle. Authorized extensions of the rental duration are those which occur at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of return.

El Monte RV is not responsible for items left in the motorhome after the client returns the vehicle and departs. El Monte RV will not mail such items to the client; instead El Monte RV reserves the right to donate or dispose of such items as it sees fit.

security deposit

When we say "authorizes/blocks," we mean this security deposit is a pre-authorization/verification of available funds; it is valid for the duration of the rental and will not itself appear on the client's credit card statement. Upon the return occasion, however, the client may be charged for vehicle damage, vehicle uncleanliness on the inside, late or otherwise improper return, engine fuel, traffic fines and/or parking tickets.

The vendor reserves the right to retain a minimum US$ 50 fee if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition. Which is to say, the client should clean out anything brought into the vehicle since the commencement of the rental, such that the interior is as clean as it was upon the pick-up occasion. Furthermore the vehicle should be returned with empty toilet and waste water tanks (valves open, cap off) or the vendor will retain a separate US$ 50 fee.

what's included

The engine fuel tanks are typically full upon the pick-up occasion and are generally meant to be returned with the same measure of fuel in the tank as was present upon the pick-up, If upon the return occasion the engine fuel level is lower, the client will be charged for the difference (at a premium compared to market prices). The water tank, propane tank, and any toilet chemical repository will be full upon the pick-up occasion; but you will not be charged if they are returned less than full. No refunds are given for unused water, propane and toilet chemicals

By the way, the client is responsible for checking all vehicle fluid levels at each refueling during the rental. Refills of all these fluids — except of course the engine fuel and the propane (LPG) — will be reimbursed by El Monte RV upon the return occasion if the client presents receipts for such.

The El Monte RV rentals do not automatically include the minimum legal amounts of primary liability (i.e. third party) insurance, which minimums vary between state, province and territory. Such coverage must be attached to the rental via one of the following actions: upon the pick-up occasion, a renter (i.e. client) who is a resident of the USA or Canada must present to El Monte RV proof of his/her personal automobile insurance policy (including policy number and, if his/her insurance company requires one or if the rental RV is a diesel pusher model, a separate rider); or a renter who cannot present such proof of insurance, a renter who is not a resident of the USA or Canada must pre-purchase (e.g. via IdeaMerge) El Monte RV's so-called Rental Liability Insurance (RLI), costing US$ 13.50 per night. Either sort of client mentioned above can supplement said liability coverage by purchasing Statutory Limit Insurance (SLI), which increases said minimum limits to US$ 1,000,000 per authorized driver of the rental vehicle. The SLI costs US$ 12 per night if pick-up occurs in Florida, US$ 13.50 per night if pick-up occurs elsewhere. Naturally certain exclusions apply, which include but are not limited to several of those listed on our El Monte RV "Insurance" page.

Furthermore, IdeaMerge requires that all our clients who book an El Monte RV rental pre-purchase El Monte RV's Vehicle Incident Protection, because without this protection the client is responsible for the full cost of repairs made to the vehicle consequent of damages that occur to the vehicle during the rental (including the cost of El Monte RV's lost rental revenue while the vehicle is being repaired). We don't want any of our clients to suffer such potentially huge costs. The Vehicle Incident Protection reduces said responsibility to US$ 700 per incident (or to US$ 5000 for a "diesel pusher" A-Class vehicle). The damages covered by this protection include overhead damage, undercarriage damage, tire damage, wheel damage, damage which occurs when the vehicle is being backed up, theft of the vehicle, damage due to vandalism, fire, break-in, and weather, as well as animal impact, accidental damage to windows, and towing and recovery costs, all regardless of whose fault an accident was. The protection also typically covers costs of transporting a damaged rental vehicle to an El Monte RV rental station. Certain exclusions do of course apply, which exclusions include but are not limited to those listed on our El Monte RV "Insurance" page.

Included by default with all rentals is Roadside Assistance, tel. 800 367 4707, effective in the USA and Canada 6:00–19:00 hours (6 am to 7 pm) PST during Monday–Saturday, April–September; 6:00–18:00 hours (6 am to 6 pm) PST during Monday–Saturday, October–March; 8:00–17:00 hours (8 am to 5 pm) PST Sundays. See our El Monte RV "Insurance" page for details.

El Monte RV provides free storage of luggage at the rental depot (but at the client's risk). Again, for motorhome travel soft-sided or collapsable bags are the best sort to use.

All the vehicles have an automatic transmission, dash and roof (110 V) air conditioning, stove burners, microwave oven, sink, refrigerator, freezer, furnace, toilet, generator and 110 V hook-up.

The nightly rental rate includes unlimited generator usage (the generator output being 110 V, 30–45 amps).

Included in the preparation fee are the first tank of propane, the first supply of toilet chemicals and toilet paper, a water hose, sewer hose, leveling blocks, and the final cleaning of the outside of the vehicle.

Also included are the operator's manual (in English and German) and — per request upon the pick-up occasion — a regional campground guide and KOA discount card (giving customers a 10% discount). Map booklets (including directions to the nearest supermarket and fuel stations) might also be available as such, but this is not guaranteed.

There is a US$ 25 charge for each additional driver (although if pick-up occurs in California, this fee is not applied). The vendor provides free storage of clients' luggage at their depots (but at the clients' risk).

age and license(s)

The renter (contract signer) and any drivers must be a minimum of 21 years of age (except at the New Jersey / New York depot, where the minimum is 25 years) — there is no maximum age limit. Each driver must have a valid driver’s license from country of residence. If the license is not from the USA, the driver must present a passport as well. The license must not expire during the rental period. An international driver’s permit is recommended, though not required. (Regarding such permits, see the country listings posted on the New Zealand Automobile Association's Website.) Basically an IDP is a means by which police in a foreign country can know — in terms of translations in nearly a dozen different languages — that your domestic driver's license is indeed recognized as being valid by the proper authorities in your country. (See the excellent article at Drivers.com.) The local office of your auto club (AA, AA, RAC, ADAC, etc.) sells IDPs for about US$ 20. If you need an IDP, take your license, two passport-sized photos and the requisite cash to the club office. (Though for about US$ 6 the club may snap Polaroid photos for you.) Ten minutes later you'll be able to legally drive on any European road—assuming you're at least 18 years of age. If you plan to operate a motorcycle in Europe, be sure to have the auto club certify your qualification to do so. Web searches will bring up a host of Websites selling documents that conform to the model delineated in annex 10 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949); but according to Article 24 of that convention, a truly valid IDP is one which is "issued .. by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an association duly empowered by such authority ...."

Good news: In the USA the standard domestic drivers licenses of foreign states are, in connection with foreign tourists, considered equal to a standard USA drivers license. Therefore the foreign drivers license allows the holder to drive the same range of vehicle types as does a USA license. This means, for instance, that the 3500 kg permissible-weight constraint that applies to European Union licenses in Europe is effectively raised in the USA to match the USA standards, which are invariably so high that all the vehicles represented on IdeaMerge's USA "Rates & Reservations" page may be driven by a standard-European-drivers-licensed client. (See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver's_license and, say, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Driving_Licence_codes.)

breakdown

In the event of a mechanical breakdown requiring the vehicle to be in repair for more than 12 hours, El Monte RV will refund lost-use rental charges only. El Monte RV’s maximum liability shall be for the refund of nightly rental charges or fractions thereof. No claims for rental car, hotel, telephone, etc, will be accepted. The term breakdown as used above does not refer to the vehicle's air conditioning, plumbing, refrigerator, microwave, other appliances, slide-out functionality, automatic step, awning, radio, CD player, TV/VCR/DVD, generator, and cruise control, among other functionalities not essential to travel.

In the event of a mechanical problem requiring repairs under US$ 75 clients will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts and any replaced parts. For needed repairs over US$ 75 clients must call El Monte RV’s Roadside Assistance department for prior authorization. A toll free number is provided for assistance with problems, questions, etc: 1-800-367-4707.

See our El Monte RV "Insurance" page for details concerning the included insurance and assistance.

restrictions

accident

In the event of an accident, the customer must obtain a local police report as provided by the attending police officer investigating the accident. The client should notify the El Monte RV pick-up depot about the accident as soon as possible. On said accident report the client should make a full, written report including the other party's name, address, phone number and driver's license information. The client should submit that form to the pick-up depot within 24 hours of the accident. All documents relating to the accident should include a police report number or other pertinent identifying number. Insurance coverage may be void if these measures are not performed.

parking tickets, etc.

warning

Although motor travel in North America is not generally considered prohibitively dangerous, there are, of course, associated risks — including death. For quantitative measures of these risks, please see the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) http://www.asirt.org.

a slight disclaimer