We have never used an RV in the USA or Canada, so the information on this page is not from firsthand experience.
In the USA and Canada, small caravans towed behind cars in the British sense are virtually non-existent. The closest is the famous old silver aluminium caravan-like lengthy trailer with flat sides and rounded corners still seen occasionally (I forget the name but I think it has the word "air" in it - it might be "Airstream"). Minibuses are also quite common, although the old VW Microbus or Caravanette often associated with the hippie era is now a very rare sight.
The simplest form of RV is an attachment which attaches to the bed of a pick-up truck. I'm not sure whether such a device, which gives space for little more than a bed, actually counts as truly being an RV.
Next come larger devices, still attached to pick-up trucks, but with their own road wheels at the back.
Then come RV's proper - purpose made motor-home vehicles. These vary in size from small to enormous. You often see large RV's towing cars or boat trailers.
While hiring an RV for a holiday in the USA and Canada may at first seem a very attractive proposition, we feel that the RV rental companies are selling a dream and that the practical reality has some very serious drawbacks.
The main disadvantage is the cost. Hiring an RV is very expensive in terms of basic rental cost, mileage charges, CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) charges and petrol consumption. Most RV rental companies only provide an extremely meagre mileage allowance and charge heavily for additional miles travelled. The typical RV only does five to ten miles to the gallon. There are usually also some "hidden" charges such as for the rental of kitchen utensils. Remember that motel prices in the USA and Canada are very cheap compared with the UK, and that you still have to pay campsite fees with an RV. Also remember that the cost of eating in fast food restaurants in the USA and Canada is almost as cheap as cooking your own meals.
We also feel that even a fairly large RV would be constrictive and during the summer an RV would be very hot at night especially in the south.
Another important factor is the presence of restrictions regarding large vehicles over some mountain roads, for example the highest part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass in Glacier National Park in Montana. In addition, many of the companies who rent RV's prohibit taking their vehicles to Death Valley and some may impose further restrictions.
On the open road there would be few problems in driving even a large RV in the USA or Canada, and parking lots in National Parks (etc.) and outside most fast food restaurants and large out-of-town shops have areas set aside for them. However, manoeuvring a large RV in a confined area such as in a large town or city might well be a problem.
On the other hand, being able to stay overnight in a scenic area out in the country is a very pleasant concept.
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