[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

What's with the high-roof and traveling? My wife keeps seeing these thinking it would be good as a retirement/travel the country choice. "Why do we need the high roof?" (she's 5'-nothing, if I stand REALLY straight I can cross 5'10")

Mostly because of my low ticker function cutting off the circulation in my legs. If I can get out of the passenger's seat and walk around to stretch every half hour or so while we're still moving, it saves stops on road trips. With the high-roof Sprinter, you can get out of either front seat and walk upright to the rear section.

I've already mentioned the fun of traveling on diuretics with OCD psycho dog. Every driver change, fuel, food, or restroom stop is a minimum of 45 minutes, and usually over an hour. I get out to pump fuel and use the bathroom, while DW walks the dog to read his pee mail. When I come out, she puts the dog back into the Mighty Dodge and goes in for her own bathroom break. When she comes out, the dog throws a tantrum and wants to read the pee mail all over again. By the time that everyone is back in and ready to drive again, I already have to use the bathroom again!

I can buy an aftermarket diesel fuel tank that lets a Sprinter run all day on one fill, install a porta-potty, and add a refrigerator for cold drinks and food. Driver swaps can be done without opening the doors just by parking for a few seconds, and I'm almost crazy enough to say that they could be done at highway speed. Suddenly, those two-day trips turn back into 10 hour drives again by not stopping every hour for drama.

The high-roof Sprinter is only like 6' 1" high inside, and that comes down when you install an insulated ceiling. It is just tall enough for blogging millennials to install a shower and live the #vanlife, and those basement-dwellers are driving the prices of used and new Sprinters through the roof...especially on your coast. If you buy a van that's been professionally converted into an RV (or go to an RV store), the starting price is $150K. If you're handy and want to do your own conversion that suits your needs, the Sprinter (along with the Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit) are blank slates with a gazillon YouTube videos showing people's DIY conversions...but still not cheap.

Back to the Turo topic, the Sprinter comes in a 144" wheelbase, a 170", and a 170" extended (long overhang at back). Many people report that parking the 170" models is a challenge, and that the extended also suffers from back ground clearance on uneven terrain because of the overhang. For 1-2 people, the 144" seems to be the popular choice since it fits into parking spaces better. I don't know if they are exaggerating because they've only driven econoboxes and not The Mighty Dodge or if it is a real concern, so I'd really like to rent a 170" van and drive it around the stores and stuff like it's a normal car to see how bad it really is before making a decision on going with a 144" or 170" for purchase. Oh, and make DW drive it around as well, since she does half of our road trip driving these days.....

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Oh, and make DW drive it around as well, since she does half of our road trip driving these days.....

Lucky bastage. When we recently came back from Portland I drove straight thru with none of your exaggerated stops, and that was with a low back bad enough I couldn't go on the rafting trip on the way up. 14 hours all to my self, since the wife just turns on her iPad. . .

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

She also keeps looking at the Ford version (she doesn't know any better) but those look SOOO unstable, especially if we were to drive thru the desert Northwest and find any wind.

Addressing this issue, a lot of the commercial RV conversions and DIY ones put rows of kitchen cabinets on both sides at the roofline for storage. I'm not going to give the lecture about polar moment of inertia and roll center, but keeping everything as close to the floor as possible is important for stability.

I was driving my Mk3 VW GTI through the Nevada desert, and a rogue 60+ MPH side wind gust out of nowhere tossed that car two wheels into the sand until I could correct it. There was a racing adage about not putting a roll cage into an early hot hatchback unless you wanted it to roll over, because the extra mass of the roll cage steel made the car more prone to doing a helpless turtle impression....

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Lucky bastage. When we recently came back from Portland I drove straight thru with none of your exaggerated stops, and that was with a low back bad enough I couldn't go on the rafting trip on the way up. 14 hours all to my self, since the wife just turns on her iPad. . .

Remember, my mean doctors took away my competition license and don't want me driving more than the 10 miles or so to work or doctors' appointments. If I as much as yawn behind the wheel on a road trip, she insists that I pull off at the next exit so she can take over (after the requisite 45-minute pee mail drama). I'm still good for 4-6 hour stints behind the wheel, but will not stop her if she wants to drive.....

[Tyga11]

You can buy insurance thru Turo. If not, your own insurance likely covers it. There is misinformation like the hotel thread.

[Turkish Pickle]

turo is nice to be able to rent a non-standard car. if you're cross shopping it with hertz, you're doing it wrong.

for all my socal trips i rent from turo because so far i've been able to drive cars like the f-type, g29 z4, f33 430i, and rented a boxster for a trip in a month now.

if i need *a car* sure, hertz is better. which is what we did for a rental to come from norcal to socal, just need something with 4 wheels for cheap. think we've rented a toyota camry (or equivalent) for that, and to rip around in the canyons we have our own turo rentals.

same thing with hotel/airbnb - one isn't really better or worse than the other, it all really depends on what you need.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Merlin_83

Hello,

I was thinking of using Turo, for the first time when my wife and I go down to parents' weekend in SoCal next month. I've used Hertz for over a decade, and am a Gold Member, but they rarely have trucks in San Diego. I found a couple of really nice GMC trucks and Toyota Tundras I could rent, even meet us at KSAN too.

But are there any 'gotcha's'? Or does anyone here use Turo, and like the experience?

Cheers,
Merlin

I used it on my 2 week trip to Alaska and it was a pretty good experience. They dropped off and picked up the car curbside at the airport and cruise docks. It was nice to not have to take a shuttle to the rental agency and go through the process.

Having said that, I find security in knowing that rental car agencies are more readily equipped to rectify anything should the car break down or have problems. Turo is just someone's car, and who knows what kind of maintenance it's been through, or if its even safe to drive.

I've also had to pay for delivery and pickup, and it was an extra $40 to $60. Could be a deal breaker if you're trying to save a few bucks on a short term rental.

Originally Posted by tdott

Because of this, I was looking at Turo again for an upcoming trip.

Saw something I'd spend more for than a normal rental, but then saw this:

I could be wrong, but I think that it always shows the host cancelling things, even when it's the customer. But I agree, those things kinda turn me off.

Originally Posted by br438

I've used it. It's been good, but I am VIGILANT about the owner, the vehicle, and the process (pics of any little detail, dirt inside, ashes, etc. Read reviews and looks for clues.

Insurance is a thing - check with yours, check with your CC company, find out specific answers on your coverage for what you want to rent.

I think I've only used it in LA - where it is pretty commonly used. I've rented a Wrangler Rubicon, a 4 series Cab, and an SQ8. - the owners of the 4 series and SQ8 were amazing renters. Still - I am wary of doing it again.

My Sapphire Preferred and Venture X only cover rental agencies and I don't know of any other CCs that do. Venture X does have a partnership with Turo for 10X the points, so you would think they cover insurance, but they don't. However, it might be worth paying for insurance if you can convert those points to miles for the next trip.

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Depending on the location - the host will either leave the car at the airport or even 'touchless' is available depending on the car.

Most rental car places have very long lines

Those lines suck. It's one of the reasons I liked Turo when I've used it.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by jmg

I could be wrong, but I think that it always shows the host cancelling things, even when it's the customer. But I agree, those things kinda turn me off.

It wouldn't surprise me if those cancellations were not the host and customer agreeing to a deal outside of Turo to save their fees.....

[VAcurler]

I use it when it's convenient and price competitive. Mostly in SoCal because for the same money you get a better car. The catch is that none of my travel credit cards (CSR, AmExPlat, United) will cover Turo rentals nor will my home/auto insurance (SafeCo) so the cost is an extra 25% over what it listed for insurance. As soon as that goes away the value proposition is way better for Turo.

I have a friend here in Denver whose only "job" is managing his fleet of cars on Turo. It's fun to hear this stories but it isn't for me.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

You can buy insurance thru Turo. If not, your own insurance likely covers it. There is misinformation like the hotel thread.

Nope. I have a high end Visa and it was EXTREMELY ambiguous if i was covered even after speaking with a rep. Turo insurance is extremely expensive.

So my auto insurance only covers my cars, my visa (again an expensive one fit for purpose) doesn't cover it because Turo is not regarded as a rental agency.

[tdott]

This is what my credit card company lists on their rental policy of what is not covered:
■ The car is rented through a car sharing company that allows
individuals to rent out their own vehicle.

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Onesie

Who would use a rental car company nowadays!?
Only those who have stocks in those companies like National, Hertz, and Enterprise… looking to have a positive discussion

Who wouldn't?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by tdott

This is what my credit card company lists on their rental policy of what is not covered:
■ The car is rented through a car sharing company that allows
individuals to rent out their own vehicle.

Right. So you need Turo's which was about $80 on a $250 rental the last time I used them if i recall correctly.

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Right. So you need Turo's which was about $80 on a $250 rental the last time I used them if i recall correctly.

Turo is still normally cheaper and you can normally get a way better car than one you find at a rental place...people just aren't used to things like Turo so they are afraid.

[tgrundke]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Nope. I have a high end Visa and it was EXTREMELY ambiguous if i was covered even after speaking with a rep. Turo insurance is extremely expensive.

So my auto insurance only covers my cars, my visa (again an expensive one fit for purpose) doesn't cover it because Turo is not regarded as a rental agency.

I've done extensive research on this, going as far as contacting my credit cards to get the word directly: credit card rental coverage DOES NOT extend to Turo vehicles.

Turo's insurance is very expensive, but it's really your only option unless you're willing to take the risk.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Turo is still normally cheaper and you can normally get a way better car than one you find at a rental place...people just aren't used to things like Turo so they are afraid.

I don't understand what these comments have to do with the price of tea in China. I have used Turo twice, it's good for unique cars but the insurance is expensive and the insurance on regular cars and the hassle with renters means regular agencies make more sense for a corolla or a Rogue.

[evomike]

recently rented a X5M through Turo and it was cheaper than getting a ford explorer but I was careful about who I chose to book through, right now I would imagine it is way better than one of the chains to rent a car they are price gouging like crazy and have cars that should have been retired long ago. We have customers show up to drop their cars off for their appointment and have to reschedule because of the rental car shortage.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

Turo is still normally cheaper and you can normally get a way better car than one you find at a rental place...people just aren't used to things like Turo so they are afraid.

Cheaper, no, not for any of my trips every time I checked. Esp not when you consider the added cost of insurance. Not unless you choose some old beater with a ton of miles.

I got a small suv for a week out of lax for under $300.

This is the cheapest car on turo for my dates, 2017 Elantra (the newest, several older 2008, 2011 ones for almost the same price) with min. insurance and it wont have enough miles for me to drive to Napa and back to LAX over the week.

[Tyga11]

Most of the time on Turo you can go unlimited mileage for a small fee.

And they don't allow cars older than 12 years (I forget the exact number) on the platform. Also, your personal insurance will most likely cover you so you don't need minimum protection (assuming you have good insurance)

So yeah, Turo is a great solution for most people and is normally less expensive than rental car companies. A few unicorn examples mention otherwise but not the norm...also if you have an AMEX you can receive $30 off

[infinitekidM2C]

I've used it once, and it was great.
Rented an X1 in hawaii for less than what i could get a small junkbox from rental companies. I will say though in Hawaii there's less options and they aint cheap, so for Socal i think there's a lot of options. So you may or may not get a better deal in these parts. Was super easy to deal with too, they came to the airport and gave me the keys and i dropped it off teh same, no going to the stupid counter and waiting and then signing a bunch of crap.

The prices vary BIGLY so you will spend as you desire on a junkbox or a Porsche

Do watch out for a couple gotchas:
Fee for drop off at airport/pick up
Cleaning fee if you dont return it in clean condition or smoke in it.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

Who wouldn't?

The post you replied to was an oblique reference to this thread: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1950816. Enjoy!

[ezaircon4jc]

I think someone owns stock in Turo...