How can we hire a chase vehicle?

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

Hello - We are based in England and are flying into Dallas next year from 4th June for 3 weeks chasing and need to hire a large vehicle for chasing. Basically, it needs to be fast but also big enough to sleep in (we don't need much space) but it will really save on accomodation costs over the 3 weeks. Does anyone have any advice on type of vehicle or reputable car/campre/van hire companies around the Dallas area. We have been told that some companies have restictions on the amount of mileage so obviously these places must be avoided!

Any advice appreciated. Thanks loads. Cammie x

 

[ABlaser]

Depending on how many are sleeping in the vehicle, you might want to consider a ford expedition, or even a hummer. a ford explorer or chevy surburban might also work if theres only 2 of you.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

why thank you ablaser! And what makes me happy is during the time I've been waiting for some advice, me and my storm chase buddy have seen the most amazing vehcile that we would love to hire and it happens to be a Ford Expedition - we're in love already! Thanks mister! How can we ignore the advice of a Staff Meteorologist!

 

[Skip Talbot]

You guys are really going to live out of a vehicle for three weeks? Yikes. If its just the two of you I'd recommend renting a mini van with the back bench seats taken out. Bring an air mattress and use that as a bed in the back. Then you can lay down completely flat on something like a bed. That's what I do on my marathon runs out to the Plains from Chicago. I have a regular mattress in the back though. Its great because I can pull over as soon as I get tired and just jump into bed. As for the company from which to rent (we Yankees say rent instead of hire), I can't say as I've ever rented a vehicle before. There are lots of chasers who do fly into the Plains and rent their cars, however, so they could probably give some better advice.

 

[Steve Miller]

My advice: Take a tour...

 

[David Wolfson]

The AAA (American Automobile Association) has reciprocity with many international auto clubs. See http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/International.html. I think an affiliated club in GB is called TheAA.com (well, I guess it's called AA, but that tends to result in some linguistic confusion).

Besides being able to get all sorts of maps, guides, and local info free, the AAA has a special discount deal with Hertz (unlimited mileage and many local offices nationwide) and discounts with many other rental companies. Your local club can probably help you with researching this, too. Looking at rates and essential availability of unlimited mileage you might consider something smaller like a Jeep Liberty rather than a Tank with two persons. The difference in fuel and rental cost may pay for most nights in a comfortable motel.

In general over the course of a three week rental you may also find you can save several hundred dollars by renting from an off-airport franchise location. The best way to do this with the major chains is to stay the night you fly in and out at a motel that has free airport shuttle service -- which you may be planning to do anyway. Many of the local rental agency offices will pick up and drop you off. While slightly less convenient than renting at the airport the savings are often significant and you may also save a day or two of overnight rental charges at your terminal location.

Since this is your first trip to the States, a few statistics may be useful. The land area of Great Britain is similar to that of the State of Kansas. You should plan on driving about 800 km per day. The typical chase day ends at around sunset somewhere in the boonies at 8 or 9 p.m. local time. The typical restaurant in a boonies town closes at 9 or 10 p.m. (if you're lucky).

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

My advice: Take a tour...

I'd agree with this -- since Cammie is a first time stormchaser, she'd probably get a lot more out of a chase tour showing her the ropes than she would just showing up and trying to chase. The go-it-your own route is fun too -- it's just that you're pretty likely to fly back to England wondering why you spent all that money when you never got a chance to see a tornado.

BTW, as an aside to Cammie -- the image you are using for your profile pic was taken by a now deceased member of this forum and is represented by the photo agency Corbis -- I hope you got permission / purchased permission rights to that image before you used it!

 

[Scott Weberpal]

My advice: Take a tour...

That might be a tough push, especially for people trying to save money by sleeping in a vehicle. 10 day tour $3000 x2 people = $6000.

10 days of chasing with 2 people in a rental splitting costs will be half that - at most.

 

[Steve Miller]

That might be a tough push, especially for people trying to save money by sleeping in a vehicle. 10 day tour $3000 x2 people = $6000.

10 days of chasing with 2 people in a rental splitting costs will be half that - at most.

My advice: Save longer until one can chase with a tour.

 

[Jacob Ferden]

That might be a tough push, especially for people trying to save money by sleeping in a vehicle. 10 day tour $3000 x2 people = $6000.

10 days of chasing with 2 people in a rental splitting costs will be half that - at most.

Tough push is an understatement. There is no, and I mean NO justifiable reason to spend thousands of dollars for ten days without any guarantee of seeing a tornado, or even a thunderstorm, for Christ's sake. (i.e. May 2009)

$6000 for two people for ten days...i could chase two weeks for under $1000...

I definitely would go the rental option.

 

[Jeff Smith]

My advice: Take a tour...

I would strongly suggest a tour company as well. Inexperience=disappointment on one hand(not seeing a tornado) and trouble on the other(ending up in a tornado). Plain as that

 

[Lanny Dean]

Tough push is an understatement. There is no, and I mean NO justifiable reason to spend thousands of dollars for ten days without any guarantee of seeing a tornado, or even a thunderstorm, for Christ's sake. (i.e. May 2009)

$6000 for two people for ten days...i could chase two weeks for under $1000...

I definitely would go the rental option.

Just to clarify and for informational purposes, and this is in no way any sort of a "plug" however;
Extreme Chase Tours DOES GUARANTEE to see severe weather during our tours. All info is listed on the website.

As far as cost, while it is true that it can be expensive, it is just like anything else....you get what you pay for. There are many different options and different kinds of tours including our "Follow Along Tour"
This tour is for those that may not be able to afford a full tour, again all info is listed on the website.

Obviously I recommend a tour but in truth I am being biased. I think though, even if I didn't own the company I would still recommend a tour...there are some very good tour companies out there and for those that have no real knowledge of chasing, storm structure, safety or the like this is no doubt the best way to go IMO.

 

[Jason Foster]

One consideration to take into renting (for anyone) is that most any vehicle larger than a standard SUV are not covered under extended insurance options through your credit card, and even through the rental dealer themselves.

If I remember my AMEX card exclusions; Excursion, Expedition, Expedition XL (the Excursion replacement), Hummer H1 and H2, Suburban, Yukon XL, Denali XL, Ford, Chevy or Dodge full size vans (tours style...aka church bus). There may be others, I haven't had the AMEX in over a year.

Sleeping in a vehicle is extremely dangerous to do and shouldn't be done unless necessary. You will need to go to a hotel for a shower and stuff. Hotels are cheap enough in the plains, and you can also do camp sites (especially on off days when no storms are around). I've done that and saved a ton, and the US National Parks out west have excellent and clean facilities....plus I think it's great to wake up to a nice sunrise over a rocky canyon or other awesome American wilderness that you may not see otherwise. This goes especially for the England folks that posted originally.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

To everyone who's given advice - thanks so much guys. It's all sound advice and my bud and me are obviously going to think very carefully about all our options; it's just great to know what all the options are. I think we will probably end up going the rental route and have gained some good tips on places to park up etc and will probably treat ourselves to every 3rd night in a motel. Look forward to seeing you all out in the boonies!

 

[Jason Bolt]

None of know her or her partner's background, so why push the tour group route so hard? That being said, Cammie, there are many considerations to a plains area chase besides where to stay or what to drive. I would encourage you to spend the next several months reading this forum. Read old forecast threads, now threads, everything. When you see a mention of an area that is poor or good chasing territory, make a note or shade it in on a map. When you see a mention of good/poor road networks, write it down. Even with a good map program there are many roads in chase country that just aren't what they seem, especially after rain. Everyone on here really has your (or anyone else out chasing for the first time) best interests in mind. Don't hesitate to ask questions.