Family Review: Our El Monte RV Rental (What Worked, What Didn’t)

Crew & critters: 8 humans + 2 dogs

• Kids: 5, 3, 2, and 1
• Adults: Mom + Dad, plus Grandma & Grandpa
• Dogs: 2 (crated/harnessed)

We rented a mid-size Class C from El Monte RV for a lake weekend. Here’s exactly how it went for a large family with car seats, grandparents, and dogs—and what we’d recommend.

The Layout & Sleeping (surprisingly great)

• Grandma & Grandpa: rear bed (door to close off the bedroom = clutch for naps/early lights-out).
• Parents: convertible sofa/dinette on alternating nights.
• Kids: cab-over bunk + the opposite conversion (everyone had a dedicated spot).
• Dogs: soft crate slid under the dinette + harness leashes clipped to a D-ring on a cabinet base.

Bottom line: For a group this size, a Class C with cab-over bunk + two convertible beds is the sweet spot. If you can, pick a bunkhouse or ~28–31 ft layout for the extra elbow room.

The Hardest Part: Car seats

• Getting four car seats in/out for fuel/food stops is the most tiring part.
• Rentals usually have lap/shoulder belts at the dinette and sofa; LATCH is uncommon. Bring locking clips and manuals.
• Pre-assign seats, label with painter’s tape, and leave bases in place so you’re not re-installing each stop.

Pro tip: Pack a “car-seat caddy” (locking clips, towel, wipes, trash bags) that lives under the dinette.

Driving, Damage & Deposit

• Before leaving: shoot a 90-second walk-around video (roofline, corners, storage doors, windshield chips, interior). Say date/time out loud.
• Inside: down-mat runner + a cheap rug by the entry kept dirt and dog hair off.
• Cabinets: add felt bumps to latches to reduce slams.
• Backing up: always assign a spotter.

The MVP Features

• The TV was a sanity-saver during meal prep and post-lake cranky hour.
• USB outlets near the dinette = easy tablet recharges.
• Outdoor awning lights + camp rug made evenings feel like a living room.

Embrace the “brown water” (black-tank routine)

It’s not glamorous, but it’s easy if you do it right:

1. Gloves on, connect sewer hose securely.
2. Pull the black-tank valve, drain completely.
3. Rinse if available; otherwise refill with a gallon of water + pull again.
4. Pull gray tank second to rinse the hose.
5. Add tank treatment + a gallon of water back before driving.

Mindset: it’s five minutes, not a horror movie.

Costs & Gotchas

• Mileage & generator fees add up—budget them up front.
• Expect normal interior wear.
• Fuel economy: ~8–10 mpg.

What We’d Rent Next Time

• Mid-size Class C, cab-over bunk, 1–2 slide-outs.
• At least 6 belted seating positions.
• Rear queen for grandparents, cab-over bunk for older kids, two conversions for toddlers/parents.

Quick Tips

• Pack in bins by zone (kitchen, bath, sleep, lakeside).
• Clip a collapsible bowl by the door for dogs.
• Entry station: hooks for jackets, towels, leashes.
• Return-ready: dump tanks, top propane, vacuum/wipe the day before drop-off.

Verdict

El Monte RV worked really well for a large, multi-gen, dog-friendly crew. Sleeping was smooth, the TV was a lifesaver, and the only true grind was car-seat logistics. If you respect the tank routine and protect the rig from dings, it’s an easy, memorable way to travel together.