USA Road Trip help

[Maxf]

I'm planning a road trip next year (mid August) for 3 weeks.

We are planning to fly into San Francisco, drive north to stay at a ranch for a couple of days (horse riding and fishing) then move inland to see some national parks. We then need to dump the hire car to pick up an RV for maybe 4 days as we are staying in the desert. We'll then pick the hire car up again, travel south - maybe to Tucson - then inland and up the Pacific Coast Highway.

That's the very broad plan anyway.

So, a few questions to the experienced road trippers.

Cars - am I best hiring an SUV for the first part (desert and longer stays at places), then swapping for a Corvette when we are coming out of the desert and heading north again?

RVs - These all seem massive - 30ft plus. Is this going to be driveable (practically), or am I better trying to find something smaller (at a similar cost).

Route - We need to be in the Mojave at a set time, so need to plan around that. Is it best to go 'clockwise' like I had planned?

Hotels - book ahead, or wing it?

Must see? - I bought a few guide books so I'm sure this will help me with the 'must see' sights, but anything I defintitely, on pain of death, shouldn't miss?

Thanks in advance..

[S7Paul]

The only two National Parks I've been to in that area are Yosemite & Death Valley, and I'd recommend both of them.

Yes, the RV's are big, but so are the roads & parking lots, so it shouldn't be an issue. However, are you sure you need one? Are you staying that far off the beaten track that there's no conventional accommodation?

[Maxf]

S7Paul said:

The only two National Parks I've been to in that area are Yosemite & Death Valley, and I'd recommend both of them.

Yes, the RV's are big, but so are the roads & parking lots, so it shouldn't be an issue. However, are you sure you need one? Are you staying that far off the beaten track that there's no conventional accommodation?

Thanks. Yes, it's RV or tent - and the cost of buying all of the camping gear makes the RV look quite appealing!

[S7Paul]

Maxf said:

S7Paul said:

The only two National Parks I've been to in that area are Yosemite & Death Valley, and I'd recommend both of them.

Yes, the RV's are big, but so are the roads & parking lots, so it shouldn't be an issue. However, are you sure you need one? Are you staying that far off the beaten track that there's no conventional accommodation?

Thanks. Yes, it's RV or tent - and the cost of buying all of the camping gear makes the RV look quite appealing!

Come on, admit it. You're a caravanner aren't you!?

[Maxf]

Busted.