El Monte Class C Small
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Rent your RV in the United States from US$45/day
El Monte RV review
An American RV rental company with a range centered on Class C motorhomes, alongside Mighty campervans and Class A vehicles.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
The Schork family founded El Monte RV in California in 1970. The business combines RV rental with used-vehicle sales and became part of Tourism Holdings Limited, known as thl, when its acquisition took effect in January 2017.
Its US rental offer includes El Monte-branded motorhomes and vehicles sold under the Mighty name. Some pickup sites are shared with Road Bear, another brand operated by the same US legal entity, El Monte Rents Inc. A shared location does not make the brands' vehicles or rental offers interchangeable.
Our verdict
Editorial review
El Monte RV offers a substantial US rental operation with enough choice to shape both the vehicle and the journey around the trip. Its proposition is strongest when the rental is assembled deliberately: the category, mileage allowance, equipment and protection each matter to what the booking ultimately delivers. A low initial rental figure is a poor guide to the finished package.
Good points
- Several ways to configure the mileage allowance.Prepaid distance packs and an unlimited-mileage option let renters choose between a defined route budget and more flexibility. This is useful within El Monte's direct rental offer, where mileage needs to be considered separately from the vehicle price.
- Pets without a standard rental surcharge.The US pet policy does not add a basic pet-rental fee. Cleaning beyond the normal allowance and damage remain chargeable, but bringing a pet does not automatically create another nightly rental cost.
Things to consider
- Preparation can be uneven.Some recent customer accounts from Los Angeles, the San Francisco area and Las Vegas describe worn fittings, incomplete kits or problems with water, batteries and other equipment. Other renters report clean, functioning vehicles. The recurring concern is inconsistency in preparation, rather than evidence that the whole fleet has the same defect.
- Contact does not always lead to a timely repair.Reports from these locations include helpful telephone support and successful remedies, alongside cases where a quick response did not produce a usable solution during the trip. Round-the-clock access to assistance is valuable, but the repair outcome remains a separate consideration.
Vehicle categories
El Monte RV fleet
El Monte Class C Medium
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 5
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
El Monte Class C Large
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
El Monte Class C Family Sleeper
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 7
- Sleeps
- 7
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Mighty Class B Camper Van
Class B campervan
- Seats
- 4
- Sleeps
- 4
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Mighty Class C Medium
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 5
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Mighty Class C Large
Class C motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Mighty Class A
Class A motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
The range is built around Class C motorhomes, with a smaller campervan and a Class A option under the Mighty name. El Monte's four Class C categories progress from the 21–23 ft Small to the 30–32 ft Family Sleeper. The differences are not simply a matter of adding beds: the Large has four sleeping areas, while the Family Sleeper's published arrangement adds adult sleeping capacity and a slide-out.
The Mighty Class B Camper Van is 20–22 ft long and combines a pop-top sleeping area with a Murphy bed. Its bathroom shares the toilet and shower space. It offers a different layout from the similarly sized El Monte Small, rather than being a smaller version of the same motorhome.
Mighty's Medium and Large Class C vehicles overlap El Monte's corresponding length ranges, but their bed dimensions differ. The 30–34 ft Mighty Class A adds another layout choice, with a slide-out and a drop-down bed. It should not be selected simply on the assumption that the largest physical format accommodates the most people.
All eight categories use automatic transmissions and gasoline engines. Class C and Class A equipment includes a refrigerator/freezer, cooking facilities, a microwave, heating and air conditioning. Category names describe the rental choice; the exact chassis, model year and interior arrangement are not guaranteed. Mighty is also not automatically the cheaper option: category prices need to be compared for the actual booking.
Locations
El Monte RV pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
United States
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Los Angeles 12818 Firestone Blvd, Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
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Las Vegas 3800 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas NV 89121
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San Francisco 6301 Scarlett Ct, Dublin CA 94568
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New York 3401 Tremley Point Rd, Linden NJ 07036
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Denver 6586 Brighton Blvd, Commerce City CO 80022
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Orlando 3800 West Colonial Dr, Orlando FL 32808
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Seattle 1541 S 96th St, Seattle WA 98108
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Miami 13700 SW 248th St, Princeton FL 33032
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Agoura Hills 28404 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills CA 91301
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San Leandro 420 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro CA 94577
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San Bernardino 565 E Redlands Blvd, San Bernardino CA 92408
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Santa Cruz 155 El Pueblo Rd, Scotts Valley CA 95066
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San Diego 8665 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee CA 92071
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Victorville 11854 Mariposa Road, Hesperia CA 92345
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Glamis 1300 Main St, Brawley CA 92227
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Reno 130 Woodland Ave, Reno NV 89523
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Chicago 21W700 North Ave, Glen Ellyn IL 60137
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Dallas 3500 S Central Expy, McKinney TX 75070
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Salt Lake City 2222 West 2300 South, West Valley City UT 84119
Before booking
Practical facts
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Driver eligibility | The US minimum is 21, with a higher minimum at some locations. Drivers need a valid, permanent physical licence; digital, provisional and temporary licences are not accepted. Additional drivers must attend collection and be named in the agreement. |
| Arrival and collection | The US contract prohibits pickup on the day of arrival after an overseas or transcontinental flight. Self check-in opens 30 days before collection; allow around one to two hours for orientation and the rental paperwork. Collection is normally by afternoon appointment, with no after-hours pickup. |
| Reservation payment | Direct bookings require an initial USD 300 payment toward the rental, with the balance due seven nights before pickup. Bookings made seven days or less before collection are paid in full. |
| Security authorization | The US rental requires at least USD 1,500 of security authorization on a physical credit card held by the renter. Some events require more. Debit cards, virtual cards and cash do not replace the required credit card. This security amount is separate from the rental price and damage responsibility. |
| Preparation charge | The US direct rental has a USD 50 preparation charge per rental. From 1 April 2027, the published charge is USD 50 for Tuesday–Thursday starts and USD 60 for Friday–Monday starts. |
| Mileage | The direct prepaid option costs USD 37 per 100 miles, rising to USD 38 from 1 April 2027. Excess distance costs USD 0.38 per mile on return. Unlimited mileage costs USD 1,135 for up to 21 nights, plus USD 35 for each additional night. Unused prepaid mileage is not generally refunded. |
| Generator use | Generator use is included in the current US direct offer. From 1 April 2027, the published options are USD 3.50 per hour or USD 12 per night for unlimited use. |
| Bedding and kitchen equipment | Where available, direct-booking linen kits cost USD 75 per person and kitchen kits USD 140 per rental. From 1 April 2027, the published prices are USD 76 and USD 143 respectively. |
| Additional drivers | The direct extra-driver charge is USD 6 per night for each additional driver. The Gold service package includes additional drivers, so the applicable package matters. |
| Damage protection | Direct-booking VIP costs USD 16 per night and limits responsibility to USD 1,500 per covered incident. VIP Plus costs USD 38.75 per night and reduces covered physical-damage responsibility to zero. Exclusions still apply, including specified roof, underside, interior, reversing, freezing and unauthorized-use damage. Neither option removes every possible charge or liability. |
| Third-party liability | The direct booking system requires an acceptable US-issued personal policy covering the particular RV, or the selection of RLI or ELI. RLI costs USD 17.50 per night. This liability protection is distinct from the VIP options for damage to the rented vehicle. |
| Late cancellation | Under the direct cancellation schedule, cancelling seven to four days before collection incurs 75% of the nightly rental plus the one-way charge; cancellation within three days or a no-show incurs 100%. For these late cancellations, the minimum charge is USD 300. |
| One-way rentals | Approved US routes can have different pickup and return locations. The typical direct one-way supplement is USD 200–750 per rental; this is an indicative range, not a ceiling or a promise that every pair of offices is offered. |
| Canada and the far north | Travel into Canada is permitted within the US contract's limits. Remote northern routes and Alaska have permission requirements, assistance limitations and a USD 450 Far North charge per rental where applicable. These permissions do not create a standard Canadian pickup option. |
| Mexico | Travel requires prior written permission and MALI, charged at USD 22 per night spent in Mexico through the direct channel. El Monte does not provide roadside assistance or accept repair reimbursements there. |
| Restricted routes | Death Valley is prohibited from 1 June to 30 September. Contract restrictions also apply to unauthorized, non-public and unpaved roads; these two-wheel-drive vehicles are not an unrestricted off-road rental option. |
| Winterized vehicles | Freezing conditions can require winterization and make normal use of the water system and shower unavailable. The direct winterization service is listed at USD 180. The applicable location, weather and vehicle instructions determine the restrictions. |
| Pets | Pets are allowed in the US rental product without a standard basic pet-rental fee. Excessive cleaning and pet damage can still be charged. |
| Child seats | El Monte does not rent child seats. Its Class C guidance identifies one tether; the Class B does not have a dedicated tether. Travel-seat capacity alone does not establish child-seat compatibility. |
| Roadside support | US roadside assistance is available 24/7. Repairs above USD 100 require authorization. Breakdown compensation is subject to notification, a 12-hour threshold, evidence and contractual caps; a fault in a comfort appliance does not automatically qualify. |
| Return cleaning | The optional Drop & Go service covers normal cleaning and limited waste and trash service. It excludes dishes, excessive dirt and Burning Man rentals, and does not remove the return inspection. |
Quick answers
El Monte RV FAQ
Can I collect an El Monte RV immediately after an international flight?
No. The US contract prohibits collection on the arrival day after an overseas or transcontinental flight. Plan pickup for a later day and keep time for the vehicle orientation; after-hours collection is not available.
Does El Monte RV offer one-way rentals within the United States?
Yes, on approved routes between pickup locations. The typical direct supplement is USD 200–750 per rental, but the route and booking determine the actual charge. A permitted return in another US city is separate from permission to cross a national border.
Which El Monte category can carry seven people?
The El Monte Class C Family Sleeper has seven travel seats and advertised sleeping space for five adults and two children. It is not a seven-adult sleeping arrangement. The longer Mighty Class A has six travel seats, so vehicle length alone does not answer the capacity question.
Is Mighty always cheaper than an El Monte-branded motorhome?
No. A Mighty category is not a guaranteed lower-price alternative. Compare the actual category rates and included products for your dates; smaller vehicles are not automatically cheaper either.
Do El Monte's direct rentals include unlimited mileage?
Unlimited mileage is a separately priced direct-booking option: USD 1,135 for up to 21 nights, then USD 35 per extra night. Prepaid distance packs are another option. The vehicle's initial rental price should not be read as an unlimited-mileage offer.
Can I take an El Monte RV into Mexico?
Only with prior written permission and the required MALI protection, priced at USD 22 per night in Mexico through the direct channel. Roadside assistance and repair reimbursement are not provided there, so permission to cross the border does not mean the US support arrangements continue unchanged.
Can I use the shower in an El Monte RV during winter?
A fitted shower may be unusable when the vehicle is winterized. El Monte's restrictions depend on the pickup location, weather and the vehicle's preparation, so a winter rental cannot be assumed to provide normal running-water facilities merely because its category has a bathroom.
Can I bring a child seat, and will El Monte supply one?
El Monte does not supply rental child seats. Its US Class C guidance identifies one tether, while the Class B has no dedicated tether. A vehicle's advertised number of travel seats is therefore not a promise that it can accommodate the same number of child seats.
Does VIP Plus remove the credit-card security requirement?
VIP Plus concerns covered physical-damage responsibility; it does not replace the separate US security authorization of at least USD 1,500 on the renter's physical credit card. Covered damage reduced to zero also does not remove the protection exclusions or other rental charges.
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