Drive a self-contained motorhome from Salt Lake City to San Francisco for $1 a night
El Monte RV needs a 4-berth motorhome (kitchen, shower and toilet) moved from Salt Lake City to San Francisco through Imoova: pick up on a weekday between Nov 12 and Nov 18, 2026 and you get 5 nights at $1 with 1,000 miles included and up to $200 of fuel refunded against receipts. With the $49 booking fee and our fuel estimate plus El Monte's $150 cold-weather winterization fee, the whole trip costs about $290 for up to four people (about $58 a night). El Monte's own extra-night rate for this motorhome is $100.
- 5 nights of motorhome use at $1/night
- 1,000 miles
- Kitchen, shower and toilet, heating
- Basic insurance ($1,500 liability)
- Up to $200 fuel refund
The catches
What you pay
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relocation rate (5 × $1)Required | per trip | $5 |
| Imoova booking feeRequired | per booking | $49 |
| Fuel, about 735 miles (estimate)Approx. | estimate: ~9 mpg at ~$3.50/gal | ~$286 |
| Fuel refund against receiptsRequired | up to $200 per the listing | $-200 |
| Winterization fee (cold-weather water-system protection)Required | El Monte charges $150 if winterization is necessary; we count it because Salt Lake City nights are often below freezing in late October and November | $150 |
| Basic insuranceIncluded | included, with $1,500 liability; optional excess reduction sold at pickup | $0 |
| Total | Whole motorhome for up to 4 travelers, 5 nights from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, including the booking fee and estimated fuel net of the $200 refund and the $150 winterization fee | $290 |
| Refundable holding depositNot included | $100 paid to Imoova, refunded at pickup | |
| Refundable bondNot included | $1,500 credit-card hold at pickup (no debit cards) | |
| Campgrounds, tolls, foodNot included | not included | |
| Up to 2 extra nightsNot included | $100 per extra night per the listing | $200 |
How to book it
- Open the Imoova listing and choose Book now (a $100 holding deposit secures it, refunded at pickup).
- Pick a weekday pickup date between Nov 12 and Nov 18 (Nov 19–20 give fewer nights) and bring a credit card for El Monte's $1,500 bond.
- Keep fuel receipts for the $200 refund.
Why it's this cheap
El Monte needs the motorhome in San Francisco and would otherwise pay a driver to move it, so it rents it for $1 a night.
Why it's a steal
GOOD COMPARISONSame motorhome at El Monte's $100 extra-night rate (× 5) plus the same booking fee, winterization fee and fuel without the refund; excludes the one-way and mileage charges a normal rental adds, so the real normal price is likely higher. A normal rental would let you choose dates and the return city; this one must be picked up Nov 6 – Nov 21 and delivered to San Francisco within 5 nights, with 1,000 miles included.
Evidence trail
| Source | What we checked | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Imoova listing re-checked | RLC124892 still available; departure dates now start Thu Nov 12 (Nov 11 no longer offered); same duration, rate and fees. | Nov 11, 7:57 AM ET |
