My in-laws have been retired for a number of years and have enjoyed traveling all over the country in their RV on a full time basis. My FIL recently had to endure emergency surgery and rehabilitation in Brownsville, Texas and he has now been advised by his doctor to go to Houston for further treatment. Our dilemma is that he is the only one in the family who drives the RV and we need to get the RV to Houston from Brownsville, as that is now their "home."

We live outside the US and are willing to be there to assist, but have no experience driving an RV. So, my question is....does anyone know of a "service" that will drive an RV from point A to point B in Texas in the event of an emergency like this?

Thanks for any info anyone can provide. I've already emailed their RV club for possible info, as well.

Hi Statia,

I am so sorry to read about your FIL's health issues and hope he will be okay. We do not have an RV, however, the huge RV dealer on I-10 outside of Boerne has me thinking they may be able to help you if no one here can.

In searching for their contact info I found the following link that lists RV dealers throughout the state. I like to think that one of them may be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction.

http://www.rvamerica.net/dealers/sho...r.cfm?state=tx

The following site contains contact information for the dealer in Boerne.

http://www.americandreamvacation.com/

I hope you find the help you need.

AnnMarie, thank you so much for the info and links, especially since you are in the area. I will check them out now. You're such a doll.

http://www.paulsrvpark.com/

Statia, email this guy and see if he can help you out. You could buy someone a tix to Houston and have them drive it back.

Good luck!

You might have better luck posting your query on an RV board, such as at rv.net.

DH and I have met people who move / transport cars for a living--we're hopeful you'll find someone who does the same with RV's. Will you let us know how this works out? Best wishes!

Thanks so much for the further replies. We have also queried with the RV club that the folks have been in for many years, but I figured I'd see what info my Fodorite friends might have to offer, as well. Will look into all of your suggestions. Thanks so much!

Yes, AnnMarie, I'll let you know what we get worked out. Thanks again.

Statia -- I would call AAA (American Automobile Association) in the state of Texas and see if they could help with recommendations.

Buy me a plane ticket and I can drive it for free.

I have a Class A Commercial Drivers License and can drive even 18-wheelers. I've driven between Houston and the Valley a few times. Wouldn't mind helping out a fellow Fodorite, if they can pay my plane ticket.

Email me at rkkwan at earthlink dot net if you decide to do it.

Full fare on Continental to Brownsville or Southwest to Harlingen is about $125. If buy in advance, it can be a little cheaper.

Oh, I do have to work during the week. So, only Saturday or Sunday. It's about a 7 hour drive in a RV doing speed limit. Pretty easy.

5alive, I was a member of AAA for many many years when I still lived in the US, so that's another thought.

rkkwan, I know we know one another here on Fodors, so I will most definitely keep your offer in mind, as well. I've always said we should meet up in person in H-town someday, so you never know.

We are looking at the first week of May (when my DH can get up there to assist with this), so I will keep you posted.

rkkwan, do you have a lot of experience with driving actual RV's? My DH has also driven 18-wheelers, but now that we've been on the island for so long, he's just not comfortable with driving his parent's "home" such a long distance.

I guess you could say I'm looking for someone who would be insured in the event of damage....understandably.

Meant to add, rkkwan, thanks so much for your generous offer. I will most definitely discuss it with my DH and we might be in touch by email.

Statia - No, I have not driven a RV, but I don't think it can be that difficult. Also, the drive is extremely easy with little traffic and of course totally flat. That's why I feel comfortable doing it.

I mean, if it involves a lot of city driving and/or mountain passes, then I wouldn't have volunteered.

Yeah, let me know in case you want me to help.

There are so many sincere, nice people on this board

Thanks for the further info, rkkwan. The only real city driving would be into Houston and down south towards the Dickinson/Texas City Area, but that would mostly be on I-45 south. I'm not familiar with the route into Houston from Brownsville, but surely it's all wide open "Texas" freeway.

There are one or two sharp S-curves in there getting into the area they plan to stay put, but I think if the curves are taken slow most other motorists would clear the way. I'm not sure how much construction is still there on the southern part of I-45 with the NASA overpass being built. The last time I was in town was in the fall of last year and the freeway was a mess in that area. But, it's not as if we would be navigating Montrose or anything.

Yes, TxTravelPro, there are, huh?

Statia - If your husband want to do this, he can also fly here to Houston, and we can drive down in a rental car, stay a night, and then drive the RV up here. Or other ways...

Brownsville to Houston is mostly 2-lane divided highway. Not real freeway, but almost no traffic lights and totally wide and flat. Then one can take the Sam Houston Tollroad around the south side of Houston (pay a couple of tolls) to I-45, then head south towards Texas City. Again, easy to do as long as one knows the directions to the final destination.

Good info, rkkwan. Funny thing about the toll roads. When the in-laws first began their RV adventures, they were pulling their SUV behind and went into the "wrong" toll booth at one point. I won't even go into that story, but it's pretty hysterical, took many hours to fix with not being able to reverse with the SUV being towed, and included many middle fingers and cursing from other drivers. Otherwise, they've been scott-free on the road in that thing over the years. FIL is a retired Air Force man, and a pro at RV driving now, to boot.

That is kind of when we realized you can't just jump in the driver's seat of an RV and take off and know what you are doing. Not to mention FIL isn't too keen on somebody else driving "his baby" to begin with, so that is why we are now starting to research options. FIL and MIL are very active 18-hole "walking" per day golfers....well, that is....until this crises recently struck. But, he still most certainly has his wits about him and has no idea we are looking into "alternative" driving options. At least not yet. We're trying to get our ducks in a row.

DH would more than likely fly to Brownsville direct in order to help out with any prelimary stuff he can and be there on the drive to Houston. Then, stay in Houston as long as needed and fly back here from there. At least that is the game plan for now.

I'll keep you posted and talk to DH about your offer. Thanks again.

Is the RV parked in an RV Park in Brownsville? If so why not have him ask one of the other RVers there if one of them would drive it to Houston for him. Pay all expenses and fly the person back and give the driver a few extra bucks for his time.. Surely there is someone with a similar RV there that would be willing. You will find more experienced RV drivers in an RV Park than anywhere else....

Another good idea, Red Rock.

ttt