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Quebec City was designed to be imposing. On a steep hill above the St. Lawrence Seawaygstar28, behind 17th-century ramparts, the city’s streets are narrow and cobbled — no place for a road-hogging, 21st-century recreational vehicle.

Or so I thought, as I planned an ambitious solo R.V. road trip across eastern Canada — from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Montreal — that would take me through one of the oldest European cities in North America.

Colonial streets weren’t my only mental roadblock when I set out in May to take advantage of a six-night “relocation” deal on an R.V. rental for 39 Canadian dollars a night (about $28) from the Canadian company CanaDream; its trips normally start at 136 dollars nightly.

When R.V. companies need to move their vehicles to satisfy seasonal demand, they frequently offer relocation or one-way trips at discounted prices. The R.V. rental company Cruise America calls them “one way specials,” which recently included 75 percent off a trip in July from Las Vegas to Orlando. One-way sales from El Monte RV recently listed departures from 30 to 90 percent off.

Based in Calgary, CanaDream shuffles its fleet among seven locations across Canada. With relocation itineraries, the company stipulates the vehicle and departure and arrival dates. Renters pay for gas, food and campsite access in addition to the discounted vehicle.

Travel by R.V. took off during the pandemic as North Americans discovered the convenience and privacy of taking a home on the road. As someone who makes a living traveling light, I considered that style of travel freighted, sluggish and spontaneity-sapping.

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