Rv Rental Sites: How To Rent & Where!
The RV rental industry is a booming business! RV rentals are a popular and well-established way to travel the country (and other countries as well)! The ability for RV owners to share their beautiful home away from home by renting to adventure enthusiasts and families is an excellent opportunity for all of us!
We enjoyed our first RV rental adventure so much that we’ve done it multiple times since our first 8 Day RV road trip to the National Parks in Utah and Arizona!
RV Rental Sites are popping up all over the place and catering to RV lovers of all kinds. With so many different RVs available to rent, it can be hard to know where to start looking or what type of RV you should take out on your journey.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to find the “how & where” to rent an RV and the type of RV rental that will work for you!
Why Should I Rent An Rv?
There are many reasons to rent an RV, but RV rental sites make it easy to find an RV for any occasion. Once you find out how to rent an RV, you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it sooner! ‘
Suppose you are looking for an RV that is sleek and convenient for a tailgating weekend or one that will be perfect for your family vacation. In that case, an RV rental can suit all your needs.
Pro-traveler tip: Not a fan of feeling like your causing an inconvenience or being underfoot when visiting friends or family, like going to the in-laws for get-togethers or holiday visits? An RV rental could be the perfect solution!
Check out What Vacationing In An RV Looks Like if you’re curious of how it worked with two littles.
Is Renting An Rv Worth It?
Even if the idea to rent an RV (with your own space and privacy) when visiting family is a novelty to you, on the flip side, we enjoyed a multi-generational 6 Day RV Nevada road trip with our family. Our RV rental from Outdoorsy.com was roomy and definitely worth it!
In this age of “new normal,” it’s even more exciting to think of all the options of exploring destinations from the ground. An RV allows you to stop over at places you usually wouldn’t think to visit, especially if you were staying in a hotel!
It’s also comforting to know that while you are traversing all these areas of the country, you don’t have to worry about where to book a hotel or consider the cleanliness or safety of the overnight accommodations.
We’ve got to say that possibly the best thing about utilizing RV rental sites is that RV rentals are a whole lot cheaper than RV ownership! Investing in an RV for your family is often a timely and costly endeavor. With the opportunity to combine a perfect family RV road trip and a “try before you buy” mentality, you can really assess the functionality of the different types and classes of RV’s
Where Is The Cheapest Place To Rent An Rv?
RV rental sites offer RV’s for all price ranges, making it possible to find the perfect RV rental without breaking the bank!
There are plenty of RV rental sites to choose from, including “peer-to-peer” rentals, nationwide commercial rental companies, locally owned RV stores, and third-party booking sites. All of these options are wonderful for the RV renter because they offer flexibility, different RV classes, features, accommodations, insurance, and services.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent An Rv?
RVs are the best way to travel with families and friends, but RV rental prices vary significantly. Which RV is cheapest for rent? This RV rental guide will show you the average RV rental rates in the United States, so you can find the RV that is right for your budget!
Depending on which RV site you visit, you can estimate a base RV rental rate at $125 per day or $750 per week. Some RV rental sites have prices ranging from $30 per day to $350 per day! The most expensive RV rental prices are usually for luxury motor homes, which start can start for as little as $200 per day or $1500 per week.
The key is to settle in for a little focused exploration session and you could end up with a brand spanking new, fresh off the factory floor, RV rental for as little as $9 a night!
What Is The Average Rv Rental Cost?
The average cost to rent an RV varies depending on the RV type, the time of year, and demand, as well as the competitive rate for the area where your rental is located. Some RV rental sites charge by the day and offer a price break for weekly or monthly rentals.
Just like budgeting a trip to Disney World (link Disney Budgeting article when it’s posted?), the prices can vary significantly by the type and quality of the accommodations (meaning the upgrades included), where and when you are going, and the ability to sleep more people and their gear.
A general guideline for average rental cost for an RV by type is as follows:
- Pop-Up Camper – $50 – $100/night
- Truck Camper – $150 – $250
- Travel Trailer – $50 – $125/night
- Fifth Wheel – $60 – $150/night
- Class A – $175 – $275/night
- Class B – $100 – $200/night
- Class C – $150 – $250/night
A good benchmark for the average cost to rent an RV in the USA is $1700 to $2,000 USD per week. This amount should end up including all the added fees, mileage, generator hours, and insurances. You will then pay for your fuel, food, and family fun along the way.
When searching for an RV from peer-to-peer rental sites that fits your needs best, be sure to consider the cleaning fee, host or website fee, mileage limits, generator usage, and deposit/cancellation charges.
How Much Does A Luxury Rv Rental Cost?
A luxury RV rental can cost over well $500 per day and up to $11,000-that is not a typo! For the purpose of this article and just a bit of curiosity about how an RV could possibly cost over $10,000 a day, this is what I found via a true Luxury Motorcoach collection.
Lucky for the rest of us, there are beautiful “luxury” motorhome RV rentals to be had that fit lesser budgets to the tune of $300 to $800 range per night. (As mentioned earlier, in the right market, you can find as low as $200/night. Keep in mind that many rentals will have an option for weekly or monthly price breaks.
What Are The Best Websites To Rent An RV?
Good RV Rental sites will provide you with all the information you need about different RVs, their size, weight capacities, fuel requirements, storage capacity, and more.
You’ll discover there are varying price ranges due to availability and location. Watch out for fees and insurances that can really impact your daily rental rate. Some RV sites include the fees and insurances in the listed rental rate, while others add these charges on at the end.
Be sure that you do your research before booking anything, and comparison shopping can also save you.
Here is our list of where to find the best RV rental sites:
Outdoorsy (Our family go-to; all of our experiences have been great!)
Outdoorsy is a p2p, peer-to-peer, rapidly expanding. RV rental site. It provides a platform for owners to list and offer all types of RV’s to renters all over the United States and Canada. With an A+ business rating with the Better Business Bureau, they claim to be “the #1 most trusted RV rental marketplace in the world.”
You can sign up here to save $50 on your first rental.
RV Share
RV Share paved the way for p2p RV rentals and currently boasts the largest selection of RV rental inventory. RV Share has been around longer but is in direct competition with Outdoorsy, so they’ve been improving their platform and providing more features and services, like instant booking.
RV Share is currently enjoying an A+ BBB rating.
RVnGo
RVnGo also has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and is proclaimed America’s first free peer-to-peer RV rental site. There are currently no transaction, service, or usage fees. A unique aspect of this RV rental site is that RV dealers and RV owners can use the platform to rent and sell their RVs! Although RVnGO doesn’t yet have the web traffic of the two previously mentioned p2p RV rental sites, no fees significantly reduce the rental costs.
Cruise America
Cruise America is the largest employee-owned RV Class C rental fleet in America, founded in 1972. With 128 locations nationwide, Alaska,and Canada, the website offers many specials, including one-way rentals, free mileage, and factory relocations that can save you hundreds of dollars.
You can purchase one of their well-maintained RV’s from the fleet.
Bonus* Cruise America is a pet-friendly RV rental site.
Good Sam RV Rental
Good Sam has RV rentals? You betcha! Backed by its sister company, Camping World, Good Sam is a time-honored and well respected name in the RV industry. It’s not surprising Good Sam is jumping into the rapidly expanding p2p RV rental market. There are no hidden fees or surprises to inflate the rates; any applicable charges/fees are clearly itemized before confirming your booking.
The minimum rental is 2-days vs. other sites that require a 3-day minimum.
El Monte RV
El Monte RV has 50 years of motorhome rental experience. There are rental locations nationwide in 11 different states and DC; most are open on Sunday. El Monte offers six Class C options and two Class A RV models, specializing in one-way rentals; even temporary housing RV rentals are available.
Special delivery and set-up for events like the Daytona 500!
Road Bear RV
Road Bear RV is similar to El Monte in that it offers Class C and Class A RV rentals, but all RV’s are guaranteed 2021-2022 models, 18 months or newer. There are seven rental locations in the US and an additional drop-off station in Dallas. Road Bear also offers rentals in Australia and New Zealand!
Complimentary transfers/shuttles in the US from airport hotels and major airports.
Local RV Stores
Locally owned and operated RV rental stores can work alone rather than as part of a network, set their own prices, and have their own fleet. These independent RV stores may also be affiliated with an RV sales company and are easily found through a local google search.
As part of your local community, they are an excellent resource for first time RV renters. Since community based businesses rely on word of mouth and repeat customers, they should work hard to make your rental experience a good one!
How To Rent An Rv In 3 Simple Steps
It feels like we’ve covered a lot, and we have on the “Where to rent an RV.” Now that the more challenging stuff is over, we can move on to the much easier part in the “How to rent an RV!:
1. Choose A RV Rental Site
With that comprehensive list of RV rental sites, you should choose a link and get started! Before you move on to step 2, take a few moments and familiarize yourself with the different services and options on the website.
Here is a quick check list of a few things to consider if you are new to an RV rental site:
- Read over the reviews, good and bad
- Check the insurance coverages, both liability and collision
- Know what additional fees are charged on top of the daily rental rate
- Ascertain your pets are allowed (if needed)
- What is the cancellation policy
- Are there one-way rentals (if needed)
- Is roadside service available 24/7
- How are disputes resolved
- Keep notes and compare to other RV rental sites
- Are the convenience kits included or an extra charge
- Mileage rates
- Generator hours, etc.
Once you’ve got the lay of the land, put on your sleuthing hat and try another link (or four) to get a deal on the RV you want.
2. Browse The RVs Using Search Filters
Search for the type of RV you feel will suit your family best, but keep an open mind as you will be surprised at some options that will present themselves under a differing class.
Don’t hesitate to contact an owner or rental company with your questions. The best RV rental sites and companies are not only invested in making sure you have a great experience, but they want to ensure both you and their equipment are damage-free upon return!
3. Book Your RV!
Confirm your dates, book your RV, and go have fun!
4. Bonus Step for How to Rent an RV:
There are many moving parts to renting an RV, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or an inhibiting process!
As you research, copy and paste tips, info, and tidbits from different sites into a google doc. This will give you peace of mind while not “forgetting” pertinent details. As you amass your information, it’s easier to categorize in the document.
Check out these other RV rental articles to help you enjoy your family adventure to the fullest:
18 BEST RV APPS FOR TRIP PLANNING, NAVIGATION & MORE
Once you delve into the world of RV rentals, you’ll find you love selecting and trying out the many beautiful and innovative styles available for your family to enjoy.
With so many great RV rental sites available at your fingertips, nothing is stopping you from setting out on fantastic family adventures.
