“An RV is hands down the safest and most convenient way to travel right now,” says Marc Bennett, who created RVLove.com with his wife, Julie Bennett. They also wrote Living the RV Life—Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road. “With an RV, you have your own bathroom, kitchen and bedroom with you, wherever you go. Whether you’re at a campsite, dry camping by a lake, visiting friends and family or tailgating at a sporting event, you can stay comfortable, safe and keep your environment sanitary.” Janine Pettit of Girl Camper refers to her RV as her home on wheels. “I have my own bed, sheets, blankets, kitchen and bathroom. That is so comforting to me,” says Pettit. “At the end of a long day of sightseeing I come back ‘home,’ flop on my couch, get a drink from the fridge and text the kids.” Plus, there’s the allure of the independence that an RV rental offers. “You get to travel at your leisure, on your own schedule. Take in the ever-changing scenery as you drive famous highways and scenic byways, explore national parks and visit quirky roadside attractions,” says Julie Bennett. “And you can stop when you want, where you want and stay for as long as you want. It’s up to you!” Pettit adds, “There is a freedom in hitting the road and experiencing backroads of the United States that we are all accustomed to flying over.” Also, when you compare the cost of renting an RV with a traditional vacation and add up airfare, hotels and nearly every meal out, taking an RV vacation is much more affordable. You can bring everything you want from home with no added baggage fees, avoid boarding fees by bringing your pets and make your own meals, rather than dealing with the expense of eating out. Whether you have never rented an RV before or are an RV veteran, here’s a guide to asking the right questions and making the most of your RV adventure.
How much is a small RV rental?
According to www.GoRVing.com, which works with nearly every RV manufacturer in the U.S., hundreds of rental agencies and dealers, trailer rentals start around $55 per day. Motorhome rentals begin at around $125 per day and go from there. The rental cost depends on the size of the RV, how long you’re renting it and what time of year. There are small, super-lightweight trailers you can pull with a car or SUV. However, these are not typical: Most people rent a Class C motorhome which begins at around $125-$150 a day, depending on where you are in the country. The Class C has plenty of sleeping space, including a bed above the cab. The sizes of a Class C range from 21 feet to 35 feet.
On average, how much does an RV rental cost?
It depends on what size vehicle or trailer you want, where you are in the country and what time of year. According to GoRVing.com, RV camping is surging in popularity so the demand is high. Yet there are still great deals listed at GoRVing.com, Outdoorsy and RVShare.com. GoRVing.com provided some quotes for RVs from around the nation: North/Outside Boston, MA (Motorhome) $1,300 with insurance and 100 miles a day North/Outside Boston, MA (Tent Trailer) $450 with insurance and 100 miles a day West/San Bernadino, CA (Motorhome) $1,600 all-in with insurance and 100 miles a day National rental agency: ElMonteRV.com West/Anderson, CA (Trailer) $800 all-in with insurance South/Jacksonville, FL (Motorhome) $1,400 all-in plus insurance & 600 miles total South/Tampa, FL (Trailer) $1,000 all-in with insurance, mileage & cleaning fee East/Pittsburgh, PA (Motorhome) $1,000 all in with insurance & 100 miles a day East/Hershey, PA (Trailer) $726 all-in with insurance
What equipment typically comes with RV rental?
“The keys!" says Pettit. However, she advises that RV rental companies provide comfort kits that you can rent very reasonably. They usually include kitchen essentials, sheets, towels, blankets and two pillows. Pettit is able to fit everything she needs in a carry-on as she brings sheets, pillowcases, a sleeping bag that zips open like a blanket, a small saucepan, collapsible drip coffee maker, and the bare minimum kitchen supplies. “When I arrive at the rental company, they usually have a pile of stuff people have purchased and left behind,” she says. “They are usually more than happy to let you pick through the pile. I stop at a store and buy two pillows and I am good to go!” Britta and Will Brown of Brownsdopelittleadventures.com, who lived full-time in an RV for a year and a half and continue to travel everywhere in an RV, suggest having a water filter, wheel chocks for behind your tires so your rig doesn’t roam away, a surge protector, gloves and other items mentioned here.
How can I find the right size RV and what are the different sizes/options?
RVs are available in just about any size, from tiny 8’ long “teardrop campers” to 45’ luxury motorhomes. The different sizes are Class C motorhomes (typically 24’ to 32), which are the most popular, Class B vans (typically 19’ to 24’); and travel trailers (typically 8’ to 32’). Trailers are less expensive but you need your own tow vehicle, hook up and tow bar. According to Marc Bennett, there several main things to consider when renting the right RV. How many people (and pets) will be traveling and how much space will you need? “Think about sleeping capacity, bathroom, kitchen, and living area,” he advises. How long is your trip, where are you going, and how much time will you be spending inside versus outside? Also, the sleeping capacity indicated in many RVs are often designed around families who have children. “Not all sleeping surfaces will comfortably accommodate adults,” he explains. A Class C RV is typically the best choice for a family. But if it’s just a couple, the Class B ones are big enough and fun to drive. Also, it’s important to consider if you can easily drive and maneuver the RV? “If you are renting a towable RV trailer, is your vehicle capable of towing it safely?,” says Marc Bennett. If you are renting a drivable RV, do you have the right kind of driver’s license to operate it? And do you have the skills, confidence and experience to not only drive the RV, but maneuver it, park it, and get situated into campsites. Bennett suggests you start with an RV you are comfortable with driving (or towing) and don’t choose an RV substantially larger than you really need. “It will only become more limiting and stressful,” he advises.
Do you still need a rental car?
If you are renting a motorhome, you won’t need a car. If you’re renting a trailer, you would either use your own tow vehicle, (like a truck or SUV), or need to rent one. Some of the rental companies allow you to tow a vehicle with a larger motorhome too but you typically have to provide your own tow bar and pay an extra fee.
How much should you budget?
Rental agencies typically have a per day mileage allowance around 100 miles, and some also charge a generator fee and all will charge taxes. It all depends on whether you rent from a rental agency/dealer or an owner’s site like Outdoorsy. You’ll have to budget for the campground fee as well, which starts around $50 for a small space and $100 a night for a larger hookup in high-season. “The good news is that you know ahead of time what the rental cost is. Making campground reservations ahead of time insures you know how much your daily site fees will be,” says Pettit. There are also several options: As Pettit explains, state campgrounds are less expensive than RV resorts. “The bonus of an RV is that you can control food costs as well,” she adds. “Unlike a hotel, you can eat meals in the RV and have more money for tourist sites.”
What “other” costs can you expect?
“Every RV rental is different, so check the quote and contract with terms and costs for each RV you are interested in,” says Marc Bennett. “Generally, an RV rental will include a set daily mileage limit (like 50 to 150 miles per day, plus say $0.35 to $1.00 per additional mile). Some may include generator usage (like one hour per day plus an hourly usage charge thereafter).” Also, according to Bennett, your RV rental contract should also specify whether RV insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance is included or charged additionally. Be aware that you cannot use your regular vehicle insurance for an RV rental, as with rental cars. Other optional charges may include the linen package, kitchen package, camp chairs, BBQ grill, bicycles, etc.
Do you need extra insurance?
If insurance if available with your rental, take it! Peace of mind is worth every penny, especially if you are new to RV camping. You can also check with your own insurance company and see if they have a short-term rider you can add to your policy that will cover an RV rental.
Should you pay for a supply kit?
If you are doing a fly-and-ride rental, then you will definitely want to rent the livability kit. A Fly-and-Ride is when you fly into a destination and rent an RV from there, then either drive or fly home. Many of the larger RV rental agencies allow for one-way rentals. The beauty of this is that you can still go camping, site-seeing, visit places you’ve all wanted to see (like National Parks), have an all-inclusive living space has your home on vacation without spending the time of driving from home, especially if it’s far away.
What are the best RV rental companies?
GoRVing.com, which has a search engine for rental options around the nation, is a great place to begin. While the site doesn’t rent RVs, they have an entire section of the website on where to rent RVs from entities that offer insurance, roadside assistance and a range of rental options (both trailers and motorhomes). The site works with nearly every RV manufacturer in the United States, hundreds of rental agencies and dealers, 16,000 campgrounds and influencers who share their advice and experiences. When clicking on “Compare RVs” it shows all the types, ranges in sizes, average costs and features. There are traditional RV rental companies like Cruise America, El Monte, and Road Bear. “These are the kinds of RVs that are typically ‘branded’ with company logos and graphics, so it’s pretty obvious you’re a tourist,” says Marc Bennett. Outdoorsy and RVShare are peer-to-peer resources (like Airbnb) where people can rent out their own RVs. “You can rent RVs directly from RV owners, or from a management company that owns/manages/rents RVs,” says Julie Bennett. A growing number of campgrounds also offer on-site RV rentals too.
Do you have to clean the RV?
You always want to return the rental RV as clean as you received it. Take out trash, empty tanks, sweep floors, wipe down countertops, appliances and whatever else your actual rental document might specify in order to not be charged a cleaning fee. Renters rarely ask for the exterior to be washed since they are larger vehicles.
Are pets allowed and what is the general policy?
Pets are allowed with most rentals. In fact, according to ww.GoRVing.com, 60% of RV campers bring their pets. There are thousands of pet-friendly campgrounds nationwide, some with extensive pet amenities and programs too. Always check with a campground first though as to what their pet policy is when making your reservation and any additional fees there might be. Looking for more safe vacations during coronavirus? We have them here!
