You’ve heard all the hype around RVing, and now you’re ready to experiment. You’ve planned an RV trip with your family, and all that’s left is renting the RV.
If you’ve never even driven an RV before, it’s likely you have a fair share of questions about the process of renting an RV.
- How much should you expect to spend?
- Are peer-to-peer RV rental platforms safe?
- Do you need a different kind of auto insurance while you’re driving someone else’s RV?
- What’s the best time to rent an RV?
- Are there going to be unexpected RV rental costs?
- Is it actually cheaper to rent an RV than a hotel room?
Let’s break it all down for you.
On average, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $300 per night, depending on RV type, rental duration, and seasonality. In this guide, we discuss how these factors affect the cost of renting an RV and compare experiences from different rental companies.
Key Takeaways
- RV rental costs vary by type and season. Luxurious motorhomes (like modern Class A RVs) cost anywhere from $750 to $2,000 per week (or more), with discounts available for longer rentals.
- Traditional RV rental companies and peer-to-peer platforms have different pricing models.
- Peer-to-peer services tend to offer more competitive prices.
- To save money, book early and during the off-season or shoulder season
Motorhome Rental: How Much Can You Expect to Spend?
Several factors affect the cost of an RV rental. The most common are a) size, b) class, c) location, and d) season.
Traditional RV rental companies like Cruise America charge by the mile and, in some cases, fuel. However, recent years have seen a rise in peer-to-peer RV rentals from sites like RV Share and Outdoorsy. These sites tend to book by the night or week.
Breakdown of Rental Prices by RV Type
Class A Range: $100-$450/night
Class A motorhomes offer the most space, upgraded amenities, and comfortable travel. As such, they command the highest rates.
Class B Range: $70-$350/night
Class B RVs include camper vans and Class B+ RVs. These models are the easiest to drive and maneuver in tight spaces. Because they’re also the smallest, you can expect a smaller total cost.
Class C Range: $100-$400/night
Class C motorhomes are the most versatile class because they can be large, accommodating as many as eight people. In some cases, they’re the same size as a class B–only wider. That means their rental rates also vary widely.
Travel Trailer Range: $68-$140/night
Travel Trailers are more economical since they require less maintenance. Like Class C RVs, travel trailers range from 10 to 40 feet, so their rates vary widely, too. In exchange for the cost savings, you’ll have to deal with the minor inconvenience of securing the tow vehicle and hitch, both of which will need to be equipped to pull your rental.
Toy Hauler Range: $90-$200/night
Toy Haulers are the luxury tanks as far as travel trailers go. They’re built to haul all your gear and big boy toys like mountain bikes, kayaks, ATVs, and more. Plus, they have extra amenities like a separate garage space, a built-in gas tank to fuel your toys, and additional tie-downs. Since they represent a higher investment, they are more expensive to rent.
Teardrop Trailer Range: $50-$100/night
Teardrop Trailers are the most accessible since most SUVs have a towing capacity that can haul a teardrop. They’re light and versatile, easy to store and easy to pull, and range anywhere from 6-15ft long.
Effect of Rental Duration on Pricing
The longer you stay, the more expensive your rental will be–but keep your eyes out for bundling deals. Some places offer a free day if you book a certain number of days, and others offer a percentage discount for longer stays.
Seasonal Variations in Rental Costs
Seasons change, and so do RV rental prices. Typically, what’s in season up north is out of season down south. At season’s peak, rates can be 25%-50% higher.
That’s why you want to find the shoulder season. The shoulder season is the period just before and just after the busy season. The RV rental cost will be less, your campground fees will be less, and there will be fewer crowds.
The downside is that some amenities – like water parks – are only open in season.
Comparing RV Rental Companies
Traditional businesses like Cruise America offer a fleet of well-maintained vehicles, while peer-to-peer platforms such as RVshare and Outdoorsy present a kaleidoscope of RV types from private owners, each with a unique charm.
Cruise America
Cruise America only offers Class C and travel trailer rentals, so you’ll need to go through another rental company if you’re set on a Class A or Class B camper van. When you rent through Cruise America, you can rest assured that your recreational vehicle of choice will be well-maintained and ready for the long journey ahead.
The downside is that Cruise America’s pricing structure is not very transparent and requires a lot of pre-trip calculations to budget accordingly Cruise America charges a per-day fee and every night for miles traveled – or you can pay extra for unlimited miles. On top of that, you also have the option of renting bedding, towels, dishes, etc. There may also be extra generator fees and/or propane charges.
You’ll also need a security deposit of $500-$1000, depending on your rental.
If you’re traveling in a group of two, you may think you’re saving money by renting an RV–but think again. Over the course of your journey, you’ll spend about the same – if not more.
But if you’re a family looking to save money by not eating out and keeping the sleeping arrangements the same for the kids, this is a worthwhile option.
Peer-to-Peer Rentals (Outdoorsy, RVshare, etc.)
Peer-to-peer rentals are reshaping the RV rental landscape. Platforms like Outdoorsy and RVshare offer a treasure trove of options, including luxury Class A motorhomes, converted camper vans, and teardrops (with and without bathrooms).
You name it. You can find it through a peer-to-peer marketplace like Outdoorsy (and often at prices that rival a traditional rental company’s). What’s better, there pricing is clearly marked as a per-night price. To improve the renter’s experience, most owners include basic kitchen supplies, standard bedding, and towels.
Yes, you normally still have to provide your own propane and gas for a generator. But there’s no nebulous charge for that. The only thing you’ll need to cover is a service fee to support the platform–which the provider is transparent about before you book.
These platforms have 24/7 customer support and even created their own RV insurance for renters and owners.
However, you are renting from independent RV owners, so your experience will vary depending on whether your RV host is accommodating.
Additional Costs to Consider When Renting an RV
As we hinted at earlier, consider the additional costs that can arise when renting an RV.
- Generator usage
- Convenient add-ons (like enabling GPS or wifi features and adding kitchen kits)
- Dump fees
- Refueling fees
- Service fees
- Early bird pick up and drop off
All of these can add up quickly, if you’re not careful to check them with your chosen rental platform.
Do I Need to Buy RV Rental Insurance?
Did you know that before Outdoorsy’s peer-to-peer RV rental service, there wasn’t a way to rent out your recreational vehicle without risking liability if the renter was in an accident?
Sure, the renter’s auto insurance typically covers damage that occurs as a result of a crash. However, the victim of the crash could legally turn around and sue the owner of the RV. This was a big risk for the RV owners to take.
Add to it that many RV insurance policies prohibit renting your vehicle, and the peer-to-peer industry was on its way out before it ever got to grow…
That is until the founders of Outdoorsy created a separate insurance company specifically for RVers.
Roamly provides specialized insurance for RVs of all shapes, sizes, and makes. And they allow the owners to rent out their RVs.
The benefit of Roamly’s service for you – the renter – is simple: peace of mind. They offer 24/7 tire and wheel protection, as well as roadside assistance under participating policies. So if your RV rental is insured with Roamly, you’re good to go.
If it’s not, then you can purchase a separate, temporary RV insurance policy for the time that you’ll be driving the RV.
And if you’re driving a large class C or a luxury class A, then yes, you should get insurance because those aren’t covered by your regular auto insurance.
Essential Questions to Ask Your RV Rental Company
When you’re doing your own research and comparing pricing between rental companies, here are the key facts to get straight before you choose:
- What is the total rental price?: After you’ve worked out your mileage, etc. make sure your numbers match up with your rental company’s numbers.
- Are there any other potential costs?: This question should reveal if they run any hidden charges for propane usage, if there’s a cost to rent additional equipment, additional cleaning fees, security deposits, etc.
- Do they have insurance policies? If so, what do they cover?: Do they have Roamly or do they require you to buy temporary RV insurance?…’cause that’s another expense.
- What is the pick-up location?: It stinks to make all the arrangements only to discover that you mixed up the pick-up and drop-off destinations. (Don’t ask me how I know).
- What are your set check-in/out times?: Some places have specific times that you need to pick up or drop off your vehicles.
Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on your best course for renting an RV.
Summary
So you rented a Class B or Class C motorhome. You had a blast. You loved the flexibility and the easy travel. You just got back, and you’re officially sold on the RV life. You need to own your very own RV–and that means you also need a place to store your shiny, new toy safely.
That’s where Neighbor can help.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage in all 50 states. You may even find storage in your very own neighborhood. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options
