Have you ever considered renting an RV or a camper van for your upcoming vacation? Are you hitting the open road and re-considering the typical hotel room stay? Over the past decade, vacation rental companies such as Airbnb and VRBO have become household names for spending time away from home and people are expanding their options when it comes to vacation experiences.
RV Rental Breakdown
Another rising trend for lodging that has paved the way is renting out people's RVs, travel trailers, Airstreams, and other "homes on wheels." The demand for fully-stacked motorhomes and travel trailers for rent is surging, and while it is exciting, it is also difficult to navigate the process of what type of recreational vehicle is the correct choice for your specific rental needs.
Renting an RV for your road trip can save money and keep you comfortable for your adventures. You can also be mobile, which provides incredible opportunities for seeing and doing more no your precious vacation time.
Types of RVs: Rental Types & Categories
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When it comes to renting a pop-up camper or an RV for a road trip, there are tons of options to choose from — RV rental companies, Outdoorsy, Cruise America, and private rentals through other websites and companies. Today, there is an entire class system that categorizes motorhomes.
Class A motorhomes are the largest of the recreational vehicle types and are what you would call a "luxury RV."
Class B motorhomes, also known as camper vans, are smaller than their luxury counterparts but still offer all you need for a comfortable trip on the open road.
Class C motorhomes are usually campers attached to a pick-up truck or have some sort of lofted sleeping space with storage.
A toy hauler is another type of trailer that presents room for all of your outdoor toys such as kayaks, skis, and bicycles.
A pop-up is similar to a camper but they are hooked up to a larger truck and transported using towing. A travel trailer, on the other hand, is classified as a trailer of any size that can be towed.
Lastly, fifth wheels are a type of camper that can only be towed by larger pick-up trucks and usually offer a more roomy interior with a bathroom, kitchen, and water tanks.
Camper Van Rental Information
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The average cost of staying in a camper van can differ greatly depending on what type of vehicle, how far you are driving it, how long your RV trip is, and what your top priorities are. When shopping around, notice that pricing usually includes the base rental cost or the nightly rate, additional fees such as the cleaning fees and taxes, a security deposit, and the one you really have to look for — the mileage fee (a fee that totals the number of miles you travel).
To make your first-time RV vacation the best it can be, be sure to check the fine print for additional costs that may be included the rental fees. You also should consider extra factors that may contribute to the overall safety of your trip RV trip, including roadside assistance, campground fees, propane, RV park fees, and generator use.
Average RV Rental Prices
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RVshare, the world's first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, is a great place to start when planning your vacation. Whether you want a travel trailer, a pop-up camper you can tow, or a luxury RV, RVshare allows you to choose from vetted RV owners all over the United States. Their research shows that the average cost per night ranges from $50 for a travel trailer or pop-up to $275 for a Class A motorhome.
These are for daily prices and if you are planning on staying in the rental for a week or longer, you can sometimes find weekly and/or monthly deals from RV owners looking to keep their rentals at capacity. You can also check sites such as Airbnb, Turo, Hipcamp, and Outdoorsy, which also feature privately-owned rentals.
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