More and more Americans are purchasing RVs and taking to the road to explore the great outdoors—but you don’t need to own an RV to enjoy this experience. Many companies rent out RVs, allowing customers to try RV life before they buy or simply enjoy an RV vacation without the expense that comes with owning one. There are peer-to-peer companies that connect renters with RV owners as well as companies that rent out their own fleet of rigs.
Renting a rig can be a confusing experience to those new to RVing. There are various options to choose from, including towable pop-up tents, travel trailers, and drivable full-size class A motor homes. Read on to learn more about some of the best RV rental companies in the country, and find out what to consider when renting an RV.
- BEST OVERALL: Outdoorsy
- RUNNER-UP: RVshare
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Cruise America
- BEST FOR CAMPERVANS: Escape Campervans
- ALSO CONSIDER: El Monte RV
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best RV Rental Companies
Understanding the differences among the various RV types, how their pricing works, and what insurance coverage a customer needs to drive one are all crucial factors when renting an RV. Below, potential RV renters can find out more about these and other factors to consider when choosing an RV rental company.
Type of RV
When choosing an RV rental service, customers will first want to consider what type of RV they want to rent. RVs fall into two categories: drivable motor homes and towable campers. The main difference is that drivable RVs don’t need a tow vehicle, whereas towable ones do—though there are additional differences customers will want to consider when choosing the best type of RV for their trip.
- Class A motorhomes are the largest drivable motor home rental options. They are capable of accommodating large families due to their spaciousness, and they include kitchens that have full-size appliances. Many have multiple slide-outs that expand the living space once they’re parked at their destination. At up to 45 feet long, they are also quite large, which can make them more difficult to drive than other RV types.
- Class C motorhomes, which are built on a truck chassis, offer many of the same amenities as a Class A motorhome but on a much smaller scale. They are also easier to drive than their larger motorhome counterparts.
- Better known as campervans, Class B motorhomes are less spacious than Class A and C motorhomes and have fewer amenities. However, they’re the easiest to drive and get much better gas mileage than Class A or Class C motorhomes.
- Per their name, towable RVs require a tow vehicle—typically either a pickup truck or an SUV. They range in size from small pop-up campers with modest tent-like accommodations all the way up to large 45-foot-long fifth-wheel trailers that offer a spacious climate-controlled living area with multiple sleeping areas, ample storage, running water, and electricity.
Availability
When considering an RV rental company, customers will want to look carefully at its locations and availability. While some RV rental companies have rental options throughout the country, some may only serve major cities. Customers can usually find a greater selection of RVs through national peer-to-peer networks, which connect RV private owners throughout the country to renters. RV companies that own their own fleet may not have as much availability throughout the country. Customers will also want to keep in mind that it’s more difficult to rent an RV during peak periods, which is from mid-July to mid-August.
Peer-to-peer companies also have a broad variety of RV types available that include both towable and drivable RVs. RV companies that rent out their own fleet of rigs usually offer only Class B and Class C motorhomes. Customers can search online for “recreational vehicles for rent near me” to see what options are available close to home.
RV Pickup, Drop-off, and Delivery
Customers will want to consider how they’d like to receive their RV when choosing a rental company. Some rental companies require their customers to pick up the RV at a specific location, while others will deliver their RVs to their customers—typically for an additional fee. If the customer is planning on using the RV for a specific trip, such as to a national park, they will want to look for RV rental companies with locations that suit their itinerary. Some, but not all RV rental companies, allow for a one-way RV rental in which the customer picks up the RV at one location then drops it off at a different location when the trip concludes.
Pricing and Fees
While pricing and fees vary from RV rental company to RV rental company, all of them generally use the same system. Customers are charged a nightly fee for the RV plus an additional fee for mileage. Generally speaking, pop-up tents are the most affordable campers to rent, while Class A motorhomes are the most expensive. On average, customers can expect to pay between $155 and $215 per night for an RV that sleeps between five and seven people with a mileage rate that ranges between 35 cents and 50 cents per mile. There may also be additional fees if the renter chooses to have the RV delivered to them. Some companies may also charge a cleaning fee.
Insurance
Some auto insurance policies may cover their customers when they rent an RV the same as they would for any car or moving truck rental. However, many insurance companies have limitations based on the weight of the RV, the number of wheels that it has, and how long the RV is being rented. If the RV rental exceeds those limitations, the customer may need to purchase additional temporary insurance to ensure they’re adequately covered. Keeping this in mind, customers will want to call their insurance company prior to renting an RV to determine what coverage they have and purchase more if needed. Most insurance companies offer coverage plans that range from $300,000 to $1 million for liability insurance. It’s important for customers to get an adequate amount of RV insurance to cover accidents, liability, and other events while they’re on their road trip—in addition to liability coverage, this may include collision insurance (to cover damage to the vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object, such as a light pole) and comprehensive insurance (to cover other types of damage to the RV, such as hail damage following a storm, vandalism, or a collision with an animal).
Roadside Assistance and Support
There’s always the chance for problems to occur with the RV during the journey even with a rig that’s well maintained. As such, customers will want to look carefully at the roadside assistance and support the rental company offers before making a reservation. A reputable RV rental company will offer 24/7 roadside assistance, assuring their customers aren’t left stranded somewhere in the event of a flat tire or mechanical problem.
Cancellation Policy
Most RV rental companies have a limited cancellation policy once customers make a reservation. Since these policies can vary, renters will want to pay careful attention to them to avoid losing money in the event they need to cancel or change their trip at the last minute. While most companies allow renters to cancel up to 7 days in advance, others require 14 days or more. Cancellation policies for peer-to-peer services usually vary from RV owner to RV owner, so customers will want to be mindful of the cancellation policy when using this type of RV rental company.
Our Top Picks
Our top picks include both peer-to-peer recreational vehicle rental agencies as well as those that have their own rigs. All have multiple locations around the country and have good reputations with their customers.
Photo: outdoorsy.com
Why It Made the Cut: Outdoorsy offers all types of RVs, has availability throughout the country, and boasts top-notch customer reviews.
With its ability to deliver RVs right to its customer’s doorstep, a wide variety of RVs to choose from, and excellent ratings from customers, Outdoorsy ranks as the premiere source for RV rentals. The company offers both towable and drivable RVs, and customers can choose to pick up the RV or pay to have it delivered to their location. Outdoorsy also offers 24/7 roadside assistance should a customer run into trouble while out on the road.
Outdoorsy is also well liked by its customers, more than 90 percent of whom give it a 5-star rating. That said, customers will want to ask about the fees of the rental prior to renting their RV, as some customers report surprise additional charges being added when picking up or dropping off the RV. Since Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer service, renters will also want to pay careful attention to the cancellation policy, which varies with each rental.
Specs
- Types of RVs: Class A, Class B, Class C, truck camper, campervan, travel trailer, fifth wheel, toy hauler, folding trailer
- Availability: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Sample pricing: $215/night for 2018 Class C RV for 6 guests
- Cancellation policy: Varies by host
Pros
- Wide selection of drivable and towable vehicles
- Nationwide availability
- Reported 93 percent 5-star ratings
- RV pickup and delivery options
Cons
- Reports of unexpected fees
Photo: rvshare.com
Why It Made the Cut: With its broad collection of RV types and and nationwide availability, RVshare is a top choice for peer-to-peer RV rentals
RVshare offers a broad range of drivable and towable RVs ranging from pop-up tents to motorhomes and has exceptional customer service. Customers can either choose to pick up their RV or pay a modest additional fee to have it delivered to them. RVshare will even work with customers to rebook an RV should the owner of their rental need to cancel at the last minute. Since RVshare is one of the largest peer-to-peer RV rental services in the country, customers can choose from many different RV types throughout the country.
New RVshare customers will want to pay careful attention to the fine print, as RV owners renting out their rigs through the service often have very specific restrictions regarding where renters can take the RV and how they can use it. Customers will also want to check the cancellation policy when preparing to rent an RV through RVshare as it will vary from owner to owner.
Specs
- Types of RVs: Class A, Class B, Class C, fifth wheel, toy hauler, travel trailer, pop-up
- Availability: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Sample pricing: $213/night for 2018 Class C RV for 6 guests
- Cancellation policy: Varies by host
Pros
- RV pickup and delivery options
- Nationwide availability
- Convenient rebooking assistance
Cons
- Potentially strict terms and conditions
Photo: cruiseamerica.com
Why It Made the Cut: Cruise America has affordable pricing, a reliable fleet of vehicles, and it offers one-way rentals.
Those looking to rent an RV without spending a lot of money may want to consider Cruise America, which offers some of the most competitive pricing of any RV rental service. Customers can rent a large RV for about $172 a night plus a mileage fee of 38 cents per mile. In addition to its low rates, the company frequently offers discounts and promotions that further cut the cost. The fleet of RVs includes four size options of Class C RVs and small travel rental trailers, though customers will want to be aware that amenities on Cruise America RVs are basic, so they won’t find more upscale features such as retractable awnings, ovens, or folding steps.
Since Cruise America owns its fleet of rental RVs, customers can count on them being professionally serviced and maintained. The company also has one of the more customer-friendly cancellation policies, allowing renters to cancel up to 7 days in advance.
Unlike peer-to-peer RV rental companies, Cruise America customers can book one-way rentals between two of its 119 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Specs
- Types of RVs: Large RV, standard RV, compact-plus RV, compact RV, adventure travel trailer
- Availability: 39 states
- Sample pricing: $172/night for large RV for 7 guests
- Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 7 days before pickup
Pros
- Relatively affordable pricing
- Relatively generous cancellation policy
- Regular professional RV maintenance
Cons
- RV selection relatively limited to basic models
Photo: escapecampervans.com
Why It Made the Cut: Escape Campervans offers a fleet of colorfully painted and well-maintained campervans that come outfitted with amenities.
With its brightly colored fleet of well-equipped RVs, Escape Campervans is the go-to source for those looking to escape the city in a campervan. The company operates in 13 major cities throughout the country, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver, and offers five different van models, all of which have brightly colored hand-painted artwork on their exteriors. Along with the vans themselves, Escape Campervans also sells and rents various supplies and accessories, making it easy for customers to get everything they need for their trip. Prospective customers will want to book early, as Escape has a very limited availability of each camper type at its locations.
The company’s fleet of vans include such amenities as propane stoves, refrigerators, beds, pop-up tents, and water tanks with sinks. Each van also receives regular maintenance, reducing the odds the customers will experience mechanical problems during their trip.
Specs
- Types of RVs: Campervans
- Availability: 10 states
- Sample pricing: $155/night for campervan for 5 guests
- Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 15 days before pickup
Pros
- Regular professional campervan maintenance
- Wide variety of rental extras and accessories
Cons
- Somewhat limited availability
Photo: elmonterv.com
Why It Made the Cut: El Monte maintains its own fleet of RVs and has a customer-friendly cancellation policy.
El Monte RV is another great option for those who live near one of its 28 locations. The RV rental company has depots in California and several major cities throughout the U.S. including Miami, Seattle, Dallas, and New York. Since El Monte owns its own fleet of RVs, customers can expect them to be well maintained. There’s also one international El Monte RV located in Tokyo. The company offers one-way RV rental options for those wanting to rent an RV for a road trip from point to point rather than returning to the original rental location.
Customers interested in renting from the company will have to deal with El Monte’s online booking system, which is difficult to navigate. However, El Monte is one of the only national companies to rent full-size Class A motorhomes (the company also rents Class C RVs). Additionally, most of El Monte’s RVs are a year old or less. El Monte offers one of the more generous cancellation policies on the market, and the company professionally cleans and services each vehicle.
Specs
- Types of RVs: Class A, Class C
- Availability: 11 states
- Sample pricing: Not specified
- Cancellation policy: Full refund or offer to reschedule up to 7 days before pickup
Pros
- Relatively generous cancellation policy
- Regular professional RV maintenance
Cons
- Somewhat user-unfriendly website
- Somewhat limited RV selection
- Somewhat limited availability
Our Verdict
With its nationwide coverage, broad range of RV types to choose from, and excellent customer satisfaction ratings, Outdoorsy ranks as the Best Overall RV rental business in the country. RVShare earns the Runner-Up award thanks to its broad collection of RV types to choose from.
How We Chose the Best RV Rental Companies
After reviewing numerous RV rental companies throughout the country, we assembled the above list using several criteria. We looked for companies with a national presence that make it easier for customers to find locations and accommodate their pickup and drop-off needs. All of our selections also offer competitive rates for their RV rentals. Since customer needs vary depending on the size of their family or group, we chose companies that offer a variety of different RV types with both large and small RVs for rent. Our list includes a mix of peer-to-peer companies, which offer a wide variety of RVs along with companies that own and maintain their own fleet of RVs to suit different preferences.
Before You Use One of the Best RV Rental Companies
There are a few factors customers will want to consider before renting an RV. Campgrounds can accommodate RVs of different sizes and typically require a reservation. Customers will want to determine which campgrounds they’ll be visiting and make sure their RV rental fits the site. Customers will also want to keep in mind that RVs typically require additional accessories in order for them to use all the amenities. Gas stoves require a propane tank. If a customer wants to use electrical appliances, such as a refrigerator, they’ll need to take their RV to a campground that has electrical hookups or plan on renting or purchasing a generator to go with it. If a customer is renting a towable RV, they’ll want to keep in mind that they’ll need a vehicle with a hitch and towing capacity to suit the rig. Finally, customers will want to make sure they’re comfortable driving an RV, which is more difficult to maneuver and park than a car or truck.
Cost of Using One of the Best RV Rental Companies
Rental RVs are priced on a per-night and per-mile basis. Costs can vary significantly depending on the size and type of RV and the time of year the customer is renting. Customers can expect to pay between $80 and $300 per night, plus between 35 and 50 cents per mile. So if customers rent an RV for a week at $150 per night ($1,050) and travel a total of 1,000 miles at 40 cents per mile ($400), they’ll pay a total of $1,450 plus taxes and fees for the rental. When calculating the total cost of their rental, customers will also want to factor in gas, keeping in mind that most RVs get much lower gas mileage than the average car or truck.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best RV Rental Companies
There are several good reasons for choosing a reputable RV rental company over a company that offers cheap RV rentals. The best RV companies give customers a broad range of RV sizes and types to choose from, and they have locations throughout the country. Many also offer the option to book a one-way trip. With one of the top RV rental companies, a customer will also know they’ll be renting an RV that’s reliable and well maintained and that the company’s customer support and roadside assistance is only a phone call away should they run into trouble. The best RV rental companies offer the following perks:
- A broad range of RV sizes and types to choose from;
- Reliable rigs and 24/7 customer service and roadside assistance;
- Pickup and drop-off locations around the country; and
- The option to book a one-way trip.
FAQs
If a customer is wondering when the best time is to rent an RV or whether they can book online, the following answers to these and other questions about RV rental companies can help them feel more confident in their choice to rent an RV.
Q. What is the most popular RV rental app?
With its many locations throughout the country, excellent reputation, and broad range of RV types to choose from, Outdoorsy has established itself as the most popular RV rental app.
Q. What type of RV is the most rented?
RV trailers, which come in teardrop, travel, and fifth-wheel varieties, are the most popular RV rentals on the market, due to their affordability and the fact that many Americans have pickup trucks and SUVs that are capable of towing them.
Q. What is the best month to rent an RV?
The best months to rent an RV are June and September, when demand is not as high and the weather is somewhat milder. Warmer months and school breaks make summer by far the most popular month for renting an RV. Mid-July to mid-August is peak RV rental time, making it much more difficult to rent an RV during this period when compared with other times of the year.
Q. How much does it cost to rent an RV?
Depending on the size of the RV and time of year, a customer can expect to spend between $80 and $300 a night plus between 35 cent and 50 cents per mile to rent one.
Q. What are the benefits of using an RV rental company?
Whether customers rent an RV for a weekend or several weeks, they can experience what owning an RV is like without having to commit to buying one. They’ll experience driving and setting up an RV, not to mention what it’s like living inside one, making it easier to determine whether they want to invest in owning an RV. It can also help them decide what type of rig suits their family or traveling group best. Customers can bring budget camper decor to help make the RV feel more like home.
Q. Can I book an RV online?
You can book an RV online. Most RV rental sites allow you to search for and choose the specific RV you want to rent and make reservations through their online portal.
