How to Rent an RV in 2024: RV Rental Tips for Beginners

One of the best ways to travel in 2024 is RV camping. So you might be wondering how to rent an RV for the first time.

It’s not as simple as renting a car, but renting a motorhome or travel trailer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This list of RV rental tips for beginners will help you avoid newbie mistakes when planning an RV vacation.

Why is RVing a smart way to travel right now?

Camping in an RV allows you to social distance and minimize exposure to crowds in public places. With your own kitchen, you have control over what comes in and out of your space, just like at home. And with your own bathroom facilities, you can take a road trip without using public restrooms. 

You can use an RV trip to reach a destination without crowds at the airport. Or you can take a staycation near home, enjoying a change of scenery and routine after lock downs lift.

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How much does an RV rental cost?

What does it cost to rent an RV for a week? Will an RV rental cost less than a hotel? We had the same questions.

If you’re comparing with hotel costs for two people, it can end up being similar, if not more expensive to RV. However, camping in an RV still provides more autonomy away from crowds, closeness to nature, and the ability to change destinations in the comfort of a “home.”

In our area, most rentals on Outdoorsy start at $100 per night. Larger, fancy motorhomes can be closer to $300 per night.

There are often discounts for weekly rentals, so a one week RV rental would cost at least $650. 

Of course, these rental costs are not per person, so renting a motorhome may be more economical for a family than for a couple. You could even pitch a tent for additional sleeping arrangements if there aren’t enough beds in the rig.

How do I find an RV rental near me?

There are a number of popular RV rental companies in the U.S. where you can rent motorhomes, campervans, and travel trailers.

We particularly like the sharing economy model. Outdoorsy and  RV Share operate like Airbnb for RV owners.

Since we’re more familiar with Outdoorsy, we’ll cover how to use their RV rental service as an example.

Browse and book RVs, motorhomes, trailers, and campervans on Outdoorsy here

How Outdoorsy Works

Again, Outdoorsy is much like Airbnb. RV owners take pictures of their rig, describe their RV, and list out the available amenities on the Outdoorsy site. Once their listing is posted, renters can submit a rental request for specific dates.

In order to qualify for Outdoorsy’s episodic insurance protection, renters must complete a driver and identity verification process. Once the renter completes this process and accepts the owner’s confirmation of their rental, the renter pays a deposit to hold the rental.

14 days prior to the departure date, the remainder of the rental value is collected, and 48 hours prior to departure the security deposit is held. The security deposit is set by the owner.

The renter is covered by the individual Outdoorsy protection package they selected from the moment they embark to the moment they return.

When the renter arrives to pick up the rig (or has it delivered) the owner will go through an RV orientation with the renter to ensure they understand the RV operations.

Once the rental is complete, the renter and owner will go through a final inspection together. Assuming everything checks out, the owner will release the security deposit back to the renter via the Outdoorsy Owner app.

Benefits of renting an RV on Outdoorsy:

First hand: What is renting on Outdoorsy like?

Barry Benton of thevirtualcampground.com and Jake Wood of rvcoders.com both shared their experiences renting through Outdoorsy with us. Both were considering moving into an RV full-time with their significant others. They each wanted to test out RV life, so they decided to rent one first.

Here’s what each of them had to say:

Barry’s RV rental experience

“I had a meeting with a client in Austin, TX and then the RV Entrepreneur Summit in Fredericksburg, TX so we rented a small trailer to pull behind our Jeep. I drove down for my meeting and then Debra joined me a day or two later and we headed to the summit.

How was the booking process? Easy-peasy. Most have good photos and it’s an easy process to search for trailers and motor coaches. I was surprised that there were so many options…everything from tiny bumper pull trailers to very large Class A diesel pushers.

First-time renters should get very familiar with the insurance that Outdoorsy provides and ask their insurance carrier if they would be covered during the rental. I can’t recall all the details of their insurance coverage but, as you know, even small mishaps in an RV can be costly to repair.

Yes, Outdoorsy (and RV Share) are great options for rentals. Highly recommend both.”

Jake’s RV rental experience

“[The Outdoorsy booking process] was very straightforward, I don’t remember it being any more complicated than booking an Airbnb or a rental car. There was a hefty security deposit ($500, I think for ours, and I expect they could be even higher) that was collected a couple days before the rental started, but there were no “gotchas” or anything out of the ordinary.

We rented a Class A, which is the most expensive type of RV to rent. We didn’t own a vehicle capable of pulling anything, so we couldn’t rent a trailer, which are generally cheaper… The rental did not include a tow dolly or anything to tow a car behind us. We basically had to use the RV to do everything. We brought our bikes, but the area we wound up going to was not very bike-friendly.

That said, it certainly is more affordable to rent an RV than to own one if you only plan to camp 1 or 2 times / year. Any more than that, and I think you’d be better off just buying your own unit, depending on your local rental market, storage costs, etc.”

Jake said that the unit they got did have some problems with the toilet and the slides. They were able to resolve these issues, but note that the risk of these types of hiccups may not be worth it for vacationers.

Essential Rental Tips For First Time RV Renters

Planning your RV road trip route

Having a general idea of where you want to go will help in selecting the right RV type for your rental. Remember, if you rent a larger rig, driving long distances will likely feel more cumbersome than driving in a car.

By limiting your driving time each day, you’ll be more likely to enjoy the whole experience.

Remember, too, that some roads have height restrictions. You can use the CoPilot app which was built for RV navigation. It calculates your route according to your vehicle size and class (height, weight and length), to prevent any dangerous or costly run-ins with low bridges or propane-restricted tunnels. It also helps you find nearby campgrounds, gas stations, and more. Plus it works offline.

We have some advice on how to plan a road trip with Pinterest and Google Maps. Another handy tool to build a road trip itinerary is Roadtrippers.

Some of our favorite road trips have been visiting the National Parks. But when the Parks get too crowded, you may wish to find more off the beaten path road trip destinations.

Research campgrounds

In summer, booking reservations well in advance is wise, as popular campsites tend to fill up.

Be sure to check that the campsites can accommodate the type and size of rig you’re renting. “Pull through” RV sites are easier to park in than sites where you have to back in.

Practice driving the RV

If you’re not used to driving a large vehicle, take it slow. Give yourself some extra time when you first get in the RV and find a safe, low-traffic place to practice turning and parking.