Perhaps RVing is a new experience that you want to try for the first time. Maybe you’re looking for a new RV and want to test out a model to see if it’s the right fit. It could be that you love the hobby but simply have no room for an RV of your own. Whatever your reason, renting an RV can be a great way to get out on the open road and take a journey into the great unknown.
If you haven’t rented an RV before, you might be wondering where to start. Do you want a peer-to-peer rental where individuals can host their own RVs for rent, or do you want to rent one from a corporate fleet? How much should you be paying for an RV rental? We’ll walk you through the answers to these questions and more in the article below.
With so many RV rental companies to choose from these days, there are bound to be differences between them. Just like the free-spirited individuals who embrace the RV lifestyle, the different rental platforms do things their own way, which means that they may not offer everything you’re looking for. Here are a few major factors to consider when choosing the best place to rent an RV.
LEARN THE RV RENTAL BASICS
Is it your first time renting an RV? Learn the basics of what you should do before, during, and after your rental in our first-time renter’s guide.
Of course, the price a company charges is a big thing to consider. It’s always a good idea to shop around to find the best deals on RV rentals in your area. Check up on the rental costs for the type of RV you want from each company you’re looking at so you aren’t surprised by a huge final bill. If anything should take your breath away, it should be the views you encounter on your journey.
Have you considered where you will pick up and drop off your RV rental? How your RV company handles this can make your rental an easy or hard process. Peer-to-peer rental platforms make it easy to rent an RV just about anywhere and may even deliver the RV right to your campsite. RV rental companies, on the other hand, may only have a handful of locations across the country that you have to drive out of your way to get to.
Some companies might charge you extra, hidden fees on top of the base rental cost of the RV. This will lessen the value of the deal you’re getting, so it’s worth researching the RV company’s fee policy ahead of time.
Who will you turn to if things go wrong during your rental period? Always choose a company that has a reputation for outstanding customer service that solves problems and gets people back on the road.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT RV FOR YOU
Not all RVs are created equal. Learn about the different RV classes, their pros, and their cons. You might be surprised which one you like best!
Now that we’ve established some of the key things to look for in an RV company, let’s take a look at some of the best places to rent an RV:
If you’re looking for peer-to-peer RV rentals, Outdoorsy is an excellent option with thousands of listings all across the country and Canada. Whether you’re looking for a massive Class A motorhome, a tiny pop-up camper, a chic campervan, or anything in between, you can find one on Outdoorsy.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for nearby, you can arrange to have it transported to you or the campsite you’re headed to, provided that it is within the owner’s delivery zone. Their rentals are all competitively priced and let people share their love for RVing with you. In addition to their good rental rates, they offer several different well-priced RV rental insurance add-ons (on top of their built-in policy) to keep you as protected on the road as you want to be without breaking the bank. They also offer trip insurance, so if anything goes wrong and your vacation gets interrupted, you can be refunded for your expenses. On top of all that, they have excellent customer service and a great reputation with the Better Business Bureau.
If you want to take your travel beyond the states, Camper Travel Bookings is the name to know. They are the best RV Rental service for international bookings, as they have a wide variety of vehicles available around the world. Camper Travel Bookings has partnered with a number of smaller rental companies, giving you access to RVs you might never have found had you only searched using English results. They have very good customer service, which can be a great comfort if you run into issues while traveling in a country where you don’t speak the local language. Something going wrong with a rental is stressful enough without the added difficulties of a language barrier.
Camper Travel Bookings currently offers rentals in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Europe.
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP
Wondering where you should take your RV next? Check out our list of most popular National Parks for RVers to get in on the action.
Similar to Outdoorsy, RVshare is a peer-to-peer RV rental service. RVshare offers many of the same services that Outdoorsy does, including insurance protection for your rental period so you can feel safe while on the road. And if you like your experience, they have a rewards program so you can save money the more you rent. Their rental rates are pretty reasonable, but always be sure to look out for any hidden fees before checking out.
El Monte has been in the RV rental industry for a long time now, and they have earned a great reputation over the years. Unlike Outdoorsy or RVShare, El Monte is not a peer-to-peer service. This means that you’ll be renting from a fleet at one of their locations across the US.
Since they set the prices as a company, they can offer great deals to customers from time to time. They also offer the convenience of one-way rentals, allowing you to pick up in one city, go on your journey, and then return it at their location in your destination city. This allows you to get the most out of your vacation time then quickly jet back home. One of the few downsides to this service, however, is that mileage is not included in the cost.
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