There’s something about summer that just makes you crave a vacation. You’ve survived winter, made it through tax season, and now it’s time for some well-deserved relaxation. If you’re lucky, you might even have the whole summer free. If that’s the case, there’s no better way to get out of town that to rent an RV for the summer.
Experienced RVers will tell you that a good road trip shouldn’t be rushed, so clear your calendar and set aside a few weeks or months for the trip of a lifetime. But before you go, you’ll need to do some planning. Read on to learn more about where to find a summer RV rental and how much it will cost.
Can I Rent an RV for a Summer?
The short answer is, yes! Renting an RV for the entire summer is something that can be easily arranged with most major RV dealerships. Many companies are happy to accommodate travelers for longer periods of time, especially during the busy summer months.
First, you’ll need to figure out where to rent an RV for a road trip. Start by searching in your area to find rental companies with good reviews, paying special attention to how they interact with their customers. Customer service is a must-have when you’re looking to rent an RV for the summer. When you’re on the road for weeks or months at a time, you want the reassurance of a company that will come through for you when you need them.
If possible, make sure your rental company offers roadside service in case you get in a jam. There’s nothing worse than having a maintenance issue or getting into a fender bender in the middle of your vacation, but it’s even worse if you don’t have an advanced plan for how to deal with those issues. Many RV rental dealerships include roadside service in their rates, but it’s something you should definitely ask about when you’re calling around for quotes.
Once you’ve figured out the best place to rent an RV, it’s time to figure out how much space you’ll need so you can rent the right size RV for your purposes. If you’re traveling solo or with just one other person, you might prefer to save some money by renting a smaller model that won’t be such a gas guzzler. As a bonus, smaller RVs and camper vans are far easier to maneuver on highways and at campsites, so they’re a good fit for those who have never driven an RV before.
Families or groups of friends looking for slightly more space and amenities might want to check out Class B or Class C RVs. When sharing an RV with three or more people, it’s generally a good idea to find something that offers everyone a reasonable amount of privacy. In RV lingo, each bed is known as a berth, so if you’re looking for an RV with space for four passengers, you should be looking for a 4 berth RV.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent an RV For the Summer?
Now that you’ve decided where to rent an RV and which type to get, you’re probably wondering how much it is to rent an RV for the summer. Given that rates vary widely by dealership and region, you’ll find the most accurate quote by simply picking up the phone and speaking directly with a representative at your local RV rental company.
In general though, you can expect to pay a bit more during summer months than you would in the winter, since summer is peak RV season. Renting an RV for several weeks or months will almost certainly set you back thousands of dollars, so plan ahead and start saving up for your trip early.
The good news is that many RV rental companies offer competitive monthly rates so you won’t be stuck paying for each night at the individual nightly rate. Many of those dealerships also put out summer rental specials and other promotions during the busy summer months in order to attract customers, which can save you some major cash over the course of your vacation. Spending five minutes online looking for a coupon code could end up saving you hundreds of dollars!
You can also save money by checking out peer-to-peer rental sites, which work similar to the way Airbnb does. With peer-to-peer sites, people looking for RVs can rent them directly from RV owners, who set their own prices and limitations. It’s a model that works well for both parties for a couple of reasons: When RV owners aren’t using their motorhomes, they’re just sitting in the driveway or a garage anyway, so renting it out is an easy way for RV owners to make some extra money. And because those owners are just regular people instead of a major dealership with overhead and other costs of doing business, they can pass those savings along to you, the customer.
When calculating your overall costs, you’ll have to factor in more than just your RV rental rates, though. In addition to rental costs, there are also fuel costs, mileage fees, and the price of your accommodations. The lifestyle you maintain while out on the road will greatly affect how much you spend over the course of a summer. (It seems obvious, but it’s worth saying!)
Those who need to stick to a strict budget can cut back on costs by booking more basic campsites and doing things like cooking at “home” (your camper) instead of eating meals out. On the other hand, travelers who’ve been saving up for a while to have the trip of a lifetime might be looking forward to checking out local restaurants and coffee shops and are probably fine spending a bit more on accommodations.
Whatever your plans are for the summer, if they include an RV, you’ve got a great time to look forward to. Just remember to do your research well in advance of your trip so you can find the best rental deal and maximize your savings.