Are you looking to experience a sense of freedom on your upcoming trip? RVing is one of the most independent forms of vacationing; you have your hotel, your transportation, and your kitchen with you as you enjoy your trip. No matter where you go, you’ll be at home, but with all this said, not everyone understands the world of rental RVing, which is why we created this guide with a few tips to help you along your way.
General Campervan Rental Tips
Before you head out and start up the reservation process, it’s important to understand what renting an RV is like. The first thing that you should understand is that no matter where you rent from, most RV rentals are by the day. This means that it’s important to have a full schedule and budget ready before you reserve.
This brings us to our next point: Before you settle on the length of your trip, establish a budget for your trip. Once a budget is established, you’ll know precisely how long you can rent the RV for based on your money, you’ll know what sort of allotment you have for gas, how much you’ll have for spending money, and you’ll also know how much you’ve set aside for lot rental at the RV park.
Know who is coming with you because the last thing you want is to feel overcrowded when you go on your vacation. With a Class B RV, which is sometimes called a campervan, you’ll usually be able to sleep two to four people. With these vehicles, in particular, it’s best not to go over the rated sleeping capacity because no one will be comfortable, and you will no longer be legally compliant or safe.
Other Motorhome Rental Tips
The largest motorhomes are the Class C or a Class A motorhomes. These vehicles can house anywhere from six to 10 passengers. These might be a little harder to drive than other types, so pick this style only if you’ll be comfortable. A Class A is just about the same size as a large bus, which is why it takes some practice when learning to drive one.
With this type of thinking in mind, don’t forget to know the precise dimensions of your rented RV. There are plenty of RV parks across the country, but not every one of these can accommodate a 45-foot long Class A RV. Before you set out, and before you even pick up your RV, have an idea of your RV’s size and know how much space is available at the parks and campgrounds that you’ll be staying at. This will save you from having to make last-minute changes in your accommodations.
Finally, understand that gas is going to be expensive. If you want to optimize the gas that you have, try to stick to a speed of 55 mph or so; it’s the speed in which your RV will be the most fuel efficient.
Motorhome Rental Tips: Pricing
There’s a lot of variation between the pricing that you’ll find between Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes. Despite where it falls in alphabetical sequence, Class B motorhomes are the smallest, and as a result, have a tendency to be the cheapest of the three.
Across the country, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $275 per day for one of these van conversions. These are pretty well priced if you’re only bringing one other person on your trip, so if that’s your party, consider this type of RV.
The next largest, the Class C, is slightly more expensive than the Class B. Usually, for a Class C, you can expect to spend in the $170 to $350 range per day. This is very economical because an average Class C motorhome will sleep up to 10 people at a time, which means that you can save some cash if you’re splitting the cost among your travel mates.
The largest sized RV, the Class A, is usually also the most luxurious. While there are Class B and C RVs that embrace luxury, you’ll find it much easier to find a Class A that has features like marble floors and finer furnishings. As a result, this is also the most expensive option for a motorhome. On average, you can expect a good Class A to start out in the $200 to $500 a day range.
While this may seem like a lot to spend on a daily basis, Class A’s have features like double bathrooms and spacious interiors that may make the price well worth it for some.
Motorhome Rental Tips: How to Save Some Money
You don’t always have to spend top dollar for your RV rental. Here are some tips that could save you some cash on your RV vacation.
• Always rent early: Reserving early will help you avoid the spike in prices that can happen during the RVing season. If you’re planning a summer trip, think about reserving your rental in the early spring or even in the winter.
• Always shop around: Many areas have more than one RV rental company in a relatively close vicinity. When this happens, take the opportunity to check out any competitor’s prices. Remember, shaving $10 a day off your rental may seem trivial, but over a longer trip, you can save a lot of cash.
• Seek out a private rental: The rental companies aren’t the only show in town. When you’re looking to rent an RV, don’t neglect the little guy; often, an owner will charge you significantly less than a company would charge you. In fact, these peer to peer rentals are a good way to meet other RVers.