If the first thing you think of when you hear the word “timeshare” is a slick guy in a hotel ballroom in Orlando trying to upsell you while you’re on vacation with your kids, think again. The concept of timesharing is no longer limited to resort clubs and luxury hotels in American vacation destinations. In fact, these days you can even get an RV timeshare.
Generally speaking, there are two different types of RV timeshare deals. First, there is RV campgrounds timeshare, which allows you to become a partial owner of a space at a particular campground. Then there’s RV shared ownership, where you can become a part of a network that gives you access to an RV when it’s time for a road trip vacation with your family or friends.
At first, it can seem a bit overwhelming, but in reality, you just have to do a bit of research before taking the plunge. Read on to learn more about how to get a RV timeshare and what to know before you sign on the dotted line.
What to Know About RV Camping Timeshares
With traditional timeshares, you pay a certain amount of money to become a partial owner of a vacation unit, allowing you to have use of the property for a certain amount of time each year. RV park timeshare is basically no different, except for the fact that it’s almost always cheaper.
When it comes to finding the best RV lot timeshare, it’s a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for deals that will truly work in your favor. Many RV timeshare deals help you become part of a larger RV park network, meaning your membership will give you the right to stay at dozens of different RV campgrounds across the U.S. There are also unlimited RV timeshare deals, which allow you to have use of a particular campground pretty much any time you’d like to go.
What is RV Fractional Ownership?
Maybe you’re less interested in the idea of sharing a space at a campground and more excited by the possibility of sharing the burden of RV ownership with a group of other committed individuals. In that case, RV shared ownership is definitely something worth exploring, especially if the idea of having to maintain and store an RV seems like more work than it’s worth.
By now, you’re probably asking yourself: What are the options for my RV timeshare? Nowadays, it seems like there are two main types of companies that offer timeshare for RV. One option allows you the use of one specific RV, which then gets divvied up amongst the group for a certain number of weeks per year. The second option is to join an RV timeshare membership club that essentially lets you “buy in” to a larger fleet of RVs, meaning you can snag a different one to suit your needs on different types of camping trips.
No one way is better than the other but definitely consider both options before moving forward with a contract. There are many reviews from former and current RV timeshare owners online that can also be useful in making the right decision to fit your lifestyle.
How to Find Timeshare RV Rentals
When it comes to finding RV timeshare rental, there are plenty of sites online that can help get you started. Some people feel more comfortable going through a timeshare company, while others prefer to work directly with another timeshare owner to buy him or her out. Only you know what’s best for you and your family, so use your best judgment.
You’ll also want to consider the length of time offered with the RV timeshare. Some last for three years, while others can go up to five. And don’t forget to ask about any fees. Often times, owners must jointly pay for the cost of storage and maintenance, and there can even be some pricey exit fees if you end up deciding you no longer want to be a part of the timeshare.
In any case, it can be a good strategy to have a lawyer friend go over the terms of the contract with you before signing any documents. Sometimes, reading the fine print is the only way to truly know what you’re getting yourself into, so empower yourself by doing your research before going in blind.
What to Do if RV Timeshare Isn’t for You
If after doing your homework you decide that RV timeshare isn’t really your cup of tea, there’s still one more way you can have access to an RV without the commitment of actually buying one. With the emergence of peer to peer RV rental platforms, anyone can now hop online and find RV rentals by owner.
If you’ve traveled any time within the last five years, chances are that you may have stayed at an Airbnb or at the very least, considered booking one. Peer to peer RV sites basically use the same model, meaning that RV owners put up online listings and offer RV motorhome rentals directly to customers like you. In the end, everyone wins: The owner makes some extra cash for an RV that would otherwise just be sitting in their driveway, while you get a pretty great deal by cutting out the middle man.
Most of the time, renting straight from the owner offers more flexibility when it comes to rental terms and fees, and their RVs often are better maintained than the ones that are part of a fleet at a large, nationwide company. And unlike renting from a traditional RV rental company, you’ll be able to see reviews and photos for the exact RV you’ll be taking on your trip.
If you’re an RV owner wondering, “Where can I rent my RV?” there are plenty of options online that can be found by searching something like “RV rentals by owner” or “peer to peer RV listings.” It never hurts to make a bit of extra money on the side, and renting out your RV is a great way to earn passive income.