If you’re ever taken a road trip in an RV before, you know how fun it can be to hit the open road with your friends or family for a nice, long vacation. Unfortunately, we don’t all have the ability to take the whole summer off to go camping but if you can squeeze in a week, or even a couple of days, snagging a short term RV rental can help you live out your best road trip dreams on a shorter timeframe.
The truth is, it really doesn’t matter how long you have for any given vacation, just that you get to put your brain on pause for a day or a weekend or a week. Luckily, there are plenty of RV companies that offer motorhome rental on a short-term basis for travelers in your same position.
Whether you’re brand new to the wide world of RVs or an experienced RV traveler, advance planning is key to taking a great road trip. Before you sign a short term RV rental agreement, here are some things to know.
What to Know Before You Rent an RV
First up: What type of RV rental will you be needing? Class A campers, which look more like buses or luxury coaches, are the biggest of the bunch and can fit up to six (or even eight) people, but they’re best driven by an experienced driver behind the wheel. Class B RVs, on the other hand, look more like sleeper vans and are generally easier to drive and manuever on the road due to their smaller profile. Rounding out the group are Class C motorhomes, which have the classic shape with an extra sleeping space above the cab (as pictured above) that you probably picture when you think of an RV.
There are also a host of different campers that you can tow behind your truck or SUV. Travel trailers come in all shapes and sizes, from the most spacious fifth-wheel trailers to the tiniest teardrop trailers. While the majority of the tow-behind campers are best suited for two people (maybe three at most), travel trailer rental is a great way to do a road trip if your existing vehicle is capable of hauling them down the highway. They also tend to be cheaper than their larger RV counterparts, so they’re a great way to plan a trip on the cheap if you’re trying to stick to a budget.
Short Term RV Rental Prices
Depending on what time of year you’re traveling, where you live, and what type of motorhome hire you’re interested in, short term RV rental rates generally start around $50 a night and can go as high as $500 (or more) during the peak season. The summer months tend to be the busiest time of year for RV rental companies, so expect to pay a premium if you’ll be taking your vacation during June, July, or August. On the flip side, more RV rental deals tend to be offered during the spring or fall months, which tend to be less busy.
Sometimes, though, you might need to lease an RV for a month. Maybe you’re in between housing, or it could be that your home is being remodeled or has been damaged in some way. In that case, it’s best to seek out rental companies that offer deals and promotions for monthly travel trailer rental or motorhome rental so you don’t get stuck paying the nightly rate for 30-plus nights. And if you do need housing due to something like flooding or a fire, check with your insurance company to see if they can help cover the cost of a short term RV rental. Often times, homeowners don’t even realize this is something covered by their policy, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Short Near RV Rental Near Me
There are a few different options when it comes to finding an RV for rent. The most obvious one is to check with large RV rental companies and dealerships in your area, which tend to have large fleets and thus have a wide variety of different campers and motorhomes to choose from. You can also look for local RV rental companies, which may have better customer service and be easier to work with. Either way, try searching something like “RV rentals near me” to find the best companies in your area.
These days, there’s a third option that’s gaining a lot of traction: peer to peer rental sites. If you’ve ever used Airbnb, it’s the same kind of concept. RV owners rent out their RVs and campers to people like you who are looking for campervan hire. Because RV owners don’t have the costs of running a nationwide RV rental company, they can typically offer less expensive rental rates to their customers. Peer to peer rentals also work great for temporary RV housing because they generally offer cheap monthly RV rentals compared to renting from a larger dealership or rental company.
Final Thoughts on Camper Rental
When you rent RV, all you want to know is that you got a reasonable rate, secured an RV that works for your purposes, and have the peace of mind that if something goes wrong, someone will be there to help. Before signing anything, read over the rental terms and contract and ask about roadside service and insurance. Most major RV rental companies (and even the peer to peer rental sites) offer some sort of customer assistance program so you’re not stranded if you get a flat tire or have mechanical problems. Even though it’s not the most fun part of renting an RV, making sure you have a Plan B in case of an emergency is still one of the most important parts of planning for your road trip.
When your vacation is over, don’t forget to leave an online review not only for the RV rental, but for the campgrounds and sightseeing stops you visited along the way. It’s a good way to pay it forward so others can have an enjoyable trip sometime in the future, and it can be a great way to keep track of where you went if your own friends need recommendations down the road.
Safe travels and happy camping!