If you’re itching for a getaway but have no idea where to start planning, consider looking at RV rental prices first? Camping via RV is a great way to enjoy nature and everything it has to offer without compromising your comfort and security. Basically, you’ll have a safe place to come home to after tiring day spent exploring the outdoors.
Owning a recreational vehicle is quite a big commitment. If you’ve always been curious about it and have a lot of misgivings, rentals are an excellent way to give it a test run. Below, we discuss RV rentals in more detail. Hopefully, this article helps you make a decision.
Research about RV Rentals
It doesn’t make sense to own an RV if you’ll only use it on rare occasions. On top of the money you shelled out for its initial purchase, there are also a ton of upkeep and maintenance costs. Hence, if you’ll only go on a road trip once in a while, RV rentals are a better option for you.
First, you should know that RVs can either be motorized or towable. Under these two broad categories, there are several types of RVs. Motorhomes are further differentiated into Class A, Class B, Class C, and Campervan types. On the other hand, towable RVs include pop-ups, fifth wheels, sport-utilities, travel trailers, and truck campers. I’ll briefly go over the types of RV rentals.
Motorhomes
In a nutshell, motorhomes have engines and don’t require another vehicle to haul them. In the case of RV newbies, motorhomes might be a better option because you would have the engine and liveable space in one vehicle. Consequently, you wouldn’t have to worry about turning and maneuvering.
You’ve probably seen Class A motorhome, as it is the most common in the market. Their interiors are spacious, and they range from 21 to 45 feet long. On the other hand, Class B’s are much smaller and mimic the appearance of vans. The compact home on the road measures between 20 to 25 feet. Lastly, Class C motorhomes look more like trucks. Consider it a smaller Class A, whose length ranges between 20 to 33 feet.
Let’s move on to towable homes.
Towable homes
From the name itself, you can already infer that towable RVs refer those that need to be attached to another vehicle to get from one place to another. Due to their lack of an engine, these are a more affordable option. For this category, you’d have to be mindful of your steering, but you wouldn’t have to worry about engine problems.
Firstly, pop-up campers are also known as fold-down campers or tent trailers. You can fold them when you’re on the road, and then extend them once you reach your destination. However, if you’re looking for a spacious towable, fifth wheel trailers are for you. They can be between 20 to 40 feet long.
Sport utilities, aka toy haulers, are used both as a place to stay and as a means to transport sports equipment. Accordingly, it is divided between the living quarters and cargo area. Meanwhile, travel trailers come in 4 to 35 feet long variations. Their interior offerings hinge on their size. Lastly, truck campers are affordable but tight living spaces that can be attached to pickup trucks.
So, why do you need to know all this? Well, it’s because RV rental prices are partly dependent on them.
Compare RV Rental Prices
What is the average cost of renting an RV? Besides the vehicle make and model, novelty, mileage, and length of use can also factor into RV rental prices. Normally, newer models tend to come with a higher price tag. Additionally, nightly costs will vary depending on your service provider. On top of the daily rental rate, they may also impose a fee per mile traveled or a fee for utensil and bedding inclusions.
If you have a local RV dealer near you, it would be easy to go ahead and check their shop for vehicles that are within your budget. The thing is, they may not have a ton of options for you. Not only that, but there might be additional fees like cleaning, gas, setup, and mileage, that they’re not upfront about. Moreover, they come with lengthy contracts, of which, you should read the fine print.
RV Rental Companies
Alternatively, you can go online and browse through RV rental companies and platforms such as RVshare, Cruise America, RV Rental Outlet, or Outdoorsy. As mentioned earlier, RV rental prices vary from company to company and state to state.
For instance, Outdoorsy and RVShare are comparable to Airbnb but for RVs. The peer to peer rental platforms allow RV owners to list their vehicle for rent at their chosen price. As a result, rental prices can have more variation depending on the state.
RV Rental Pricing
To illustrate the point above, the nightly cost for Class A motorhomes on Outdoorsy ranges from $125 to $275. In contrast, on RV Rental Outlet, Class A motorhomes are listed at $300 per day. Notably, there are more options of older models in Outdoorsy. That being said, below you’ll see the general price ranges each RV type falls under.
Older RVs
Older RVs who have a decade or more on their belt have a slightly lower price range. For motorized homes, Class A’s range from $150 to $250 while Class B’s and Class C’s runs from $100 to $200. Meanwhile, of the towable trucks, a travel trailer can cost $50 to $125 a night whereas a fifth wheel has a price range of $60 to $150.
Newer RVs
If you want to go for newer RVs, be ready to shell out more cash. In terms of motorhomes that have been in operation for less than ten years, Class A’s can run the gamut from $350 to $450; Class B’s from $200 to $350; and Class C’s from $225 to $400 nightly. Towable RVs such as travel trailers can have a rental price between $125 to $200 per night while fifth wheels are priced at $150 to $300.
Pricing Considerations
Now that you have an idea of RV rental prices, you may wonder about how they are priced. What goes into RV pricing?
There really isn’t a standard pricing guide for RV rentals. Nightly fees are disclosed in rental platforms, but these may vary depending on their location. Likewise, when you book matters. Depending on the season, nightly base rates may fluctuate. As an example, many people rent out their RVs for a lower price during the winter season. Knowing this, you can time your camping trips accordingly.
Also be aware that you may be charged for extra fees like insurance, tax, and security deposit. Let’s say the RV also comes with kitchen utensils, generators, and outdoor furniture. Make sure to ask if you have to pay extra for them.
For more tips on RV rentals, you can read this article.
