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RV Curious? What You Need to Know Before Renting an RV

Get some pointers on how to rent an RV, with tips on where to look and how to research

spinner image a couple playing cards at a table next to an RV
Renting an RV gives you a chance to test it out before making the purchase. A Class A motor home, seen here, can create a luxurious home away from home for RVers.
RVShare

Albuquerque, New Mexico, couple Debbie and Max Kush had never considered RVing until a group of friends invited them on a camping trip in fall 2022. As a retired military officer, Max, 71, could rent an RV for the trip from the Kirtland Air Force Base for under $200.

The available units were well-maintained, he says, but they showed some wear. Debbie noticed bloodstains on the couch, for instance, probably from hunters who often rent the travel trailers. And the bed was little more than a thin mattress on plywood.

“It was a bit used, to put it mildly,” says Debbie, 66, of their Forest River R-POD, a travel trailer model known for its compact, lightweight design. “But my husband was hooked. So, two months later, we sold our Cadillac Escalade and bought a Class C RV.”

Thirty-one percent of boomers and 56 percent of Generation X plan to road trip or vacation in an RV in 2024, according to RVshare’s 2024 travel trend report. RVshare, considered the largest RV rental site in the United States with more than 100,000 listings, also finds 49 percent of travelers are choosing quieter travels with friends and families away from crowds compared to last year, an apt description of RVing. 

For newcomers like the Kushes, renting an RV is an invaluable way to gain experience and gauge preferences, says Gillian Luce, assistant vice president of recreational brand marketing for RV Trader, an online classifieds site for buying and selling new and used recreational vehicles.

“While online research is helpful, nothing compares to the insights gained from real-life driving and living in an RV,” she says. “You may discover you don’t enjoy driving a big rig, or you may find out you have nothing to fear and want to go bigger!”

Here are five tips to help start your RV adventures:

1. Know the nomenclature.

Understand the RV types and their features, including size, amenities and fuel efficiency, says Maddi Bourgerie, senior director of communications for RVshare and an RV travel expert.

There are two general classes, according to RVshare: motor homes, which feature their own engine and driving chassis, ranging from Classes A-C; and towable trailers, powered by a separate tow vehicle.

The drivable classes — A, B and C motor homes — tend to require a bit higher budget but still contain many affordable options, Luce says. For instance, Class A offers “luxury and spaciousness akin to mobile mansions,” while Class C provides “compact convenience with well-appointed features,” she says.

spinner image grandparents helping young daughter learn to ride a bike with a travel trailer in the background
A travel trailer, like the one here, hitches to the back of a large truck.
Go Rving

Class B, or camper vans, drive like a van, Bourgerie says – ideal for adventuring off road but not likely to include a bathroom. The towable classes offer numerous options such as pop-ups with canvas sides that need to be physically unfolded before using but are easy to tow, travel trailers that hitch to the back of a large truck, and fifth wheels, according to RVshare.

What you choose depends on your priorities.

“If you’re looking for a versatile rig, travel trailers might be a good option,” Luce says. “Want a more spacious living area in a towable? You’re probably looking for a fifth wheel. Need something more nimble to explore city space? A Class B is likely where to start.”

2. Do your research.

Most first-time RVers don’t know what they don’t know before that first trip, says Monika Geraci, spokesperson for Go RVing, the consumer-marketing program for North America’s RV industry. Go RVing has a “First-timers Tool Kit,” that Geraci describes as a one-stop shop for new RVers to get the information they need before heading out on their first adventure. Most RV companies offer an array of first-timers’ tips, including RV Trader’s “Tips for Planning an RV Trip” and RVshare’s “Top 10 RV Travel Tips.”

Researching also means understanding potential costs, Bourgerie says, including RV rental fees and other travel costs such as gas, food, tolls, campground expenses, and overage or dumping fees. You should also confirm if a campground allows RVs (and up to what size), as well as good routes to drive through cities. And be sure to check with your state’s DMV for information on which RV types require special licenses. 

3. Plan ahead.

Organize as much as possible beforehand, Luce says, starting with setting your destination and reserving your campgrounds in advance. And get your digital devices ready, from creating road-trip playlists to downloading useful planning tools, she says. For example, the Roadtrippers app can help RVers build an itinerary, navigate, estimate gas costs, find fun stops along a route and more. RVshare suggests other multifeatured apps, including Allstays, which allows users to search and book campsites, and check for dump sites and rest areas; and TripIt, a planning app that generates an itinerary from booking-confirmation emails.

You should also download apps that help you find campsites from the road if necessary, according to RVshare. Hipcamp, for instance, connects users to private campsites. RVers who want to boondock, or camp for free on land without amenities or hookups, can find them on Campendium (plus private and public campgrounds). Or pay for a subscription to Harvest Hosts to find free sites at wineries, farms, even driveways and museums.

4. Go easy.

Rookies are often too ambitious on their first trip, Geraci says. Instead, drive less than three hours that first day, allowing plenty of time and daylight to set up camp without having to rush, she says. Even better, Geraci suggests picking a campsite within 30 miles of home to get comfortable driving or towing an RV. That also gives the option to run home or to a local store for anything you may have forgotten, she says.

You can even skip driving altogether, Bourgerie says, by renting an RV that’s delivered directly to the campground. First-timers can pick a larger RV with multiple beds (or multiple units), she says – perfect for multigenerational trips and the perfect way to dip a toe into RVing.

5. Choose a reputable booking platform.

Help guarantee a high-quality rental and secure transaction process by using a booking platform, Bourgerie says. In addition to RVshare, she says, there are numerous others such as Indie Campers, with a fleet of more than 7,000 motor homes throughout Europe, North America and Oceania; and El Monte RV, which rents more than 1,500 deluxe, late-model motor homes.

Video: Which RV Is Best for You?

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