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

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.