How Do RV Rentals Work? Rent the Right RV From $50 a Night

Types of RVs You Can Rent

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV?

RV rental rates start around $50/night for travel trailers and reach $175 to $275/night for Class A motorhomes, per Outdoorsy's published price ranges.

Most families renting a Class C motorhome pay $150 to $200/night plus campground fees and fuel.

For a full price table by RV type, real trip cost examples, and 6 money saving tips, see our complete RV rental cost guide.

Best RV Rental Platforms Compared

Based on published platform data and verified user reviews from renters across the major rental services, here is an honest comparison (for a detailed breakdown of all platforms, see our complete guide to the top RV rental websites):

First Time Renter Tips

If this is your first RV rental, a 24 to 28 foot Class C motorhome is a good ballpark size.

It is maneuverable enough for beginners but comfortable for families.

Budget extra time for the pickup walkthrough and plan shorter driving days (200 to 300 miles max).

We cover the 10 essential tips, the 5 most common first timer mistakes, and what to expect day by day in our dedicated guide for a first RV rental.

RV Rental Insurance

Outdoorsy protection plans are selected at booking, with state liability limits by default, $500,000 on the Peace of Mind package, and roadside assistance inside the plan you choose.

You also have the option to add a reduced deductible plan at checkout.

Before you book, it is worth understanding what is and is not covered, especially common exclusions like awning damage and off road incidents.

Our look at what the policy really protects explains coverage types, security deposits, and exactly what to do if something goes wrong.

How to Rent an RV in 7 Steps

To rent an RV, choose the class, set a budget, search a rental site by location and dates, compare reviews, message the owner, book, then complete the pickup walkthrough.

Most first rentals take a few evenings of planning, and each step below links to the part of the site that covers it in depth.

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose your RV class

   Pick a camper van, Class C, Class A, travel trailer or 5th wheel based on how many people sleep aboard and how confident you feel driving a large vehicle.

   The RV types compared earlier in this guide set out who each class suits.

2. 2

   Step 2: Set your budget

   Plan for $50 to $275 a night depending on RV class and season, plus campground fees, fuel and a cleaning fee.

   See what each RV class costs by the night, week and month before you fix a number.

3. 3

   Step 3: Search by location and dates

   Enter your pickup location and travel dates on a rental site such as Outdoorsy to see RV rentals near you, then filter by RV type, price range and amenities.

   Looking for options near you? See our guide to finding RV rentals nearby.

   Planning to pick up in one city and drop off in another? Read our guide to relocation style rentals for routes and drop off fees.

4. 4

   Step 4: Compare listings and read reviews

   Shortlist several RVs and read reviews for comments on cleanliness, owner communication and the condition of the rig.

5. 5

   Step 5: Message the owner

   Ask your questions before booking, because responsive owners typically provide better experiences.

6. 6

   Step 6: Book and confirm the details

   Complete the booking, review the insurance options, and confirm the pickup time and location with the owner.

   Check the insurance options before you pay.

7. 7

   Step 7: Pick up and do the walkthrough

   Arrive with time for the pickup walkthrough, photograph the RV inside and out, then hit the road.

   Use the pickup walkthrough checklist below so nothing gets missed.

Pro Tips from Experienced RV Renters

Who Can Rent an RV, and What You Need

Almost every renter needs nothing more than a regular driver license in good standing and a credit card in the same name.

Age is the rule that catches people out, not licensing. On a peer to peer marketplace the RV owner sets the minimum, so it moves from one listing to the next and a renter in their early twenties will see fewer listings open to them.

The Walkthrough When You Pick Up the RV

This is the half hour that decides how the rest of the trip goes, and it is the part first timers rush.

Whether you collect from an RV owner or a rental location, the same five things are worth doing before you drive away.

Mileage, Generator Hours and What Rentals Include

The nightly rate is rarely the whole price, and the gap between the two is where rental regret comes from.

All of it is visible on the listing before you book, if you know which lines to read.

Driving an RV for the First Time

A camper drives less like a car than its size suggests, because the weight sits high and the back swings wide.

Nothing here needs practice beforehand, but all of it needs knowing before the first turn.

Rentals You Never Have to Drive

If driving is the part putting you off, you can book a rental you never get behind the wheel of.

Two options do this, and both are common on the major rental platforms.

Security Deposits and Damage Charges

A security deposit is a hold on your card, not a payment, and it is released after the rig comes back clean and undamaged.

How large the hold is and how long it takes to clear are set by the owner and the platform, so both appear on the listing before you book.

What the Rental Does Not Include

Bedding, towels and kitchen basics are the three most commonly assumed inclusions that are usually extra.

Some owners offer a kit for a fee, and bringing your own is almost always cheaper and more comfortable.

Read the listing inclusions line by line before you pack, because assuming wrong on a camp chair is annoying and assuming wrong on bedding is a cold night.

Can You Drop the RV Off Somewhere Else?

Sometimes, but it is the exception rather than the rule on a peer to peer platform.

An individual owner needs their rig back where it started, so most listings are return to origin.

Where a one way trip is offered it carries a relocation charge, because somebody has to bring the vehicle home. Read our guide to one way RV rentals before you plan a route that ends in another state.

Can You Tow a Rental Travel Trailer Yourself?

Yes, and it is the cheapest way to rent, but only if your own vehicle is genuinely rated for the trailer.

This is the class where renters most often get turned away at pickup, so it pays to check three numbers first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting an RV