Planning an all-American road trip? When you’re camping USA, RV rental is the first thing you should research if you’re planning on traveling the country in a motorhome.
Renting an RV for your road trip is one of the best ways to see the US in style. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a rental car and a different hotel room every night, traveling in an RV gives you the flexibility of staying almost anywhere with all the creature comforts of home. Whether you’re traveling with kids and the whole family, taking a couples trip, or heading out to a music festival with a group of friends, renting an RV is an awesome way to keep everyone together and enjoy a unique vacation experience.
If you’ve never rented an RV before, there are a few things to know before you start looking for a reservation. First, you’ll need to determine what size RV to get. Class A RVs, which usually look like a large bus, are the roomiest type of motorhome but also one of the most difficult to manuever. Class B RVs, also known as campervans, are a tad smaller and tend to be easier to drive.
Class C RVs typically look like the motorhome pictured above with a bed over the cab. There are also fifth-wheel trailers and truck trailers that tow behind a pickup or SUV, as well as smaller teardrop trailers, pop-up campers, and travel trailers that likewise tow behind your vehicle.
No two RVs are the same, so you’ll need to do a bit of legwork before you decide which type to rent. Not every RV comes with its own bathroom or kitchen, so if those amenities are important to you, be sure to ask about it when you call to inquire. You may even want to make a trip to the rental lot to peek inside different models if you really want to make an informed decision about which RV to rent.
Now that you know some of the basics about RV rental, read on to learn more about camping USA RV rental prices and camping USA RV rental deals.
Camping USA RV Rental Deals
Everyone wants to find cheap RV rentals, but what most people don’t tell you is that getting a deal is less about finding a special code or promotion and more about knowing when to book. RV season peaks in the summer, meaning finding a great deal on a rental is unlikely. If at all possible, consider making your trip during the fall or early spring, when the cost of renting an RV tends to be much lower.
That said, you can still find a great deal even if you are traveling during peak season. Many RV companies offer promotions for travelers who rent longer than seven days, sometimes throwing in an extra night free or 100 free miles. You can also look into one way RV rental, where a company enlists drivers to move an RV from one location to another. And don’t forget to claim your AAA discount if you’re a member — depending on the company, presenting your AAA card can save you between 5 and 10 percent off the listed nightly rate.
On the other hand, maybe you’ve been saving up for the trip of a lifetime and interested in snagging a luxury RV rental. These days, luxury coaches come with everything from marble flooring to organic bedding to their very own rooftop decks. You can definitely expect to pay a pretty penny for the privilege of renting a motorhome with all the latest gadgets and gizmos, but if the occasion calls for it, it might just be worth it!
Camping USA RV Rental Locations
In most cases, your best bet for finding camper trailer rentals or RV rentals is to simply do a Google search for something like “cheap RV rentals near me” or “motorhome rental near me.” From there, you’ll likely stumble across both local rental companies and larger, nationwide RV dealerships. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but it’s worth considering both.
The big RV rental companies typically have a larger number of RVs in their fleet, meaning you’ll have more options to choose from and a better chance of finding availability for a specific date range. On the other hand, renting from a smaller local or regional company tends to offer more flexibility, since they set their own rules and aren’t bound by any corporate policies.
Regardless of which one you ultimately end up choosing, it’s usually a good idea to start with a list of four to five rental companies in your area and call to get quotes from each one. Some companies offer price matching, so be sure to write down rates as they’re quoted to you in case you need to negotiate with another company.
Campers for Rent by Owner
Not finding any rentals in your price range? A third option is to rent an RV directly from its owner. Peer-to-peer rental sites work like Airbnb by connecting RV owners with people looking to rent RVs. Generally speaking, renting an RV from a peer-to-peer site can cost as little as half of what you’d expect to pay at a larger rental company or dealership. If you’re traveling from a smaller town or city, it also might be easier to locate an RV in your area than driving to the nearest major metro area just to rent one.
Renting directly from RV owners can also be a great way to get tips and tricks for how to drive and operate your rental vehicle. And don’t forget to ask for advice on lesser known routes and sights along the way. RVers are not only a friendly bunch, but they tend to have been there and done that, so they’re a great resource for planning the perfect trip, especially if you’re new to the RV scene.
No matter which part of the US you’ll be traveling, it’s almost always possible to find a great RV while sticking to a budget. All it takes is a bit of research, some advance planning, and a positive attitude. Happy searching!