Rent RV for Weekend
Got a long weekend on the calendar and hoping to get away for a few days? Renting an RV is a great way to take a fun-filled vacation on a budget. Staying in a camper with your travel group is not only fun, but it makes planning a breeze and keeps decision making at a minimum (no fighting over which hotel to stay at!).
Since you’ll be spending the weekend in close quarters, though, you’ll want to make sure you choose the best RV rental for your group and your expected itinerary. Read on to learn more about how to rent an RV for the weekend, including how much it costs to rent one.
How Much to Rent an RV for a Weekend
You came looking for answers, so let’s cut right to it. Depending on your area, the time of year you’re traveling, and the type of RV you’re interested in, the base nightly rate for an RV should set you back anywhere from $50 to $350. But remember: That’s just the base rate.
Unlike booking a hotel or a rental car, you’ll have to mentally tack on some extra costs to determine the overall cost of how much to rent a RV for a weekend. Often times there are taxes, security deposits, and generator fees — not to mention the campsite rental fees once you get where you’re going. And don’t forget mileage: If you’ll be traveling great lengths, be aware that you’ll be paying an additional mileage fee, plus whatever it costs you to fill up the gas tank.
But as with any vacation, there are lots of ways to cut costs or at least stick to a realistic budget. For starters, determine what size RV is the best match for your crew. Just two of you on the trip? A pop-up camper or travel trailer might be your best bet, especially if you’ve already got a truck or SUV that can tow it. Family of four? Maybe start looking into a smaller Class C vehicle. Hitting the road with a group of your eight best friends? You’ll want to go even bigger, perhaps in a bus-like Class A RV. In general, the rule of thumb is to give yourself enough space but not go larger than you really need.
Save Money on RV Rental
If keeping to a tight budget is your main concern when looking to rent a campervan for the weekend, consider traveling during the off season. Peak travel times tend to be July and August, when school is out and summer vacation season is at its height. And if you’re traveling for a music festival or other highly attended event, you can pretty much expect to pay a premium.
So instead of renting during everyone else’s three-day weekends (think: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day), it might be better to use a vacation day at work and pick another time. You’ll get more bang for your buck if you rent during a random weekend in April than you will insisting on camping over Fourth of July. And don’t forget about the weather: Unless you’re an old pro at navigating snowy roads, you’ll probably want to stick to the warmer months. Navigating a large RV is no joke, especially on black ice.
Another great way to save money? Rent an RV from a dealer around your destination rather than driving it across the country. Mileage can add up if you’re not careful, so in many cases it might make sense to snag a cheap flight and rent a camper once you get there.
Where to Rent an RV for the Weekend
So you’ve made up your mind and decided you’re going to do this thing. You’ve made some quick calculations, rounded up some travel buddies, and picked a perfect weekend to make your escape. There’s only one thing left to figure out: Where’s the best place to rent RV for weekend travels?
You’ll see from a quick Google search that renting from an RV dealership is a common way to snag a camper rental for the weekend. With locations all across the country, you’re almost certain to find a dealer in your area with an RV model to suit your needs. Whether you’re an experienced RVer or brand new to the whole experience, it’s in your best interest to track down a rental company that provides roadside assistance and great customer service. Nothing throws a kink in your weekend plans like a broken motor, so make sure you have a plan in case that unfortunately happens.
If you’re used to staying in Airbnbs, you may be interested in peer-t0-peer RV rental sites. It’s the same concept: Instead of renting from a dealer, you work directly with RV owners to secure your rental. By cutting out the middle man, you can usually get a weekend RV rental for a truly reasonable price.
If you’ve got some time before your weekend getaway, go ahead and make a few calls and get some quotes so you can compare your options. As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to be sure to ask about extra fees and costs so you’re comparing apples to apples. It won’t do you any good to book an RV rental thinking you’ve saved $200 only to be nickel-and-dimed up to your next highest quote.
Final Tip
The most important thing you can do to save money is book early! Those who wait until the last minute rarely get the best rates, so plan ahead and do some research a few months in advance of your trip. Once your rental is booked, you’ll be able to spend the next few months doing the fun part — planning out which sights you want to see and which campgrounds you want to stay at.
No matter where you’re headed, it shouldn’t be too hard to get away for the weekend without breaking the bank. All it takes is some advance planning, a bit of negotiation, and setting some realistic expectations.