How Much to Rent an RV

Renting an RV is an excellent option for people not ready to commit to a purchase, but what is the cost of renting an RV?

The cost to rent RV motorhomes or travel trailers will vary, but we put together the latest data to provide you with estimates of what to expect.

Along with average prices, we detail what determines the final RV rental cost, which companies are best for RV rental, what to watch out for, and ways to save money.

The price also depends on which RV it is because there are some you want to stay away from!

Once you know how much it costs to rent a camper, you can plan a budget for your next vacation and experience how fun RVing can be!

RV Rental Cost Averages

In general, all RV types will have a range of rental prices due to popularity, time of year, and ease of driving or towing. Most campers rent for between $50-$400 a day.

For example, a Class C Winnebago rental cost will be much higher than a travel trailer of the same size because the motorhome is easier to drive and park at a campground.

Initial rental costs seem high, but later in the article, we give you some tips on reducing the overall cost to rent RV models and using that savings to enjoy your trip.

Average RV Rental Cost by Week

• Class A – $1,100 to $2,800
• Class B – $900 to $1,500
• Class C – $900 to $2,100
• Travel Trailer – $500 to $875
• Fifth Wheel – $675 to $1,300
• Toy Hauler – $700 to $1,100
• Pop-Up Camper – $350 to $700
• Truck Camper – $800 to $1,400

Average RV Rental By Month

• Class A – $4,000
• Class B – $2,750
• Class C – $3,000
• Travel Trailer – $1,750
• Fifth Wheel – $2,000
• Toy Hauler – $2,000
• Pop-Up Camper – $1,200
• Truck Camper – $1,200

If you have camping flexibility, it’s always more cost-effective to rent an RV for a month over a week. With a monthly rental, you can enjoy a long RVing journey or four separate weekend camping trips and avoid the need to pack and unpack the camper in between.

Rental RV Pricing Factors

After you find out how much it costs to rent a camper to have a starting point for RV trip planning, you’ll also need to take into consideration these additional charges to determine a final price.

Most major RV rental companies push these extra charges, whereas private or peer-to-peer rental companies are more flexible in negotiating these costs.

Extra Fees or Charges For RV Rentals

Excessive Mileage

Most RV rentals include a set mileage amount in the rental rate, with an extra charge for any mileage after that—the current rate averages between 25 to 40 cents per mile for overages.

If you plan on packing in the miles on your RV vacation, shop around to find a major rental dealer who will give you a good package deal on mileage, or look into a private rental agreement.

RVs are very expensive, and high mileage is the fastest way to depreciate value, so dealers and owners are not unreasonable to expect renters to cover some of this cost.

One thing people have suggested when renting an RV is not to put things on the wall. Because if damage does happen, it can cause havoc. If you feel you have to put things up for decorations, then you need to know the best ways to put items on a camper wall.

Travel Insurance

Extra RV travel insurance is a good idea, especially if driving or towing a recreational vehicle is new to you. Accidents can happen, and RV repairs are expensive.

The average cost per day is $20, and you can purchase policies directly through rental dealerships, peer-to-peer rental services, your insurance agent, or an online vendor.

Linen or Kitchen Package Fee

Many peer-to-peer and private RV rentals will offer bed and bath linens or kitchen utensils, plates, and pots and pans for a small upcharge.

The flat fee typically ranges between $25-$50, but a large RV with a bunkhouse can run closer to $100.

Paying extra for this service is worth it if you don’t want the hassle of bringing these items yourself.

Cleaning Fee

Most RV rental companies charge a cleaning fee of anywhere from $50-$200. Many peer-to-peer or private rentals add the cost to rent RV cleaning fees into the daily rate or waive it if you return the camper in a clean state.

Do be aware that you can also be charged a fee for not dumping your wastewater tanks before returning the camper, so ask specifically about this before agreeing to any rental contract.

Fee For Generator or Propane Usage

As with mileage, rental services should include a set amount of propane or generator use (if the RV has it) into the rental rate.

When you exceed that figure, you should expect a fee of $2.50-$3.50 per hour of generator usage and $2-$3 per pound for propane.

Unless you’re planning to boondock, most RVers shouldn’t need to go over the standard included propane or generator use.

Delivery and Set Up Fee

Many private, peer-to-peer, and commercial RV rental services will deliver and set up your rental to your home or campsite and tear down and remove it after your trip for a flat charge of around $100-$300.

If you’re renting and camping locally, this option is very convenient and worth the cost, especially if you have no RV experience. You’ll need to make and pay for your campsite reservation at an RV park before a company agrees to a drop-off/set-up type of delivery.

Where to Find RV Rentals

There are three ways to rent a recreational vehicle:

• RV rental company
• Through a private party – Craigslist/Facebook/Friends
• Peer-to-peer RV rental service

RV Rental Company

RV rental dealers have the most experience with all types of rental clients and have a streamlined process to quickly get you on the road in an RV that suits your needs.

On the downside, commercial RV rental dealers have limited locations across the US and Canada and stick mainly to driveable recreational vehicles such as motorhomes, campervans, or truck campers.

Rental dealerships nearly always charge the highest daily rate for RVs.

Private Party RV Rentals

Many RV owners prefer to rent out their campers when not in use to earn some money on the side, often to help cover their RV loan payments.

You may have a relative or friend willing to rent their camper for a low fee or in exchange for paying for an RV upgrade of some sort. My first RV experience was because my dad installed a new RV air conditioner in exchange for borrowing his buddy’s camper for two weeks.

Many owners post their camper rentals locally on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, or Craigslist. Private rentals are everywhere across the US, making it much more convenient to locate a camper close to home.

Private-party rental prices are typically the lowest, and extra fees are easiest to negotiate.

Peer-to-Peer RV Rental Services

Peer-to-peer rental services are a co-op of recreational vehicle owners who list their camper through one central website.

These services offer broad exposure to snag more rentals for owners and more protection for renters and owners. Sites will have helpful links to secure proper insurance, articles on how to RV, campground locations, and more.

Listings post daily rates and camper pictures, making it easier to compare rental options that will fit your budget. A Winnebago rental cost through a peer-to-peer service will nearly always be less than using a major RV rental company.

Best RV Rental Companies and Peer-to-Peer RV Rental Services

The top RV rental companies are:

• Cruise America
• El Monte RV

The top RV Peer-to-Peer Rental Services are:

• RV Share
• Outdoorsy
• RVnGO
• RV Rental Connection

Cruise America RVs are a common sight on US highways and specialize in Class C motorhomes of various sizes and some locations also rent truck campers.

El Monte RV offers a broader range of recreational vehicle types for rent.

RV Share, Outdoorsy, RVnGO, and RV Rental Connection all offer similar services, with Outdoorsy and RV share having the most listings, experience, and consistently high customer ratings.

6 Tips to Save on RV Rental Cost

How much it costs to rent a camper for the entirety of your trip can be lower if you follow these six tips we put together.

1. Pick the Right Type and Size of RV

The first way to save on your rental is to choose an RV that is the right size and an older model year.

If it’s just two people going on a trip, don’t rent a huge Class A motorcoach because it looks fancy. Even if the daily rental rate is reasonable, you’ll still have to pay more for fuel to get that beast down the road.

Larger campsites at RV parks that fit big rigs also cost more, often $20-$40 more a night over a standard-size campsite.

The smaller the RV you choose, the less you’ll spend on gas, insurance, and campsite charges.

2. Pick an Older RV Model

New recreational vehicles are shiny and fresh, but they come at a higher daily rental rate versus a model a few years old.

RVs are tough, and many camper models, even those 10-20 years old, can look and function just fine, so don’t be afraid to check them out and save some cash.

3. Consider the Off Season

You can snag much better deals on RV rentals when you book during off-peak times of the year.

Depending on your location, that could mean fall or winter in the North or April-May and September-November in the South.

Camping off-season is very enjoyable as crowds are lower, and RV owners and dealers are willing to take just about any deal to keep the cash flowing over letting the camper sit in storage.

4. Learn All the RV Functions

Even veteran RVers may not know the details about how every make and model of camper works. If you’re new to RVing, it’s even more critical you pay close attention during a pre-rental walkthrough to learn how things operate.

Take notes, ask if there’s a handbook, ask questions, and get a phone number with someone available 24/7 to help if problems arise.

RVs are expensive to repair, and if you burn up the water heater or overflow the waste tanks because you “didn’t know how to work it,” you’ll be in for a shocking bill to fix it.

5. Personal Insurance Coverage May Be Cheaper

Before you fork over another $20 or so a day for insurance coverage, call your automobile insurance company and see if your policy will cover the cost to rent an RV accident or damage protection or if you can purchase an inexpensive rider.

Don’t skip having insurance on any RV rental. Even needing a tow can be difficult to arrange or change a tire if you have a blowout challenge on a large camper.

6. Consider a One-Way Rental

Many RV rental companies need campers delivered to other parts of the country. To get RVs to a new location, they offer one-way rental contracts at very low daily rates that often are only $10-$25.

You could use the cash you save on the RV rental cost to catch a cheap flight home when you reach your destination.

Note that most of these rental contracts have a strict time frame to get the RV to the destination, so you won’t have an abundance of time for sightseeing.

Peer-to-Peer and private RV rentals sometimes offer one-way rates as well, with a more flexible schedule and often no fee in exchange for paying the normal fuel costs to reach the destination.

Many snowbirds prefer to fly to their seasonal campsite and have someone else drive their RV, especially more elderly campers who find the travel stressful.

Conclusion

We hope this guide on how much it costs to rent an RV is informative and helpful when planning to take an RV vacation.

Knowing what to expect and how to lower RV rental costs can go a long way to making your trip much more enjoyable.

We hope to join you on the road soon! Safe travels!

Related Questions

1. What are the factors that determine the final cost of renting an RV?

The final cost of renting an RV is determined by several factors including the type and size of the RV, the rental duration, the season or time of year, the mileage covered, and additional costs such as insurance, cleaning fees, and any optional extras like kitchen kits or bedding.

Prices can also be influenced by the rental location, with certain areas potentially having higher or lower rates due to demand and local competition.

2. What are some tips to save on RV rental costs?

To save on RV rental costs, consider traveling during the off-peak season when rates are generally lower, and compare prices from different rental companies to find the best deal.

Additionally, bring your own essentials like bedding, kitchenware, and toiletries to avoid extra charges, and ensure to return the RV on time and in good condition to avoid late or damage fees.

3. What are the differences between renting from an RV rental company, a private party, and a peer-to-peer RV rental service?

Renting from an RV rental company typically provides a professional service with a wide selection of RVs, comprehensive insurance, and 24/7 customer support, but it may be more expensive.

Renting from a private party or a peer-to-peer RV rental service, like Outdoorsy or RVshare, can be more affordable and offer unique, personalized RV options, but it may come with risks such as inconsistent maintenance, limited insurance coverage, and varying levels of customer support.

4. What additional charges should one consider when planning an RV trip?

When planning an RV trip, one should consider additional charges such as fuel costs, campground fees, and costs for food and supplies.

Other potential expenses could include RV insurance, maintenance costs, tolls, and possibly rental fees if you don’t own the RV.