7 Things You Need to Know Before Renting an RV

With the explosion of interest in RVing over the last few years, more and more travelers are considering renting an RV for an upcoming trip. (After all, why spend tens of thousands of dollars, maybe even hundreds of thousands of dollars, on an RV, for your very first RV trip, if you’re not sure you’ll really love it?)

According to RVShare’s 2023 Travel Trend Report, more than 60% of travelers who planned a 2023 leisure trip planned to travel in an RV and interest in renting an RV has grown by nearly 10% since 2022. Among those renters, many are Millennial parents and many are choosing to have their RV rentals delivered to their destination, so that they don’t have to actually drive the RV.

So, if you’re among those travelers considering renting an RV this year or next, what do you need to know? Here are seven facts to keep in mind.

1. You don’t actually have to drive the RV.

First off, let’s just get one thing straight. As we already mentioned, when renting an RV, you don’t actually need to do the driving. (We get it — the thought of driving a big rig cross-country can be a little stressful for first-timers.) So, if you don’t really feel confident in your driving skills, don’t worry. You can find RV rental providers that will bring the RV to you, for an overall easier travel experience.

2. There are two main ways to rent an RV.

When renting an RV, you have two primary options. You can either rent an RV from a company that specializes in RV rentals or you can rent directly from a private RV owner. Both sides come with their perks.

If you want special services like delivery, or if you want reliable customer service and an experience similar to renting a car, go with the company option. If, though, you want an experience a little more like renting an Airbnb, with more selection and greater price differences, consider going the private route.

3. Pick the right RV for your needs.

Whether or not you rent the right RV for your needs will heavily impact how much you enjoy your trip.

Book an RV that’s too small for your crew and you’ll be cramped and uncomfortable. Book an RV that’s too large and you may find that driving it is more stress than it’s worth.

Consider all of the amenities an RV offers before renting, and ensure it will provide everything you need for a successful trip.

4. You need to know how to set up your RV.

Even if you don’t plan on driving the RV to your campsite, you still need to know how it works and how it hooks up to your water, electricity, sewage, cable, etc. Luckily, there’s tons of information on these topics, specific to popular RV makes and models, online.

However, if you want extra help, you can also book RV walk-throughs via an RV consultation provider. This service is often provided by professional RV inspectors and covers everything you need to know about a particular motorhome and how it works, and can often be done remotely, over video.

5. You can’t just put your RV anywhere.

If you do decide that you’re skilled enough on the road to drive your rented RV yourself, keep in mind that you can’t just drive your RV wherever you like and then set up camp. You’ll need to either book a campsite at a campground or park, or you’ll need to obtain permission from a private landowner to park your rig on their property. (Yes, even those RV owners that you might see parked up at your local Walmart have received permission from the store to be there.)

6. You may want to invest in extra insurance.

Just as is the case when renting a car, when you rent an RV through an RV rental company, you’ll have the option of tacking on extra insurance. For first-time RVers, purchasing that extra insurance can be a smart idea. Often, the more comprehensive coverage includes extra perks like roadside assistance — which you’ll definitely want if you find yourself broken down with a flat or other issue.

7. You might just fall in love.

After your first RV rental experience, you may just fall in love with this unique mode of travel. You certainly wouldn’t be alone if that were the case, with RV purchases increasing significantly over the last few years.

If you do decide to purchase after renting an RV, make sure to get the pros involved, with a professional RV inspection. An inspection will help ensure you’re paying a fair price, getting exactly what you paid for and that you know about any issues up-front.

Do you rent out your RV, or are you looking for more info on the RVing experience?

My RV Resource can help with both and more!

If you’re an RV owner who rents your RV out to other travelers, you’ll want to stay on top of all your necessary maintenance, to ensure the safest, most enjoyable trips possible. You can find a range of RV service pros on My RV Resource that can help, and our robust database allows you to pick the best service pro to fit your needs based on factors like services provided, reviews and location.

Just need more info on RVing and what to expect? Check out our Library of RV Enthusiast Resources, packed with valuable information related to many aspects of the RVing process.

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Whichever camp you fall into, join us over on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and become a part of the My RV Resource community — and then share our resources with all your friends and family on your favorite social feeds.