Renting an RV or camper is a popular choice these days for family vacations and road trips. But there's a lot to consider before doing so, from deciding which type of RV is best for you, where to park it (reservations are typically a must!), what to bring. setting up your campsite, and much more. That's why we're sharing some Better Business Bureau tips on how to rent one and make the most of your RV vacation. We're also sharing some recent rental pricing information to give you an idea of what the going rental rates are out there.
Get to know different RV classes.
First, the BBB says you need to decide what kind of RV you want to rent. There are two types:
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Towable RVs (often called campers)
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Motorized RVs
If you go with a camper, you’ll need a vehicle that can pull it. If you prefer a motorized RV, you should think about what kind of transportation you’ll need (if any) after the RV is parked. Check out Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds' tip article about how to choose the best car to tow behind an RV here.
Classes
Motorized RVs come in three separate classes: A, B, and C. The BBB says you generally don’t need a special license to drive any RVs, but there are big differences in the way each class drives.
- Class A RVs are the largest and can measure up to 45 feet in length. They are also the hardest to maneuver because of their large size, and may not be suitable for someone who has never driven an RV before.
- Class B RVs fall between 16 and 22 feet long, and are best suited to a couple or individual. They are also the easiest to drive, since they handle like a large truck or van.
- Class C RVs are in between, usually sleeping four to six people and measuring 21 to 35 feet long. A Class C RV drives something like a moving truck, with no rear-view mirror capability.
New Rental Price Report
In a new report released this week, Go RV Rentals lists the going rate for rentals in its 2023 RV Rental Price Index Report. The big takeaway, is unlike most things these days, Go RV Rentals says the cost to rent an RV remains unchanged from one year ago with the base cost to rent an RV currently $184 per night, the same rate as last year
According to the report, RV rental prices currently range from an average daily rate of $89 for a pop-up camper to $307 for a Class A motorhome. The mid-priced travel trailer and Class C motorhome average $117 and $217, respectively. The lowest daily rate observed was $30 for a pop-up camper and the highest daily rate observed was $875 for a Class A motorhome.
Here's a glance at 2023 average rates in CarPro markets that are included in the metro areas in the report:
- Atlanta $196
- Austin $194
- Dallas $199
- Houston $199
- Los Angeles $177
- Portland $172
To see the list of select metro areas, click here.
Go RV Rentals notes that these figures do not include miscellaneous charges such as insurance, service charges, optional equipment, and sales tax, all of which together may add 50% or more to a bottom-line trip cost.
Budget your trip.
The prices don't include all the other costs like insurance, service charges, optional equipment, and sales tax. Go RV Rentals says these may add 50% or more to a bottom line trip cost.
The Better Business Bureau says campground fees and paying to park your SUV will cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per night on average. If you go with a Luxury Class A RVs that price can go even higher.
Also keep in mind that if you go over a certain number of miles and generator time, the BBB says you’ll be charged for additional miles or time.
Choose a booking company.
So you've decided what type of RV you want to rent and how much you can spend. Next up it's time to book an RV rental. Some booking companies own their vehicles and offer standardized rates and experiences. Others work more like AirBNB; they have a wide variety of RVs owned and leased by individuals. Policies vary from business to business, and while some companies include things like mileage and insurance in their booking price, others offer them as add-ons that must be paid for separately. BBB advises consumers to read up on each booking company’s policies and look over past customer reviews before you do business with them.
Take A Walkthrough
The BBB recommends taking a walkthrough of the RV you want to rent to learn about its features and how to the generator and electrical hook ups work, how to dump water tanks, how to operate the awnings, and other basic functions.
Insurance Is A Must
Check to see if insurance is included in the rental price. If not, the BBB says make sure you purchase it separately. Most states require at least liability insurance for motorized RVs.A regular car insurance policy usually covers campers, but check to make sure. Insurance is a must in case of accidents, bad weather or theft.
Plan Your Route
While the thought of just jumping in your RV and heading off to parts unknown sounds fun, you'll want to do some planning first. The BBB says trip planning begins with deciding where you'll park your RV. Reservations are recommended in most places. The BBB says if you want to park at a U.S. National Park, you may even need to book a year or more in advance. You’ll also need to book in advance for state parks and privately-owned campgrounds. If you're just getting used to driving an RV, the BBB suggests you might want to choose pull-through parking spaces instead of spaces you’ll have to back in to. Some hotels and other tourist destinations offer RV parking for visitors so check before you head out.
Photo Credit: Air Images/Shutterstock.com.
Next up the BBB says to double check your route - you'll want to make sure it doesn't include any narrow roads, low bridges, or tunnels that the RV won’t fit in or under. Keep the height of your RV in mind at all times. It likely won't fit under low clearance areas like the fast-food drive-thru.
Know What To Bring
Get a list of what to bring from the booking company if you can. Some provide things like sheets, utensils and cookware. But other's don't. The BBB says knowing what's included will help you avoid packing non-essentials. Also always make sure you have a first aid kit with you.
Learn To Set Up At Campsites.
The BBB suggests several tips when it comes to actually setting up at a campsite.
- Arrive During Daylight: Many seasoned RV renters advise arriving to your campsite early since it's easier to park and set up electric and water hook ups while there is still plenty of daylight.
- Read the RV manual before your trip to understand how to hook up at a campsite and how to dump wastewater.
- Keep in mind that dumping wastewater can be a messy experience, and many campers prefer to pay for dump services on site. This may be a preferable option if your campground provides this service. Other campers use public restrooms and showers to avoid dumping waste at all.
Photo Credit: Andrey Armyagov/Shutterstock.com.