5 Secrets To Finding Cheap RV Rentals
Renting an RV is not only a great way to explore the country and try out different types of rigs. Rentals are also convenient in that you don’t have to tow or drive the camper or trailer back to your own home to pay off, store, or maintain it. That’s someone else’s responsibility.
There are many options available for renting an RV. From sharing platforms to established rental companies, the opportunities and pickup locations are nearly endless. The types of rigs are also endless. Want to try out a converted cargo van or a $250,000 luxury Class A? All you need to do is narrow down your search.
While RV choice and location are important, the major factor may come down to cost. Is there a way to keep an RV rental trip within a specific budget? What are some of the best ways to find cheap RV rentals? We have a few tips on how to rent an RV on a budget with our partner RVshare.
RVshare is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. Over 60,000 RV owners are on the service renting out everything from popup tents to luxury motor coaches.
On the website, you can search for a specific RV in your location, meet with the owner for a demonstration, enjoy your trip, and then drop it back off with the owner with a full tank of fuel.
RVshare also offers search filters for pricing, towable or drivable RVs, cancellation type, kitchen, bathroom, and entertainment amenities. There are also filters that show whether an RV can be booked instantly without waiting for an owner to respond and if the RV is pet-friendly.
Each RV page profiles the owner, rules and policies, rates and availability, RV location on a map, and reviews. There are also plenty of photos of each rig.
The website also has a lot of tips in their blog about how to get the most out of your RV rental. There are posts on how to use RV water and waste tanks as well as how to keep your children entertained on the road. The list below includes tips on how to save a little dough when renting an RV.
1. Rent only as much RV as you need
While it would be pure luxury to have a fully equipped RV with a bathtub and an 80-gallon gas tank, if there are only two or three people enjoying the trip, re-think the size of RV you might need.
Depending on where you are going and where you are staying, look at RVs that are smaller or have fewer amenities. The costs will be lower overall for the rental and for fuel.
2. Look for a rental as close to your destination as possible
While most of the RV rentals on RVshare include unlimited miles, it may be more cost-effective to travel first by car or tow vehicle to an RV owner and pick up your rental only a few hundred miles from your ultimate destination. This saves both time, money, and extra fees such as generator usage which may be included with some rentals.
Another option is to set up a search parameter on RVshare for RV owners who offer delivery. The owner will bring the RV closer to your location for a specific price. Of course, run the numbers for this special service before your trip.
3. Start low and work your way up
When searching for a rental on RVshare, start out in your desired location and put in the lowest maximum price you are willing to pay per night. Incrementally, raise that price up to view the options available for just a few dollars more per night. It may be worth it to pay an extra $20 per night to get the type of RV or amenities you really want.
4. Search for an RV off the beaten path
Another way to save money on an RV rental is to rent an RV in a less popular area or during less popular times of year. Rentals around national parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone in summer are going to be in high demand and more expensive than other locations.
How about renting an RV and exploring Big Bend in Texas just on the cusp of the warmer season? Or look for a rental in the Great Smoky Mountains when the leaves are not turning red during the fall. In addition, instead of heading to Southern Florida maybe check out less expensive locations such as Pensacola or St. Augustine.
5. Set up a one-way rental
RVshare is unique in that the service also allows for one-way rentals. A one-way RV rental lets you rent an RV from your departure location and drop it off at a different arrival location. RVshare then takes care of returning the RV back to the owner. One-way rental prices can vary depending on the class of the RV and the destination.
If you are short on time and don’t want to pay the nightly cost during a return, this type of service could end up being less expensive. RVshare has a variety of popular one-way routes such as Seattle to Anchorage and even Miami to Seattle.
You will need to contact a specialist at RVshare with your desired dates and end location and they will let you know which of their rentals work best for your trip. Start your search today on RVShare’s website.
