I love adventure, so the thought of renting an RV and traveling the country is extremely exciting for me. But of course, it’s important to consider one crucial point – how much does it cost?
On average, renting an RV will cost around $50 to $275 to per night. This will depend on a variety of different factors, such as the size and type of RV, as well as how much you’ll be driving it. It’s important to note that some companies expect renters to pay insurance costs or maintenance fees. Depending on the state, you may also have to pay extra taxes.
I’ll discuss everything you’ll need to know and give you a few different examples of what different types of RV get rented for, so keep reading!
Table of Contents
How RV Companies Determine Their Rates
If you’re thinking of planning an RV trip, one of the questions you’ll have is how much your adventure is likely to cost. Renting an RV is one way to minimize your costs and enjoy your nature trip. But, the RV market has more competitive pricing compared to other traditional services.
That’s because companies set their own prices. Although there are no hidden charges with this service, there are some factors that determine the rate you’ll be offered. Here are some of the things that RV rental companies consider when charging for this service:
1. The Size, Type, and Age of the RV
There are different classes and types of RVs as we shall discuss later in this article. As such, this creates a difference in price. Modern and large models will be more expensive compared to small RVs with a traditional model. For instance, hiring an older Class B will cost less than renting a diesel pusher Class A.
Also, note that there are different rates that companies list for renting their RVs, including daily base rate, the minimum rental rate for specific days, weekly, and monthly rates. There’s also the nightly rate that fluctuates depending on the season and location.
2. Rental Insurance
When traveling, things beyond your control can happen regardless of the travel vehicle you’re using. These include accidents, whether incidents, etc. Now, to protect themselves, RV rental companies usually include rental insurance on the total cost.
For instance, when you rent with Outdoorsy, you’re given a cover of up to $1 million dollars and roadside assistance for free. But you can purchase other insurances like Trip Insurance and Damage Protection.
3. Set-Up/Delivery Fee
You might choose to get the RV delivered to your campground by the renting company and have them set it up for you. But, this will be more expensive as they will charge the cost. However, for those renting a towable RV and don’t have a towing vehicle or they’re not comfortable with towing, paying this fee might be worthwhile.
Set up and delivery save you time and effort. Also, note that some companies only provide their renting services this way. Therefore, this is something that you should consider when looking for RV rentals.
4. Cleaning and Gas Fees
Not all renters charge cleaning fees. But, some do and they usually range from $50-$100. However, you can choose to clean the camper rental before hiring it to save on this fee. Additionally, customers who choose a motorhome rental will need to put gas in it.
Companies will require that you fill the tank before returning their rig. And if you don’t do this, you may be charged for filling up and an additional $20-$50 fee for them to take the vehicle to the station and fill it up.
5. Taxes and Mileage
Taxes are usually included in the total price and are dependent on where you’re renting the RV, even if you don’t live in that state. Additionally, some companies charge for mileage while others offer unlimited.
Usually, those charging have different rules, which you should check before hiring their RV. Always determine the miles your route is to get a correct approximation of the cost of your trip.
How Much Do Different Types of RV Cost?
1. Average Cost by RV Type
You can see that there are many factors affecting the pricing structure and how much you’ll ultimately pay. It’s advisable that you read the rental company’s listing first before booking your RV. Nevertheless, here is the average pricing for different RV types:
- Class A Motorhome: $175-$275 per night
- Class B Motorhome: $100-$200 per night
- Class C Motorhome: $150-$200 per night
- Travel Trailer: $50-$125 per night
- Toy Hauler: $100-$200 per night
- Fifth Wheel: 460-$150 per night
- Pop-Up Camper: $50-$100 per night
- Campervan: $75-$150 per night
You can get a lower price if you rent a camper rental for the long term like a month or more. Also, expect to pay higher prices when renting from well-established companies like Cruise America or Elmonte. The price usually goes as high as $275 a night for renting a camper or motorhome.
But if you’re getting a one-time incredible deal, then you can consider these renters.
2. Price Examples
Here are average price examples for a few models:
i. Renting a 2018 Grand Design Travel Trailer
- Nightly rate: $129
- Taxes and Fees: $77.40
- Mileage Fees: $0 (100 miles per day and it’s being delivered)
ii. Renting a 2018 Custom Campervan
- Nightly Rate: $150
- Taxes and Fees: $330
- Mileage Fees: $0 including 100 miles/day
Note that these prices only include average basics like rental nights, taxes, fees, mileage, and delivery. And maybe different depending on your location.
Things to Note When Renting An RV
There are various ways you can save when renting RVs. You can negotiate prices with the renting company, especially if you’re making a long-time investment. Additionally, be mindful of your mileage and generator use.
These can add up very quickly and you could end up paying much money for a few miles. Planning your route and making reservations on time can help you stay on the mileage budget and save you gas. Additionally, we advise that you use gas apps to find cheap gas stations near you.
Also, you should consider campground memberships if you RV a lot or are planning a long-term trip. Ask if the company offers such memberships as they usually come with tons of discounts and promotions. Lastly, ensure that your RV is not overburdened as excess weight can increase your fuel demand.
Where Can You Rent an RV?
There are two types of RV rentals available. There are commercial RV rentals, which are common and many companies have large fleets of this kind. The advantage of these rentals is that they’re always available so long as you book them in advance.
However, they are available in few models with Class C being the commonest. Check out companies like Escape Campervans, RVshare, Vintage Surfari Wagons, etc. for this service. The other way to rent is by using services like Outdoorsy.com that connect vacationers with renters. With this route, you’ll get more options for RV rentals.
But, before hiring an RV ensure that you are getting the right kind for you. This means that you confirm that you are getting something that you’re comfortable driving and it has enough space to accommodate everyone.
It’s also wise that you read rental reviews of a company to notice any red flags, including poor customer support or last-minute cancellations.
