How Much Does it Cost to Rent an RV?

Rent an RV

Just because you don’t own an RV does not mean you can’t go on an RV trip across the country to all your favorite national parks. Fortunately, nowadays, there are many places where you can rent an RV for a weekend getaways or full-month travels. 

If it’s your first time renting an RV, you might be confused about the total cost. 

Below, we discuss the cost of renting an RV along with some reliable companies that offer a wide range of options for renting homes on wheels. 

Average Rent For Different RV Types 

The rent for an RV depends on many factors, such as the company you’re hiring it from, the number of days you’re traveling, the distance covered, and the age of the vehicle. 

Here’s a table to show the general costs of renting different kinds of RVs. 

RV Type  10 years or older  Newer 
Class A  $150 to $250 per night  $350 to $450 per night 
Class B  $150 to $200 per night  $200 to $350 per night 
Class C $150 to $200 per night  $225 to $400 per night 
Travel Trailer  $50-$125 per night  $125 to $200 per night 
Fifth Wheel  $60 to $150 per night  $150 to $300 per night 

However, these are just general amounts and subject to change depending on a number of factors. 

How Does RV Rental Pricing Work?

When you rent an RV from an online site, you must be wary of the hidden cost. In most cases, these are actually additional costs that renters aren’t initially aware of. Here’s how the pricing works for most websites. 

  • The average pricing for a vehicle will depend upon its age, type, and size. It only makes sense for an outdated Class B RV to cost less than a diesel-fueled newer Class A motorhome. 
  • Since owners list their RVs on most websites, they get to decide the daily base rate, weekly and monthly rate. Plus, they also list the minimum number of days you can rent the RV for. The rates may go higher or lower depending on the season. 
  • You’ll also have to pay tax on the rental. 
  • Depending on where you’re renting an RV from, you might have to pay a fraction for insurance. 
  • In most cases, there will be a limit of mileage. If you exceed the generator use or travel distance, you’ll have to pay extra per mile. 
  • When renting an RV, you also have to pay a security deposit, which you get back when you bring back the RV in perfect condition. 
  • Some RVs might come with additional charges, like a stocked kitchen or exterior furniture. 

As evident, a lot goes into calculating the total cost of an RV rental. Here’s an example to help you out. Suppose you’re renting a Class B motorhome listed by its owner at $200 per night, with a minimum of five nights. 

Since the weekly rate is $1200, you get a free night when you rent for a week. Now, let’s say the refundable security deposit is $1000 and the insurance for this vehicle is $30. The rent tax in your state is 5%. 

As per the owner’s listing, you can drive the RV for 150 miles a day and use the generator for four hours. If you go over the limit, you’ll have to pay $5 per hour or $0.5 per mile. 

The listing also includes some additional fees, like a grocery package for $40. 

A Comparison Of RV Rental Companies 

Most RV rental companies offer additional perks like free nights and coupons. However, you’ll have to choose the right site depending on the vehicle you’re interested in and your budget. Here’s a breakdown of the general renting costs on some popular rental companies. 

Cruise America 

Cruise America offers rentals for 126 locations in the US and Canada. They specialize in Class C RVs, with the per night rates starting at $70. The minimum stay is three nights, and if you rent an RV for longer durations, you get free nights too. 

Escape Campervans 

Escape Campervans offers Class B RVs for rent across 12 locations in the US. The minimum is three nights, and rates start from $67 a night. 

If you’re traveling with your spouse or partner, hire the two-people Santa Cruz from the company with a full kitchen and dual-battery system. 

Other options include the Mavericks and Big Sur, with a sleeping capacity of five and full kitchens. Enter your pick-up and drop-off location to get the estimated rates for your desired vehicles. 

RV Share 

RV Share offers rental all over the US, letting you rent all types of towable and drivable RVs. From a fifth wheel to a modern Class A motorhome, you can find it all on the website. 

The starting price for Class C RVs is $75, while Class B RVs are slightly costlier at $105 a night. 

For instance, if you’re traveling on a budget, opt for the 2018 Winnebago at just $99 a night. Meanwhile, for group travels, rent a 2018 Thor Motor Coach Windsport, sleeping seven, for $255 a night. 

Vintage Surfari Wagons 

Vintage Surfari Wagons offers RV rentals for California and Costa Mesa, starting from $194 a night. A few fleets on the website also have single-night options for weekend getaways on Californian campgrounds

For a quick trip, get this Eurovan Camper for $149 a night in the low season and $169 a night in the high season from June to October. Another option is the Bay Window Camper costing $169 a night in the low season and $209 a night during the high season. 

Conclusion

As you can probably tell by now, the cost of renting an RV is not only limited to the figure you see on the company’s website. The final cost is calculated after counting the tax, additional charges, and security deposits. 

Now that you have a better understanding of how RV rental pricing works, it’s time to hit the road with your friends or families!

WRITTEN BY

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