If You’ve Always Dreamed Of Rv Life, Here's How To Try It

What to know before traveling in a camper van

It's important to know these camper van tips before you hit the road.

• RV rentals are a popular option for travelers seeking unique and flexible vacations.
• Rental costs vary depending on factors like RV type, location, and duration, with potential fees for excess mileage and generator use and damages.
• Staying in an RV can be more affordable than hotels, especially for larger groups, with the added benefit of cooking meals instead of dining out.

My bucket list is pretty short, but one thing I have always wanted to try was staying in an RV. I’m not alone.  

A survey of 1,709 leisure travelers commissioned by the RV Industry Association last year found that 50% of Americans showed interest in taking an RV trip within a year.  

While recreational vehicle ownership has risen in recent years, the number of people who want to stay in RVs far eclipses the number of people who own them. 

That’s where RV rentals can come in. Just like booking a vacation rental through Vrbo or Airbnb, travelers can rent RVs from owners through platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy or from companies like Cruise America. 

Here’s what it’s like and what travelers should know. 

There are all different sizes and styles of RVs, ranging from small teardrop trailers to luxurious Class A motorhomes as big as buses.  

Two things to consider off the bat are how much space you need and what you’re comfortable driving or towing. 

“The Class As, I always recommend my renters have some driving experience,” said Asher Cousins, whom I rented from through RVshare. He owns Bozeman RV Adventures in Montana. 

On the plus side, Class As are very spacious, but that also means they can be harder to drive. Cousins recommends first-timers start with smaller Class Cs, those mid-size motorhomes that look kind of like U-Hauls with a bunk over their cab, or even Class Bs, also known as camper vans, if they want a drivable motorhome. 

“They're just much more maneuverable,” he said. “There aren't any like hydraulic leveling systems that you have to worry about.” 

If you’d rather drive a regular vehicle, you could rent a travel trailer, like I did. I chose a 2017 Jayco White Hawk trailer for my trip to the Yellowstone area, but I didn’t tow it. 

Because it was my first RV rental and the idea of driving it around the national park felt daunting, I purposefully looked for a rental with destination delivery, a search filter in RVshare. 

“It's essentially like (a short-term homestay) waiting for you at whatever concert venue, family reunion, something like that you want,” Cousins said. “Pretty much, you don't need to know anything about RVs. It'll just be essentially a mobile house where you need it.”

Perfect. 

Rates vary widely depending on the RV type, location, rental duration, add-on services like delivery, and fees covering things like insurance. 

RVshare says their average rental ranges between $150 to $200 a night, including taxes and fees. 

Travelers should also budget for related expenses like gas and campsite fees. 

With larger RVs, Cousins said, “You're also going to have to book usually larger spots at RV parks, which can be slightly more expensive than, say, a shorter trailer.” 

While not hidden per se, renters can be surprised by post-trip fees, which owners may assess upon the RV’s return. Reasons include but are not limited to vehicle damage, unpaid tolls and traffic violations, and exceeding allotted mileage or generator use, according to RVshare. 

In an abundance of caution, I meticulously documented the condition of my RV rental at dropoff and pickup with photos and video. I also made sure to tidy up, follow checkout instructions to a T, and wait for Cousins to review everything before we parted ways. 

Nothing about RVs is cheap, but renting one can be more affordable than staying in a hotel, particularly considering how many people can stay in an RV. 

The RV I rented sleeps up to six people, but some Class As sleep up to 10. You’d need to book multiple hotel rooms to accommodate that many. 

You can also save money by cooking in the RV instead of eating out, like you might have to during a hotel stay. 

I’ve only tent-camped before, so having a spacious RV with a memory foam bed, full kitchen, private bathroom with hot showers, and climate control felt luxurious.  

Even though the model was several years old, it was comfortable, clean and had everything I needed for my short trip. 

I did encounter a few minor hiccups during my stay, including the tub not draining the last day, but Cousins was quick to respond and help me troubleshoot. RVshare also offers 24/7 roadside assistance, an RV tech hotline and a mobile mechanic, all included in the fees that renters pay up front. 

As a whole, it was such a smooth experience, I might just try a motorhome next time and drive to different destinations. 

“It all depends on what you want out of your adventure – if you want a trailer as a base camp with a rental car that you can explore the surrounding area (with) or if you want to be mobile, stay in a different spot every night,” Cousins said. 

Something else for the bucket list. 

The reporter on this story received access from RVshare. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. 

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