Best RV Rental Companies: When There’s No Budget to Buy


When it comes to renting an RV, there are some things you do not want to do. You do not want to rent from a fly-by-night company that will let you down when you are on the road somewhere. But renting with one of the reputable companies is all about peace of mind and having fun wherever your adventures take you! You also want to be sure not to trust your kids’ Disney World vacation plans with a company that will not honor its promises or cover your travel costs.

If you do not have the financial means to own an RV, the best rental businesses to consider are Outdoorsy RV Rental Company, El Monte Rental Company, Cruise America Company, RVshare Company, and RVnGO Company.

These companies are the top RV rental operators in the country based on reviews from customers who rent with them. They each have a track record of providing customers with safe, reliable service. What sets them apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Nothing To Worry About Lack Of RV

Imagine the possibilities! Vacations of any length, in any location, with every luxe amenity you can imagine. You and your family are never confined by time or money. Camp out in that remote canyon on a moonlit night. Spend a month touring the southern states and try to keep from growing weary of cornbread. Stay as long as you want, explore freely, and experience the world’s most amazing destinations–whether they are familiar to you or not.

Throughout history, we have passed on stories of people who have discovered adventures on the road. Whether it is your story or one you have heard, RV rental companies help to set your feet on your dream journey.

We looked for highly rated companies that offer great value, exceptional customer service, and competitive prices across multiple regions throughout America for this list. Check out these best RV rental companies for detailed information about each one so you can find the perfect match for your next great vacation.

Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy is a website that provides vacation and travel information to outdoor enthusiasts. The features and amenities include boating, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, and more. The site also provides articles on how to plan your trips.

The two founders were engaged in business that provided substantial wealth through their work but wanted to apply it in other ways. Outdoorsy was born out of this drive to help others and bring joy into the world.

RV rentals are available for a few days, months, or the whole season. The company offers customers a free checklist to help you prepare an RV for your trip. It will include information on how to prepare and sanitize the RV before your arrival. 

The desired trip can be a great vacation or an ongoing travel plan. The company will provide you with the RV of your choice and all the necessary supplies to begin your adventure. You will also receive step-by-step instructions to help you when it comes time to set up outside the RV.

When you rent an RV from Outdoorsy, you can choose from an extensive fleet of Class C, Class A, and Class B RVs. Each RV is different in size and amenities, like the kitchen setup or bathroom amenities.

Outdoorsy RV rental offers free insurance, including comprehensive auto insurance and collision damage waiver (CDW). Also, they offer technical assistance, including fuel delivery and towing, no matter where your travels take you in the United States or Canada. Outdoorsy will pay for you to stay in a hotel to keep your trip on track!

They also have a personalized security deposit system to empower renters and owners. You can set a credit card security deposit that is returned at the end of your trip if no damage is found. Also, you can use our manual deposit system for peace of mind that your security deposit will be refunded if necessary.

It is worth noting that Outdoorsy does provide roadside assistance. Along with the insurance policy, which covers both renter and owner, they also provide technical support when needed. They make use of a firm named Coach-Net.

To obtain roadside assistance, call 1-877-250-6731, and Outdoorsy will link you to one of their 40,000+ networked roadside support providers. It is included in the Outdoorsy Protection Package at no additional cost. Outdoorsy boasts a global network of over 15,000 RV owners. 

There are not quite as many listings as there are in the United States, but if you are ever there, you can check to see if one is near you. There are a few listings in Australia along the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and in the surrounding areas of Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian coastline is an extremely rewarding location for RVing, so hire an RV via Outdoorsy! There are also a few listings in Western Europe.

Between 20% and 25% of the booking, the sum is charged to the owner. It means that owners receive between 75% and 80% of the rent collected. These costs are detailed on each booking’s reservation page.

A service fee is assessed to renters based on the entire amount of their reservation. This service fee ranges between 5% and 20% of the booking’s subtotal. Ten dollars per day is charged for towable RVs, camper vans, and truck campers; fifteen dollars per day is paid for class A, B, and C RVs.

Additional rental fees, including late fees, fines for dirty RVs, and no-show fees, may be assessed. For additional information on the various costs that may apply when using the service, check their customer’s service and ask for assistance.

Outdoorsy tenants can choose from three distinct protection packages: Risk Taker, Essential, and Peace of Mind. The cost varies according to the car and the coverage included in each package. During the booking procedure, the renter selects a package.

Outdoorsy’s mobile application is not the finest. It is most definitely not on the level of Airbnb. When searching for information, such as user reviews, the app almost expects you to do the work. Additionally, it occasionally exhibits glitches, although your mileage may vary. Fortunately, these are minor flaws that are most likely addressed in a future release.

Certain owners have lengthy lists of restrictions that you must follow when operating their vehicle, and they can be quite stringent about where and what you can do, which is understandable. Developing rigs takes a lot of effort and money, and it is acceptable for them to protect them. Therefore, if you are renting, devote a little more effort to locating postings that meet your criteria.

El Monte RV

El Monte RV Rental is a national brand that specializes in providing affordable RV rentals for road trips. Despite not having locations in every state, they have a fairly even distribution across the United States. Most of El Monte’s locations are on the west coast (primarily in California, especially around San Francisco and Los Angeles).

El Monte RV Rental, as you might think, also sells used RVs and motorhomes. They provide both Class A and Class C RVs in various sizes, and they supply only the most recent model years of RVs. Since they rent and sell RVs, you may test before you buy, which is a wonderful benefit for individuals who are unsure of what they want.

Working with El Monte RV Renting gives a fair sense of the rental process. The company has been in the RV rental business for a long period, and as a result, they have developed a relatively simplified process for getting you into an RV and on the road.

Prospective renters should know that certain fees, such as the $1,000 security deposit, will require a major credit card, not a debit or prepaid card. El Monte RV Rental may be out of reach for your vacation plans if you lack a credit card.

Although El Monte RV rentals are not inexpensive, the company offers specials from time to time, including one-way rentals, winter rentals, and factory specials. You could save a lot of money on your road trip if you take advantage of one of these discounts.

El Monte’s insurance coverage is generally satisfying. Although it is recommended that you have your insurance for rental vehicles, primary third-party liability insurance is required. Some El Monte RV Rental locations will allow you to obtain temporary coverage straight from the rental facility. While this is a more expensive choice, it may be necessary for individuals who lack access to it.

El Monte is fantastic in reimbursing you for supplies purchased. For instance, if you wind up purchasing an additional hose because the one given is leaky or inoperable, they will reimburse you for the cost of the hose you purchased, no questions asked.

El Monte RV Rental is truly exceptional in terms of customer service. Every interaction with team members is educational, friendly, and, most importantly, fulfilling. Each time you had a question, you can leave the rental center with the impression that individuals working there valued and cared about the issues, regardless of their nature.

Pricing, in general, was one of the areas that renters should note. The rental website lacks price transparency. It is not easy to get a sense of the mileage, rental, and net prices simply by reading the site. Of course, a component of this lack of pricing transparency is the degree to which prices vary between peak and off-season periods. However, it would be beneficial to give a range of anticipated costs and a breakdown of the net price.

The issue with El Monte RV Rental’s pricing and RV rental, in general, is that you must pay not only for the RV rental but also for mileage, along with other charges, such as rescheduling fees and deposit insurance. El Monte also does not offer an unlimited mileage option — if you exceed the number of miles purchased, you must pay an additional fee.

Cruise America

Robert Smalley Sr., a native Floridian, created Cruise America in 1972 to bring cruises to the public. Rather than paying the high cost of acquiring an RV entirely, he hoped that customers would enjoy the benefits of having one.

With more than 132 facilities and 300 staff spread across the country, Cruise America is the largest RV rental firm. Because Smalley’s sons are in charge of both the CEO and the President roles, the company is still family-owned and managed.

Using Cruise America’s RV rental service is a quick and uncomplicated experience. While on the website’s rental page, you may check the future cost by simply entering your city, state, departure, and arrival date into the search box provided.

The site provides a thorough look at the various RV types and an explanation of everything each type includes. A list of rental sites, each of which will inform you when new merchandise becomes available, can also be accessed. The disadvantage is that, in most sections of the country, there is a limited selection. Depending on where you live, you may not always be able to find the model you want.

You may also get a fast overview of the numerous rental deals, such as half-price miles, 20 percent off in Canada, a free night on the company’s dime, and another one- and two-way promotions, via the rental website. Free insurance is also provided, and a 110-point inspection and emergency services are available around the clock.

The company will contact you with a pickup and delivery time and place after submitting your information and selecting the RV of your choice. On the other hand, this period is not always respected. In some instances, the RV was not delivered on time, causing clients to be significantly delayed in their travel plans.

Please note that you can only return the RV between 9 and 11 a.m., and if you do not return it within this time frame, you will be charged a late fee of $25 per hour. It is also important to note that the pickup and drop-off times are quite restricted. Additionally, customers are held liable for any mechanical damage resulting from “negligence” during operation, which can result in a “he said, she said” dispute if the matter comes down to that.

What Cruise America needs to do to improve this situation is allocate more time between rental appointments. People will be more likely to leave when they say they will if this is the case. Customers can be kept happy during high seasons by increasing the number of maintenance and customer support employees on hand.

Due to the size of the fleet, Cruise America’s costs are affordable; nevertheless, some additional fees are not included in the rental price. There is a $3.50 per hour generator cost collected after the journey, which might build up and result in you being billed twice. If the vehicle’s interior is still filthy, the company has the right to demand a $250 cleaning fee.

Possibly one of the company’s most significant assets is its renter’s insurance policy. The corporation offers coverage insurance in three separate sections, each of which gives more than the bare minimum in automotive coverage against a third party.

A Supplemental Liability Insurance policy, which provides liability insurance up to $1,000,000 for rentals in the United States, draws attention to the finer points of the rental arrangement. In addition, if your car is stolen or damaged, you may be liable for up to $1,500 in compensation. Finally, if there is a technical breakdown, there is a provision to repay expenses up to $3,000 per incident.

When it comes to offering low prices on its listings, Cruise America has the infrastructure and fleet. However, in terms of service, the company’s high turnover and inconsistent personnel assistance have hampered it. However, while insurance coverages can help protect renters, numerous other hidden costs might escalate the cost of your vacation, leaving you with an unexpected financial surprise after your trip.

RVshare

RVshare is a peer-to-peer RV rental company that operates online. It is similar to the Airbnb model for the RV industry. Those who own recreational vehicles (RVs) can advertise their vehicles for rent on RVshare and earn some extra income from their rentals.

Whether you are an RV owner or a renter, you will find that this site is beneficial. RVshare provides a platform for owners to list their recreational vehicles for rent and for prospective renters to browse available RVs for rent. There are no profiles of landlords or tenants that list evaluations made by others who have rented from them or rented from them.

RVshare provides anything from Class A, B, and C RV rentals to toy haulers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, travel trailers, and other types of recreational vehicles. If you wish to rent an RV from one of the thousands of available ads on RVshare, you must first create a renter’s profile.

Some of the qualifications include being at least 25 years old, possessing a current driver’s license, holding a commercial driver’s license, and passing a DMV background investigation. An automated DMV inspection saves time and ensures accuracy. So long as your background check does not reveal any red flags.

When you rent an RV with RVshare, the cost of renters insurance is included in the rental price. It varies, though, depending on the sort of recreational vehicle you purchase. It is crucial to note that those rates do not include sales tax and that all RVs that are 36 feet or greater in length will be subject to an additional $5.99 charge. The rental insurance, on the other hand, takes care of almost everything.

Customers who use RVshare receive a 5 percent cash rebate on future vacations. Additionally, RV owners who use RVshare are eligible for up to $1 million in protection and insurance benefits. They provide comprehensive and collision coverage of up to $200,000, depending on the value of the RV insured.

Customers can choose to pay for additional setup and delivery services and receive free roadside support on a 24/7 basis. For RV owners, there are no membership costs, and it is completely free to join.

Unfortunately, in less populated places, there are fewer possibilities for accommodation. It also does not require renters to have their RVs inspected by the DMV every year. In addition, they do not specify with which insurance firm they have a partnership, and insurance fees might range anywhere from $10 to $40.

RVnGO

RVnGO is unquestionably the newcomer. They have done an excellent job of developing a platform that is both functional and simple to use. However, it looks to lack the variety found on well-established sites such as Outdoorsy and other similar platforms.

Their platform clearly states that they want to bring people closer together. Even while it is not a new concept, the ease of connecting those looking to rent an RV with hundreds of RV owners is remarkable. Their competitors have been doing the same thing for years, yet it works, and the site is simple to use.

The first step for those considering renting an RV is to conduct a simple internet search to locate a rental facility in your desired region. Based on your location, RVnGO will return all of the possibilities that are accessible to you.

The website will then check for availability. If the website finds that the dates you wish to rent the RV are available, you will be prompted to select them. Then, you must contact the property owner to determine a convenient time for both of you to arrange for delivery or pickup of the property.

All that is required after your vacation is delivering the recreational vehicle to the owner from whom you leased it. It is done in the same condition in which it was received unless, of course, you agreed to a one-way RV rental. Here is where you and the RV owner agree ahead of time to drop the RV off at a new site. Typically, there is an additional price for this service, but it can be beneficial, especially if you make one of the famous American road trips, such as Route 66.

What is nice about RVnGO is that you receive 100 percent of the bookings you generate. You will not have to pay any hosting expenses, making it one of the greatest online platforms for this. Within 72 hours of the conclusion of the rental, you will get the agreed-upon rental sum in your bank account.

First and foremost, make certain that your recreational vehicle is listed on the website in question. Recall that listing your RV is completely free, and you are not obligated to rent it out as a result, so you have absolutely nothing to lose by participating. 

A high-quality set of photographs of your RV increases the likelihood of it being spotted. Individuals are interested in seeing everything inside and outside the building – and yes, this includes the restroom!

If you compare RVnGO to their competitors, they have a restricted selection of RVs available for sale. They do, however, have RVs suitable for most types of travel. However, due to limited coverage, it may not be easy to locate a suitable RV for your vacation in the place you desire.

There are various quick search icons located just below the search bar. Currently, there are eight or more different types of recreational vehicles accessible. Campervans are Class A, Class B, or Class C. Fifth wheels are classified as either Fifth Wheel or Toy Hauler. Find RV owners to meet your specific requirements, including ADA-compliant RVs, wheelchair-accessible RVs, and RVs that are pet-compatible.

Despite our best efforts, life often gets in the way. You must contact your host as soon as possible if you need to change your reservation, which is the most important piece of advice. Ask them about all of your options, including if you need to modify your dates or cancel your reservation. In most cases, hosts are very accommodating.

One of the most distinguishing features of this website is that it offers this marketing service to business owners completely free of charge! The renter entirely covers the platform fees.

According to the terms and conditions of the site, the free-to-owners service may not be available indefinitely. At this point, renting out your RV through RVnGo is an exceptionally fantastic price, especially considering the current economy.

It appears to be a fantastic deal for property owners, but it is not advantageous for tenants. Renters are likely to pay a check-out price as high as or more than that charged by platforms that charge fees to owners because of the site’s mandated insurance policy and other expenses that are tacked onto the renter’s bill by the site. The money, on the other hand, is not coming from the owner.

Rental company RVnGo collects renter payments ten days before the rental and disburses funds to owners when the RV is delivered to the consumer. Similar to the other RV rental services, which normally release payment to owners 24 hours after the renter has picked up the motor home, this is also the case.

As soon as they have their RVs back, the owner and renter inspect them and agree on any problems or final expenses for items like sewage disposal and gasoline. If everything goes according to plan, the customer’s deposit will be refunded to them in full. An insurance claim is filed two days after the RV is returned if the RV is broken during the rental period. 

A Different Camper Suits A Different RV

The adage “You can never have too much room” rings painfully true for many American households. For several people, the best option is to rent an RV or van and use it as a mobile home while on vacation, during a weekend getaway, or even as an economical rental option. Consider renting your next vehicle and start enjoying travel without leaving your current city.

The idea of renting an RV is quite appealing because this lifestyle choice offers several perks to those living in today’s fast-paced society. To be clear, the idea of renting an RV is not as simple as it seems. RV rental services offer those looking for an alternative to traditional home living a handful of advantages that make this lifestyle choice a wise choice for many people.

One of the most difficult aspects of purchasing a new recreational vehicle is determining if you are making the right purchase. Most people do not drive their top choice for a recreational vehicle around town, so they never really experience what it feels like to be in such a vehicle. 

It can make it confusing when trying to decide which one is your favorite. As a result, many consumers overspend or buy something they are unhappy with for years because they never truly learned how to enjoy their RV lifestyle.

Renting an RV means that you can test out several different models without paying top dollar for something you may not even like. It is a great option to consider if you are unsure which RV or Class A motorhome style is right for you.

Not all families have the perfect family vehicle, but many will try to make do. If you want to make sure that your family can enjoy the time they spend together, renting an RV can help in more ways than one. It is a great option for parents who want their kids to have fun when they start using a vehicle that is not designed for children.

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