9 Things You Need to Know About Camping Rentals This Season
FODORS - June 14, 2022
From large luxurious Class A RVs to little pop-up campers, renting is a good way to save a little money this summer and help you decide if the #vanlife is really for you.
A new survey released in April shows that 208 million Americans plan to travel this summer, and of those, 80% plan to take a road trip. The nearly 206 million Americans who dream of hitting the open road for summer adventure may be doing so in an RV, camper, or trailer, opting to spend nights under the stars instead of hotels.
Continuing the trend that began in 2020, RVs and campers are wildly popular with the road-tripping crowd. The RV Industry Association’s October 2020 survey saw RV shipments increasing by 21.4% year-over-year, the second-highest October increase on record. The “van-life” trend is also having its moment in the sun. Little Instagrammable campers and vans are everywhere on the internet (the Instagram hashtag #vanlife surpassed 7 million tags in 2020), so it’s no wonder more travelers are considering a “home on wheels” for exploring. But what if you aren’t ready to commit to buying a camper, van, or RV?
RVs can cost between $10,000 and $300,000, while pop-up campers and teardrop campers average between $16,000 and $23,000. Luckily for those who don’t want to drop that kind of money, renting an RV or camper is another option. From large luxurious Class A RVs to little pop-up campers, renting is a good way to save a little money this summer and help you decide if the #vanlife is really for you.
“We’re seeing new first time users and people who have never even considered renting an RV or a teardrop or a pop-up or Class B camper coming and trying to figure out which vehicle is right for them,” said Jen Young, co-founder of Outdoorsy, the largest peer-to-peer marketplace that connects RV owners with campers who want the experience RVing without ownership. “We’re seeing people rent vehicles for just a day, week-long trips, or even for just a staycation near their house. Why would you go and buy a vehicle at $40,000, $50,000, or $70,000 when you could try one before you buy one?”
Here’s everything you need to know about renting a recreational vehicle this summer.
How to Choose Which Type of RV Is Best for You
Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer rental operation powered by individual owners and dealers with selections spanning from vintage Airstreams, teardrop campers, fifth wheelers, Class A, B, and C of RVs, as well as garden variety trailers and motorhomes. The first step in deciding which of these is right for you is deciding what kind of trip you want to take. Do you need something that is pet-friendly? Will you have your whole family along or are you looking for a cozy couples’ getaway?
Where will you be staying? RV parks or campgrounds are the most flexible because you’ll be able to plug into power and sometimes water. If you’re planning to escape into the primitive wild, however, you might want a vehicle that has a generator or solar power so you don’t need to be plugged in.
Who will you be traveling with? Who you are traveling with dictates the needs you may want, like shower and bathroom facilities, multiple beds or a full kitchen. Solo travelers and couples may be fine with a campervan with an outdoor shower, while a family of four may be more comfortable in Class C or something with a little more room.
Do you want to drive the vehicle, tow the vehicle, or have it delivered? Driveables and towables are the two choices when renting a recreational vehicle. Driveables are vehicles that you can drive, while towables are those you hook up to your SUV or truck. If you’re nervous about both options and just want to try RVing for the weekend, some owners offer delivery to a campground so all you have to do is just show up.
“When considering which RV is right for you, ask, ‘What are the features that really matter to me? Do I want a big kitchen or do I want a small kitchen and more space inside because I prefer to use the kitchen outside of the RV?’ “ says Young. “The next level of decision making is really around how you want to use it. Do we want it to be solar power? Do we want to be able to dry camp? Or do we want this to be more stationary and have all the bells and whistles? I’d say those are the three big areas to start focusing on.”
What to Know About Class A RVs
Class A RVs are the largest of the motorhomes with plenty of storage and lots of room. Many of these massive RVs resemble a home and have towing capabilities, but drivers should be comfortable with driving a bus-sized vehicle. While the Class A motorhomes are the epitome of luxury with numerous beds, fold-out couches, full bathrooms, and more, they do have some parking limitations. But, if you’re looking for lots of room and amenities, Class A might be your perfect choice.
PROS: They’re great for large travel parties and can offer comfort as well as can be plugged in at most campsites. Plus, these RVs are a good choice if you opt to have one delivered to a campsite.
CONS: They can be intimidating and difficult to drive for beginners. Fuel costs add up quickly as Class A tanks hold 100 to 150 gallons of gas. Class A vehicles are very heavy and can be slow to navigate on twisty roads or steep hills.
Average nightly rate: $255
The Bottom Line: “Class A is a great choice if you have a large family or want the comforts of home while you travel,” said Young. “It’s also a good option if you are towing your personal vehicle.”
What to Know About Class B Sprinter Vans
Class B is a fancy way of saying “campervan,” and those cool, converted Sprinter Vans and Dodge Promasters are great examples of a Class B setup. Popular with solo travelers and couples, Class B vehicles are tall enough to stand in, and most include a small, compact kitchen, living room, and a bathroom. Of the three classes of RV, this option is the cheapest and possibly easiest for the first-time RVer. Because of its smaller size, driving one of these #vanlife hotties is similar to driving a regular large van.
PROS: They are easier for beginners to drive and many of these vans are decked out with the latest technology and add-ons that make taking your bikes or kayaks along a little easier. Because they are smaller, you’ll have more campsite options, including going off-grid
CONS: They are small, so if you plan to spend a ton of time inside, you better like the person you are traveling with. Many Class B vehicles don’t have dedicated bed space. You’ll have to set up the convertible bed spaces each day. Being the most popular of the drivable RVs, they may be hard to find.
Average nightly rate: $243
The Bottom Line: “You can definitely get a family of four in a class B. There is usually a bed in the back, and the dining room table area will pop out and also be a place to sleep,” said Young. “We are finding we’re seeing a lot of families that actually want the Class B vehicle to be so lightweight, that they might even bring like outdoor tents for the kids to sleep outside with.”
What to Know About Class C Vehicles
Class C vehicles are the perfect compromise between a large Class A and the smaller Class B. Popular with small families and first-time RV drivers who want a little more room than a van, Class C vehicles are comparable to driving a truck around. These flexible vehicles also come with a full kitchen, showers, and bathroom, but the most popular feature of these fully-motorized homes is the bunk or storage area that juts over the passenger and driver’s seats. Class C rentals give you the added space and amenities of Class A while keeping the nimble maneuverability and ease of a Class B van.
PROS: They are easy to drive and the added bunk space can double as extra storage when you are traveling. They are a good option for shorter trips or if you need something that has an easier time getting up steep hills.
CONS: The cab is small and has smaller windows, while the overhang bunk space may block views of landscapes. The fresh, black, and grey waste water tanks are smaller, so if you are without RV hookups like water or sewer, you may need to dump water and restock more frequently.
Average nightly rate: $188
The Bottom Line: “We all know it’s going to be a really challenging summer because the costs of airline tickets, hotel, and eating out tickets are so high,” said Young. “There’s a misconception that you use a lot of gas with RVs and that they’re expensive to run and operate. But that’s really not the case.”
Should You Rent a Travel Trailer?
Trailers are camping vehicles you can tow behind a pickup or SUV. Much beloved by many Americans, trailers like the classic Airstream are an ideal rental for a small family or couple. One reason trailers are so popular is the ability to park them up at a campsite, unhitch the tow vehicle, and then go exploring while your trailer stays parked. Depending on the size and model, most trailers come with a sleeping area and some kind of kitchen area that often includes something to cook on, a small refrigerator, and a sink. While the smaller trailers may not have a bathroom, other larger trailers will have a stand-up shower, sink, and toilet.
PROS: The flexibility allows you to simply unhitch the trailer and head out in your car, SUV, or tow truck to explore an area. Trailers like the Airstream can be used with most SUVs or pickup trucks and are a more affordable option than some other models.
CONS: You’ll need a towing hitch or weight distribution hitch installed on your tow vehicle and you won’t be able to move around freely in the trailer as you do in a driveable RV. Backing up, braking, and trailer sway are tricky when towing a trailer, especially for beginners.
Average nightly rate: $105
The Bottom Line: From pop-up campers that fold down to be super compact to the adorable teardrop style camper with its cozy bed space, tiny footprint, and full kitchen in the rear, travel trailers are the most flexible with a range of sizes and shapes.
Considering Fifth Wheel Trailers
Fifth Wheel trailers refer to larger trailers that attach to towing vehicles with a gooseneck extension in the truck bed instead of a “ball and coupler” for smaller trailers. Some even have luxurious amenities and features that compare with Class A vehicles. Unlike its little trailer brothers, fifth wheels have a bunk/storage area that overhangs over the driver’s cab, providing more living space than a travel trailer and more exterior storage space.
PROS: Expect more space than the typical trailer with more luxury amenities. Inside you’ll find a larger interior cabin that can accommodate your whole family.
CONS: Because of its weight and higher profile, fuel efficiency isn’t as good as a smaller trailer. Plus, you will need a specific type of tow-hitch to attach the fifth-wheel trailer to your vehicle. Because of their size, strong winds can cause the fifth wheel to sway and fishtail. Most RV owners recommend sway bars.
Average nightly rate: $129
The Bottom Line: Fifth-wheels are basically larger trailers with more spacious floor plans that may be more comfortable for families.
The Instagram Favorite: Campervans
The smallest and most nimble of the fully enclosed RVs, these Instagram favorites drive like a van and are roomy enough for one occupant, cozy and intimate for two, but a tight squeeze for three. Because of its small size, you can drive anywhere a regular van can go without worrying if you are going to fit into a space or not. While not as sophisticated as a Class A, B or C RV, these little camper vans can be as basic or as decked-out as you wish. And, because the driver’s seat is open to the back, you can easily go from the driver’s seat to your living area without ever going outside. This option is perfect for the low-maintenance type of traveler who values ease and mobility over luxury and bells and whistles.
PROS: Campervans are easy for anyone to drive without the need for additional equipment, plus they get much better gas mileage than the other options on this list. Campervans are convenient, negating the need to unhook or set up anything when you camp.
CONS: Campervans are smaller and therefore offer less liveable room than other RVs. While some camper vans have bathrooms, using and maintaining them may be a challenge. Another con is campervans don’t have the same level of temperature control that other options have.
Average nightly rate: $156
The Bottom Line: “This is a good option if you want something that is all self-contained. You just pick up and throw everything in the back and drive off to a vacation,” said Young.
What to Know About Truck Campers
If you can drive a truck, then an over-bed truck camper makes roughing it significantly less rough. These campers usually have beds tucked over the roof and open living space in the truck bed. Like a camper van, these truck campers allow you to get off-road or in places larger RVs cannot, and many come with a toilet, shower, and sink up to ones with complete kitchens.
PROS: The maneuverability of a truck camper is awesome, allowing you to get off the grid. Not to mention, truck campers are more rugged and can withstand rough roads. You also will find lower fuel costs with truck campers when compared to your typical RVs.
CONS: Loading and unloading the camper may take more time, while the interior tends to be more compact and cramped. Smaller tanks for fresh and gray water can lead to frequent dumping or running out of fresh water.
Average nightly rate: $147
The Bottom Line: Perfect for a lovers’ getaway or a solo trip, this option is great for someone with a pickup who wants to spend more time outdoors exploring while supporting a minimalist lifestyle.
What to Consider When Renting a Van or RV This Summer
Using rental platforms like RVShare or Outdoorsy makes finding a vehicle that fits your style and travel needs pretty easy. Even better, you don’t need a special license or any training to drive an RV. The good thing about rental platforms is that each owner adds their own special touches to the RV, whether that means special decorations, a fully-stocked coffee station, yummy treats, or included board games and videos. And if you don’t want to drive an RV, some owners can even deliver the RV to your campsite and get everything set up for your arrival.
INSIDER TIP: You will need insurance if you are renting someone else’s private RV.
“One of the best things that Outdoorsy does is build insurance products for the rental or the trip. You just pick a vehicle and as you go through the vehicle booking process, we will offer multiple insurance options that have a different range,” said Young.
But with the popularity of road tripping and renting RVs on the upswing, you’d better start making reservations now.
“We’re booking up fast already and we are seeing spikes in traffic to the Outdoorsy website,” said Young. “There are a lot of first-time users — people who have never even considered renting an RV or a teardrop or a pop-up or Class B camper — coming to our site these days.”
Thanks to the breadth and number of RVs to rent, you can customize your adventure and home away from home for every travel style. The bottom line? There’s no need to rough it unless you really want to, and there’s no need to buy an RV if you aren’t ready to.
