Last Updated on July 5, 2023
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How can you get the best deal and save money when renting an RV?
Renting an RV sounds more appealing to some travelers because they are new to vacationing in an RV and not as familiar with the brands and styles. Not to mention you may not be ready to make such a large purchase nor do you have a space to store it when you are not on the road.
If you want to take advantage of traveling with the family and have all of the conveniences of home, a rental is a great way to experience the RV lifestyle.
There are a lot of benefits to renting an RV for your next vacation. Campgrounds and RV parks are considerably cheaper than modest hotels and motels, plus you meet new people who share a common desire to travel the open road. Also, there is no need to lug your bags to and from a car because everything is already in place inside the RV.
You are in control of your food and portions which is ideal for those with special dietary needs or just want to watch costs. You also get more opportunities to see the country up close and personal.
The additional benefit of renting an RV rather than owning one is that you do not have to maintain the vehicle yourself. The owner takes care of that. If you did not like the first RV you rented (too small, did not drive well, etc.), you are not committed to the RV compared to if you owned it outright.
The best deals on RV rentals are out there. When you have knowledge about RVs and the RV rental companies that want your business, you will be able to take advantage of the savings traveling in an RV brings to your family vacation.
Size is everything.
When you consider renting an RV, you need to consider the size of your temporary home on wheels. How many people will be traveling and sleeping in the RV?
Are you comfortable maneuvering a large vehicle or do you need something smaller to manage? Can you handle less space if your priority is the adventure and not the number of amenities provided?
For the most economical RV rental, your search should focus on models that are about 25 feet in length or less. They are still as comfortable as a larger model when you are traveling as a couple or a small family, plus they cost less to drive.
Not only will you save money with a smaller rental fee, but you will also see savings in terms of gas mileage. For example, a 30-foot motorhome can average about 9 miles per gallon, but there are some models that will only get up to 6 miles per gallon. RV rental companies typically allow about 100 miles per day in their packages.
If you are traveling more than staying at an RV park or campground, your fuel costs can get expensive.
Timing is important
Rental cost for an RV goes up in the summer months when the demand is higher. If your travel plans do not require you to be on the road in June, July, or August, you will find the best rental savings during the remaining nine months of the year. During the summer, fuel prices are also higher. Long-distance travel can be more cost-effective during the off-season when it comes to rental fees as well as fuel.
Avoid additional costs
Most rentals offer additional add-ons like kitchen supplies and linens packages. To save money on your next rental you’ll want to bring these things from home. This can save you $100 to $200.
Ask for special deals and discounts
Ask if they have any special discounts like free additional miles included in the package and other appealing bonuses. These deals often coincide with the off-season, but they are motivated to get your business so that you will continue using them for all of your RV rental travels.
Another thing you can do is negotiate, just because the price is listed at $250 a day doesn’t mean that’s what you need to pay. Try negotiating for a better price, if it’s not peak season you’ll have a pretty good chance of being able to negotiate down the price.
Rent from a private owner
When you rent directly from a private owner you can generally get a better deal than renting from a large company. Think about it private owners don’t have the overhead to deal with that large companies have so they can pass the savings on to you.
A great place to look for RV rentals by owner is RVshare.com which is the largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. You’ll find thousands of RVs for rent by the owner on the site. One great thing about renting through a company like RVshare instead of finding an RV on Craigslist is that when you rent through RVshare you’ll get all the benefits of renting from a big company like 24/7 roadside assistance and a secure payment system with a money-back guarantee.
These features make the transaction smoother than what you can get from someone random you found on Craigslist.
It’s time to get out there and explore the open roads behind the wheel of an RV. RVing is one of the best ways to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Last update on 2023-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
