Author: Guest Author
So, you’ve decided to go RVing. Great choice! With an RV, you can enjoy both the excitement of the open road and the comforts of a personalized space, all while being in full control of your travel schedule.
Before the advent of peer-to-peer RV rental platforms, the RVing promise of “comfortable freedom” came at a hefty price. The traditional dealership model was crowned the de facto king, and those who refused to pay tribute were left with few other options for acquiring an RV. Buying or renting through dealership channels was expensive, impersonal, and often frustrating.
Peer-to-peer RV rental platforms, like RVshare, democratize the rental business by connecting RV owners with interested renters. Owners can set their own prices and rental requirements, and renters can filter through thousands of listings to find the one that best suits their needs.
Renting through a peer-to-peer RV platform can save you a lot of money, as the business model works differently. Because most RV owners are not living life permanently on the road, their vehicles are often left unused for long periods of time. Peer-to-peer renting gives these owners the ability to make a little extra money on the side by renting their unused RVs – as a result, rental rates tend to be lower and quality tends to be higher.
To put it simply: on a peer-to-peer platform, you are dealing with a person, not a business.
If you do decide to rent an RV through a peer-to-peer network, there are several ways in which you can further minimize your costs. Consider the following tips for getting the best deal possible.
Tip #1: Identify the best size & amenity profile for your needs.
Renters often overpay for RVs with size and amenity profiles that they don’t really need. For example, a couple might rent a large vehicle when they could have paid less and still enjoyed the space offered by a smaller vehicle instead.
Class A
Class A RVs are the largest class of RVs available on the market, with some reaching 45-50 feet in length. They are often crammed full of luxury amenities, such as a spacious bathrooms and showers, a washer and dryer, entertainment systems (including advanced television and speaker setups), and an expanded kitchen layout that may include a dishwasher and fridge.
Class A vehicles are best for families and larger occupancies.
Class B
Class B RVs are some of the smallest RVs available, coming in at less than 20 feet in length in many cases. Amenities vary, but most have small bathrooms, a limited entertainment setup, and space-efficient living quarters (fold-out beds and tables).
Class B vehicles are well-suited for couples (and perhaps an additional child), but are generally too cramped to be comfortable for four or more people.
Class C
Class C RVs suit the middle ground. They range between 20 and 30 feet in length. Amenities vary quite substantially, though the increased space allows for more luxury amenities to be installed if need be. As an added benefit, because Class C RVs usually come in at less than 30 feet in length, they will meet the size requirements for certain campgrounds that would otherwise not allow a Class A RV.
Class C vehicles are great for those who want a bit more space and luxury living, while still keeping their size profile manageable.
As a rule, try to find a balance between overspending on what you simply do not need, and spending on something less-than-satisfactory for the sake of lowering costs. Being cooped up in a Class B vehicle for an extended period with four people might not be worth the additional savings.
Related Read: Understand the Differences between Class A, B and C Motorhomes
Tip #2: Plan to cover less distance per day.
If you plan your trip ahead of time, you can save on the cost of renting an RV by limiting the amount of distance covered per day. Owners on peer-to-peer platforms often charge a fee if you travel above a set, agreed-upon number of miles per day (as too much mileage can negatively affect the long-term health of the vehicle). Though excess miles cannot be avoided sometimes, take steps to minimize your daily mileage during the planning phase of your trip.
Plan your route and find deals along the way with the RV Trip Planner.
If you are capable of undercutting the mileage cap substantially, you may even be able to negotiate a discount!
Tip #3: Explore short-term & long-term renting.
Most renters on peer-to-peer RV platforms are looking for short-term rentals, and that suits most just fine. Instead of buying an expensive RV to go on short trips once in a while, renters can simply find a suitable RV when the need arises. Renting an RV for a week is certainly cheaper than purchasing one outright!
On the other hand, renters interested in long-term rental options may benefit from discounted rates. Further, long-term rental payments don’t have to be made up front – they can be made over the course of the rental. This provides added flexibility to renters who are unsure about how long they want to stay out on the road.
Tip #4: If circumstances allow, negotiate.
Everyday, owners list their RVs for rent on peer-to-peer networks with imperfect information about the market. An RV owner may initially put up a listing at a high price thinking that there is a lot of demand for their particular RV type. In reality, however, it may be off-season, or there may simply not be the high demand that they assumed there would be. If you fall in love with a listing, don’t ignore your instincts! It may be the case that the owner’s listing hasn’t actually received too much rental interest. Speak with the owner and see if a compromise can be reached. Effective negotiation may lead to a significant discount.
Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to wait-and-see.
New listings are posted every day. If there are no listings in your area that meet your criteria, don’t be afraid to wait and check back again later. In the meantime, owners may have also modified their listings.
Renting an RV can be an intimidating process at first glance, but it doesn’t have to be. By using a peer-to-peer rental network like RVshare, you can connect with passionate, knowledgeable owners, shop around for the best rates, and secure the ideal RV for your trip – with minimal fuss.
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