The 5 Best RV Rental Companies of 2020

A disruptor in the traditional RV rental space, Outdoorsy is known as the "Airbnb of RV rentals." With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the company provides peer-to-peer rentals that make it easy for people who need to rent one, as well as for those looking to make money from the RV sitting in their driveway. You can get a full range of vehicles through Outdoorsy, from full-on motorhomes to vintage vehicles and little tow-along trailers, and the company works to protect both owners and drivers (they’ll do a license and DMV check for renters, for instance).

Like Airbnb, the company also allows renters to write detailed reviews that will give some insight into what you might expect, like how clean the vehicle was. Outdoorsy also offers industry-leading liability insurance up to $1 million, and customer service — with teams for both owners and renters — is available around the clock in case of any issues. The potential downside: Just as you would with an Airbnb, you’re renting from “normal people,” so your rental might not be as shiny and clean as you might get from a professional fleet. 

First time renting an RV? Here's everything you need to know.

Of course, not all adventures take place in the U.S., and if you’re looking to travel through another country by RV, Camper Travel Bookings will do the job. Dreaming of a trek across Australia or the Basque region? The website offers rentals in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South America, as well as more than 45 cities in the U.S. alone. Best of all, there’s a ton of choices: Camper Travel Bookings acts as an aggregator of sorts, meaning that it partners with other rental companies like El Monte to provide a showcase for their vehicles.

If you need help narrowing down all your options, the company’s customer service team is efficient and friendly — just keep in mind that you’ll need to work with the hiring company directly for any issues you might have, so make sure you rent from someone with a solid reputation.

If you’re after a more traditional rental experience, Cruise America might be the way to go. Similar to renting a car, you simply pick your vehicle from one of four sizes in their corporate fleet, and with more than 130 locations in the U.S., there’s a solid chance there’s one somewhat close to you. Pro tip: Rental locations are especially prevalent in popular tourist destinations and national parks.

Because this is a corporate company, you might not find spectacular deals or any quirky, vintage trailers. What you will find, however, are new vehicles ready for you to take out on the road, along with some of the company’s seasonal discounts. Expect a more traditional renting process too, meaning that you should read over any extra fees, especially per-mile ones, as those can really add up over time. You'll also need to rent living essentials separately, including kitchen items and bedding, if you’re not bringing your own. And do keep in mind that this company’s reputation isn’t exactly outstanding: The BBB’s awarded it an F for a “pattern of complaint” surrounding contracts. 

Similar to Outdoorsy, RV Share allows those with RVs to rent vehicles to people who need them — and it’s actually the biggest player in this section of the market. It has an added bonus, too: Not only does it facilitate peer-to-peer rentals, but RV dealerships will also list vehicles they’re offering for rent, so you can drive something shiny and new if you’d prefer (this can be handy if you’re thinking about buying one).

The insurance protection is good — $1,000,000 in liability and $200,000 in RV value, and frequent RVers might find that RV Share's perks sweeten the deal. For example, the portal offers a rewards program, so if you’re frequently out on the great open road, you might be able to save a little bit off your next rental. 

Another traditional RV rental company, El Monte RV has been in the business for a while, and unlike peer-to-peer rentals, you can just do a one-way trip without dropping the vehicle back with its owner. So if you plan on driving somewhere and flying back, renting from El Monte RV is a great option. Plus, all the rentals are pet-friendly, meaning you can bring your furry friends along to see the sights without having to pay extra hotel fees or, worse, leave them at home. The company even has travel info and guides online for renters traveling with their pets.

Although it currently holds an F rating from BBB, it's because the company didn’t respond to three customer complaints. And AAA members, take note — there are special discounts just for you, though all customers should keep an eye out for their seasonal offers. 

If you have room to splurge, check out our guide to the best RV resorts across America.