Jen Young
by Jen Young
Posted July 27, 2022

The RV lifestyle is something everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. But not everyone should buy an RV. Renting an RV is a much better option, especially for those who take only one or two trips a year. But how much should you set aside as rent for a motorhome? Read below to answer the question: How much to rent an RV for a week?

RVs cost anywhere between $500 to $2,500 per week, depending on the RV type and the dealer you rent it from.

But there are ways you can reduce the weekly cost and plan a trip on a budget. Continue reading to learn those simple tricks.

How Much Does an RV Cost Per Week?

As already mentioned, the weekly rates for RVs start from $500 and can go as high as $2,500.

But this is a rough estimate. To calculate a more accurate range, you need to consider a few things. And these are:

  • RV type
  • RV model and make year

RVs are broadly classified into five different categories. These are Class A, Class B, Class C, Travel Trailer, and Fifth Wheel.

Class A RVs are the most spacious, with upscale amenities. On the other end of the spectrum, you have travel trailers the size of a regular SUV with fewer amenities. These differences reflect in their weekly rental prices.

The other factor is model and year. In general, newer models are priced higher than older models. That’s because they’re in much better shape and driving condition. And depending on the brand, newer RVs have all the latest amenities and features.

So taking the above factors into account, here’s how much you should expect to pay per week for renting an RV:

  • Class A – $1225 to $1925 (newer models); $800 to $1500 (older models)
  • Class B – $700 to $1400 (newer models); $600 to $1200 (older models)
  • Class C – $1000 to $1400 (newer models); $840 to $1100 (older models)
  • Travel Trailer – $350 to $900 (newer models); $300 to $500 (older models) 
  • Fifth Wheel – $420 to $1000 (newer models); $330 to $750 (older models)

You should consider your budget first and then select an RV in accordance.

how much to rent an rv for a week

How Much to Rent an RV for a Week?

The price range mentioned in the section above is the standard range. But there’s a trick you can apply to reduce the overall cost of renting an RV for a week.

The cheapest way to rent an RV for a week is to book on a peer-to-peer rental platform and opt for a ‘Weekly Plan.’ For more clarity on this, you need to understand how RV rentals work.

RVs are usually priced at a daily rate, on a per day or night basis.

When you rent an RV — irrespective of the type — the rentee will bill you for each day by default. But when booked for a week, most companies offer a discount, which can range from 10% to 40%, depending on the season.

So for a Class A motorhome with a price tag of $200 per night, a 10% discount would translate to $140 in savings!

If you need the motorhome for a week, you must explicitly convey the same to the rentee. That’s the cheapest way to rent an RV for a week. Otherwise, they will bill you at a daily rate.

Another way to reduce the RV cost is to rent the motorhome directly from an owner instead of going through a dealership. This way, you’ll have more control over cost and the RV selection process.

Peer-to-peer rental platforms make it easy for owners to list their RV for rent and renters to rent it.  

how much to rent an rv for a week

How Much to Rent an RV for a Month?

Like weekly bookings, companies offer monthly reservations as well. If you’re planning a month-long trip to travel across the United States, opt for a monthly plan.

When compared with the daily RV rates, you can save significant money for monthly bookings.

Renters will offer you discounts in the same range as weekly bookings or even more.

So taking the above example of $200 per night, it sums up to $6,000 per month. With a $10 discount, the savings add up to $600. While it may not sound much, a penny saved is a penny earned!

But there are other things you need to know.

Not every company offers discounts for monthly reservations. In fact, most don’t even provide RVs for rent for such a long time frame. Part of the reasoning is it’s not in their best interest. They’d make more if they handed out the RV on a daily or weekly basis.

Finding such offers becomes even more challenging during the peak holiday season. Renters switch to daily rates and restrict other plans to generate more revenue during that time period.

The trick here is to plan and book an RV well in advance, which can be six months to a year.

how much to rent an rv for a week

How Much to Rent an RV for a Year?

Looking to rent an RV for an entire year? Unless you’re a full-time RVer who likes exploring different places, renting an RV for a year doesn’t make sense.

Even at $60 per night, which is the lowest tier in the RV rental market, the cost to rent an RV for a year will stand at $18,000. For higher models, the bill will come out at $100,000. 

Only full-time RV vloggers can recoup that level of investment. And it’s unlikely you’ll find a discount.

Things to Look at Before Renting an RV

If you’re concerned about the cost of renting an RV for a week, there are other things you need to know.

More specifically, you should know how to find the best RV for yourself. Here are a few criteria to look at when prospecting RVs for your trip:

Number of travelers on the trip

The first thing you need to check is the number of people you’ll have on board. This should include kids, elders, and pets (it helps to plan for their space).

Most people overlook this and jump straight to the pricing table. But when planning for an RV trip, get clarity on this figure first.

The RV type

This is directly tied to the first one. The type of RV you select will depend on the number of occupants.

Getting the RV type right is essential since the types are priced differently.

You could save significantly more by renting a Class C motorhome or a towable trailer. These also offer a higher mpg than Class A motorhomes, which translates to more savings. 

Even if you’re a large family or have kids, a Class C motorhome might just fit your needs since they have bunk beds. Pets can sneak in on any of the beds. So, you may not necessarily need a large motorhome.

But it’s important to balance cost with comfort and to be generous wherever required. 

Insurance and taxes

You’d have to pay insurance costs for renting an RV. At times, this is included within the daily rates, while other renters have it under the ‘Additional Cost’ section.

RV rental insurance offers protection against damages. Thus, if you come across a minor or major accident on the trip, the insurance policy will bail you out financially to some degree.

You should check if your current auto policy covers it already. Some policies extend such coverage under certain circumstances. Or, your homeowners’ policy may provide this coverage as well. Therefore, contact your existing insurance carrier to check on this.

If not, the renters will offer the RV rental coverage for a fee. It can range anywhere from $10 to $50 per day. Some companies will also charge you per mile, with rates hovering in the $0.50-$1 per mile range.

The taxes are usually paid by the owner. But, again, cross-check to make sure it’s not an additional or hidden charge.

Driving condition of the vehicle

Last but not least, you should check how well the motorhome is rolling on the road. Since you’re planning a week-long trip, it helps to ensure that the RV is in top driving condition.

It’s also important to note that different types of RV drive differently. Driving a Class A motorhome would feel like maneuvering a bus, while a Class B RV feels like a minivan.

Ask for a test ride and drive the RV for a few kilometers. Check if the steering and the seating are to your liking. You should also test the braking system, GPS navigation, visual monitoring, and lights (both indoor and outdoor).

Estimating the RV rent for a week is part of the overall trip budgeting process. You need to figure out associated costs like fuel and gas, RV park fees, groceries, etc. With some clever planning, you can take that much-awaited road trip to your favorite RV park.
Are you looking for an RV for a week for your road trip? Browse the Outdoorsy RV rental catalog and select the motorhome of your choice.

Jen Young

 

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