If you’re planning a Road Trip it doesn’t have to involve an Airbnb or a hotel along the way, you might also consider camping or at the least go off-road a little in your very own Motorhome.
Getting an RV Rental has so many benefits, where you can travel knowing you don’t have to set up your tent or haul your luggage from place to place.
This is ideal if you’re planning a trip to any of our lakes and beaches in Texas or into Arkansas.
Many people travel by driving the RV and leave their car behind but you could also rent a trailer-type RV too.
If you are new to the world of RV rentals, these are my best tips from my recent experience using RVshare, a marketplace service known as the “Airbnb for RV’s” which brings RV renters and owners together
This post contains affiliate links. We were partially hosted for this experience by RVshare.com but our opinions are all our own.
We chose to rent a nearby RV to us near Dallas Fort Worth and picked it up to bring back to load up at our house. We drove from Frisco and stayed in Catherine Landings near Hot Springs in Arkansas
We had a great day out on the lake too!
What are RV rentals?
Renting an RV lets you enjoy the flexibility of RV travel without all the costs and maintenance of owning your own RV. Not everyone has the space or ability to purchase one and keep it parked at your home.
With an RV rental, you can book the perfect rig for any trip just like you would a car or hotel. With RVshare, you rent directly from the RV owner but get the backing of programs like roadside assistance, insurance, and stellar support from real, live people 24/7.
Is it expensive to rent an RV? What is the cost to rent an RV?
It’s not just the RV itself, but you need to budget including hidden costs like setup fees, cleaning fees, gas, mileage, etc.
The average RV rental per day cost varies depending on the class and the age of the RV. Typically, you can expect to see prices like these:
| RV Type | Cost per night, age – 10 years + | Cost per night, age – newer |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | $175-$275 | $350-$450 |
| Class B | $100-$200 | $200-$350 |
| Class C | $150-$200 | $225-$400 |
| Travel Trailer | $50-$125 | $125-$200 |
| Fifth Wheel | $60-$150 | $150-$300 |
Why may an RV Rental make sense for you?
If you love the idea of a cabin or camping experience, getting behind the wheel of a motorhome or RV allows you to get as close to nature as you’d like so you can spend the night under the stars. It’s really easy to find an RV rental nearby and there is a good selection around the DFW area.
You can self-cater or grab dinner on the way to your site for the night, or find a local eatery and settle down in the RV to sleep.
Choose the right size RV and look at sleeping arrangements. The one we rented said it sleeps 8 but with 2 tall teens, the 5 of us were all that could really fit. If it’s too small, even for one night it could be uncomfortable and spoil your vacation.
Can I bring my pets with me in my RV rental?
Some allow pets, when searching through the selection, it should indicate if their rental accepts pets. We find RVshare very easy to use.
You can do a search on RVshare.com for potential RVs you can rent, you can filter for pet-friendliness on the lefthand side panel.
Simply go to the Additional Filter section and check the box next to “Allows Pets.”
Top Tips for planning your RV Rental trip
- Look at pick-up and drop-off times as you want to be sure to arrive at your destination in the daylight to set up. As you’re dealing directly with the owner, they are usually quite flexible.
- Plan out meals and grocery shop beforehand, once you are hooked up, it’s difficult to just run into town to grab food. We brought our air fryer with us and my friends who have their own RV, always take their Insta pot for quick meals.
- Other things you should bring with you – Cookware, bedding, toilet paper, toaster, coffee machine, towels, washing liquid, chairs, outdoor propane cooker, salt and pepper, dish towels, scourer
- The owner will give you a run-through of everything you need to do when you pick it up.
How to use RVshare
1. Search by location
Tell us where you want to pick up or have your RV delivered
2. Filter search results
Sort by vehicle type, date, price, and amenities
3. Message the owner
Learn more about your favorite RV and the best local destinations
4. Request a booking
Send a request directly to the owner and start preparing for your adventure
How does RV Share work?
RVshare allows you to search through listings and connect you to owners in your local area, or at your destination.
You can search through thousands of options including Luxury Class A Diesel Pushers, Class B Camper Vans, Class C Motorhomes, and Travel Trailers.
Small travel trailers and camper vans can usually sleep 2-4 people comfortably. Mid-size trailers and motorhomes usually sleep 4-8. Bigger rigs often sleep 6-10, some even 12! We recommend you go up in size, especially for longer trips to ensure you’re all comfortable.
You can filter your search and compare RV rental prices, features, reviews, and more.
You can book online with secure payments and you can add rental insurance (at $40+ per day) and 24-hour roadside assistance included! Many rentals will ask for a refundable security deposit to be paid at the time of booking.
For your Electricity needs, you get 4 hours per night generator usage included with rental for free with Excess generator usage for $3.00/hour.
Check your mileage allowances, as our rental had 100 miles per night included with rental for free. Excess mileage costs an additional $0.35/mile
Outside the Minnie Winnie 
The back of the Minnie Winnie 
The double bed
Top Tips when you’re out on the Road
If you’re new to renting and driving an RV, it’s easier to drive than you think. All passengers will need to be in seatbelts while driving.
If you watch our video tour, you can see that some of your passengers will need to be seated in the main dining area as well as the captain seats. My son was able to play cards at the table with a seat belt on.
For your stops, considering stopping at Bucees and gas stations and remember you can’t do drive-thrus!
It’s easy to hook up and extend and it took about 15 mins to set up and about 30 mins to pack up and get on the road.
We hope this convinces you to look further into the possibility of renting an RV and using RVshare. We think it’s a great alternative to camping if it’s too hot or cold or it’s just not your thing.