If you’re new to RVing and thinking about trying it out, the rental world can feel like a lot to take in. This guide covers everything a first-time renter needs to know — from eligibility requirements to insurance, packing, and driving tips — so you can book your first trip with confidence and focus on the fun part.
RV Rental Requirements At A Glance
| Topic | What to Know |
| Minimum age | 25 (some owners may allow 21–24 with surcharges) |
| License required | Valid driver’s license — no CDL needed |
| Where to rent | Nationwide chains vs. peer-to-peer marketplaces like RVshare |
| Insurance | Included via RVshare Protection Plan (Essential Package default) |
| Roadside assistance | 24/7, included with every RVshare rental |
| Mileage | Choose rentals with unlimited miles if planning a long trip |
| Delivery | Available if you’d rather not drive or tow |
RV Rental Requirements
Qualifying to rent an RV is more straightforward than most first-timers expect. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a major credit card — no CDL required, regardless of the RV’s size. Temporary licenses typically aren’t accepted, and some rentals may require a credit reference, employment reference, or passport verification for international renters.
The standard minimum age to rent an RV is 25. Some states legally allow drivers as young as 21, and individual owners on peer-to-peer platforms can set their own policies — but renters between 21 and 24 should expect daily surcharges or additional restrictions even when allowed.
Where to Rent an RV
You have two main paths when looking for an RV rental.
- Nationwide rental companies are chains with locations across the country. Some of the better-known rental companies include Cruise America and El Monte RV. These are an okay choice for some, but they come with real limitations: locations aren’t available everywhere, and the RVs tend to be basic, with limited floor plans and few of the homier amenities many renters want.
- Peer-to-peer RV rental marketplaces connect you directly with individual RV owners. This is where RVshare comes in — and it’s the better option for most first-time renters looking for variety, character, and value.
Renting an RV with RVshare
RVshare is a peer-to-peer rental site that hosts the largest community of RV owners and renters. We have thousands of privately owned RVs available for rent in nearly every city in the country. RVshare’s selection of unique RVs comes in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and floor plans, and with all kinds of extra amenities to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect rig for you and your travel party.
How Booking Works
Head to rvshare.com and use the search box to get started:
- Enter your location, or where you want to rent the RV from. This could be anywhere you choose, whether that’s your hometown, or closer to your camping destination.
- Enter the dates you want to pick up and drop off your RV. If you can be a little flexible with your dates, you may be able to save a little extra money
- Select your desired RV type.
- Choose “destination delivery” if you would like your RV rental delivered.
- Filter your results by rental price, vehicle length, price range, pet policy, and amenities such as shower, toilet, refrigerator, TV, and more.
- When you see one you like, just click “request to book,” and that’s it!
If you have questions, you can message the owner directly. Every booking also includes a 24-hour travel concierge to help with any additional details.
Some RV owners also offer Instant Book, which lets you book your RV instantly without sending a request first. This makes booking your RV rental super quick and easy, as you don’t have to wait for the owner’s response to confirm.
RVshare Worry-Free Rental Guarantee
At RVshare, your safety and enjoyment are top priorities, which is why every rental comes with a worry-free guarantee. While we trust our owners to resolve their customers’ issues independently, we’re here in case something goes wrong.
The Worry-Free Rental Guarantee provides:
- Payment protection against fraudulent listings
- A dedicated Customer Experience team to answer your questions before, during, or after your reservation
- Rental assistance if the RV is significantly misrepresented or if you are denied access
- Our Booking Service team to rebook you another RV should your RV be canceled by an owner last minute
- Security deposit protection if a charge is wrongfully withheld after your reservation
Insurance and Roadside Assistance
One of the most important things to look for in an RV rental is roadside assistance. RVShare makes this easy by offering one of the best 24/7 RV roadside assistance programs. This will ensure your RV adventure is not ruined if any issues arise, so you can travel with peace of mind.
The RVshare Protection Plan also provides up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision RV insurance coverage based on the value of the RV, with coverage extending across all 50 states and Canada. The Essential Package is automatically included in your quote for RVs covered by the RVshare Protection Plan, and you can choose a different package at the time of booking if you want more or less coverage.
RV Rental Cost and Fees
Rental rates vary widely depending on several factors, such as the season, the RV’s size, its age, and the length of your trip. Similar to booking a hotel, the earlier you book, the better your chances of locking in a low rate.
You’ll have to pay a deposit to reserve the RV, and in most cases, you’ll need to post a refundable damage deposit as well. Regardless of which rental service you use, always check the rental terms, as there are often extra fees. These may include prep and cleaning fees, service fees, mileage fees, or generator fees. Other cost factors include tax and insurance.
Choosing the Right RV Rental
The next section of this guide will cover how to find and rent the right RV for you and your travel party. First, take a minute to learn about the different types of RVs. Once you’re familiar with the options, you’ll need to decide which one is best for you and what you wish to get out of your RV rental.
Try asking yourself the questions below and use your answers to narrow your options:
- What kind of camper am I? Do you like to rough it, or do you prefer to camp in style? Am I traveling to see sights or enjoy nature? Read this article to help you figure it out.
- How many people are traveling with me? A couple can be happy in a tiny camper. Meanwhile, a large family will need something bigger.
- What’s my budget? Obviously, you will need to find a rig in your budget.
- How often will I be moving? If you’ll be moving often, a motorhome is much more convenient than a trailer.
- Am I comfortable driving an RV? If the answer is no, an RV rental that can be delivered is a must.
Planning Your Route Ahead of Time
You likely already have an idea of where you want to go in your rental RV, but mapping out your route is good practice. It gives you a chance to identify the campgrounds you wish to visit. It’ll also help ensure you don’t go over daily mileage limits or run into low clearance bridges, steep grades, and other situations that could be dangerous in a large vehicle.
RV Rentals with Unlimited Miles
If you’re worried about daily mileage limits, you might want to look for rentals with unlimited miles.
If you choose an RVshare rental with a free mileage rate, you can travel the USA with peace of mind, knowing that you have free unlimited miles, and won’t be charged extra, no matter how far you travel.
Packing for an RV Trip
Another important aspect of RVing for beginners is figuring out what to pack.
First, consider where you’re going and the type of weather you’ll be camping in. If you’re camping during the summer, you’ll obviously want to think about items like bug spray and sunscreen. If you’ll be doing some winter camping, a ski coat and extra blankets might go on your list.
It’s also never a bad idea to plan for unexpected weather, even for summer camping, as temperatures can drastically change from day to night. We recommend always having a rain jacket, ponchos, an umbrella, and long shirts/pants — just in case! You never know when a thunderstorm or cold front might roll in.
Pack accordingly for any adventures you plan to partake in. This could mean bringing hiking boots, snow gear, or beach towels. Your list should include everything you need to stay comfortable and safe on your RV adventure.
What does my RV rental come with?
Of course, you won’t need to pack those things that are included with your rental. Find out if these items come on board your RV rental, so you know what you need to bring along.
- Coffee maker/ french press
- Microwave
- Oven
- Eating and cooking utensils
- Measuring cups
- Cutting boards
- Grill
- Generator
- Cleaning supplies
- Emergency supplies like a first aid kit, tool kit, and fire extinguisher
- Fire starting supplies
- Trash bags
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Bath/ Kitchen towels
- Flashlight
Always Inspect your RV Rental
Before you set off on your RV adventure, conducting a reasonable inspection is good practice. Make sure to note any cosmetic, mechanical, or structural issues so that you have a record to clear up any confusion later on. If you notice any glaring issues that could affect the quality of your trip, consider the ramifications carefully. You may also be able to use these flaws to negotiate a discounted rate with the owner.
Driving an RV
As you might imagine, driving an RV is quite different from driving a regular vehicle, and certain RV models can even be very different from one another in terms of how they drive. Although the RV owner will almost certainly give you a quick rundown of how to operate their vehicle, it’s a good idea to gather some information on how to drive the RV you’ll be renting.
Some of our favorite RV driving tips include the following:
- Leave plenty of distance. Big rigs don’t stop as quickly as smaller vehicles. Leave yourself plenty of extra room to put those brakes to work.
- Look ahead. Because braking can take longer, make sure to always be watching as far ahead as possible so you can anticipate stops.
- Take turns wide and slow. Turning in a large vehicle or when towing is tricky. Make sure to slow way down and take turns wide in order to avoid hitting trees, poles, and curbs.
- Avoid low bridges and steep grades. Low clearances and steep mountainsides are recipes for disaster in an RV. Avoid these troublesome obstacles by using a trucker’s atlas to plan your route.
- Know how to hitch up properly. Doing a poor job hitching up could be a huge problem down the road. Make sure your vehicle is rated to tow the trailer in question, and then hitch it up correctly before you pull out. (Of course, this assumes you’ll be going in a travel trailer or fifth wheel instead of a motorhome.)
- Know how to back up and park safely. This is incredibly tricky at first, and since you need this skill to pull into almost any campsite, learning ahead of time is ideal. Consider asking the owner if you can take the RV for a quick test drive with them before you head out.
- Watch the weather. Driving an RV in high winds, snow, or even rain can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, we strongly recommend keeping a close eye on the weather at all times and avoiding days that could be problematic in terms of weather.
RV Rental Delivery
If you’ve booked your RV for delivery, chances are it’s because you’re traveling from out of state or looking to avoid towing or driving the RV altogether. For a newbie, this is totally understandable and even recommended if you’re not quite comfortable with the idea of taking an RV on the road yet. The owner of the RV will simply meet you at your desired destination with the RV rental and set it up for you.
The delivery price range is defined using two rate types: a delivery base rate and a fee for delivery over a certain mileage.
- The delivery base rate represents a fixed price that a renter will be charged for traveling up to a set mileage
- The fee for delivery over a certain mileage represents a per-mile charge up to a set mileage outside of the owner’s delivery base rate range
Stationary RV Rentals
If you don’t wish to tow or drive an RV, you also have the option to book a stationary RV rental with RVshare. This can make for a great getaway if the owner’s property is a destination in itself. The RV owner will provide a description of the property where the RV is located and help you understand what kind of hookups are offered (dry or not) as part of the rental.
Hopefully this guide to RV rental for newbies helped you out. Now why not apply what you’ve learned and book your rental RV today? The sooner you start planning, the sooner you’ll be out there having the time of your life.
