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. 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, check out 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 want 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, book an RV rental that can be delivered.
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 a good idea. It gives you a chance to identify the campgrounds where you want to stay. 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.
What you pack depends heavily on where you’re going and what the weather will be like. Summer trips call for bug spray and sunscreen; winter camping means a warm coat and extra blankets. Even in summer, it’s smart to pack for unexpected weather — a rain jacket, poncho, and a few long-sleeved layers cover you for sudden temperature swings or storms.
Beyond weather gear, pack for whatever activities you have planned — hiking boots, snow gear, beach towels, whatever fits your itinerary.
What’s Already Included in Your RV Rental?
Many RV rentals come stocked with items you won’t need to pack yourself. Check your listing for:
- Coffee maker or French press
- Microwave and oven
- Cooking and eating utensils, measuring cups, cutting boards
- Grill
- Generator
- Cleaning supplies
- Emergency supplies (first aid kit, tool kit, fire extinguisher)
- Fire-starting supplies
- Trash bags, toilet paper, paper towels
- Bath and kitchen towels
- Flashlight
Inspect Your RV Before You Set Off
Before you set off on your RV adventure, it’s good practice to conduct a thorough inspection. Make sure to note any cosmetic, mechanical, or structural issues, so you have a record to clear up any confusion later. 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: What First-Timers Should Know
Driving an RV is different from driving a standard vehicle, and different RV models handle very differently. While most owners will give you a quick orientation before you leave, it helps to go in with some baseline knowledge.
- 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 further ahead than usual: 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.
- 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.)
- Practice backing up and parking: 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 delivery because you’re traveling from out of state or simply don’t want to drive or tow, the owner will meet you at your destination with the RV set up and ready to go.
Delivery pricing typically has two parts: a base rate covering delivery up to a set mileage, and a per-mile fee for any distance beyond that 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. 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.
Key Takeaways
- The standard minimum age to rent an RV is 25, with no CDL required regardless of RV size — though peer-to-peer owners may set their own policies for renters 21–24.
- Peer-to-peer platforms like RVshare offer significantly more variety in floor plans and amenities than nationwide chains, which tend to be limited to basic models.
- Every RVshare rental includes 24/7 roadside assistance, a 24-hour travel concierge, and the Worry-Free Rental Guarantee, which covers payment protection, support access, and rebooking assistance.
- The RVshare Protection Plan’s Essential Package is automatically included with covered rentals, offering up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage across all 50 states and Canada.
- Always inspect your rental before departure and document any existing issues — this protects you and may open the door to a discounted rate if problems are significant.
- If mileage limits worry you, look specifically for RVshare listings with unlimited miles before booking.
- Plan your route in advance to identify campgrounds, avoid daily mileage overages, and steer clear of low bridges and steep grades that are hazardous in a large vehicle.
