Pros and Cons of Renting Out Your RV [Real Owner Opinions]

Should you rent out your RV?

With peer-to-peer rentals becoming more and more popular, you’re probably asking yourself if it’s worth it or not. We know that you have questions, and we want to answer them — truthfully.

Warning!
This blog won’t be your typical pro and con post where we give you superficial reasons why you should or shouldn’t rent your RV. This post is different. It’s real. We surveyed and spoke with RV owners who’ve been in your position and once questioned RV rentals themselves.

By the end of this article, you should feel confident that you have the information you need to determine whether or not you should rent out your RV.

Let’s get started.

What do RVers like about renting out their RVs?

Make easy money

Renting your RV is one of the easiest ways to make money. Depending on the type of RV you own, you can make on average $1,400 a week by renting your RV when you aren’t using it. The money you make while your RV would otherwise be sitting in storage could help recoup monthly payments and pay for bucket-list upgrades like solar, lithium-ion batteries, or a sweet off-road package.

Did you know? Listing your RV is completely free on RV Travel Central. We take care of everything from insurance, to renter screenings, to roadside assistance, and marketing your RV listing.

Think of all of the fun things you can do with the money you make renting out your RV. Reward yourself and let your RV rentals pay for your family’s upcoming RV road trip!

Set your own schedule

Renting out your RV on RV Travel Central is flexible. Set your availability and customize your calendar to rent your rig how you want and when you want. You have complete control over your listing, so you can choose the best times for pickup and drop-off and even maximize your earnings by offering delivery. Best of all? You can control your listing and bookings in the palm of your hand with the RV Travel Central app.

An added benefit: Because you set your own schedule, you also have the option to block off your calendar for your own RV trips or other important events. Basically, you’re making money while you’re not using your RV. You can’t beat that.

RV Travel Central tip: Consider keeping your rental schedule open during peak travel times like holidays or weekends. The more availability you have, the more money you will make. Keep in mind that high-demand weekends can rent for 30-40% more than your average nightly rate. So, switching up your vacation dates can help you earn the big bucks while avoiding busy campgrounds.

Experience people’s first time RVing

It’s exciting to see people fall in love with the RV community. Ask almost any RVer, and they will tell you one of their favorite parts of the RV lifestyle is the people they meet along the road. When you rent your RV, you get to experience travel through someone else’s eyes. It’s almost as if you get a newbie proud-parent moment.

Consider this: Every time you talk to an RVer, you learn something worth sharing, even when you are a seasoned traveler. How many times have you camped somewhere new or purchased an RV gadget because another RVer recommended it? Consider each drop-off as an opportunity to learn more about RVing.

The extra mile: Since renting an RV is a personalized experience, some owners prepare little thank you gifts for their renters. Thoughtful items like s’more kits, wine, coffee, colored fire packs, citronella candles, and toiletries help renters feel special. Going the extra mile isn’t required, but the thoughtful gesture helps the renters feel like a part of the RV community before they’ve even set up camp! Plus, the good reviews you get helps your RV show up higher in the search results.

Have peace of mind

Your RV is in good hands with RV Travel Central. From the beginning of the rental until the end, RV Travel Central’s thorough rental process has you covered. RV Travel Central only accepts qualified renters, and their insurance, support, documentation, and checkout process is second-to-none. As an owner, you can have peace of mind knowing that your RV is fully protected during every rental. Owners also have a team of supporters on their side. The Owners Facebook Group (RV Travel Central) and the customer service team are there with you for the whole process. If you’ve got a question, someone can answer it.

Did you know?: RV Travel Central is the only peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace that handles insurance claims for its owners. Other platforms require owners to handle insurance claims on their own.

Words of wisdom from an RV Travel Central owner: “…the best part is that your personal insurance is never affected by any incidents that happen during a rental through RV Travel Central. In case of any accident or collision, any claim will be handled directly by RV Travel Central.” — Emilie Robichaud, Nomad Junkies

Try out new RVs

Do you have one of the hottest RV rentals in your city? At times, you might feel like you have to choose between the easy money of renting out your RV and using your rig for yourself.

The great thing about renting out your RV is that it allows you to offset the costs of trying out new RVs. Whether you’re looking to buy or simply want to upgrade your ride, RV Travel Central offers several RV options to choose from.

The perfect RV for your trip: Not every RV trip or destination is created equal. Instead of sticking to an itinerary that accommodates your RV, why not try something different? Try swapping your large Class A motorhome for a smaller and more nimble Class B camper. That way, you will have no trouble parking in the smaller campgrounds or exploring length-restricted areas within your favorite national parks.

Try before you buy: The best way to decide if you want the 27 foot or the 30-foot Airstream is to rent one. Renting can help you make up your mind faster than you can flip through floor plans online.

What do RVers dislike about renting out their RVs?

Fear of damage

“What happens if a renter damages my RV?” — every RV owner

You probably could have guessed that fear of damage is at the top of most potential owners’ minds. We get it. Your RV is your baby, and the thought of something happening to it is scary.

That’s why it’s important to choose a trusted rental marketplace, like RV Travel Central, to help you through every step of the rental process, even when things don’t go as you expected.

Less than 1% of all bookings on RV Travel Central result in a claim. The items most commonly reported for damage are awnings, interior floors, side panels, and windshields.

Walking your renters through the RV Travel Central rental checklist before the trip is the best way to ensure a successful rental experience for both you and your renter.

Got more questions about what’s covered? Trust and safety is our top priority. If you still have questions visit the RV Travel Central help center or give us a call within the RV Travel Central app.

Wear and tear

No doubt about it. Depending on the type of RV you own, you’ll need to replace tires, windshield wipers, fluids, and perform routine maintenance more frequently when you rent out your RV. Wear and tear is part of RVing, no matter who is behind the wheel.

If you are concerned about the cost of more maintenance, read your manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule and estimate how much it will cost to complete the work more often. However, you can rest assured, your RV rental income earned on RV Travel Central will easily cover the added maintenance costs and then some. If you’re nervous about renters adding miles onto your RV, make sure to adjust your mileage allocations and mileage fees. RV Travel Central provides recommendations based on your RV type during the RV listing process.

Heads up: Storing your RV long-term without performing proper maintenance can damage your RV and increase maintenance costs. In some cases, elements like the sun and extreme cold can accelerate RV-system failure more quickly. Whether you own a motorhome or a trailer, routine maintenance is imperative while your RV is in use or storage.

Prep and clean up

Everyone appreciates clean accommodations, and clean RVs aren’t just expected; they’re required. To get a rental ready, owners must follow the checklist and prep the interior and exterior of the RV. Depending on how you use your RV, the cleaning process might involve removing your personal items. If you include bedding and towels in your rental, you can expect to do a little laundry. Cleaning might be as simple as a quick wipe down, vacuum, and dust, but it may also include dumping tanks and filling onboard water or propane.

Owner tip: Can’t stand cleaning? Don’t let your dislike of dusting keep you from renting out your RV. With RV Travel Central, you can charge a cleaning fee to hire a mobile cleaning crew that can prep your RV for your next rental. If you decide to do it yourself, you get to pocket the extra income.

Lack of experience

Not every renter has RVing experience. For some, renting an RV is like dipping a toe in the RV lifestyle. Renters want to try everything out before they decide to buy an RV themselves. This try-before-you-buy mentality might concern potential owners, but remember, even you were an RV newbie once, too. Thankfully, RV Travel Central’s rental tools help compensate for what might feel like a lack of experience.

• Communicate — Talk to your renters before they arrive and address any fears or concerns on either side. Since you are the teacher, you get to help renters feel confident before they hit the road. Building trust on both ends of the transaction will help everyone feel more at ease.
• Provide options — Offer delivery if you don’t think driving or towing is the best option for your renter.
• Use RV Travel Central’s tools — The checklist, walkthrough, and test drive will help guide your renters through the ins and outs of your RV.
• Chat with the support team —Just like the newbie RVer wants to know that they’ve got you on their side, RV Travel Central wants you to remember that we’re here to help you, too.

What RV Travel Central owners think: “Newbie renters don’t scare me. They are more attentive and more careful with the RV.” — Debora Connolly, RV Travel Central owner

People in your space

Does the thought of someone other than yourself sleeping in your bed freak you out? Rest assured, it’s not as bad as you think. If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel or Airbnb before, chances are, you’ve slept in the same bed that hundreds of other people have slept in.

Consider this: When you rent your RV, you have total control over your laundry. That means you can wash your bedding twice! Still weirded out? Swap mattresses! Have one mattress for renters and one for yourself. Think of the mattress-swap option as a way to upgrade your bed game.

What germs?: RV Travel Central’s checklist cleaning protocols help protect the owner and the renter. When both parties follow the cleaning standards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), germs won’t have a chance to survive. There is a reason why RVing is one of the safest ways to travel if you want to avoid contact with other people.

Trust in RV Travel Central

You might feel a little apprehensive during your first rental. It’s ok. New things are always a little scary. Remember how you felt the first time you took your RV out? Now, RVing feels like second nature. You will quickly learn the ins and outs of the process and be more comfortable with each rental.

Renting out your RV can be a rewarding and lucrative experience. Regardless of what you decide to do, research is an important first step. When you are ready to take the next step and list your RV on RV Travel Central, North America’s most trusted peer-to-peer RV rental platform, we’ll be here for you every step of the way.