More than 25 million Americans will go RV camping this summer. That’s a lot of people! Will you be one of them?
Many travelers are opting for an RV vacation because it’s a comfortable – and controllable – way to vacation. Industry experts say that RV sales are up 600% from a month ago. RV rentals were up 1000% in April 2020 over April 2019.
According to the RV Industry Association, 51% of those that plan to take a trip by RV this year say that concerns about the pandemic increased their interest in RV camping.
Advantages of RVs
Travelers say that an RV allows for the ability to maintain social distance while still take a vacation. They like having their own space, kitchen and bathroom which avoids the need to go to restaurants and allows for limited contact with others.
We think RV camping makes for a great family vacation, pandemic or not.
If you’re interested in renting an RV, but aren’t sure where to start, no problem. We’ve got you covered! The experts at Go RVing shared these tips with us.
Pick a type of RV
You’ll need to decide whether you want to drive a motorhome or tow a travel trailer. If you don’t have experience towing, a motorhome might be a better option.
If you do want to tow, make sure you check your vehicle owner’s manual to figure out how much weight you can tow. They’re definitely popular. Consider that over 88% of the RVs sold in 2019 were travel trailers. Smaller models can be towed by mid-size vehicles, including the family car, minivan, SUV or pickup truck. Larger travel trailers, like 5th wheels may require a heavy-duty pickup outfitted with a special hitch.
If you opt for a motorhome, there are a several choices. There’s everything from a camper van to a 40-foot motorhome. Go here to compare RV types.
If you decide on a motorhome, choose one that has enough room to seat each family member. Everyone should be seated and wearing a seatbelt when the RV is moving.
Also, think about sleeping configurations. Choose an RV that has enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably. Some offer over-cab beds, others have bunkbeds and most offer a pull-out couch and a dinette that turns into a bed.
Need advice for what to bring with you in your rental RV? Here’s a suggested packing list.
Find a dealer
You can locate a dealer near you through the GO RVing website. If there aren’t any dealers near you, try a site like Outdoorsy. Outdoorsy operates like Airbnb – matching RV owners with would-be RV renters.
You’ll enter your city and state, the dates you want to travel and the type of vehicle you think you want to rent.
Editor’s Note: KidTripster is a partner of Outdoorsy. KidTripster fans will receive insurance and $50 off when booking through Outdoorsy. Use this link to book. Full disclosure: KidTripster gets some coffee money at no additional cost to you.
Have insurance
You’re going to want to check with your auto insurance company to determine if your current coverage will also cover a rental RV.
If not, you can purchase insurance from the RV rental agency, just like when renting a car.
Check license requirements
In most states, you won’t need a special license to drive a motorhome.
To be certain, check with your state/local DMV to make sure that you don’t need extra licensing. It often comes down to the length and weight of the vehicle.
Read the fine print
Take some time to read the fine print in the rental contract. You’ll want to look out for a few things.
For instance, some rental companies charge extra if you go over a certain number of miles, use the generator more than the specified time. There might also be fees if you don’t empty the RV tanks or return the vehicle without cleaning it.
Watch a video
You’re going to want to prepare yourself before getting behind the wheel. Watch the tutorial on how to drive the RV and use its operating systems. The video might run 30-60 minutes.
You might want to use your phone to record portions of the video. They might come in handy later when you’re trying to remember how to work something.
What else do first time RVers need to know? Here are 10 lessons before you hit the road.
*Statistics provided by GO RVing. Sources include Ipsos, The RV Industry Association & KOA.
