As you already know, road trips are the big thing this summer, as many of us seek to avoid airplanes and hotels. Satisfy your wanderlust by renting an RV or camper, and enjoy the comforts of home on the road.
My husband and I started camping before our kids were born, and started taking them camping before they could walk.
I have fond memories of years of camping trips that included canoeing and kayaking, inner tubing, exploring streams, marveling at waterfalls, stargazing, watching wildlife of all sizes – from a safe and respectful distance, of course – and one particular hike from our campsite to track the varmint who left a trail of peach pits from the cooler we foolishly left outside overnight.
These days, neither my now-adult children nor I want to sleep on groundcloths in tents, zipped into our sleeping bags and tents.
These days I prefer the comfort, security and flexibility of an RV or camper.
While I have the utmost respect for backpackers like I used to be, these days I prefer “glamping”, and an RV rental is an easy, low-commitment way to do it.
The demand for campers these days is high. Besides being difficult to find a good deal on a camper, many of us New Yorkers don’t have a vehicle capable of towing one, or the knowledge of how to drive a vehicle in tow.
Also, owning an RV requires a commitment of time, money, storage space, and a vehicle capable of towing it.
A better answer – at least until you’re sure RV ownership is for you – is to rent.
These days, online services like RVshare make it much easier to find rental RVs.
If you want the comforts of home while getting up close and personal with the beautiful world around you, an RV rental is an easy, low-commitment way to do it.
RV Rentals Through RVshare
RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. Like the Airbnb of recreational vehicles, RVshare allows you to search for available vehicles and directly from the owner.
Founded in 2013, the company has more than 100,000 vehicles available – everything from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes that can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it’s a weekend of camping close to home or a cross-country tour of national parks.
You may even want to consider an RV rental the next time you need temporary lodgings for family coming into town or for short-term business stays.
What Kind of RV Can You Rent?
RVshare has rentals available in every state of the U.S. What’s available will vary depending on the location you are searching, but the inventory nationwide includes pop-ups, camper vans, travel trailers, motorhomes, and so on.
RVshare.com lets you search by location, dates, and number of sleepers you need to accommodate. Then you can filter the results on a variety of options and features and sort by relevance, distance, or price.
This lets you get quite specific about what you’re looking for, whether you need something that’s pet-friendly, can be delivered and set up for you, or is a true “glamper.” You might be surprised to learn that some RVs are as luxurious as any hotel room. (And they come with a better view!)
Choose your RV rental at RVshare.com
Finding an RV for Summer Travel
Demand for RVs has been high during the 2020 season, when we all want to get out and enjoy summer safely and without a lot of contact with crowds or time spent in enclosed environments.
Renting an RV is the perfect solution for summer, offering vacationers the ability to see the country while traveling safely.
You’ll want to make sure you’re renting from a reputable marketplace though.
Here are some benefits of renting with RVshare:
- Secure and instant booking/payment portal
- Worry-free rental guarantee that includes fraud protection
- Wide inventory of recreational vehicles, from affordable pop-ups to luxury motorhomes
- Largest RV rental marketplace with 60,000 five-star reviews from happy customers
- Safest and most trusted: 24/7 emergency roadside assistance on every booking
- Pet-friendly options!
- Delivery and stationary options
- One-way rentals available
- RVshare rental insurance covers both domestic and international renters and provides collision and comprehensive coverage
Book Your RV Rental at RVshare.com
Who Can Rent Through RVshare?
You must be 25 or older to rent through RVshare, but anyone with a valid drivers license can drive an RV.
They’re great for families, couples, and even individuals who want to hit the road for an adventure and stay self-contained in a recreational vehicle.
If you plan to bring along your pet, make sure you choose a pet-friendly listing.
Choose your RV rental at RVshare.com
How Much Does it Cost to Rent Through RVshare?
The average cost of a booking on RVshare is $150 per night. Most RVs in the inventory are offered on a per-night basis, although there may be special pricing for longer or extended rentals.
Rental rates are determined by each owner, and may vary depending on the size, style, type and location of the RV.
Delivery usually incurs an additional fee, which is set by each RV owner.
Where Can You Go in an RV?
With RVshare, you can stay close to home or travel farther afield. In either case, you could choose to tow or drive your rental, or look for delivery and setup rental options near the campground of your choice, including state and national park campgrounds.
While you could travel from coast to coast in the United States in a recreational vehicle from RVshare, with the current situation you’ll want to research which campgrounds and overnight options are open and pay attention to local requirements at your destination and along your route.
Traveling by RV can offer less contact along the route, as long as the vehicle is self-contained. This means you can pull over for a picnic lunch in your rental RV and even use the facilities when you need to.
Choose your RV rental at RVshare.com
RVshare as a Second Income
If you already own an RV, you could turn it into a second income. RVshare provides RV owners in North America the opportunity to turn their RV into a second income by bringing RV renters and RV owners together. Most RVs are used only two weeks out of the year; you could be using those other weeks to generate revenue on an otherwise unused vehicle.
Here are some benefits for owners participating in RVshare:
- Make money when your vehicle would otherwise be sitting unused
- List for free and earn up to $40,000 per year
- Get maximum exposure with RVshare’s reach of millions of renters per year
- Renter verification and insurance coverage included from the most trusted RV rental insurance company
- RVshare rental insurance is offered at no cost and owners are provided $1,000,000 in liability coverage as well as comprehensive and collision coverage for the value of their RV up to $200,000
- One-on-one support from rental coaches to set up your listing
RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. Founded in 2013, the company has more than 100,000 vehicles available – everything from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes that can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it’s a weekend of camping close to home or a cross-country tour of national parks.
You may even want to consider an RV rental the next time you need temporary lodgings for family coming into town or for short-term business stays.
Read my article about my road trip across North Africa, from Morocco to Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, in a VW camper on www.ecoxplorer.com.
So where are you traveling this summer on your family road trip?
Evelyn Kanter is a native New Yorker who has written for the NY Times, NY Daily News, NY Post, New York Magazine, and is a former on-air reporter for WCBS Newsradio 88 and WABC-TV Eyewitness News.
Evelyn Kanter also is the author of several NYC and Hudson Valley guidebooks, including my latest, 100 Things to Do in NYC Before You Die.
Purchase autographed copies by emailing evelyn@evelynkanter.com
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