Average RV Prices New Used And Rentals

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Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Paul Clayton

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Average RV Prices New Used and Rentals

If you are considering an RV for vacation, you have two choices: You can make an outright purchase or rent a vehicle for the length of your holiday. You must be aware of the RV Prices and costs you’re likely to encounter.

Both options have merit, and your choice is personal, so let’s examine your options.

As it’s impossible to cover all aspects of buying or renting in one article, given the vast number of ramifications, this review will give you some broad brushstrokes that you can use. Look at this as an exercise to help you decide what is most likely the best path for you to follow.

We will examine outright purchases, including some pitfalls to avoid when buying, and then consider the costs of renting for a vacation.

RV Prices: Purchase Outright

The purchase of an RV requires careful consideration. Before you leap into buying the flashy unit advertised in the morning newspaper, perhaps you should understand exactly what you are getting into.

Things that you should be considering are (a) what you intend to do with this RV, (b) what your family needs concerning traveling, and (c) how much you can spend upfront and how much it will cost you each month.

What do you intend to do with this RV?

This may sound like a ludicrous question, but it does need some thought.

Do you intend to live in the RV full-time and become a gypsy?
Is this RV just for vacations? If so, where do you plan to travel with it? If you are an adventurous family, it is highly unlikely that you want to take a million-dollar motorhome and drag it through the wilderness so you can undertake wilderness adventures.
What tow car do you have, or will you want a coach RV?
How many people will you need to accommodate?
Will you use this during winter, when heating will be an issue?

All of these questions must be considered first so you have a good idea of what you want to buy, as there is a vast difference in price between a travel trailer, a 5th wheel trailer, and a coach-type RV.

Types of RV

There are several types of RV, and the class or type of RV can also drastically affect the price. Let’s start by looking at the RV classes you will find on the market.

Class A

Class A RVs are the very large coach-style RVs. They vary in size, but most are between 20 and 45 feet long and are normally the epitome of luxury RV travel. They can be either gas or diesel-powered, but regardless of the fuel type, they will be heavy on the gas; they are large vehicles carrying a heavy load.

This class of RV will be fitted with all the modern conveniences. It is difficult to maneuver and will not fit into many smaller campgrounds.

Class B

In some circles, this is the smallest type of RV and is also known as campervans or sleeper-vans. It is the easiest RVs to drive and will also be cheaper to buy and run. However, due to its reduced size, it will not have all the luxury conveniences fitted.

However, they still have the basic amenities and can make for a great, less expensive vacation. These RVs will fit in any campground.

Class C

This is the “medium” size RV. It is built on the chassis of a medium-sized truck and will give you all you need for a comfortable holiday. These are the campers with the over-cab sleeping area.

They will contain more modest amenities than class A but are still fitted with all you need for a lovely camping holiday. They are also gas- or diesel-powered, but their fuel consumption will be considerably less than that of Class A vehicles.

Campers

The truck camper is typically made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or fiberglass and is designed to be easily loaded and unloaded from the pickup truck bed. Its appearance is that of a Class B RV. Truck campers are the easiest to maneuver and the least expensive to operate.

Truck campers come in various sizes and configurations, from small and basic units with a sleeping area and minimal amenities to larger models that offer more living space and amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and heating/cooling systems.

Pop-Up and Foldable Trailers

This is the first type of towed RV. These are the smallest and most compact travel trailers. When closed, they appear something like a utility trailer, but they reveal a travel trailer once at the campground. Due to their lack of space, they will contain the most basic amenities, but because they are lightweight, they are easy to tow and will impact your fuel consumption the least.

Travel Trailers

There is a large selection of towable RVs, and their sizes vary considerably. They range in size and weight from lightweight, single-axle trailers to large, luxurious, double-axel models. Many floorplans are available, and the amenities are quite varied, so look around before buying.

5th Wheel Trailers

These are also towable RVs, but they must be towed by a truck, as the hitch is specialized and has to be fitted to the truck’s bed. This type of towable RV is large and usually luxurious, with more than one level of accommodation. It can also be difficult to accommodate in many smaller campgrounds.

Some examples of the cost of RVs

Before going into the cost overview, here are a few examples of the prices you are looking at for various RVs. Age, mileage, and condition also play a considerable part in assessing a vehicle’s value.

Travel trailers: As mentioned earlier, travel trailers can range from $10,000 to $50,000, with luxury models costing up to $150,000 or more. Here’s a breakdown of some specific models and their prices:

Forest River R-Pod: This small travel trailer costs around $18,000 for a new model.
Airstream Basecamp: The Airstream Basecamp is a stylish and modern travel trailer that starts at around $38,000 for a new model.
Keystone Montana: The Keystone Montana is a larger and more luxurious travel trailer, with prices starting at around $50,000 for a new model.

Class B campervans: Class B campervans are generally more expensive than travel trailers, with prices starting at around $80,000 and going up to $200,000 or more for luxury models. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Winnebago Travato: This popular campervan starts at around $120,000 for a new model.
Airstream Interstate: The Airstream Interstate is a high-end campervan with prices starting at around $175,000 for a new model.
Hymer Aktiv: The Hymer Aktiv is a European-style campervan that starts at around $105,000 for a new model.

Class C motorhomes: Class C motorhomes are larger and more spacious than campervans, with prices ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Thor Four Winds: The Thor Four Winds is a popular Class C motorhome that starts at around $80,000 for a new model.
Winnebago Minnie Winnie: The Winnebago Minnie Winnie is another popular Class C motorhome. A new model starts at around $90,000.
Coachmen Freelander: The Coachmen Freelander is a budget-friendly Class C motorhome. A new model starts at around $70,000.

Class A motorhomes: Class A motorhomes are the largest and most luxurious RVs, with prices ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Fleetwood Bounder: The Fleetwood Bounder is a popular Class A motorhome that starts at around $170,000 for a new model.
Newmar Dutch Star: The Newmar Dutch Star is a high-end Class A motorhome with prices starting at around $350,000 for a new model.
Prevost H3-45: The Prevost H3-45 is a luxury motorcoach that can cost over $1 million when fully customized. Liberty now has a model that is over 2 million.

Here is some Camper pricing

Truck campers: Truck campers are designed to be loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck. They are compact and easy to maneuver, making them popular for those going off-road. Prices for new truck campers can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size and features. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Palomino Backpack: This lightweight truck camper costs around $10,000 for a new model.
Lance 825: The Lance 825 is a popular truck camper that starts at around $30,000 for a new model.
Arctic Fox 811: The Arctic Fox 811 is a high-end truck camper, and a new model starts at around $50,000.

Teardrop campers: Teardrop campers are small, lightweight trailers designed to be towed by a car or SUV. They typically have a small sleeping area and basic amenities like a kitchenette and storage space. Prices for new teardrop campers can range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the size and features. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Little Guy Mini Max: This compact teardrop camper costs around $25,000 for a new model.
Escapod Topo: The Escapod Topo is an off-road teardrop camper with prices starting at around $19,000 for a new model.
Polydrops P17A: The Polydrops P17A is a futuristic teardrop camper with prices starting at around $14,000 for a new model.

Off-road campers: Off-road campers are designed to be rugged and durable, allowing them to handle rough terrain and challenging conditions. They typically have features like heavy-duty suspension, high ground clearance, and all-terrain tires. Prices for new off-road campers can range from $15,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the size and features. Here are some specific models and their prices:

Bruder EXP-6: The Bruder EXP-6 is a luxurious off-road camper with prices starting at around $150,000 for a new model.
Boreas XT: The Boreas XT is a high-end off-road camper with prices starting at around $40,000 for a new model.
Turtleback Adventure: The Turtleback Adventure is a mid-range off-road camper with prices starting at around $20,000 for a new model.

Small campers, also known as micro campers or mini campers, are compact and lightweight trailers designed to be towed by a car or SUV. They are a great option for those who want to go camping without the hassle and expense of a larger RV. Here are some examples of small campers and their estimated costs:

Happier Camper HC1: The Happier Camper HC1 is a compact and customizable camper that starts at around $26,000 for a new model.
Airstream Basecamp: The Airstream Basecamp is a stylish and modern small camper. A new model starts at around $40,000.
Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro: The Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro is a lightweight and affordable small camper that starts at around $20,000 for a new model.
Taxa Cricket: The Taxa Cricket is a unique and rugged small camper that starts at around $37,000 for a new model.
nuCamp TAB: The nuCamp TAB is a cute, retro-inspired small camper. A new model starts at around $23,000.

Pop-up campers, also known as tent trailers, are lightweight and affordable camping trailers that offer the convenience of a camper with the flexibility and outdoor feel of tent camping. Their collapsible design allows them to be easily towed and stored when not in use. Here are some examples of pop-up campers and their estimated costs:

Forest River Flagstaff: The Forest River Flagstaff is a popular and well-reviewed pop-up camper. A new model starts at around $10,000.
Jayco Jay Sport: The Jayco Jay Sport is a spacious and comfortable pop-up camper that starts at around $13,000 for a new model.
Coachmen Clipper: The Coachmen Clipper is a lightweight and affordable pop-up camper. A new model starts at around $8,000.
Palomino Puma: The Palomino Puma is a versatile and well-equipped pop-up camper. A new model starts at around $12,000.
Starcraft Comet: The Starcraft Comet is a modern and stylish pop-up camper. A new model starts at around $15,000.

Remember that these prices are just estimates and can vary depending on the dealer, location, and specific features and options you choose. Additionally, all RVs depreciate over time, so a used RV of any type will generally be less expensive than a new one.

RV Ownership Cost Overview

There are several categories of cost that the prospective RV owner needs to assess.

Initial Purchase Costs

When browsing the internet or dealer sites, the initial purchase cost of the vehicle is usually the first thing people think of, but remember that this is not the only piece of the purchasing puzzle you must consider.

Sticker Price

It is wise to take your time and look around before settling on any vehicle. Mint-condition, pre-owned vehicles can substantially save on purchasing new, and you should not simply discount pre-owned in favor of new.

A nice, pre-owned camper or travel trailer might set you back around $15,000, while a 5th wheel or a late model, pre-owned RV of similar quality will make a dent of, at a minimum, $40,000 in your wallet. A new, middle-of-the-road motor home should cost you in the region of $150,000, while the most expensive will ask you to part with $1 million or more.

Extended Warranties

It is worth your while to look at any extended warranties that are in place for the unit you are considering. If you are good with your hands and can undertake a lot of maintenance work on your own, then the warranty may not be justified, but if you are not a handyman, then spending a few hundred dollars upfront may save you a great deal in repair costs at a dealer’s workshop.

Finance Costs

Very few families can afford to part with the money required to buy an RV in cash, so you will likely be looking to finance this purchase. As with any financing plan, how you pay for your purchase will enormously affect your ultimate price.

All finance contracts depend on four variables: your credit score and history, the amount you put down, the interest rate, and the length of time you take to repay the loan.

A good credit score is essential, no matter your country. In the USA, this number is expressed between 300 and 850, with a higher score being preferable, and in the UK, it is similar.

The score calculation will vary from country to country, but they will all be based on roughly the same variables. These include your payment history for all loans and credit cards (especially any late payments and how severe the delay in paying) and the number, type, and age of any credit-based accounts you have. And how you service those accounts, the total amount of debt you are carrying, and any public records of bankruptcy.

How many recently opened credit accounts do you have, how many people have requested a credit report on you, how much revolving credit do you have, and how is it used? A quick search on the internet will give you several sites that will allow you to check your score.

Basic finance tells us that the larger your down payment, the smaller the monthly repayments and the shorter the term. Small amounts down can mean large monthly payments.

The longer the term over which the contract is repaid generally means lower monthly premiums but ultimately a higher total cost as the interest paid will be higher throughout the deal. Shorter terms mean higher monthly payments but a lower overall cost as the total interest paid will be smaller.

Examples:

Purchase a new RV for a sticker price of $150,000 with a deposit of $50,000. The interest rate is 5% over 15 years.

In this example, the monthly payment is $790.79 with a total interest of $42,342.85, making the total cost of this vehicle $193,842.85

In this example, if we reduce the number of years to 10, the monthly payment rises to $1,060.66, but the overall interest drops to $27,278.62, and the total vehicle cost is $178,778.62.

Reducing the time by five years has saved a total of $15,064.23.

What you pay depends on your circumstances and what you can repay monthly. Make sure you consider the payment with your budget so that when you negotiate, you know what payment range you need to stay within.

Sales Tax

Where you purchase your RV can affect the final price of your vehicle. Some states do not charge sales tax, while in others, you can add 5, 6, or even 9% to the vehicle’s sticker price.

Registration and Annual Licensing

The registration of an RV can add considerably to the initial purchase price. Each state in the USA has its method of calculating the cost of registration and you will have to look up the fees applicable in the state where you wish to register the vehicle. State fees vary as some states use age, some a flat rate, some value, and others fuel efficiency.

Europe and the UK also have their means of calculating registration and annual fees, so ensure that you find out what they are so they can be added to your calculations.

Insurance

The insurance industry does not consider RV dwellings, so you do not need to purchase homeowners or flood insurance. However, as an RV is an automobile, you must buy automobile insurance.

Your insurance company’s charges will be based on standard items such as the drivers’ ages, driving records, financial history, and vehicle value. Check with your insurer before purchasing, as not all companies will insure RVs.

Also, it is wise to remember that RVs, like all automobiles, will be insured at their current value, not replacement value. If your RV is stolen or seriously damaged somehow, you may find yourself in a situation where you still owe thousands of dollars after being paid out by the insurer. Investigating Gap Coverage and factoring that into your insurance coverage behooves you.

Gap Coverage will pay you the difference between your current vehicle value and your outstanding financial commitment to the vehicle.

Double-check what your insurance covers if you have expensive items inside the vehicle. You may need additional all-risks insurance to cover the vehicle’s contents rather than merely the vehicle itself.

Tow or towed vehicles and their costs

Here, we are looking at two different types of vehicles. The first is a tow vehicle used to pull a travel trailer or a 5th wheel, and the second is towed behind your RV to provide ease of transport once parked in a campsite.

If you are considering purchasing a 5th wheel or a travel trailer, you must assess the capability of your current car to tow the trailer you intend to purchase. 5th wheel units can only be hauled by trucks, so if you do not currently own a truck, the cost of purchasing one must be added to your budget.

If you are considering purchasing a coach-type RV, especially Class A or C, you should seriously consider towing a small car behind the RV. Nothing is more frustrating than getting to a campsite and setting up your camp only to discover that you are missing something important.

Maneuvering such a large vehicle in tight spaces and small supermarket parking lots can be a nightmare, so a car towed behind your RV makes excellent sense. Also, if you want to do some sightseeing in the area, driving around in your coach can be almost impossible, especially on small country roads. Hence, another vehicle is a good idea that may make your trip more memorable.

Maintenance of your RV

Like any other vehicle, an RV requires regular maintenance and servicing to stay in good condition and safely drive on the road. Again, the costs will depend very much on the age and condition of your RV, as well as where you take it and how many miles you drive.

The maintenance costs are highly unlikely to be similar each month, making budgeting difficult. You can expect many months to go by with no charges and then be hit with a few thousand in one month, so a separate savings account with maintenance money set aside will help smooth these bumps in your family spending. The same account can be used to save for your annual expenses, such as insurance, registration, and licensing costs.

Some of the costs to consider for a coach type of RV:

Servicing – the costs of tires, oil, coolant, brake components, clutch components, and batteries.
Condition Maintenance includes replacing carpets and upholstery, repairing or replacing cupboards, doors, mattresses, and appliances, and painting and detailing the exterior.
Equipment Maintenance includes thermostats for heating and cooling equipment, regular air conditioning and heating hardware serviced, and pump replacement for water and sewerage.

Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels will have lower maintenance costs as they do not have an engine to consider, but those maintenance costs will be necessary for the tow vehicle.

Some hidden expenses to consider

Not all the costs of purchasing and owning an RV are apparent upfront. Here are a few expenses that may catch you out if you do not consider them:

Storage costs – not everyone has the space to store their RV at home when it is not in use. Admittedly, you can opt to hire your RV out when it is not in use by your family, but this comes with additional risks as well, and it isn’t likely that you’d be able to rent it out constantly, so you still need storage. Parking an RV at a storage facility can set you back as much as $2,000 to $3,000 per year, so ensure that you factor this in.
If you intend to live for long periods in your RV, understand that campsites close to big cities or popular tourist destinations will cost more than those in smaller towns or off the beaten track.
Electricity, gas, and propane prices vary considerably around the county and can significantly affect travel costs.
Speed will seriously affect your costs. Maintaining a safe 55 mph will save you considerable gas, diesel, and money.
The wear and tear on your RV is not always readily apparent, but the more you use the vehicle, the more wear and tear there is.

Your Lifestyle will affect your RV costs

RV enthusiasts come from all strata of society and a myriad of backgrounds. What one family may consider a necessity, another will consider a luxury or an extravagance they can do without. This means that the type of campsite you want to use, where you choose to eat, and what you choose to do for entertainment will all directly bear the cost of owning your RV.

Your wallet may well become the judge of what you can do and which options you choose, as all these options are graded by cost:

There can be a vast difference between the two campsites regarding what they offer and how much each night costs. Campgrounds that offer every luxury will cost more per night than a campsite that offers fewer luxuries. Purchasing a copy of the 2025 Good Sam Travel Savings Guide for the RV & Outdoor Enthusiast is a good idea. It will cost around $25.
This guide lists over 12,000 campsites in the USA and Canada and can save you thousands of dollars in campsite fees by allowing you to choose the one that suits your pocket rather than the one you are directed to by well-meaning locals.
Wild Camping is free.
There are many “primitive” campgrounds, where you can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per night. These campgrounds have ablution facilities, but it is unlikely that there will be electricity or water on your site.
National Parks will average around $25 to $30 per night for reasonable facilities.
There are many luxurious campgrounds with water and electrical hookups on site, laundries, restaurants, swimming pools, planned activities, and optional extras such as access to golf courses or horseback riding. These will cost around $50 per night.
Meals. It is a simple fact that eating what you prepare yourself will cost less than eating out all the time. This is also true while traveling, but being on the road should not stop you from preparing your own meals. All RV campers and trailers come equipped with fridges, so keeping your food fresh and cooking your meals should not be difficult.
Trade labor for a stay. This can be an option on many sites. If you are good with your hands, it may be possible to trade a certain amount of maintenance work for a free stay. Many campgrounds are happy to offer you the position of Campground Host.
Exploring the Local Life is a blog that will tell you more about campground hosting and the RV lifestyle. This job entails staying for free in exchange for doing some light maintenance and cleaning, answering queries from campers, offering information on the surrounding area, taking fees, and acting as the owner’s eyes and ears while not in attendance. Workers on Wheels gives job listings for campground hosting and other ways to earn money while living in an RV.

Costs of Actually Traveling

Many people have the misguided notion that traveling with an RV is an inexpensive way to live. This may be true for some people, but it will not be true for all. Most large, coach-type RVs will get, at best, 8 to 12 miles to the gallon so that driving can be an expensive pastime. This is also true for those towing travel trailers and fifth wheels, as the weight of these trailers behind a car can significantly impact the standard fuel consumption figures.

Do your research on the Internet and look for articles that give you ideas regarding the costs of traveling around the US. Remember to look at the date that the article was published, though. Don’t fall into the trap of using information from five years old material.

Join one of the Discount Camping Clubs

Think about joining one of the discount camping clubs such as Passport America. These clubs offer huge discounts on thousands of campgrounds all over the USA and can save you significant amounts of money.

The cost of selling your RV

The first thing you must understand when buying an RV is that, like most cars, it is an asset that will continually drop in value—it will never be appreciated as a fixed property has the potential to.

When the time comes for you to sell your RV, either to buy something else or because you want to give up that mode of travel, you must understand that you will lose money on the sale. There are three main reasons for this loss: (a) depreciation, (b) the continual drop in the value of the vehicle, and (c) the costs associated with selling.

You can almost guarantee that your RV will lose approximately 60% of its value over five years. If you did not do your homework upfront and made poor decisions when financing the vehicle, you may find it impossible to sell the vehicle as it is now worth less than the outstanding amount owed.

Some tips on buying your RV

People setting out to buy an RV make some common mistakes. These mistakes are sometimes easily overcome, but some can cause financial ruin to the unwary, so careful consideration must be given before you sign a piece of paper or hand over your hard-earned cash.

Mistakes in buying an RV come from people who:

Buy the first RV they see and then discover it utterly unsuited to their needs.
Please don’t take the time to study the market and their needs before buying.
Don’t plan for unexpected events or changes in circumstances. This is particularly dangerous if the purchaser opts for a lower payment over a longer period.
Neglect the maintenance and repairs needed.

Lack of Foresight

Buying an RV is a significant financial commitment, and many people buy looking only at their situation today without considering the years to come when your situation may be very different. You can weather unexpected storms and retain ownership of your RV if you undertake severe financial planning beforehand. You must understand how the buying and selling of RVs work, and with this in mind, think of what may happen in the future and how you will deal with that, should it occur.

Don’t stick your head in the sand and refuse to consider tomorrow; this lack of foresight can leave you in severe financial difficulty.

Many near-to-retirement people or retirees decide to purchase an RV, some even selling their brick-and-mortar houses to do so. Many buy new or almost new RVs, reasoning that they will need little or no maintenance, so they spend a considerable amount on the vehicle. They then set out to travel and enjoy their retirement without doing their homework and find they have taken on a huge financial liability.

Add a calamity such as illness, an accident, or a financial meltdown, and life in an RV suddenly becomes an economic disaster. The unfortunate couple then discovers that selling the RV is not possible. The financial and emotional costs add up very quickly.

Why is it not possible to sell?

There are several reasons why selling an RV is sometimes almost impossible. Some of these are listed here:

The outstanding debt is higher than the current value of the vehicle because they either paid too much for it or unrealistically financed it.
The vehicle is too old, and no finance company will fund the sale, so they are left looking for a cash buyer.
The market is flooded with similar RVs.
The particular model is unpopular due to features that make it expensive to maintain.

A possible scenario that you must consider

Here is a situation that is all too common today.

A young-at-heart couple, aged 59 (him) and 57 (her), decided to sell their house and buy an RV. They purchased a coach that was three years old, and for the next twelve years, they used the RV as a home and a work base as they traveled around, enjoying the freedom and working where they could.

At ages 71 and 69, they decided the time had come to repurchase a house and sell the RV. They bought the house, did some renovations, and moved into their new home. Within months of moving into the house, the husband had a heart attack and passed away.

The widow was left with a reduced income, a house, and a debt of several thousand dollars a year to store a coach she would never use again. The coach was valued at $40,000 but still owed the bank $60,000, which is not where her troubles ended. The coach needed tires, and the couple kept a pet, so the coach had animals in it (cutting down the resale market).

Banks are reluctant to finance over ten-year-old RVs, and even if she could have found someone to buy the coach for its resale value of $40,000, she would be left with a debt of $20,000 to pay before she could clear the finance contract.

The widow’s only choice was to sell the house and move back into the coach until it was paid off, a deplorable state of affairs set in motion by a purchasing decision made twelve years before.

How to ensure it doesn’t happen to you

This example—one that is far too common today—makes it clear that the worst thing you can do is purchase an RV without serious planning and understanding the implications of something going wrong in the future.

The lessons are simple:

NEVER purchase a recreational vehicle unless you are confident that you can afford all the costs in the future.
Understand how financing works and plan within those rules. Remember that the RV will lose value, and if you choose low payments, the RV will cost you more. A significant payoff may also impact your ability to sell in the future.
Never skimp on maintenance, and ensure it is done promptly.
Be aware of issues such as keeping pets and what it does to the resale value.

Rentals

As with looking at the purchase price of RV units, generalizing about the cost of rentals is equally difficult. Many factors influence rental values, such as the age of the unit, time of year, unit condition, and rental length. A newer model, with luxury features, will cost considerably more than its counterpart, which is a few years old and has been used by many families.

Other RVs, such as Toy Haulers and Pop-Ups, are much more difficult to find in the rental market, and their pricing fluctuates wildly.

Top 3 RV Rental Companies | Reviews and Prices

To give some very generalized pricing:

Class A RVs that are several years old and have some mileage on them should cost ± $250 per night (p.n.)

Class A new RVs with low mileage should cost ± $500 p.n.

Class B RVs that are several years old and have some mileage should cost ± $250 p.n.

Class B new RVs with low mileage should cost ± $400 p.n.

Class C RVs that are several years old and have some mileage should cost ± $250 p.n.

Class C new RVs with low mileage should cost ± $400 p.n.

Travel Trailers that are several years old and have some mileage should cost ± $150 p.n.

New new Travel Trailers with low mileage should cost ± $175 p.n.

5th Wheels that are several years old and have some mileage should cost ± $150 p.n.

5th new wheels with low mileage should cost ± $300 p.n.

Rentals of Privately-Owned RVs

To reduce the cost of owning an RV, several companies rent out privately owned RVs when the owner is not using them themselves. Some of these companies insist on setting their pricing, while others are happy to allow the owner to set the price, so it pays to do your homework before taking the first unit offered.

Again, pricing will depend on the type of unit, its age, its condition, the time of year, insurance needs, and taxes.

Most rentals have a large damage deposit refundable when the unit is returned and inspected.

Owners will also list the fees and conditions that they impose. The requirements often include a minimum number of nights for the rental (usually three), the miles included for each day’s rental, the maximum number of hours the generator may be run, and any costs for using the owner’s insurance. Other charges could include using camping or garden chairs and stocking the larder for you.

If the renter exceeds the daily mileage or generator total, they will be charged extra for the additional use.

These charges can add up quickly, so a simple spreadsheet may be your best friend when calculating the viability of renting a unit.

Let us look at an example from the RVShare site where we rent an RV for a two-week holiday.

The daily rate is $225 p.n., and the weekly rate is $1,350, which gives you one free day a week. Your basic rental fee for the two weeks is then $2700. This fee includes 100 miles per night and four hourly generator usage per night. Going over these numbers will cost you $0.50 per mile and $4.00 per hour.

Insurance costs $29.95 per person, adding another $419.30 to your 14-day trip. Lastly, cleaning costs $95, and tax is 9.5%.

So, to add it all up:

Deposit 1500.00

Rental for 14 nights: 2700.00

Insurance 419.30

Cleaning 95.00

Tax 447.85

Total for two weeks $5162.16

You will get back $1500 if there is no damage.

This accounts for your basic charges, which must be added to campground fees, gas costs, food, and any other costs for your two-week holiday. While on your trip, pay close attention to your mileage and the generator usage. The fees for going over your contracted rate can add significantly to the overall cost of your hire.

If you plan a long road trip lasting more than a month, negotiate with the owner to see if the fees can be reduced. Also, if you are considering doing considerable mileage, consider arranging for unlimited mileage, as this will work out cheaper in the long run.

This simple example clearly shows that the variations in cost for renting an RV are considerable, and only careful calculation and a good idea of where you are going will help you assess the viability of renting.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you some food for thought on the costs of buying an RV versus renting one. We also discussed some of the pitfalls of buying without considering all the implications, and we touched on expenses associated with traveling in an RV, whether owning or renting.

If you get it wrong, it could be one of the worst financial decisions ever. If you get it right, you will have many happy miles of traveling and lovely holidays.

The story’s moral is to do your homework, speak to a financial advisor, and buy right.

Happy trails!

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