Renting an RV is becoming popular, and I advise people to go for it since I love camping. Don’t own a recreational vehicle? No problem. There are plenty of RV owners who’d happily rent out their vehicles; all legit – not scams.
I personally don’t like Craigslist for this purpose because I’ve heard quite a few scams there. That’s likely to happen when you can’t see or talk to the owners or renters. What I would recommend is peer-to-peer marketplaces, which make renting RVs and listing them as easy as you like.
This raises the question: Which rental platform is ideal to rent from or earn some extra cash from a rig? The two leading platforms I know of:
- Outdoorsy
- RVshare
I have broken down each platform, which will help you choose the one you want. But first, let’s look into the critical aspects that these platforms offer.
RVShare VS Outdoorsy: What Services Do These Platforms Offer?
RVShare and Outdoorsy function in almost the same way. Both of them are peer-to-peer companies from which you can rent an RV.
These peer-to-peer camper rental companies give an excellent opportunity to people like you and me to list and post about their RVs for rent.
That’s quite time-saving, isn’t it? Instead of contacting the company, you will be dealing with the travel trailer owners directly.
I should add, dealing without middlemen makes the renting process more genuine, and it goes a lot smoother.
The concept of both companies is similar; they both offer:
- Roadside assistance
- RV insurance
- Liability coverage
- Payment processing
- Deductibles, etc.
Besides providing similar services, which of these companies offers better facilities and bonuses? Let’s find out!
A Quick Rundown on RVShare
If you don’t know, RV stands for the “recreational vehicle” that is home on the wheels designed to provide comfort while discovering nature.
RVShare, the peer-to-peer camper rental company, came into existence first. It is an online marketplace where you can rent RVs from private owners and dealers.
After signing up with the website, renters and owners can create their listings for free. The listings fall into four categories, i.e.,
After confirming your booking on RVShare, you’ll be provided with a travel concierge service and round-the-clock roadside assistance without any extra charges.
Roadside Assistance of RVShare
With RVShare’s roadside assistance, you’ll get these services 24/7:
Free Towing Service
An RVShare support group has qualified trailer experts. For towing your RV, you have to place a call to the closest towing firm in the current location. Hence, it assures that the dispatched truck can tow your RV.
Battery Service
RVShare team can repair minor battery problems and can charge your battery while you are on the road.
Tire Service
RVShare team can provide free tire service no matter where you are in the US. The services include flat tires re-inflation, and replacement of tires with the spare tires.
Lockout Service
The team will immediately send the locksmith if you’re stuck in a lockout situation.
Emergency Supply Delivery
It delivers emergency supplies such as water, oil, gasoline, and other essential supplies.
Winching and Extraction Service
It helps to recover RVs that have gone off-road or are stuck.
These services are amazing bonuses because they give an owner contentment, especially when the camper belongs to someone else. RVShare delivers assistance in a variety of emergencies, and you’re just one call away.
Rental Insurance Coverage of RVShare
You automatically receive rental insurance when you book an RV via RVShare. It provides free rental coverage to the camper owners.
The renter is responsible for covering insurance costs, and when you’re booking an RV, the deductible is fixed at 1500 dollars. Moreover, RVShare’s rental insurance provides owners with liability coverage and collision as well comprehensive insurance. It covers almost everything, such as:
- Impact of animals
- Tree falls
- Hailstorm
- Windstorm
- Earthquake
- Stolen RV
- Vandalism
- Flood
- Lightening
- Fire
- Backup accidents
The only downside of the RVShare’s rental insurance is, they don’t tell you which insurance company they’re working with. It’s a big deal for many renters.
Renter Payment
Once you make the reservation, you will be charged with the full amount. Usually, it takes one to two working days for the payment to appear in your bank account.
However, sometimes it takes five working days because of the slow processing time of the bank, bank holidays, public holidays, etc.
A simple example is, if you made reservations on weekends, your funds will not be deposited until Monday.
Cancellation Policy
What if something urgent came up, and you have to postpone your trip? RVShare allows renters to cancel their rentals.
The owner has a choice of returning your money or not, and it solely depends on the policy you have undertaken. RVShare provides owners to select from six policies, i.e.,
Forgiving
As a renter, you’ll get full refund if the cancellation is made seven days before the rental start date.
Flexible
You’ll get the full refund if the cancellation is made at least 30 days before the rental start date.
Standard
RVShare refunds the complete amount if the cancellation is made within 30 days. Moreover, you’ll get a 50% refund if you cancel within 14 days before the rental start date.
Strict
The RV owner gives you full refund if the cancellation is made within 30 days before the rental start date.
Very Strict
Renter will receive a 50% refund if the cancellation is made 30 days before the rental start date.
Most Strict
Renter will not be refunded.
RVShare Pros & Cons
Now, let’s quickly discuss its pros and cons.
Pros
- A luxury of searching for the RVs online instead of driving to the proximate dealer
- Offers 5% return cash program
- No membership fee; sign up is free
- Renters after paying can choose delivery and extra setup
- A million dollar insurance and protection for RV owners
- Provides 24/7 roadside assistance without any charges
Cons
- The insurance fees can range from 10 to 40 dollars
- Limitation in different types and models of an RV in remote areas
- No annual DMV checkups
- No information about RV insurance company partners
A Quick Rundown on Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is another peer-to-peer marketplace that provides several campers from Class A to C as well as other types of campers and trailers. This platform gives 80% reservation cost plus the add-ons like extra mileage and generator fees to the camper owners.
Outdoorsy holds 10% of the reservation cost for roadside assistance and insurance purposes. Moreover, it provides secure partnerships to renters.
Other essential attributes of the peer-to-peer RV rental platform include motor history and comprehensive check. Furthermore, it gives trailer owners with a GPS tracking option so that he/she can locate their RV quickly.
It is essential for the vehicle owner to clear the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) screening test. You can submit this test online and view it after a day (it takes 24 hours).
Remember that the policy does not cover personal items. All the convenience items and personal belongings are included in a camper.
So you, as a renter, are responsible for taking care of toasters, coffee makers, and other add-ons. If any item goes missing, the amount will be deducted from your security deposit.
Roadside Assistance by Coach-Net
When the customers have selected and booked their RV, they have to go through the roadside assistance service offered by the Coach-Net. This service delivers renters with round the clock emergency and technical assistance throughout Canada and the US.
Outdoorsy offers assistance in:
- Camper service appointment
- Round-the-clock technical support
- Emergencies
- Mechanical problems
ASE and RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industrial Association) certified technicians would help you encounter any mechanical and technical problems. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to pay for any on-site repairs.
Moreover, the renter is responsible for paying dispatch fees if his camper is in storage or at his residence. Mechanical benefits are available only if the trailer has undergone severe mechanical damages.
Rental Insurance Coverage of Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy collaborates with the Liberty Mutual to provide insurance to the renters. The insurance covers several incidents, and it delivers ample benefits like
- Backup accidents
- Earthquake
- Vandalism
- Fallen trees
- Fire
- Windstorm
- Stolen RV
- Hailstorm
- Power surge
- Animal impact
Outdoorsy mentions that they partnered with the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company because they share similar principles and values.
Renter Payment
After finalizing the reservation, the renter has to pay the total amount. Outdoorsy will hold your fund for 24 hours, and then, it will be deposited into your bank account.
However, the process of transferring funds into your account may take three to five working days.
Cancellation Policy
Outdoorsy, like RVShare, allows renters to cancel their rental (conditions applied). It provides owners to choose from its three cancellation policies.
Before making a reservation, you have to accept the policy. Therefore, you must read the cancellation policy. Still, if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your RV owner.
Let’s look at the policies this company has to offer!
Flexible
- Renter will receive full refund (with 25% of reservation cost) if the cancellation is made not less than five days before the rental start date.
- If the cancellation is made within five days, you’ll get a 75% refund.
Moderate
- Non-refundable 25% reservation deposit.
- Renter will receive a 75% refund if the cancellation is made not less than seven days before the rental start date.
- If the renter cancels within seven days, a 50% refund will be given.
Strict
- Non-refundable 50% reservation deposit.
- Renter will receive a 50% refund if the cancellation is made not less than 14 days before the rental start date.
- If the renter has paid only a reservation deposit, there will be no refund.
- If the renter cancels within 14 days, there will be no refund.
Pros
- It has a pleasing and functional website
- Outdoorsy offers the best customer service
- It is cheaper as compared to other rental companies and RV dealerships
- Easy paperwork
- Provides trailer delivery and optional setup for convenience
- Provides a wide array of RV renting options
- Information about the insurance company partner
Cons
- Not all campers provided by Outdoorsy are pet-friendly
- You pay for the extra mileage, broken parts, or any other repairs
- Quality of an RV is not guaranteed
Comparison of RVShare and Outdoorsy at a Glance
RVShare |
Outdoorsy |
This platform is a bit complicated | It is easy to use |
It offers camper delivery and setup after paying for it | Also offers camper delivery and optional setup |
Provides a wide range of camper options to select from | Offers a straightforward rental system to access reliable travel trailers quickly |
Offers round-the-clock roadside assistance during emergencies | Provides 24/7 Coach-net roadside assistance during emergencies |
Lacks community support that allows the users to collect all the answers to their questions | Provides excellent community support that helps the users to collect all the answers to their questions |
Provides 5% cash return program for regular trailer renters | Does not offer a cash return program |
Offers optional insurance coverages | Also provides optional insurance coverages |
This platform does not list its insurance company partner | They are collaborating with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company |
RVShare BBB (Better Business Bureau) profile has an A+ rating, but the reviews are not as good as Outdoorsy | Outdoorsy’s BBB profile has an A+ rating with impressive reviews |
Remember that RVShare is not the one to blame for the rental trailers listed there. This platform is a peer-to-peer marketplace, so renters can always ask about the vehicle’s condition directly.
Moreover, there are several one-star ratings on Outdoorsy, and these reviews mostly point towards the feel, look, and smell of the camper.
You’re intelligent enough to decide whether Outdoorsy is responsible for it or not. It’s the same thing again; you are renting trailers from the RV owners, and the online platform is there only to present with renting options, and security to the owners and renters.
Final Thoughts
Motorhomes and RV are expensive and outdoor enthusiasts are always in search of an alternative. Therefore, these platforms are perfect for individuals who want to explore and experience an RV life without buying one. And this RVShare Vs Outdoorsy overview will be a great help for such people.
Well, from the above mentioned overview, RVShare is inexpensive and offers a wide selection. However, Outdoorsy is surpassing RVShare in several markets because of its easy-to-use website, excellent customer service, thorough assessment, and background check.
I hope you can make a well-informed decision after going through our in-depth review. Whichever platform you choose, you cannot go wrong because both of these platforms are legit, trustworthy, secure, and offer lots of rental options for adventure lovers.