Renting a camper van is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to vanlife. It is exactly like dipping your toes in and getting a real taste for traveling in a van, minus the long-term, heavy responsibility. Whether you are just curious about the lifestyle or are actually interested in purchasing a van yourself, this is a great place to start. Companies like Outdoorsy make it even simpler for your to try vanlife. They handle the insurance, legal contracts, money transactions, and everything else that can get messy and complicated.
Outdoorsy is a marketplace where you can find available adventure vehicles for your next road trip, camping weekend, or any other adventure you’d like. “Over 17 million RVs in North America sit unused 350 days a year.” Basically, RV owners can rent out their adventure rigs while they are not using it themselves. Think of Outdoorsy as the Airbnb for camper vans, RVs, motorhomes, and trailers.
To find a rental van, simply visit Outdoorsy’s website and enter your trip location and dates. Select individual listings that catch your eye to view more details, such as amenities, add-ons, and rules. As with most marketplace platforms, when you’re ready to request a rental you’ll have to create a simple profile. Then, you can request your booking and wait for approval!
Once your request is submitted, the owner will receive the request and has 24 hours to approve or decline the listing. You will not be charged until the booking request has been approved by the owner.
*Van/RV Owners receive between 75% – 80% of the total reservation cost, while Outdoorsy takes between 20% – 25%*
WHY OUTDOORSY IS YOUR BEST OPTION
It is my honest opinion that Outdoorsy is the best way to rent an RV or camper van. Even if I have a close friend or family member rent my van, I still go through Outdoorsy, no matter how casual the relationship. The #1 reason? INSURANCE. Their rental process is SO simple and their coverage is more than sufficient.
Reason #2: Customer service. Every single time I’ve called Outdoorsy, I’m talking directly to a customer support agent in under ONE MINUTE. All of their support, including roadside assistance is 24/7, which is honestly incredible.
Other reasons I love Outdoorsy:
– If you’re looking for a particular trip, vehicle, or location, you can create a request that will notify you when your requested vehicle/location are available.
– Outdoorsy is the #1 most trusted RV rental marketplace in the world.
– All renters/drivers must submit necessary documents for a DMV check.
HOW MUCH DOES A VAN RENTAL COST?
The nightly cost of camper vans and RVs average between $100-200. Trailers and simple set ups usually drop below $100, while newer Winnebagos are in the $200-300 range. *Note: the longer you rent, the cheaper it is. For many listings if you rent a van for at least 7 days the price decreases by 10%, 14 days decreases by 20%, etc.*
Security deposits vary between $1,000 – $3,000 depending on the make/model/year of the van or RV and the insurance package chosen (see package details below).
Fees/Add-Ons can include cleaning fees (average $100) and daily rental options, such as hammocks, camping chairs, outdoor table, outdoor cooking stove, etc.
Insurance Protection Packages vary from $30 – $55 per day (see insurance protection package details – anchor to insurance).
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
– Generally speaking, most rentals will include linens (pillows, sheets, blankets) and basic kitchenware.
– Mileage: 100 miles per day, $0.35 per mile of additional mileage
– Full tank of gas at time of pickup
– Water tanks filled (if applicable)
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
Once the booking has been approved, payment happens in three segments:
1.) The credit/debit card you provided for payment will be charged 25% of the entire booking price immediately upon approval.
2.) The remainder of the reservation cost will be charged to your card exactly 2 weeks before the RV pick-up date.
3.) The security deposit will be charged to your card exactly 2 days before the RV pick-up date and returned 7 days after the drop-off date (RV owner can request to have it returned sooner, pending no issues).
*Important to note: RV owners receive their payout electronically exactly 24 hours after pick-up occurs. This is worth noting because everybody is happier when they get money! In my experience, this instant gratification makes the drop-off interaction even better.*
HOW DOES INSURANCE WORK?
Insurance through Outdoorsy is broken down in two ways:
1.) RV owners listing RVs/vans on Outdoorsy receive the insurance protection program, which is offered to RV owners for no monthly premium and no monthly payment. RV owners are provided with $1 million in liability coverage in the US and up to $500,000 in physical damage coverage, including comprehensive and collision protection. It is free coverage if you list your rig and handle transactions on Outdoorsy.
2.) Renters are required to choose and pay for 1 of 3 available protection packages: risk taker, essential, and peace of mind. These packages vary from about $30 – $55 per day, offer varying services, and have varying deductibles.
VEHICLE PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF PROCESS
Both the pick-up and drop-off processes are fairly easy. There is some minor paperwork to fill out with both parties present and a walk-through is always recommended. Make sure to sign forms together, do a damage inspection, etc. A test drive is required to be eligible for coverage throughout the rental – don’t forget this step!
PICK-UP TIME:
DROP-OFF TIME:
Notes:
– Renters should receive and return the RV with a tank full of gas.
– Nobody knows their rig like an owner. Include the important, quirky details during the walk-through!
– Drop off and pick up forms are available here.
WHY RV OWNERS PREFER OUTDOORSY
My biggest reason for promoting Outdoorsy so strongly is their constant effort towards allowing the van owners control. As the vehicle owner:
– Can make endless discount codes in the Outdoorsy system to customize rentals for users
– Can see when a renter submits their license for DMV
– Have the final say on if a rental/renter is approved or not
– Receive 24/7 customer service
When I first signed up as an RV owner on Outdoorsy, I was extremely nervous and asked the team 100 questions. My biggest takeaway from them was that they don’t just see my van as their asset to suddenly make money off. They understand that I am choosing to rent out my expensive, custom home on wheels that I built with my own two hands. They’ve always treated me with the utmost respect and patience. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over time, it’s that you should work with people you actually enjoy. So, while many of the people at Outdoorsy are individuals I would want to go into business with, they are also the kind of folks that I would love to grab a beer with.
In addition to making extra money on the side through renting my van, Outdoorsy offers a pretty great affiliate program. For every booking I refer to their platform as an affiliate, I receive $100, including if the booking is for my own van listing.
