Outdoorsy Vs RVShare: Which RV Rental Company Is Best?

Traveling the country by RV is hands down the best way to vacation if you ask us! Not that we are biased or anything.

If you have been dreaming of an RV vacation but can’t justify the cost of buying, there are other options. One of the best ways to try RVing is by renting an RV.

Keep reading to find out about the most popular RV rental companies and get excited to book your next trip!

How do RV Rental Companies Work?

RV rental companies connect RV owners with prospective renters. Since many RV owners have their rig sitting in storage for much of the year, it makes sense to rent it out. It is a win-win. The owner can earn some extra income and you can RV without the enormous expense of buying.

The RV rental companies we are focusing on today are like AirBnB for RVs. Owners list the dates their RV is available and you can browse for something to rent. Renting peer-to-peer gives you a wide range of RVs to rent from. You can pick from travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, and sometimes even vans and truck top campers.

When you search for a rental, you’ll enter the dates you are looking for and where you want to pick up the RV. Then, you can filter based on RV type, amenities, cost, additional rules (e.g., pets, smoking, festival-friendly), and more. You can also search based on host rating. This ensures you’ll get an enjoyable experience with an RV that lives up to your expectations.

Some RV rental companies include unlimited mileage, while others have additional fees after a certain point. There may also be rules regarding generator use if you are boondocking. Be sure to keep these things in mind when planning your trip.

When you rent through an RV rental company, you get added protection. Your rental includes TONS of liability insurance (up to 1 million dollars) and 24/7 roadside assistance. This will let you rest easy while you’re on the road.

Check out this article: How Much Do RV Rentals Cost? For more info on average rental prices.

Without further ado, let’s look more closely into Outdoorsy vs RVShare.

Differences Between Outdoorsy vs RVShare

The most popular peer-to-peer RV rental companies are Outdoorsy vs RVShare. Keep reading to learn more about each of these companies so you can decide where to rent from.

Overview of Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy prides itself on offering high-quality service. It was founded by RVers for RVers. The founders hated seeing RVs sitting idle for an average of 350 days a year.

So, they did something. Now, over 93% of users give them a 5-star rating. Best of all, renting an RV with Outdoorsy is simple!

Pros of Outdoorsy

There are lots of benefits to booking your next vacation through Outdoorsy. First, they provide 24/7 roadside assistance, 1 million dollars in insurance, and 24/7 customer support. It is also easy to search for and book the perfect RV.

Another thing we love is that you can have your RV delivered to your campsite. If you want to have an RV getaway nearby but you don’t want to drive it, no problem. Your host can meet you at your campground so you can just enjoy your stay.

Outdoorsy also has an RV for everyone. They have a vast selection of rental options. And if you want to travel abroad, they even offer rentals in the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Since you are renting peer-to-peer, a rental from Outdoorsy won’t cost as much as renting from a big company or RV dealership. That means you’ll have more money for adventures while you’re on the road.

Cons of Outdoorsy

Traditional rental companies, like Cruise America, have certain standards and consistency in their fleet. Since you’re renting from an RV owner, the quality of the rig is more variable. Therefore, we recommend narrowing your search to find 5-star rated RVs.

Another downside is that you may get unwanted messages from RV owners if you start booking but don’t finish. Kind of annoying.

You’ll also have to undergo an extensive check of your driving history before renting. If you have traffic violations, you may be unable to rent from Outdoorsy.

Also concerning are negative ratings. Although their ratings are overwhelmingly positive, the Better Business Bureau gives them a B rating because of over 150 complaints in the last 3 years.  

Finally, if you need certain on-site repairs, you’ll be on the hook for the cost. This cost applies to all interior workings of the RV, including appliances. You’ll want to make sure everything is in good working order before you leave. If there is a mechanical breakdown, you won’t have to pay for repairs, though.

Overview of RVShare

RVShare is the largest marketplace for peer-to-peer RV rental. They were also the first company to offer this service. This means even more choices for RVs. The company was founded in 2012 after the founders fell in love with RVing. They wanted to bring the freedom and flexibility of RVing to all outdoor lovers. And now, you get to benefit!

Given their long history, they have even more RVs and hosts available than Outdoorsy. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of renting from RVShare compared to Outdoorsy.

Pros of RVShare

There are a lot of reasons to book with RVShare. First, they include RV rental insurance with your booking. There are also no membership fees, and you can even get a 5% cashback bonus if you are a returning customer.

If you aren’t confident in setting up and driving the RV, no problem. With RVShare, you can pay an extra fee to have your host deliver the RV to a campground and set it up for you.

RVShare also has an A+ rating from the BBB. Although there have been complaints, RVShare has stepped up its game in recent years.

You also don’t need a DMV checkup to rent an RV through RVShare. This is a pro for you as the renter, but maybe not for your host.

Cons of RVShare

There are a few downsides to renting an RV with RVShare. First, larger rigs have higher insurance costs. While not very surprising, it can add on extra fees you weren’t expecting.

RVShare does still have some complaints with the BBB, although they have fewer than Outdoorsy as of the end of 2020.

Like Outdoorsy, there may not be consistency in the RVs available. Make sure you search for a high-quality host to avoid issues. 

Outdoorsy Vs RVShare: Which is Best For You?

Although all companies have complaints, it is worth bearing in mind. Most people have very positive reviews for Outdoorsy and RVShare.

But, the B rating from the BBB for Outdoorsy and the higher number of complaints is a bit concerning for us. Plus, having to pay for onsite repairs to the interior could be a complete rip off for you. If an appliance stops working on your trip, it probably wasn’t your fault, but you will be on the hook.

RVShare on the other hand has an A+ rating from the BBB as of the end of 2020. This gives us more peace of mind and makes them our top recommendation. Not to mention, they have a wider selection of RVs available for rent.

When comparing Outdoorsy vs RVShare, be sure to read all the fine print before booking so you don’t end up with unexpected costs.

Outdoorsy vs RVShare: Experience RV Life Without A Huge Price Tag

Renting an RV is an awesome way to get out and see the country. We love RVing and we know you will too. If you are just getting started, a rental lets you experience RVing without a huge price tag. Then, if you find out you’re hooked, you can look into getting an RV of your own! 

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