We just completed our first RV rental experience, two weeks ago today. It was a 550 mile round-trip in a 31’ Class C Coachmen. The time at the destination was 4 nights, but we rented a day before to have time to load it, and a day after based on estimating getting home late. We were able to bring it back the day we returned, but they don’t refund for that. The total cost for the rental plus their insurance was ~ $1,500, plus around $210 for gas. They included 50 miles/night and we bought reduced cost 100 mile packages for 200 miles.
We knew it would have been much less cost to stay at the hotel at our destination, but this would be an opportunity to see if we liked traveling this way (YEP!). The wife learned she did not like the minuscule counter space in the galley, and we both learned that it was difficult to do anything more that stand straight in the shower...turning was an artistic dance.
Upon returning the unit and without discussing beforehand, the wife wandered into the open door of a Class A on the lot. We asked to look at a couple of models and they showed us a 34’ and a 38’ “luxury” unit. We are likely to rent at least the 34’ because that is more in line with what we may want in a purchase. Yes, we got hooked. Figuring out where the next journey will be, possibly Jan/Feb.
My view is rent at least a couple of times, maybe more. We found what we didn’t like and that could happen again the next time. To me this is part of the research or homework that will hopefully prevent future regret in purchasing something that doesn’t fit what we expect. We may spend $5,000 on rentals to end up focusing on the right one for us, instead of wishing we did something different, so saving anguish in the long run.