Long-Term RV Rentals - What You Need to Know Before You Go

When you decide to rent an RV for a longer time, you need to know some things that will make this rental easier and more trouble-free for you.

We have some ideas for long-term RV rentals. 

What is a Long-Term Rental?

Long-term rentals generally refer to a rental of more than 2 weeks. It could be a month or two months or even longer. Some people want to rent an RV for a year to see if that is really the lifestyle for them.

If you’re all about that #RVlife, you may be ready to embark on your first long-term RV road trip. It can be the adventure of a lifetime! Here are a few, key things you should know about long-term RV rentals. 

1) Plan Around the Weather

If you’re planning a long-term RV trip, it’s helpful to keep the weather in mind. If you’ll be traveling during the coldest part of winter, you might consider traveling to more temperate areas of the U.S. If your dream trip is that RV tour through Canada, then the summer is the perfect time to make that trek.

2)  Pack Lighter Than You Think

When going on a long road trip, it’s awfully tempting to bring everything (AND the kitchen sink!). Having too much stuff with you can make the space inside an RV feel a little or a lot cramped. With some planning and creativity, you can embrace your inner, road trip minimalist! For example, schedule a laundry day into your route each week. Or plan on stopping at thrift stores along the route to stock up on seasonal clothes as needed. 

3) Break Up the Drive

If you want to drive across the country – we totally understand the feeling! While the amenities in an RV makes it easier to find joy in the journey, it’s important to break up the days of traveling with stops along the way. A good rule of thumb is to keep daily legs to a maximum of about 400 miles a day. And, if you want to take your time, break it up into 200-mile segments. You are not in a big hurry if you are out for a long trip. So, take your time and enjoy it!

A great way to break up the trip is to stop and visit with friends and family along the route. Not only will you get to make some new memories together, but it can save you a night of camping costs as well. Just make sure your friends and family have a good spot nearby for RV parking.

4) Buy a National Parks Pass

You probably love visiting national parks. If you’re planning on stopping by a few during your long-term RV rental, we 100% recommend getting a national parks pass. The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees all national parks, wildlife refuges and forests and is good for a full year after the date of purchase. And after one or two visits, you’ll find that it pays for itself. For seniors, there are great deals on the Passes, so visit their website and checkout what you qualify for.

5)  Be Flexible

We understand wanting to see a lot during your RV adventure. However, sometimes life happens or you find something unexpected that you want to explore. Try to create a flexible travel schedule, giving yourself extra time between destinations so you can make up the drive time if you get behind schedule by a day or two. 

Long-term RV rentals can be an absolute blast but come with some additional planning and preparation. If you do your planning well, this is a wonderful way to travel the country.

6) Why Should You Get a Monthly or Longer RV Rental?

A long-term RV rental can help you save money and experience a true RV adventure! It's hard to get the full experience in a long weekend or even a whole week.

But beyond that, here are some reasons you might want to rent vs. own:

• Renting saves you time, money and headaches of ownership.  

• Owning an RV comes with a lot of maintenance, renting doesn't. 

• You don't have to make a large investment to stay in an RV.

• You don't have to find a place to store your RV when you're not using it.

• You don't have to pay ownership taxes.

• You can try different types of RVs to see which one you like best!

• You can test the RV lifestyle by renting first to see if it's right for you.

What are the best RV types for long term rental? Well, that really depends on your needs. If you’re traveling with your family, a Class A or a Class C RV might be best. It will provide you with ample space so everyone is comfortable, and you have enough room to store everything you need for your vacation.

If you’re traveling on a strict budget and by yourself or as a couple, something like a campervan (also known as a Class B camper) might be a better option. Their smaller size means you spend less on the rental itself and on gas. They are also easier to get down narrow roads, so you have more options for where to set up camp, especially if you want to boondock.

If you need an RV rental as a temporary home and aren’t really traveling, then a long-term RV rental might be perfect for you. It offers plenty of space and you can park it in a nearby campground or maybe even on a relative’s driveway.

Now you're probably wondering - this is great, but how much does it cost to rent an RV for a month? Am I really saving that much money?

Thinking about the cost of a long-term RV rental can be a bit scary. After all, some RVs' daily rates can be pretty expensive. The good thing about long-term rentals, however, is you can usually get a discounted rate the longer you have it.

In a recent study it was found that the average RV rental prices across the US range from $50 to $200 per night on average. However, when renting RVs for long periods (such as a month or even a year), you can get prices as low as $50 per night or less! Especially if you find some special offers for one-way rentals! 

As a reminder, when you are getting ready to hit the road and enjoy the RV life for a short trip or long-term, first check with your nearest El Monte RV dealer, who can help you with any questions you may have. Please also check out our one-way special offers at El Monte RV.