The Hidden Costs of RV Rentals

The first is the most obvious: you have to pay for gas. Depending on the class of RV, gas mileage can range from 10 to 22 miles per gallon , less than the 22.2 miles per gallon of the average car. That means you’re paying more at the pump to keep your RV running. As with rental cars, you're expected to top up your motorhome’s tank before returning it, so remember to keep this end-of-trip expense in mind when budgeting.

Depending on your RV's model and the demands of your trip, you may be subject to refill and maintenance fees. Review your rental agreement beforehand to know what fees you’ll be responsible for at the end of the road.

Think of an RV like a vacation rental on wheels. Unless you return it in the same condition that you drove it off the lot, a cleaning crew will have to come in and set it right, and it will cost you. Make sure you tidy up your vehicle before returning it to the rental agency to avoid additional cleaning fees.

The unfortunate reality of RV bathrooms is that what goes in isn't necessarily flushed away. It's the renter's responsibility to empty their wastewater before returning the vehicle. If not, you'll be footing the bill for the company to clean out the tanks.

RVs use propane for heat, hot water, and cooking. While you don’t typically need to fill up the tank before returning your rental, you are responsible for keeping it full for your own use.

Late return fees are a risk with any rental. Depending on the company, you may be charged an hourly fee for each hour after the deadline, a portion of the daily rental price, or charged for an entire additional day. Be aware of the rental company’s late return policy and leave plenty of room in your travel plans to get your motorhome back to the lot with time to spare.

Regular rental car insurance won't completely cover you for RV-related incidents. You'll need a specialized policy to be fully covered. Luckily, RV insurance tends to be cheaper than standard rental car insurance. However, perks like credit card covered insurance policies are less common for RVs than for standard cars, so whatever you pay for insurance will likely be out of pocket.

While it's common nowadays for rental cars to come with unlimited mileage, most RV rentals are still beholden to daily mileage limits. On average, mileage limits for RVs max out at 150 miles per day, with the company charging up to $0.75 per additional mile. Read the fine print of your rental agreement before setting off on a long trip to avoid any surprise charges.

To fully make use of your RV's features without running down the generator, you'll need a campsite with proper hookups including water, sewer, and electricity. Unfortunately, campsites with these amenities are fewer than those without, and many campgrounds won't offer them at all. If they do, these sites are typically more expensive to book than a standard campsite.

Similar to mileage fees, many RV rental companies will charge extra for generator usage beyond a predetermined daily limit. Generators provide power for the RV in transit and while “dry camping”, or setting up camp at a site with no external hookups. Note the generator usage fees in your agreement to decide whether springing for a campsite with hookups is the better option for your budget.

Many campgrounds place restrictions on RVs, based on anything from the vehicle's dimensions to the motorhome’s age. These restrictions aren't standardized and are up to the campsite's discretion. Some campsites are tent-only, banning RVs altogether. While this isn't a financial cost, it is a restriction on RV travel that may cost you your ideal camping situation.