Many people dream of hitting the open road for fun, adventure and memories. The “Great American Road Trip” is on many bucket lists, and for some, renting an RV is the best way to make it happen. Many people wonder if they can save money by using a peer rental versus renting from an RV rental company. There are pros and cons to both, so it pays to review the best RV tips before making a decision.
What is RV Marketplace Renting?
Peer to peer renting is essentially a way to rent an RV from a private renter. You rent your vehicle from a person who has their own personal RV and rents it out for extra cash. There are several online marketplaces that connect owners and renters and make the process easy. Two of the most popular online marketplaces are Outdoorsy and RV Share. You can search the sites, find the RV you want and set up a time and place for the rental transaction. Most people choose this route because they believe they will save money on their rental. There are, however, downsides to this method that make it less attractive to knowledgeable renters who understand the value of renting from a professional RV Rental company like Suncoast.
Renting from an RV Company is Guaranteed
One of the major complaints that renters make about private rental marketplaces is that the owner can cancel the rental for a variety of reasons. Imagine meticulously planning a cross country road trip, arranging all of the details and having the RV owner cancel your rental at the last minute. You will then have to scramble to rent with a new owner, hoping that there are RVs available for your dates.
RV Companies Have High Standards for Vehicles
The government regulates RV companies and holds them to high standards for maintenance and cleanliness. When RVs are no longer in the best condition for heavy usage, the companies sell them at a discount to buyers, then add new vehicles. In addition, the companies perform regular maintenance on the RVs, making sure they are in good working order before renting them to customers. When you rent from Suncoast RV Rental, you know that you will be vacationing in a new-year RV that has been properly maintained and cleaned; we have a 4.9-star Google review rating and an A+ with the Better Business Bureau so you know that we are serious about giving our guests the best possible experience. With online marketplaces, there is no guarantee that the RV you rent will be road-worthy, well-maintained, or disinfected.
RV Companies Offer Flexibility
When you rent from an RV company, you can often make a deposit and pay off the cost of the rental over time before your trip. If you change your mind about the vehicle and want to upgrade or downgrade, your RV company will work with you to get you the right vehicle. In addition, RV companies have multiple vehicles available so you can choose the one that is best for your needs. In some cases, you can even visit the RV rental company in advance and inspect the vehicle before you make a rental commitment.
If you decide you need more time with your RV, you can often call and extend the rental with no problem. With marketplace rentals, you may have to bring the rental back at a set time because the owner has already rented it to another user.
RV Companies Offer Insurance and After Hours Phone Assistance
If you have a breakdown on the road or get into an accident, your rental company will assist you with towing, roadside assistance or maintenance. You never have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road in the case of a breakdown. While some of the marketplaces offer insurance, you may not have access to the owner in case of emergency. With Suncoast RV Rental, there is a dedicated hotline that you can access 24 hours a day if you need help.
RV Companies Offer Convenience
There are RV companies all over the United States and Canada, and finding one near you is usually pretty straightforward. With marketplace rentals, you may have to travel long distances to find the right RV. In addition, most rental companies have parking available so that you can leave your car while you’re on your trip. In addition, RV companies also bundle extras like kitchen kits, linens and insurance into the price, making them more cost effective than alternative renting.
Renting an RV is a fun and exciting experience. Renting is the best way to try out the RV lifestyle without the huge purchase commitment. When you are ready to make your dreams a reality, an RV rental company is the best choice for affordability, flexibility and safety.
Suncoast RV Rental has a large fleet of recent model RVs in a variety of sizes and floorplans. We are a local, family-owned business that values our customers and understands their needs. Check out our fleet and give us a call so we can help you make the best choice for your next RV adventure!
