Although many people only think of motorhomes when it comes to RV rentals, a new survey by the RV Rental Association (RVRA) found 81% of RV rental dealers also rent trailers.
Of the rental dealers surveyed, 59% said more than one-fifth of their business last year was from customers who already owned an adequate tow vehicle.
“Because pickup trucks and SUVs capable of towing many RV trailers are some of the most popular vehicles in North America, it’s no surprise that towable RVs are popular with renters,” said Scott Krenek of Krenek RV in Coloma, Michigan, who is also chairman of the RV Rental Association (RVRA).
“The RV rental market is healthy and has the potential for more growth. That’s why so many RVRA members are looking forward to a great summer,” Krenek said.
The RV rental fleet will be about 2% larger this summer than it was a year ago due to supply chain disruptions, so families hoping to rent an RV for a vacation will need to act fast to get the exact RV type they want.
The supply chain disruptions impacting the towable RV manufacturing sector abated during March, April and May, so rental dealers will most likely have enough RV trailers in their rental fleets, Krenek said.
However, supply chain disruptions continue to impact the car/truck manufacturers which supply motorhome chassis to RV builders, so rental fleet motorhome inventories continue to be lean, Krenek said. This helps explain why 55% of rental dealers planned to keep some older units in their fleets this summer, replacing them only when new units arrive.
Despite the temporary dislocations, Krenek says, “RV rental vacations are a wonderful way to make memories with family and friends. Some advance planning before you set out on your trip will make the experience even better.”
Another 37% of rental dealers responding to the survey said over one-fifth of their business was from customers wanting to have a trailer delivered to a campground or other location of their choice, where dealership personnel connect all utilities.
Peer-to-Peer Platform Use Grows
Renting an RV from private owners through peer-to-peer digital platforms has undergone incredible growth in recent years, and the survey found slightly more than one quarter of rental dealers post at least some of their rental fleet units on peer-to-peer platforms. Prospective renters should keep this in mind because dealers know more than the typical owner about how RVs work, how to maintain them and how to fix them if they break down while in use, Krenek said.
RV Rental Advice
Here are some other issues Krenek believes consumers need to consider before renting an RV this summer. RVRA recommends customers ask these basic questions:
- Does the rental agency keep regular hours for drop off and pick up?
- For first-time RV renters, does the rental company provide an orientation on the RV systems and components?
- Find out the age of the RV you’re thinking of renting and if it is an older model, was it professionally maintained?
- If customers have questions about the RV during the trip, is there a phone number they can call or text for help?
- What are the terms for the security deposit?
- Is the RV that was described online the actual model that will be available at time of pickup?
- Who owns the RV that you’re renting and how does the insurance coverage work?
For RV owners considering renting their unit on their own, RVRA urges them to read and understand the terms of their RV manufacturer’s warranty as well as any component part warranties. They should also read and understand the terms of any financing agreement associated with the unit.
RVRA is a unit of RVDA, and the survey was conducted through the RV Retailer Intelligence program, a service of the RV Assistance Corp. (RVAC), a wholly owned subsidiary of RVDA.
