With concerns about safety clashing with the desire to get outside and travel, it’s not surprising that many families are turning to RVs for the fall. The private and enclosed space allows you and your family to see the sights without worrying about disinfection and close quarters with strangers. But you have to keep in mind that purchasing an RV is a big investment. So instead of rushing to buy one, you can consider renting an RV.
Whether you’re new to RVing or have owned one in the past and never rented before, here’s what you need to know about renting an RV for the first time this fall.
Consider Peer Rentals
High demand for RVs across Canada is sure to make it harder than usual to find rentals this fall. Instead of only searching official rental companies and RV dealers, consider peer to peer RV rental options such as Outdoorsy. Trusted peer to peer RV rental marketplaces such as Outdoorsy help bring together RVers looking to rent out their RVs with those looking to give RVing a try.
Note: If you own an RV you don’t plan to use this fall, you can consider renting it out to others this fall. Just keep in mind that good insurance coverage is essential to protect bother renters and owners when using a peer-to-peer system.
Start with a Smaller Vehicle
Smaller RVs are good for beginners or those that haven’t driven these large vehicles in the last few years. The largest Class A motorhomes may have room for everyone in the family to spread out, but they’re harder to handle and more limited in the sites they can access. It’s all too easy to get stuck and need expensive extraction service from an oversized towing rig to get free again. If you’re travelling with a large family, consider renting two or smaller RVs to give everyone space while breaking up the driving responsibilities among multiple qualified drivers. Travel trailers and pop-ups are best for complete beginners. You can easily rent a towing vehicle along with the trailer if you don’t have one. Class C and B motorhomes are generally easy enough for beginners to drive as well, but wait on a Class A motorhome rental until you have good driving experience or training.
Practice Your Driving Skills
Speaking of driving training, consider a local RV school to get some hands-on experience with everything from backing into a campsite to properly adjusting lifts and slide-out sections. Most parts of Canada have at least one campground or RV dealer offering this kind of event, even now with social distancing requirements in effect. If you can’t find a driving class to attend in person or a one-on-one coach, try at least renting the RV a few days early and practicing basic skills in a wide-open space like an empty parking lot.
Plan Out the Route
With many campgrounds, RV-friendly travel centres, and other facilities shut down or limited hours due to the pandemic, it’s best to plan your entire route out as much as possible in advance. Calling and checking the latest updates from any businesses you’ll rely on during your trip will prevent disappointment. From attractions to places to stay at night, double-check any locations you’ve visited in the past before assuming they’re operating as usual.
Now you’re ready for renting an RV so you can get out there to explore again in a safe and responsible way, all while social distancing!
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