We’re proud to announce that we are partnering with Outdoorsy and will now offer their full inventory of more than 40,000+ RV rentals from its peer-to-peer platform on VacationRenter. In honor of that, we’ve asked Outdoorsy to write a guest post on the different varieties of RVs available and some reasons you should definitely rent one.
Guest Post by Outdoorsy
That first breath of crisp mountain air in the morning. The warm steam coming off your coffee. The crunch of gravel on the trail. The crackling laughter of family and friends as you share stories around the campfire.
The VacationRenter team is on a quest to give you easier access to those moments that matter, which is why our team at Outdoorsy felt they were the perfect partner for us. We’re a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace with one mission in mind: to make memorable outdoor experiences accessible to everyone.
If this is your first time hearing of Outdoorsy, you can think of us as your one-stop shop for RV, campervan, and airstream rentals. It’s worth noting that Outdoorsy isn’t about the cookie-cutter RV lifestyle where each RV looks the same. With more than 40,000 recreational vehicle options available to rent — from Vintage VW Westfalias and tricked out Sprinter vans to mid-century modern Airstreams and towable teardrop trailers — you’re sure to find one that fits your personal travel style.
RVs are a lot like people — each version has different features and strengths. Before we list off the many reasons why taking a road trip with Outdoorsy deserves a place at the top of your bucket list, let’s brush up on the different types of RVs out there. After all, in order to walk the walk, one must talk the talk.
Driveables
The below options are listed from largest to smallest.
Class A
Drivers of Class A’s should be comfortable driving bus-sized vehicles and dealing with parking limitations. Class A’s are the epitome of luxury — some even come furnished with a fireplace. They’re great for large travel parties and best when delivered to your campsite or, better yet, to your next NASCAR or football tailgate.
Class C
Class C’s are popular with small families and first-time RV drivers who want a little more room than a van. The majority come furnished with a bathroom, showers and full kitchen. Driving a Class C is comparable to driving a truck.
Class B
Class B’s are the category those cool, converted Sprinter Vans and Dodge Promasters fall into. Step inside one of these and you’ll likely find creative uses of space and jaw-dropping interior designs. These are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and those whose pets are their plus-1.
Campervan
Campervans are the smallest and nimblest of all fully-enclosed RVs. They drive, well, just like a van and are well-versed in the art of posing for portraits on Instagram. Campervans are roomy for one occupant, cozy for two, and a tight squeeze for three.
Truck Camper
If you can drive a truck, you can drive a truck camper. With comfy beds tucked over the roof and open living space in the truck bed, truck campers make roughing it significantly less rough. Truck campers are the perfect fit for solo road trippers and lovebirds alike.
Towables
The below options are listed from largest to smallest.
Fifth-Wheel
Fifth-Wheels are larger trailers that attach to towing vehicles with a gooseneck extension in the truck bed. They often have spacious floor plans (perfect for traveling families) and tout luxurious design features that rival their drivable Class A counterparts.
Toy Hauler
Toy Haulers are designed with an adventurous lifestyle in mind. They sport living quarters for a small family in the front with dedicated space for hauling motorcycles or other “toys” in the back.
Trailer
Trailers mainly mean an Airstream or other trailer that doesn’t fall under any of the other classifications. Adored by many, Airstreams ensure you’ll see plenty of smiling faces on the road. You’ll also never struggle to strike up conversation at the campground. These are an ideal rental for a small family or a dynamic travel duo.
Folding Trailer
Folding trailers are trailers that can, well, fold down. What pop-up books are to kids, pop-up (or folding) trailers are to kids at heart. These tend to be super compact, and therefore also super cute. Folding trailers are a great way for a small family or couple to transform their average car into an adventure car.
Utility Trailer
Utility trailers are other types of towable trailers that don’t fall under any of the above classifications.
15 Reasons to Take a Road Trip
Now onto the main course — presented in no particular order, here are the top 15 reasons why taking a road trip with Outdoorsy deserves a place at the top of your bucket list.
#1. You can customize your trip.
Renters can find a vehicle that fits their personal style, personality, and travel needs — anything from Sprinter vans with wood-paneled interiors and solar-paneled roofs, teardrop trailers that can be towed by a Prius, Instagrammable airstreams, and driveable Class B campers.
#2. You can pack whatever your heart desires.
By taking an RV, you’re taking your hotel on the road with you. And you easily pack everything you need for your trip without worrying about those nickel-and-dime baggage fees.
#3. You can bring your four-legged friends.
Many of Outdoorsy’s RV rentals are pet-friendly, meaning that your doggo can join you on your adventure! Just think: the money you save not having to board your furry friend can be put back into your trip.
#4. You won’t break the bank.
It’s quick math. Add together the price of flights, accommodations, transportation, eating out, and activity entrance fees, and the cumulative tally of traditional vacation costs alone can make a massive dent in household finances. A common stigma first-time road trippers have is that potential RV rental options are expensive, cumbersome, and restrictive.
The reality though is that the cost savings of RV travel vs. air travel ranges between 21 to 64 percent for a four-person travel party, while a two-person travel party saves anywhere from 8 to 53 percent. In 2019, the average cost of an Outdoorsy rental was $121/night, making Outdoorsy vacations more affordable than traditional hotel vacations, with the average nightly rate for U.S. hotels coming in at $133/night.
#5. You can see everything.
The beauty of RV travel is that you’re not restricted by a glowing seatbelt sign in seat 24B. On the road, opportunity is at your fingertips, and you’re free to roam about the cabin. There’s plenty to discover on the road between Point A and Point B, and RV travel offers you the flexibility to change your plans, read that historical marker, and check out that hot spring that lies three miles off the beaten path. Go ahead and kick up some dust. After all, you’re the pilot of this trip.
#6. You’ll be the cool kid on the road.
Once you get used to driving something bigger and more powerful than a Toyota Prius, you may just start to find excuses to buckle up and hit the road again. Heads will tilt, windows will roll down, photos will be taken and thumbs-ups will be given. So, this is what it feels like to be a celebrity. The #vanlife way of life suddenly feels more accessible.
#7. You’ll make new friends.
You would never consider knocking on someone’s hotel room door, and elevator rides with strangers aren’t getting any less awkward, but when you’re camping, it’s inherently more natural — and easier — to strike up a conversation with your neighbors. Whether you’re trying to back into your campsite and need a helping hand, or a stranger invites you to sit around the campfire, it’s easier to immediately feel connected to new people when you break free from the four walls of a hotel room.
#8. You’ll spend quality time with family.
It’s proven that spending time outdoors is good for you, but all too often our travel time is spent in hotels, planes and other indoor spaces. By taking a road trip, you can spend quality time with your family and also use it as an educational opportunity for your little ones – and cut down on their screen time to create real connections and lasting memories.
#9. Your meals will taste better.
We love hot dogs and S’mores as much as the next person, but — surprise, surprise — there are some creative, healthy meals you can make over a campfire, grill, or stovetop. The beauty about renting a home on wheels is you can store fresh foods in your refrigerator or cooler and use a stove, grill, or campfire (our favorite choice) to whip up a fresh and flavorful meal.
#10. You can freshen up in between hikes.
While everyone else at the trailhead is wiping sweat off their brow and low-key dreaming of the sweet relief of air conditioning, you’re tucked in your campervan sipping chilled water, washing your face and changing into new clothes — it’s like a spa on wheels. Who said anything about going home? You’re five minutes away from hitting the trail again and tackling the next summit.
#11. You’ll breathe deeper.
Have you ever noticed that manners and etiquette seem to go out the window — right along with that extra legroom — when you’re on a plane? By traveling in your own RV or campervan, you’ll save yourself from having to witness the man in 17A cover his cough with the magazine he was reading, only to then put it back in the seat holder for the next person to read.
#12. You’ll witness magic.
There’s nothing like that campfire smell, or the tales told when sitting around one. It’s fascinating how the crackle of wood and hissing of smoke can be an elixir to pull memories — and the occasional ghost story — out of you and your camping companions.
#13. You’ll be starstruck.
Those hotel room popcorn ceilings are no match for the sparkling diamonds sprinkled in a silky black night sky. It’s breathtaking how a blanket of a billion stars can make you feel distant and small yet comfortably right at home — all at the same time.
#14. You’ll step outside your comfort zone.
It starts when you sit behind the wheel and continues well into the trip — to that challenging hike you tackle and your first attempt at casting a fishing line. The minute you show yourself you’re only limitations are the ones you set for yourself, the whole world opens up and new opportunities for self discovery arise. Moments like that just don’t happen during flight delays at the airport. They only happen where life happens best — out on the road.
#15. You can have it delivered.
While some folks would argue that RVing is about the journey, for those who aren’t ready to spend time on the road, are only wanting to stay in one place or are intimidated by driving an RV, many of our owners offer vehicle delivery. They’ll deliver the RV to your campsite, get it all set up, and even pick you up from the airport to get you to the site, meaning you can focus on spending time on what matters most – enjoying your vacation.