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Most Common Questions About Renting an RV in the USA

Compare costs of renting an RV in the USA.

We answer your Frequently Asked Questions about renting RVs in the USA:

Insurance & Taxes FAQ

What are the insurance options when renting an RV in the USA?

All RV's, campervan and motorhome are covered by insurance. The level of liability varies depending on the age and size of the vehicle.

The insurance excess (liability) can be as high as US$1500.00. If you don't have your own insurance to cover this excess then you will have to leave a security bond to this amount to cover this. The hire company will take security by a credit card payment.

You must have a credit card with high enough credit to cover this.

What is CDW Insurance?

CDW Collision Damage Waiver. (sometimes referred to as Loss Damage Waiver LDW.) This is the additional insurance that you buy when you rent an RV in USA.

If you damage the vehicle you are liable up to the amount that you pay as a security bond. If you take out CDW insurance, this covers this insurance excess. Typically the insurance excess is about US$1500.00. Without CDW insurance you would be liable to pay for damage incurred to the vehicle up to $1500.00.

There are options to reduce the level of liability:

You can reduce the amount of liability by buying other insurance cover either at the same time as you book the campervan or later. You can buy it from the campervan hire supplier; from us, or from an independent insurance provider that specialises in covering security excess on hire vehicles. The cost of this is calculated by each day hired.

There is usually a maximum amount that you have to pay eg 50 days cover will usually cover you for the duration of your hire even if you hire for longer than this.

You can reduce your liability to nil by buying additional insurance cover. This can often be included in the "all-inclusive" rates when you book your campervan hire. Some companies such as Cruise America will only allow a reduction in excess to US$1000.00

Even if you have full cover you will still leave a security bond. This is refundable when the vehicle is returned in a good and clean condition to the correct location on the agreed date.

Each RV Rental company has different terms and conditions relating to insurance cover. Contact us for full details and if you have any questions at all.

We also have the our own insurance cover available to select when you make your booking request.

What is Supplemental Liability Insurance?(SLI)?

Supplemental Liability Insurance?(SLI) covers the driver for damage to other vehicles or property damage. It also covers the driver for damage against a person. This is usually up to CA$1 million.

Are Taxes and State Taxes included in the rental rates?

All Taxes are included and shown in all quotes for campervan and motorhome rental in USA. Some taxes will be shown when you book but you may need to pay them on collection of the campervan as we are not permitted to charge you for them. This is always made clear where and when you have to pay these taxes.

Are there cancellation fees?

Some fees may apply if you cancel your rental booking depending on how far in advance you cancel your booking. They are clearly laid out in the terms and conditions.

Rental Supplier & Depot FAQ

Which rental companies do you list on Campervans.com?
  • Best Time RV
  • Britz
  • Campervan North America
  • Compass Campers
  • Cruise America
  • El Monte RV
  • Escape Campers
  • Expedition Motorhomes Inc
  • Lost Campers USA
  • Mighty Campers
  • Road Bear
  • Wild Campers USA
Which cities can I rent an RV to and from in the USA?
  • Albuquerque
  • Anchorage
  • Atlanta
  • Baltimore
  • Bellingham
  • Billings
  • Boston
  • Boston North
  • Calabasas
  • Chicago
  • Corona
  • Dallas
  • Dallas Intl Airport
  • Denver
  • Denver Intl Airport
  • El Monte
  • Fairbanks
  • Ferndale
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Haines
  • Henderson
  • Hesperia
  • Houston
  • Kingston
  • Las Vegas
  • Las Vegas McCarran Intl Airport
  • Los Angeles
  • Los Angeles Intl Airport
  • Louisville
  • Miami
  • Middlebury
  • Middletown
  • Minneapolis
  • New York
  • Newark
  • Newark Intl Airport
  • Newport Beach
  • Oakland
  • Oakland Intl Airport
  • Orlando
  • Orlando Intl Airport
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix
  • Portland
  • Reno
  • Sacramento
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Bernardino
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • San Francisco Intl Airport
  • San Jose RV Rental
  • Santa Cruz RV Rental
  • Santa Fe Springs
  • Seattle
  • Seattle-Tacoma Intl Airport
  • Seward RV Rental
  • Skagway
  • Tampa
  • Troutville RV Rental
  • Van Nuys RV Rental
  • Victorville
  • Washington D.C.
  • Whittier
Can I rent an RV from one city and return it to another in USA?

Yes, you can generally hire from one city to another, no matter where in USA.

There are sometimes additional costs including a re-location or one-way fee.

Is there internet at the collection branches?

Most campervan and motorhome hire suppliers provide free internet at most of the branches.

Terms and conditions for renting RVs, Motorhomes and Campervans in the USA.

These are full and comprehensive. They are listed on the booking page when you make your booking and there is a link at the bottom of the page where you put in your payment details. Read these before you make your booking. Please ask if you need anything explained further.

Travel FAQ

Can I drive my RV into Mexico?

Yes, but only if you purchase additional insurance cover. It is not permitted to take your RV into Mexico if you don't take out additional insurance. Not all rental companies in the USA allow travel to Mexico and won't offer the option of additional insurance. Please check with us before you book.

Can I drive my RV into Alaska and Northern Canada?

You can only take your RV into Alaska and Northern Canada with permission from the rental company and only if you pre-pay the Northern Surcharge. Some companies do not permit travel to these areas.

Can I drive my RV into New York City?

Local By-laws prevent RVs, Campervans and Motorhomes into the centre of New York City.

Can I drive my RV into Death Valley?

Travel into Death Valley is permitted during most of the year. Travel is not permitted during July and August as temperatures are likely to reach 60C (140F). It is not safe to drive when the temperatures are this high. Also, recovery is very restricted

Normal rules apply when driving. Watch your speed limit as some restrictions apply.

Driving rules in USA can be found here USA Road Rules

Can I take my RV to Burning Man?

Yes, but there are additional charges applied to the rental. Not all companies allow their rv's to go to Burning Man but many do. Book very early if you want to camp at Burning Man as there is a high demand for RV's during the festival season.

Are there toll roads in the USA, and do I have to pay to use them?

Toll roads are roads which charge a fee in exchange for access through to your destination.

Toll Roads in the USA

You are responsible for paying toll fees, so it is important to be aware of these road tolls before you travel.

What is the cost of fuel in America?

Petrol (Gasoline) in USA comes in unleaded and leaded grades, and is sold by the litre.

Fuel Costs in USA.

Driver FAQ

Do I need a special driver's licence?

A valid, current car driver's licence must be produced for everyone intending to drive a rental vehicle. State, overseas or international licences are acceptable. However, the licence must be in English.

Extra driver fees - are they included?

It is a good idea to have at least two drivers registered to drive your RV. Both drivers will have to be present when collecting the rental RV and sign up for insurance cover and permission to drive. Extra fees may apply. Often two drivers are included in the rental rates and this is clear when you go through the booking process online.

How old do you have to be to rent a campervan or motorhome in the USA?

You have to be 25 years old to rent an RV in the USA. However, some companies such as Cruise America and El Monte RV will rent to younger drivers but you will need to take out additional insurance. This will allow drivers of 21 years to rent an RV.

Vehicle FAQ

I have never rented an RV before, will someone show me how everything works?

Yes. You will have a dedicated staff member take you on a tour of the vehicle when you arrive at the branch.

They will ensure that you are familiar with all of the features before you leave. For some basic information about operating the vehicle, please read the rental guide.

Make sure you know how the vehicle works before you leave the depot. At busy times at peak season the introduction session may be quite quick. But, you can always call the depot to ask questions once you are on the road if you are unsure of anything. The vehicles have operating instructions included in the glove box usually.

Are there lots of cupboards and places to put my stuff in the RV?

Yes, there is a lot of room in cupboards and lockers in the RV to store your personal items and clothing.

Take soft bags that squash down to put them in the under seat lockers. If you are taking surf boards, bikes, skiis then rent a larger Motorhome with a garage and this will provide ample storage for all your gear.

RV Rental is popular with fishermen too. Rods can be stored in the garage and an extra BBQ can be provided by some suppliers to cook the catch!

If you are returning your campervan to the depot that you collected it from then there is usually a locked storage area to keep your luggage while you are on your holiday.

Are there heaters?

Yes, most vehicles have onboard heating.

What is the on-board kitchen like and how do I cook in an RV?

Every RV and Motorhome has some cooking facilities. The larger RVs have gas stove tops and some have ovens (furnaces). Many any are equipped with microwaves that operate when you are "plugged in" to a mains electricity supply.

There are usually free bbq areas in most campsites. You can also rent portable bbqs from some of our RV Rental Companies in the USA.

Keeping food and drinks cool in campervans and RVs

Fridges: Even the small low-tops or camping-cars have cool boxes. Larger Motohomes and RVs have fully functioning fridges that are powered by battery or gas or the mains. (Three way fridges)

How do you empty the toilet in a campervan?

Cassette toilets have an easy and clean to use process for emptying. They contain a blue fluid that breaks down all the solids and negates the odour. However, frequent emptying helps keep the campervan fresh smelling.

Empty them regularly by disposing of the contents at "dump stations" on campsites or in public toilets.

Remove the cassette from the outside of the campervan. Empty the contents into a dump station or toilet and hose out each time and replace the blue liquid to keep the odours to a minimum.

Water tanks on board RVs and motorhomes

There are two tanks:

Clean water tank.

Fill this with the water from taps. Boil it for drinking. This provides water for the shower and for the sink for washing up.

Waste water from the shower and the sink is collected in a grey water tank. You must empty this at a dump station on a campsite or at a public dump station.

Some campervans and motorhomes have on-board displays to show how much water is in the tanks.

Note: If you are in an area where the temperature drops below zero, the water tanks will automatically empty to prevent pipes freezing.

How long do the onboard batteries last?

The batteries provide power for between 12 - 20 hours when fully charged depending on use. There are two sets of batteries in a campervan or motorhome. One is standard that runs the engine and the other set provides you with electricity (power) for all the lights, pumps, shower, fridge etc

These batteries re-charge when you are driving the campervan. They will also re-charge when you are plugged in on a powered campsite. Idling the engine won't provide enough power to recharge the house battery.

When you are connected via a cable on a powered site, all equipment automatically runs on mains power rather than the battery. Appliances such as the television, microwave, rear air-conditioning and power points only run on mains power.

For the 12 Volt system to work, the 12 Volt main switch must be in the 'on' position. All vehicles can be connected to the mains power via the supplied 15 Amp extension lead with large earth pin. All approved caravan park circuits are rated at 15 amps in USA.

How does the shower work in an RV?

Each shower pump uses the battery system on board the campervan. The water is heated via the gas supply from a gas bottle stored in an outside compartment of the campervan. You will be shown this when you collect your campervan.

Please ensure that your water tanks and gas bottles are kept full. There is fresh water on all campsites and parks. Gas bottles can be re-fuelled at most garages, petrol stations.

What is supplied with a rented RV or motorhome in the USA?

This varies from company to company. The more expensive the campervan the more that is included.

There are many optional extras. In the USA you rent the basic RV or Motorhome. You will need to add mileage, bedding and vehicle or kitchen kit just to have the basics on board.

Some people buy or bring their own. Add on the basics and then shop for the rest.

Transfers are not included in the standard rate. Opt for the all-inclusive rate to ensure an early collection on the day and transfers and some mileage or unlimited mileage included. These packages often also include full cover insurance too.

Do you have to wear seatbelts in an RV?

Yes. You will not be able to rent an rv without seatbelts for every passenger. It is tempting not to wear belts when you are travelling in the rear of the RV but it is essential that you do for safety and legal purposes.

Child restraints/seats. Child booster seats

All children have to have proper restraints when travelling in a Motorhome in the USA that comply with Federal Safety Standards. You will need to ensure that you have child seats booked before hiring. Some companies do not supply these. Please check with us when you book your rental. Other companies have specific policies that cover child restraints. You may be asked to supply age and weight of your children if child seats or booster seats are required.

Are there bike racks included with the rental?

Bike racks are often listed as an additional option and will incur an extra fee. Not all rental companies offer bikes and bike racks as an option. Many campsites will rent you a bike.

Can I rent GPS with my motorhome in the USA?

This is sometimes offered as as additional hire option. You can take your own GPS device and download the appropriate regional maps.

Is there air-conditioning in the RV?

Most campervans and motorhomes have air-conditioning in the driver's cab that operates when driving.

Additional air-conditioning in the rear of the vehicle is offered in some cases at an additional charge. This will not operate until you are on a mains electrical supply or hooked up to a generator. So, an electrical hook up in a campsite or connected to the mains supply at a house or hotel.

What are the mileage options when renting an RV in the USA?

If you are considering a long rental then the option for choosing the "unlimited mileage" is tempting. It may well be the most cost effective option there is.

However, if you are renting for a few months and only intend staying in a few campsites for a few weeks at a time then you may want to consider pre-paying for mileage blocks. This is easy to work out when going through the booking process.

The mileage is calculated over the duration of the whole rental even though it is often sold on a per day basis.

If you do a rough calculation on how many miles you will travel during your rental using a mileage calculator or Google maps and then buying slightly less mileage that you need and pay the additional mileage cost at the end of your rental.

Winterising and RV in the USA

Campervans and Motorhomes are often winterised in the USA. Please check with us before you book that your RV has been winterised.

Winterising is the process of draining all water from the tanks and pipes when RVs are likely to be taken to areas where the temperature drops below zero to prevent damage to pipes and tanks. This means that you are not able to use the shower, toilet or sinks.

Can I access the internet whilst travelling in the USA?

Check with your phone provider. Turn off roaming so that you don't incur charges. It may be cheaper to hire a phone or buy a local sim card for your own phone while you are travelling. There is an abundance of internet hot spots and most campsites offer this facility.

There are many free wifi hotspots in the USA. The libraries will often give you temporary membership and fast-food outlets and coffee shops often provide wifi free.

General FAQ

Why is my booking only a booking request?

Campervans.com books campervans, motorhomes and rv's worldwide. Each country is on a different time zone. We process the booking request once the local offices are open. If the vehicle is available then payment is processed. If the vehicle that you have chosen is not available then we will send you a list of alternatives.

No payment is processed until you approve the alternative option.

In the rare event that no vehicle is available for the requested dates then we will decline the request. No payment is processed.

If you are unsure or have questions about any of the additional charges applied to rv rental rates in USA, please call or email us.

How do I save money on my hire?

Book early. Some companies put the prices up the nearer you get to pick up date. Book early and those prices are fixed.

Book for longer. Check out the over 21 day rate and the over 35 day rate. It is always worth having a look before you book as you may be able to go for longer for the same amount of money.

Older vehicles are cheaper than newer ones.

Larger vehicles are more expensive than smaller ones.

Avoid one-way hires that are less than 14 days in length.

Watch out for our special discounts and offers that are updated daily on our website. Discounts on Campervan and Motorhome Rental in USA

Travel outside of high season.

Need help or have a question?

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