5 Camper Van Rental Companies to Try Before You Buy
Ten years ago, I started road tripping in a 1976 Toyota Chinook. After the motor blew up, I got into a 1978 Toyota Sunline and unfortunately that didn’t last long, either. My love of old vehicles (and hatred of carburetors) eventually gave…
Ten years ago, I started road tripping in a 1976 Toyota Chinook. After the motor blew up, I got into a 1978 Toyota Sunline and unfortunately that didn’t last long, either. My love of old vehicles (and hatred of carburetors) eventually gave way to more practical and reliable camper vans. For the last eight years, I’ve traveled in a couple of different vans.
If I could hit rewind, though, I’d rent before buying. It would have saved me a lot of heartache and money. And with summer upon us, there’s never been a better time to rent a camper van to find out whether a van is the right adventuremobile for you. TikTok and Instagram can be super inspiring, but the reality is often far different than the golden hour reels your favorite creators share.
These are my recommendations for camper van rental companies in North America to help stop you from endlessly scrolling camper van videos and actually experience one with minimal commitment and maximum fun.
Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is one of the most popular peer-to-peer RV rental sites for starting your camper van adventure due to its vast inventory and listings in over 5,600 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Think of it like Airbnb but for RVs. (Outdoorsy even has a similar rating system that highlights Superhosts, which adds a sense of familiarity for new users.)
In a move toward greater transparency, the company recently updated its pricing model so there aren’t any hidden fees; what you see when browsing is what you pay upon checkout (barring individual hosts’ fees for things like pet deposits or waste dumping).
Newbies will also appreciate what Bryan Rucklos, the head of growth at the Outdoorsy has to say about insurance: “Outdoorsy is the only major rental marketplace powered by Roamly insurance,” says Rucklos. “Their proprietary insurtech is purpose-built for RV and camper van rentals, which means renters get specialized coverage without the headaches of figuring out third-party policies.”
Outdoorsy solves the big pre-trip hassle that is proper coverage, leaving you more time for planning fun.
RVshare
RVshare is another major peer-to-peer RV marketplace known for its large inventory with over 100,000 listings. Some vans are listed on both RVshare and Outdoorsy, so it’s wise to do a comparison on both platforms before committing. The sheer number of vehicles on RVshare makes it an ideal place for camper van enthusiasts.
Maddie Bourgerie, vice president of marketing at RVshare says that more than 30 percent of renters are booking RVs to test before committing to a purchase of their own.
RVshare’s Rental Advisors offer one-on-one support to help you choose the right rig for your adventure and offer personalized recommendations via the phone or text. “Camper vans like Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions, Winnebago Solis, and Ram ProMaster builds are among the most popular,” says Bourgerie. “They strike a balance between comfort and drivability, easy to maneuver like a large SUV, but fully equipped for off-grid adventures.”
Roadsurfer
Roadsurfer’s founding idea is simple: travel should feel free. The company started in Germany in 2016 with a fleet of 25 VW buses. “In Europe, the road trip is a kind of cultural inheritance. You grow up assuming you can throw a few things in the back, point the wheels at the Alps or the coast, and figure the rest out as you go,” says Roadsurfer’s growth marketing manager for North America, Grace Sillano. “That’s how Roadsurfer started.”
A decade later, the company continues to grow, with rentals in 100-plus locations in 16 countries with a fleet of over 10,000 vehicles. Roadsurfer also offers unlimited miles with its rentals, making the company a great choice for cross-country adventures.
It also has a lot of vans to choose from. The Horizon Hopper is built into an AWD diesel fuel Sprinter van with a navigation system, toilet, warm shower, portable induction stove, fridge with a freezer compartment, sink, and AC and heating systems that can be used while driving or parked. It’s the closest you can get to living top-end van life without having to buy the van. “We see ourselves as the newcomer to the U.S. market, but with ten years of European road-trip experience behind us,” says Sillano. “Our goal is pretty simple: to democratize road camping and make it easier than it’s ever been.”
Avanti Campervans
Located in a dozen major cities’ airports in the U.S., Avanti Campervans are simple, no-frills conversions built into the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Voyager. From the outside, each model looks like a typical minivan, making them a good option if you’re trying to fly under the radar.
Both of the models, the Caravan and the Voyager, have a fold-up bed, and the Voyager has a pullout kitchen in the back. Each rental comes with fresh linens, a comforter and pillows for two, a full set of kitchen utensils, folding chairs, a folding shade canopy, a camp (solar) shower, and a gas stove in each van, making it ideal for those flying in and picking up their van.
Avanti also recently purchased the popular Escape Campervans brand and trademark. Mike Verdi, Avanti owner, says company representatives will announce the next phase for both companies in a few weeks. “For now,” says Verdi, “I’ll just say our vision and mission align closely with the original Escape brand, and we will continue focusing on making campervan adventures more fun, affordable, and accessible.”
Native Campervans
You can rent photoshoot-worthy campervans from Native Campervans in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The vans are best suited for the off-grid traveler who wants to park in dispersed campsites on BLM lands and national parks.
“We focus on making van travel approachable,” says Dillon Hansen, co-founder of Native Campervans. Hansen says an emphasis on clean and functional design with minimal branding was an intentional choice, which makes Native Campervans a great choice for first-timers. “Less complexity means fewer issues on the road.”
Native Campervans also include bedding, cooking essentials, camp chairs, and 24-hour roadside assistance. With more than a decade of experience under their belt, Native employees continue to innovate and are weeks away from launching a removable campervan pod that converts a cargo van into a fully functional campervan in an hour without any permanent vehicle modifications. “It creates a much more flexible and scalable way to build and operate a fleet, while keeping the same simple, intuitive experience for the customer,” says Hansen.
Erin McGrady is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer based in the Southwest U.S. but is often on the road with her wife, Caroline, and rescue dog, Maggie, traveling in their Wayfarer Camper Van. Follow her on Instagram via @e.mcgrady and @authenticstoryco.
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