If you plan to rent a campervan for your road trips, there are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration before you start calling rental companies. Whether you’ll be putting miles behind you trekking across North America or just getting out of San Francisco or Salt Lake City for the weekend, there are many factors that affect your camper van choice.
Let’s take a look at how to choose your next camper, what rental companies will allow you to do once you have it, and some tools and apps that will help make your trip an easy and stress-free experience.
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Considerations for Your Camper Van Road Trip
There are some obvious and not-so-obvious things to consider when planning your camper van rental for road trips. Here’s a brief overview.
How many people are going?
This seems obvious, but you may need to think about not only how many people the van sits, but how many it sleeps. If you won’t be tent camping or staying in motels, you’ll need beds and bedding for all additional people (including any pets!)
What is the terrain?
Terrain affects not only the type of vehicle you rent but also the insurance you purchase for it. Many rental companies have clauses and policies that prohibit driving certain rentals in certain locations or on certain types of terrain.
Double-check your route and make sure the motorhome you’re renting is permitted by the rental location for the terrain and locations you’re planning to cover.
You should also be prepared with things like snow chains, recovery tracks, shovels, and other emergency gear. Again, check with the rental company to see if they will provide this or if you’ll need to have your own.
Will you need to stealth camp?
Most people embarking on a quick weekend warrior-type getaway won’t need to worry about this, but for those planning a longer trip, or who know they will be spending time in urban areas as opposed to national parks should think about it.
Stealth camping is usually a last resort, and ideally, you won’t have to do it, but it’s entirely possible you may get stuck somewhere and need to park on the side of the road for a night.
Stealth camping works better with some types of vans over others. A basic un-branded minivan, for example, will draw less attention than a tricked-out Sprinter or a campervan model with a rooftop tent.
If you plan to stealth camp, look for something with a low profile, without a lot of extra gear like a satellite dish, solar power, or outdoor camping kitchen gear.
Campgrounds or boondocking
For those planning to spend more time in rural areas, will you be staying in caravan parks with hookups and shore power, or boondocking? You’ll need to think not only about the facilities at those caravan parks (Will there be a camp shower? What about camp kitchens?) but also the facilities you’ll need to have in your camper.
Larger motorhomes often come with solar panels, cooking fuel, cooking equipment, etc., but you may not need all that if you’re staying in campgrounds. Price will be affected by these things, so pay for only what you need.
You’ll also want to consider the number of miles between campgrounds and make sure that all your stops are within reachable distance if you don’t plan to boondock.
Do you want a toilet or shower?
Again, this may be largely dictated by your camping plans. If you’ll be staying mostly in campgrounds, you may not need a toilet or shower in your camper rental. If you do require one, will an outdoor shower suffice? Do you need a hot water shower or can you make do with cold?
Limitations of campervan rental contracts
Read the camper rental contract carefully – as mentioned previously, some contracts don’t allow off-road use or use on certain types of terrain. They may also include mileage restrictions, and you’ll get charged extra if you go over the daily rate. Some contracts can be adjusted to allow unlimited miles, so be sure to ask when you book the van.
You should also be aware of the pick-up and drop-off times, and the pick-up and drop-off locations. Make sure you’re aware of any price increase for one-way rentals, and double check the ending location of your one-way trip.
Always ask about insurance when you book. Don’t assume that insurance will be included, or that the insurance that is included is necessary. Most camper van rental companies have insurance that covers up to three drivers with no cost. Your personal insurance may cover rentals, but check with your insurance company first.
Have you driven a vehicle this size before?
Don’t overlook this! Depending on its size and the type of camper, a motorhome may be very different from driving another type of car. Larger motorhomes turn differently, brake differently, back up differently, and behave differently in wind and at high speeds.
Gas mileage
You’ll be paying for gas, so don’t forget to include it in your budget. Ask about gas mileage and consider fuel prices in the areas you will be traveling through. Prices can vary drastically from one area to another!
How far are you driving?
On the same note as gas mileage, some rental companies have limits to how many daily miles you can drive without incurring additional fees. If you’re planning a long road trip, find out if you can add an unlimited mileage option to your campervan rental package.
Campervan Recommendations
Let’s examine some camper models and the types of road trippers who might rent them. Our extensive camper van rental directory will help you find a rental that suits your needs!
Sprinter Vans
Sprinters are a good option because their smaller size allows them to fit into most regular parking spaces. They also get good gas mileage since they run on diesel, and they are tall enough for an average person to stand fully upright.
Ford Transit
Ford Transits are super easy to drive and many offer all-wheel drive, making them a great off-road option. If you can get a Ford E-Transit (the electric model) you’ll also be saving money on gas and saving the environment.
Dodge Ram ProMaster
The Dodge Ram ProMaster has only front-wheel drive. This is fine when the vehicle is fully loaded and the weight is properly distributed, but it can sometimes be difficult to get traction in tricky terrain when the vehicle is light.
Micro Campers and Minivans
Micro campers and low-profile minivans are great for urban stealth camping, but most won’t fare very well in off-road situations. They also tend to be smaller than other camper rental options, which will limit the amount of gear you can bring. This is a good option if you’ll be sticking to mainly urban areas and making short trips.
Camper Van Rentals are Perfect for Road Trips
It only takes a little preparation to ensure that your camper van rental makes your road trip experience positive. Put together a list of your wants and needs before you start calling around to campervan rental companies to make sure that all your bases are covered. Then sit back, relax, and have an amazing trip! And as always, go Find Your Outside™!
