What’s better than a weekend RVing?

Don’t let time limit your free-spirited sense of adventure and desire for priceless family memories that will last a lifetime. This is the Weekend Warrior’s Guide to RVing. With a bit of sensible preparation and planning, you can transform an ordinary weekend into an extraordinary experience by exploring the fun little getaways in your neck of the woods.

Shorter trips are easier to plan, lighter on your wallet, and perfect for first-time renters who are curious about the RV lifestyle and ready to try out a test run. In addition, getting familiar with some of the hosts in your local community is a great way to find out about upcoming events and the hidden sweet spots known only to locals.

So, let’s get started.

Do a Keyword Search for Outdoor Activities

Brainstorm some ideas with the family or use the following keywords to search for outdoor activities in your community.

• Camping: Whether it’s “glamping” in a luxury RV park with full amenities or boondocking in the backcountry, search for campgrounds in nearby national forests and parks or state parks and recreational areas within 100 to 150 miles of home.
• Musicfestivals: search for events within 2 to 3 hours of driving time from your home, in addition to local venues.
• Tailgating: support your favorite sports team, your favorite race car driver, or check for upcoming events at your local stadium or venue. Make sure you check the venue’s website for policies on alcohol, glass containers, RVs, and overnight stays.
• Fishing:contact some of the local RV hosts in your community and ask about the best spots for dropping a line. You can also contact your local department of game and fish.
• Hiking and rock climbing: comis a great resource for finding outdoor activities in your local area, including hiking, mountain biking, street biking, and pet-friendly or wheelchair-friendly trails.

Water sports: nearby lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and coastline communities can provide hours of fun with whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, jet skis, snorkeling, paddle boarding, surfing, and much more.

Make a List of Free Campsites

If you’re on a budget and need to keep your expenses down, you can save money by finding free spots to park your RV overnight or for a few days.

• net: This online platform lets you search for free RV camping or share locations with the community.
• iOverlander: Both a website and a free app that lets you explore boondocking sites and campgrounds with amenities.
• Boondockers Welcome: A membership site that allows you to find hosts with private property for free RV camping with your rented RV through RVnGO.

Plan for Waste Removal and Hygiene

Gray and black water from showers and toilets are held in holding tanks that need to be emptied responsibly. RV Dump Stations has information for facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

If your outfit doesn’t have a shower, campgrounds are your best option, or you can try truck stops like Love’s and Pilot Flying J’s for coin showers.

Choose the Right RV Model

You should have your destination and activities planned as well as a solid headcount for guests and traveling companions before choosing the RV you plan to rent.

Don’t rely solely on the RV listing for sleeping accommodations. Take a walk-through tour of the vehicle to inspect the space for sleeping to ensure each adult has adequate room for comfort.

Check to see what kitchen appliances are included, as well as extras such as silverware, bottle openers, can openers, and cookware.

Inquire about bed linens and towels. Sometimes these can be rented as well as extra add-ons. Read the article – How to Choose Between a Class A or Class C. If you are looking for a towable RV, then read the article – How to Choose between a 5^th Wheel or a Travel Trailer.

Factor in All the Fees from the Host and Platform

In addition to the base per night or per week or per month rental rate, be aware of the extra charges that come with renting an RV associated with add-ons or overages created by you the renter or important damage protection coverage. Additional charges can include:

• Up-front security deposit
• Damage Protection
• Roadside Assistance
• Mileage and mileage overage
• Pet
• Extra Cleaning if needed
• Dump charge if needed
• Late Return
• Extra amenities such as linens, kitchenware, propane, and a generator usage

These are from the RV Owner (Host). Don’t forget to budget for additional costs down the road, such as park fees, campground fees, gas, and meals along the way. Keep in mind that RVs get very low gas mileage. Use gas-saving techniques whenever possible so you can maximize your fuel efficiency.

When using an RV Rental Website, the Damage Protection and Roadside Assistance may be charged from the platform rather than the Host. Many RV Rental Platforms tack on a non value added “Service Fee” in addition to the other charges. Check the different platforms and compare apples to apples to make sure you are getting the best total price for similar RV Units with the same damage protection.

Do Your Final Preparation for Your Trip

Plan all your meals before you leave and go shopping for the groceries you’ll need. Don’t forget to include snacks and drinks to keep everyone satisfied if you opt-out of stopping for meals en route to your destination. Make sure flashlights and other portable devices have fresh batteries.

Bring a few extra changes of clothes to cover any unexpected mishaps. And pack for all types of weather.

Be Prepared for Things to Go Wrong

Bring some board games and cards in case the weather doesn’t cooperate and you get stuck inside the RV for most of the weekend. Pack a first aid kit for minor emergencies and bring over-the-counter medicine for headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, and heartburn.

Adding roadside assistance for an extra $15 per night can bring you peace of mind. Get 24/7 help and instructions for operating the RV, plus a free tow to the repair shop in the event of an accident or breakdown.

PS – Here Is How to Search for an RV Rental

You might be wondering what’s the best way to find the perfect weekend-home-on-wheels. That can feel downright intimidating if you don’t know where to start.

We’ve all felt that sense of uncertainty when trying something new. Fortunately, you’ve just found an excellent resource for nationwide RV rental hosts with RVnGO.

Best of all, RVnGo is 100% free to use and doesn’t charge any middleman fees to guests or hosts – meaning guests save more money while hosts get to keep more.

Sign Up and Complete Your Profile

Go to the home page of RVnGO.com and click on Sign Up. Enter your name and email address into the form and submit. You can also sign up by using social media profiles from Twitter or Facebook.

After you validate your email, complete your profile. For the safety of the RVnGO community, you will be required to verify your identity by uploading an image of your face and your driver’s license.

You must be aged between 25 and 70 to rent an RV. You also need a driving record free from any DUI charges within the last three years. For more information, please refer to this account creation article.

Send an Inquiry to a Host

Use the site’s search filters to zero in on the available choices in your area by entering your city and travel dates in the search form. The earlier you can plan for your trip, the more likely you’ll find what you need.

Next, a list of available options is displayed, with more search filters on the left side. When you see an option that interests you, hover over it and click “View Details.”

Enter the rest of your information in the auto-populated form with your travel dates. Then view the complete, transparent breakdown of all your charges. If everything looks correct, send the inquiry.

After the owner confirms the inquiry, you can pay the rental deposit by clicking “Pay Balance.”

Now you’re all set! You can add any additional drivers on this page by uploading their driver’s licenses, as well as sending messages to your host.

How to Check-In and Begin Your Adventure

It’s essential to show up on time for your RV inspection. The host will need to show you how everything works and how to safely operate an oversized vehicle.

RVnGO has a detailed checklist that you and your host will go through together. Make sure you take pictures of any flaws or preexisting damage both inside and outside the RV.

Completing the checklist on the online check-in form enables you to create and print the Certificate of Rental and Coverage Certificate. Keep these forms handy in the glove box.

Do you have additional questions or concerns about renting an RV? Visit RVnGO’s Knowledge Base.

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