First-Timer Protection Guide

Everything I'd Tell a Friend Before Their First RV Rental

If you've never rented an RV before, the process looks simple from the outside: pick one, book it, drive away. The reality involves insurance decisions, contract language, vehicle inspections, and at least a dozen things that can go sideways if you don't know to look for them.

This guide is what I'd sit down and tell a friend over coffee before their first rental. It's not comprehensive coverage of every edge case — it's the stuff that actually matters, from someone who's seen what goes wrong.

Before You Book: The Research Checklist

Know what class of RV you actually need. This matters more than you think.

Class A: The big ones. Bus-style motorhomes, 25–45 feet. If you've never driven anything larger than an SUV, think hard before jumping to a Class A. They're incredible but demanding to drive and park.
Class B: Camper vans. Compact, easy to drive, limited living space. Great for couples. Claustrophobic for families.
Class C: The sweet spot for most first-timers. Truck-cab front with a living area behind. 20–32 feet. Drives more like a large truck than a bus. Most have a cab-over sleeping area that kids love.
Travel trailers and fifth wheels: You need a tow vehicle. If you don't have one, this isn't your category.

Map your actual route. Not just the destination — the roads between. Some RVs can't handle mountain passes or narrow forest roads. Measure your daily driving distance. More than 300 miles per day in an RV is exhausting, not relaxing.

Check your campground reservations. Popular national parks book 6 months out. An RV without a place to park it is just an expensive way to sit in a Walmart parking lot. (Though Walmart overnight parking is genuinely useful in a pinch — not every location allows it, check first.)

Verify your driver's license requirements. Most states don't require a special license for RVs under 26,000 lbs, but some have restrictions on vehicle length or combined weight. If you're renting a Class A, check your state's specific requirements.

Questions to Ask Every Owner or Company

Before you confirm any booking, ask these questions directly. If you're using a platform, message the owner — don't rely on the listing alone.

What is the total cost including all fees? Not the nightly rate. The actual amount that will hit your credit card. Get this in writing.
What does the insurance cover, and what's the deductible? If they can't answer this clearly, that's a red flag.
What's the mileage policy? Included miles per day, overage rate, and whether generator hours are separate.
When was the last major service? Oil change, tire inspection, brake check, generator service. A well-maintained RV will have records.
Are there any known issues with the vehicle? Honest owners will tell you about quirks — the slide-out that needs a firm push, the water heater that takes a few tries. Silence here isn't confidence; it's a potential problem.
What happens if the RV breaks down? Who do you call? Is roadside assistance included? What's the response time expectation? What happens to your rental cost during downtime?
What's the cancellation policy? Get the specific terms, not a summary. How many days before the trip? What percentage refund? What counts as a qualifying cancellation?
How does the walkthrough work? A thorough walkthrough at pickup is your single best protection against later disputes. If the owner wants to hand you keys and leave, push back.

Reading the Rental Agreement

I know nobody reads contracts. Read this one. Specifically look for:

Damage liability language. What are you responsible for? Many agreements hold you liable for any damage discovered after return, regardless of whether you caused it. This is where pre-trip documentation (more on that below) becomes your lifeline.

Prohibited use clauses. Most rental agreements prohibit off-road driving, certain unpaved roads, travel to Mexico, Burning Man (specifically — it's that common), and sometimes travel above certain elevations. Violating these can void your insurance entirely.

Pet policies. If you're bringing animals, confirm this in writing. Some owners say yes verbally and then charge a surprise cleaning fee. Get the pet policy and any associated fees documented before booking.

Return condition requirements. What does "clean" mean? Some agreements specify dump-and-sweep, others expect near-showroom condition. Some charge cleaning fees regardless. Know before you go.

Fuel and propane return policy. Full-to-full? Replacement at $8/gallon? This is a minor cost but an annoying surprise.

Insurance: Your Most Important Decision

RV rental insurance is genuinely confusing, and the platforms benefit from that confusion because their bundled options are expensive.

Here's the hierarchy of coverage options:

Platform insurance (RVshare's or Outdoorsy's bundled plans): Convenient but expensive. Typically $25–$50/day with deductibles ranging from $500 to $3,000 depending on the plan level. The fine print matters — read the actual policy document, not the marketing summary.

Your personal auto insurance: Call your insurer and ask specifically about RV rental coverage. Most standard auto policies do NOT cover rented motorhomes. Some do cover towed trailers. Get a written confirmation, not just a phone rep's opinion.

Your credit card's rental coverage: Almost universally does NOT cover RVs, motorhomes, or any vehicle over a certain weight/value. I've seen people discover this at the worst possible moment. Call your card company and ask about recreational vehicles specifically.

Third-party RV rental insurance: Companies like Roamly and MBP offer short-term RV rental policies that can be significantly cheaper than platform insurance. This is worth investigating for rentals over 5 days — the savings can be hundreds of dollars.

Your personal umbrella policy: If you have one, check whether it extends to rented recreational vehicles. Some do. This provides liability coverage above your other policies.

The minimum you need: comprehensive/collision coverage for the vehicle itself, and liability coverage for damage to other vehicles/property/people. Do not drive an RV without both.

The Walkthrough Documentation Protocol

This is the most important 30 minutes of your entire rental experience. Do not rush this. Do not skip this because you're excited to hit the road.

Before pickup, ask the owner/company to do a joint walkthrough. Both of you should be present.

Take photos and video of everything:

All four exterior sides, focusing on any existing scratches, dents, or damage
The roof (ask — many disputes involve roof damage from tree branches or clearance mistakes)
Every interior compartment, surface, and appliance
Odometer reading
Generator hour meter reading
Fuel gauge and propane gauge
Tire condition (tread depth, sidewall damage, inflation)
All slides extended and retracted
Water heater, AC, and furnace running

Test everything during the walkthrough:

Start the engine and generator
Run the AC and heat
Test all slide-outs
Run water in every faucet (hot and cold)
Flush the toilet
Check all lights (interior, exterior, running lights, brake lights)
Test the leveling system if equipped
Open and close all entry doors, compartment doors, and windows

Document any pre-existing issues in writing. Both you and the owner should sign off on the condition report. If they don't have a written condition report, make your own and email it to them before driving away.

At return, do the same process again. Walk around together, document the condition, get written acknowledgment that you returned the vehicle in acceptable condition. If the owner isn't present for return, video everything comprehensively and send it immediately.

This documentation is your only defense in a damage dispute. Without it, the platform or owner can claim anything, and you have no evidence to the contrary.

What Happens When Things Go Wrong

Breakdowns: Call the roadside assistance number first. If you're on a platform rental, also notify the platform. Document everything — time of breakdown, what failed, repair shop used, time lost. You may be entitled to a partial refund for days lost to mechanical failure, but you'll need to make the case.

Damage disputes: If an owner claims damage after return that you don't believe you caused, your walkthrough documentation is everything. File your dispute through the platform immediately, provide your photos/video evidence, and don't accept the first resolution offer without reviewing it carefully.

Owner cancellations: This happens more than platforms want to admit. If an owner cancels close to your trip date, the platform will try to rebook you, but availability may be limited. Know the cancellation compensation policy before booking — some platforms offer rebooking assistance and rate matching, others just refund you and wish you luck.

Accidents: Call 911 if anyone is injured. File a police report regardless of severity. Notify the insurance provider immediately. Notify the platform and owner. Do not admit fault at the scene — let insurance handle liability determination.

The Short Version

Know what you need before you browse
Ask the hard questions before you book
Read the actual contract
Get proper insurance (not just the cheapest option)
Document everything at pickup and return
Keep copies of all communications

An RV trip can be genuinely transformative — there's nothing quite like waking up in a national park with your home right there. The goal of all this preparation isn't to make you paranoid. It's to make sure the logistics don't ruin the experience.

This guide reflects two decades of watching first-time renters navigate this industry. The best trips start with boring preparation.