Fleet vs P2P vs Independent: The Honest Breakdown

Three Ways to Rent an RV. None of Them Are Perfect.

Every RV rental article you'll find online frames this as a simple choice with a clear winner — usually whichever platform pays the best affiliate commission. The reality is that each model serves different renters, and the "best" option depends entirely on your situation, risk tolerance, and what you value most.

I've watched all three models evolve since the mid-1990s. Here's what each one actually looks like from the inside.

The Fleet Model

Players: Cruise America, El Monte RV, Apollo RV, Road Bear

Fleet companies own hundreds or thousands of RVs and rent them from fixed locations — usually near airports or major cities. Think of them as the Hertz or Enterprise of RVs.

What you get right:

• Standardized experience. Every unit of the same class is essentially identical.
• Professional maintenance schedules. These vehicles are serviced regularly because downtime costs the company money.
• Established locations with staff who handle walkthrough, checkout, and support.
• Roadside assistance is typically included and actually functional.
• One-way rentals are possible (though expensive — see the one-way guide).
• No owner drama. You're dealing with a company, not a person.

What you get wrong:

• The vehicles are utilitarian. Fleet RVs are designed for durability and easy cleaning, not comfort or aesthetics. Think beige everything, basic mattresses, minimal kitchen equipment.
• They're typically 2–4 years old but feel older because they're rented 150+ nights per year. Hard use shows.
• Limited selection. You're choosing between 3–4 vehicle classes, not browsing hundreds of unique units.
• Rigid policies. Add-ons (kitchen kits, linens, camping chairs) cost extra — $100–$200 for stuff a private owner would include.
• Mileage and generator restrictions are strict and overages are expensive.
• Peak season availability can be brutal. Fleet companies don't have unlimited inventory.

Best for: First-timers who want predictability, people who value corporate accountability over personal touch, one-way renters, travelers near major airports.

The P2P Platform Model

Players: RVshare, Outdoorsy (the dominant two)

Peer-to-peer platforms connect private RV owners with renters. The platform handles the listing, payment processing, insurance facilitation, and dispute resolution. They take a cut from both sides.

I have complicated feelings about P2P platforms. The concept is sound — I was running a referral service connecting RV owners with renters back in the mid-'90s. But the execution has evolved in ways that prioritize platform revenue over both owner and renter experience.

What you get right:

• Massive selection. Every type of RV imaginable, from vintage Airstreams to brand-new luxury diesel pushers.
• Often newer, better-maintained vehicles than fleet. Owners who rent their personal RV tend to keep it nicer.
• Many owners include extras — kitchen supplies, linens, camping gear, local recommendations.
• Location flexibility. You can find RVs for rent in rural areas and small towns, not just near airports.
• Delivery options. Many owners will bring the RV to you.
• Personal interaction with someone who knows the specific vehicle.
• Price competition means you can find genuine deals, especially in shoulder season.

What you get wrong:

• Platform fees are significant and not always transparent. 15–25% on top of the listed rate.
• Insurance options are confusing and expensive. The cheapest plans have high deductibles ($1,500–$3,000).
• Vehicle quality is inconsistent. Gorgeous listing photos don't guarantee a well-maintained vehicle.
• Owner reliability varies wildly. Most are great. Some cancel last-minute. Some disappear when problems arise.
• Dispute resolution favors the platform's bottom line, not necessarily the party who's right. Both owners and renters complain about this — that should tell you something.
• The review system creates perverse incentives. Owners are reluctant to leave honest renter reviews (fear of retaliation), and renters leave inflated reviews (social pressure). A 4.8-star rating might mask real problems.
• If the RV breaks down on a Saturday night in rural Montana, you're calling the owner's cell phone, not a 24/7 dispatch center.

Best for: Experienced renters who know what questions to ask, people who want a specific type of RV, travelers who value selection and amenities over predictability, anyone willing to do due diligence on individual listings.

The Independent/Owner Direct Model

Players: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, local RV rental businesses, word of mouth

This is renting directly from an owner or small local business with no platform intermediary. It's the oldest model and still exists — you just have to look harder for it.

What you get right:

• Lowest cost, period. No platform fees on either side means the owner can charge less and still make more. You both win.
• Direct relationship. You're communicating with the person whose RV it is, with no platform message filtering or policy bureaucracy.
• Flexible terms. An independent owner can negotiate on mileage limits, rental length, pricing, and pickup/delivery in ways a platform listing can't.
• Some small local rental businesses operate essentially as micro-fleets with 3–10 vehicles. They combine fleet predictability with independent flexibility.
• No platform-mandated insurance requirements (though you absolutely still need insurance).

What you get wrong:

• No dispute protection. If something goes wrong, there's no platform to mediate. It's you, the owner, and potentially small claims court.
• Insurance is entirely your responsibility. You need your own RV rental insurance policy — there's no platform bundle to fall back on.
• Vetting is on you. No reviews, no ratings, no booking history. You're trusting a stranger based on a conversation and a walkthrough.
• No standardized contracts. Some independents have professional rental agreements; others hand you the keys with a handshake. The latter is a recipe for disaster.
• Payment security is lower. Platforms hold funds in escrow. Venmo or cash offers you no recourse.
• If the owner's "well-maintained" RV isn't, you have limited options mid-trip.

Best for: Experienced RV renters, people with personal referrals, budget-focused travelers comfortable managing their own insurance and due diligence, locals renting from someone they know.

The Comparison Matrix

My Honest Recommendation

If this is your first RV rental: Start with fleet or a highly-rated P2P listing with 50+ reviews. Pay the premium for predictability while you learn what you actually want in an RV experience.

If you're experienced and price-sensitive: Go independent or negotiate directly with P2P owners who also list independently (many do).

If you want a specific type of RV (vintage Airstream, luxury diesel pusher, specific floorplan): P2P platforms are your only realistic option for selection.

If you're doing a one-way trip: Fleet is likely your only viable option. P2P one-way rentals exist but are rare and expensive.

The best advice I can give? Don't be loyal to a model. Use what works for each specific trip. I know people who use Cruise America for quick weekend trips and find independent owners for their two-week summer vacations. There's no reason to pick one lane.

Written from three decades of watching these models compete, merge, and evolve. The owner-to-renter referral concept was something I was building in the mid-'90s with ownersrental.com — I've seen every iteration of it since.