Should you Rent an RV or a Trailer? (How to Decide?)
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Are you planning your next trip using a recreational vehicle but you are not sure if you should rent an RV or a trailer? Although both serve the same purpose, which is to become your mobile home in a campground, they offer different benefits that will suit depending on your needs.
If you already have a towing vehicle, it is recommended that you just rent a trailer then use your car to tow it. Otherwise, rent an RV as it’s just like a car with a home in it. However, deciding which of the two you should rent still depends on what kind of RVer are you, who you’re going to travel with, and your destination.
With that being said, I’m going to help you have a better understanding of what is the difference between an RV and a trailer. It will also help you know which one would be perfect for your next trip.
You may also want to check out these blogs that would give you more information about renting an RV:
- How to Rent an RV for an Epic Road Trip: Helpful Beginner’s Guide
- RVshare vs Outdoorsy (Which is Best in 2021 )
- Is RVezy Legit and Safe?
- Rent an RV for a Month (10 Examples Plus Cost)
What Is the Difference Between an RV, Motorhome and a Trailer?
The motorhome is a drivable Recreational Vehicle that has 3 types: class A, B, and C. The trailer on the other hand is a towable RV.
Furthermore, most motorhomes are about 25 to 45 feet in size depending on their class, and can fit 4 to 12 adults. While trailers have an average size of 10 to 40 feet and can accommodate 2 to 12 adults depending on which type of trailer it is.
What are the different types of RV
If you’re planning to rent an RV, knowing its different types is going to be beneficial for you. Most peer-to-peer platforms such as Outdoorsy, RVezy, and RVShare have this “filter option” that will help you have a better choice based on many factors.
So, let’s discuss the different types of RVs and see which one is the best suit for your and your style of traveling.
Class A Motorhome
Class A motorhome is usually 26 to 45 feet in size. It can accommodate 4 or more with a bunk bed option. It is also built with the same framing and construction as commercial trucks and buses. It is one of the largest vehicles that you can see on the road. It comes with a chassis that is designed specifically for motorhomes and it is powered by a gasoline or diesel engine.
Diesel engine motorhomes are commonly referred to as “pushers” because the engine is placed in the rear and pushes the coach down the road. It also gives the ability for adult passengers to access conveniences like the bathroom and refrigerator while the motorhome is moving.
Nearly unlimited luxuries, many with home-like features such as clothes washer and dryer, two bathrooms, induction cooktop, and residential refrigerator. In general, it is one of the best in class exterior storage with large pass-thru compartments that can accommodate larger items like grills, coolers, and patio furniture.
Class B Motorhome
Often called Campervans, Class B motorhomes are about 21 to 24 feet in size and can accommodate 2 people. It is built using automotive vans or panel trucks. Due to their smaller size, they can conveniently double as your daily driver. It also utilizes every square inch of interior space to pack as much as possible into a compact area.
Furthermore, it is an ideal option if you’re planning to go on a trip with narrow roads and congested streets. It is very simple to maneuver, park, and turn around and often fits in your garage for secure storage.
Lastly, it is equipped with a hitch to tow a trailer or “dingy” but with less capacity than an A or C Class motorhome
Class C Motorhome
Class C motorhome offers outdoor experiences for larger families at a friendlier price point in comparison to Class A Motorhomes. It is 24 to 32 feet in size and can accommodate up to 11 depending on the floor plan
Recognizable by their raised sleeping or storage areas which extend over the cab of the RV. It also offers more living space than Class B Motorhomes but is smaller in size and can offer better gas mileage than Class A Motorhomes. It can be full-size, compact, or super-sized.
The most popular class C motorhome are those built on full-A sized cutaway van chassis like the Ford E350/E450 and the Chevy Express. Growing in popularity are compact Cs, featuring a Ford Transit or Mercedes cutaway chassis. The Super-C is the biggest of this group and utilizes the Ford F550 or Freightliner chassis.
A gasoline-engine powers most Class-Cs, although some, including those built on the Mercedes Chassis and Super-C type, are powered by a front-engine diesel. Frequently shorter in length and not as tall, making them more maneuverable for getting in and out of tight roads and parking lots.
Just like class A and B motorhome, it also allows adult passengers to access amenities such as the bathroom and the refrigerator while the RV is moving. Most Class Cs have at least one slide-out to increase living and storage space.
Some models offer a toy hauler capability, making it easy to transport ATVs, bikes, or kayaks. Chassis and engine services are available at many automotive dealerships. Compared to Class A, Class Cs have a somewhat limited towing capacity for hauling cargo, trailer, or a “dingy” (the exception being the Super C, which has towing capacity rivaling many Class A motorhomes)
What is a Travel Trailer
Trailers are the most popular type of non-motorized RV. It comes in all sizes including tiny jelly bean-shaped models with a chuckwagon kitchen in the rear to the massive house-on-wheels with picture windows and a sliding glass patio door.
Sometimes called a “bumper-pull” (when they first became popular in the early ‘50s, they were attached to the bumper of the tow car), the modern travel trailer employs a hitch secured to the frame of your tow vehicle along with specialized hardware to make towing safe and easy.
Models to fit virtually every budget.
It has multiple slide-outs to expand to create wide-open living spaces and it offers two or more bedrooms for privacy. Approximately, its size is about 13 to 40 feet to accommodate up to 10 people.
Costs of Renting a Motorhome
The costs of renting a motorhome will depend on the RV owner or which RV rental company you’re going to rent. However, the average cost for renting a class A motorhome is about $175 to $275 per night, for class B, it’s about $100 to $200 per night, and class C is around $150 to $200 per night
| Type of RV | Average Rental Cost |
| Class A | $175 to $275 per night |
| Class B | $100 to $200 per night |
| Class C | $150 to $200 per night |
On top of the rental cost, you also need to consider the extra expenses that come with renting an RV. These are the expenses such as gas money, mileage price per mile, and rental insurance. These expenses can cost about $75 to $350 (Plus Tax) for a day trip, $500 to $2,400 (Plus Tax) for a week, and $1,750 to $10,000 (Plus Tax) for a month
| Length of Stay | Average Extra expenses |
| Day Trip | $75 to $350 (Plus Tax) |
| 7-Day Trip | $500 to $2,400 (Plus Tax) |
| One Month | $1,750 to $10,000 (Plus Tax) |
Costs of Renting a Trailer
Many factors affect the rental price of a trailer. It can vary if you would also need a towing vehicle or if you would just rent the trailer itself. You can also have it delivered to your camping destination and have it set up with the owner. These are just some of the factors but the rent can cost an average of $100 to $200 per night depending on the type of trailer you’ll get.
| Type of Trailer | Average Rental Cost |
| Large Travel Trailers | $100 to $250 per night |
| Hybrid Travel Trailers | $75 to $150 per night |
| Toy Hauler Travel Trailer | $100 to $200 per night |
| Luxury Travel Trailers | $175 to $250 per night |
If you’re interested in RV rental delivery, you can get more information from this blog:
Final thoughts in renting RV and trailer
Ultimately, the decision between renting an RV or trailer will depend on your budget, situation, and preferences. Do you prefer to have an all-in-one traveling home without the need to have a separate vehicle for towing your motorhome? Do you want a full luxury package with a personal driver, chef, and concierge for your trip? Then an RV would be the choice to go. Do you need the massive space that comes with most trailers? Do you want your motorhome to be personalized down to a T? Then a trailer may be your pick for this trip.
With so many types of both RVs and trailers available, there will always be something for everyone.
This will perhaps leave a lot of questions in your mind. The owner of Outdoorsy, RVezy, and RVshare are very accommodating to answer all your questions and will help you decide.
When going on a trip with your RV, it is a great idea to take with you an RV Journal and planner to help you keep track of your journeys. I’d appreciate it greatly if you check out our Etsy Store and grab some.
If you’re looking for a suggestion on where to go on your next trip, you can check out these blogs:
- San Francisco Bay Area to Oregon: Ultimate Roadtrip Intinerary
- 3 Best Road Trip Routes from Texas to Colorado
- Unforgettable RV Routes Through Colorado Rockies
Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever. We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug! I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.
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