RVshare or Outdoorsy, which company comes out on top as being better for renters?
Although both companies are excellent, only one can be the best. Based on customer reviews, Outdoorsy seems to come out on top. Their customer support is unbeatable. Their roadside assistance and availability of qualified RV experts to talk to are there 24/7. They partner with a top-notch insurance company, Liberty Mutual, to provide excellent coverage to both parties. The cancellation policies seem to be a little more lenient, which can be beneficial to renters.
They have a wide variety of RVs to rent that are available nationwide. They really try to create and facilitate a sense of community to connect renters and owners in a way that is helpful and welcoming to both.
Outdoorsy takes the cake when it comes to which company is better for renters.
Be sure to read through the whole article to see why we chose Outdoorsy and make your own informed decision.
We love both companies but we had to choose one.
You can find OutDoorsy here.
You can find RVshare here.
If you would like to know how much it costs to rent an RV, be sure to check out this article that we wrote..
How much to rent an RV? ( Day, week and monthly rates )
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Which site is best for renters?
You may be looking to rent out your rig. Perhaps so you don’t have to store it for the winter or just to make a little extra cash. Or maybe you want to rent an RV to take your family on a camping adventure. If only there was a place that could bring owners and renters together so everyone could find the perfect arrangement!
The good news is that there are such places. Two of the most well known are RVShare and Outdoorsy. But which RV rental site is the best? Read on to find out.
We will cover each company in-depth and look at what they cover, their rules and regulations, customer reviews, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Why Rent an RV?
Purchasing your own RV can be a big investment. Then, once you are an RV owner you have to pay for all of the costs associated with upkeep and maintenance, much like you would a typical vehicle. Furthermore, you will need to cover any storage costs to keep your rig safe and secure when not in use. This means you can be losing money for a large portion of the year when your RV isn’t being used.
Renting an RV can be a much more affordable option. This is especially true if you are unsure about the RV lifestyle or which type of RV to buy. Renters will have to pay a fee and cover the costs of fuel and insurance but these are often way less than the cost of being a fulltime RV owner. Renting an RV means that you can enjoy the RV lifestyle for a week at any time of the year, and that means only dealing with the expenses for a week as well.
What to Consider When Renting
First, you will want to decide on the type of RV. How many people do you need to accommodate? Is there a specific style or use you are looking for? Thankfully, both online RV rental platforms have a plethora of RVs available.
You will also want to consider the price of the rental. This includes rental fees, gas, mileage, insurance and more. Larger and custom RVs often rent for more. Older RVs can rent for less.
Your vehicle may play into the type of rig you rent. This is truer if you rent a travel trailer that has to be towed. You will either need a hitch or a gooseneck attachment and will likely need a truck.
Finally, figure out where you would like to take your RV. If you are new to renting, determine the campground or your destination’s lot size. It can be difficult to back-in and park motorhomes or large trailers. RVs on both Outdoorsy and RVShare are available in nearly every state in the country.
Once you have narrowed down your specifics it is time to start looking for an RV. But where do you look? Which rental platform is the best for renters?
An Overview of Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy prides itself on being a peer-to-peer platform. They are RV owners selling to those who wish to rent an RV. This makes them unique in that there is often a wide variety of RVs available for rent.
They are diverse in their size, vintage, style (Motorhome, toy hauler, etc) and price. Outdoorsy is an online platform where renters and owners meet to find the perfect deal.
Don’t let the small community feel dissuade you though. Outdoorsy is fully insured. They also aren’t into fees; they’re free to join and don’t charge membership rates.
The love of RVing and the desire to share the experience with others began with Outdoorsy’s founders. Once involved in a large company, the couple desired to escape the cubicles and share their love of the outdoors with others.
They love adventure and are passionate about sharing that adventurous spirit with others through the RV lifestyle. They truly want to create a feeling of a community instead of a cold company with Outdoorsy.
Outdoorsy Stats
- 800,000+ nights booked
- 93% 5-star ratings
- +15,000 RV owners on the site
- RV owners available in nearly every state
- +100 employees
Outdoorsy’s Insurance
Renting anything can be daunting. You don’t own the item but are being entrusted with it. Similarly, loaning your expensive and beloved RV our can be a scary experience as well.
Thankfully, Outdoorsy hopes to alleviate some of these fears with their comprehensive insurance. They have partnered with Liberty Mutual to make sure renters are covered 24/7. No matter what type of recreational vehicle you are renting, from a pop-up to a large class A, you will receive coverage.
Outdoorsy understands that accidents can happen while you are out adventuring, therefore their insurance policy covers all of the following:
- Vandalism
- Fires
- Back-up Accidents
- Theft of RV
- Power-surges
- Windstorms
- Earthquakes
- Fallen Trees
- Hail Storms
- Animal Collisions and Accidents
Through Liberty Mutual owners and renters within the United States receive up to $1 million in liability and damage protection. Also included are indoor protection, windshield damage coverage, driver verification, and trip cancellation.
This is coupled with 24/7 roadside assistance and 24/7 live customer support.
Outdoorsy Customer Support
When you take a vehicle on an excursion, you run the risk of breaking down or encountering some sort of issue. The same is true when you take a trailer or motorhome on a trip. However, there is a whole other set of problems that can occur with RVs.
Thankfully, Outdoorsy provides fantastic customer support. Their employees will be available for you to contact 24/7. They can then provide you with instructions and support.
All registered RVs also have 24/7 roadside assistance. This includes:
- Technical Support
- A Mobile Mechanic
- Emergency Assistance
- Appointment Assistance
The technical support you receive will be conversing with an ASE-certified technician. This means that they will be able to quickly and accurately provide you with directions and procedures for your registered RV.
There are some caveats to this policy, but they are really no different from vehicle insurance policies. This includes the fact that the renter is responsible for the dispatch fee depending on the RV’s location as well as on-site repair charges. Additionally, mobile mechanics will only become available if the RV is completely immovable due to a breakdown.
Selection, Price, and Ease of Use
Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer website. Because of this it typically has lower rental costs than commercial or traditional RV rental companies. RV owners receive eighty percent of the rental listing while Outdoorsy keeps ten percent towards their roadside assistance and coverage.
The online platform lists numerous RV’s throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. There are many types, sizes, and price points available. All transactions take place online and there is no paperwork. The process is easy and streamlined.
Additional benefits include optional RV delivery and setup. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that the website is peer-to-peer. Therefore, renters are able to converse with owners in a friendly community in order to determine the best RV for them before signing a rental agreement.
RV Owner Payment Procedure
Once the rental reservation is complete, Outdoorsy will hold the rental payment for 24 hours. After that time the funds will appear in the owner’s bank account within three to five business days.
Cancellation Policy
Outdoorsy looks out for both the owners and renters with their cancellation policy. The owners can choose their policy type, either strict, moderate, or flexible which determines the renter’s reservation deposit. There is also a 48-hour grace window for cancellations made 14 days in advance in which neither party gets payment and/or charged.
Customer Reviews
As mentioned, Outdoorsy has 93% 5-star reviews. The Better Business Bureau gives them an A+. Out of 585 reviews on the BBB website, the average is nearly four stars. They are acclaimed for their outstanding communication, ease of use, and organization for a seamless rental process.
Pros
- A peer-to-peer platform for a community feel
- Great customer service
- Lower rates than commercial rental companies
Cons
- Insurance and “peace of mind” protection fees can seem redundant if you have an umbrella policy
Overall, Outdoorsy has supreme customer service and offers a wide variety of RVs for decent prices; all on a user-friendly platform.
An Overview of RVShare
RVShare precedes Outdoorsy, beginning around 2012. In a similar origin story to Outdoorsy, a couple set out on a cross-country RV adventure. Although, this couple was on their honeymoon.
Once they returned from their trip they realized two things, first that their RV would sit unused for most of the year and second that there was no RV rental online platform. The second is important because they desired to share the RV lifestyle with others and provide individuals with a “trial” of RVing before purchasing their own rig.
Their struggles to rent out their RV coupled with the lack of a peer-to-peer platform launched RVShare. Today it is one of the largest online RV rental markets.
They have thousands of RVs available in a myriad of sizes, price points, and styles. Their huge inventory means renters can find the perfect RV for anything from a cross-country trip to a weekend tailgate.
Out of just over 2000 customer reviews, they have an average of four out of five stars. RVShare desires to connect owners looking to recoup expenses for their unused RV with renters desiring to try out the RV lifestyle.
RVShare Stats
- An average of four out of five stars for customer satisfaction
- RVs available in every state
- List for free and earn up to $40,000 for year
- Free to join and no membership fees
RVShare Insurance
Your RV matters a great deal to you if you are an owner. And as a renter, you want to be covered in the case that anything goes wrong. That is why RVShare strives to protect both owners and renters. However, RVShare does not explicitly list their insurance partner which can be a turn off to some.
RVShares rental insurance provides $500,000 of coverage in liability, and comprehensive and collision for the RV’s value. Rental insurance is automatic upon renting but the pricing varies by the size and value of the RV.
RVShares rental insurance covers the following:
- Fallen trees
- Windstorm
- Animal impact
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Flood
- Hail
- Earthquake
- Back-up accident
- Fire
- Lightning
On top of their automatic rental insurance RV owners can upgrade to one million in coverage for a fee. Even if your rental insurance doesn’t need to go into effect, you can still encounter an issue. RVShares customer support has got you covered.
RVShare Customer Support
RVShare provides 24/7 roadside assistance so you can receive support when you need it. This roadside assistance covers a plethora of things.
- Towing Service: towing to the closest qualified location and assurance that the tow truck can haul your RV
- Tire Service: replacement of your deflated tire with an inflated spare or reinflation no matter your location within the country
- Emergency Supply Delivery: delivery to you with supplies you may need such as water, oil, or gas
- Battery Service: battery changing and minimal repairs while you travel
- Lockout Service: a locksmith will come to you
- Extraction and Winching Service: extraction in the case that your RV gets stuck or goes off-road
The representative you speak to on the phone will be a certified RV expert so you can rest assured you are getting quality instructions. If you confirm the rental on the website the roadside assistance comes at no extra charge.
These services, especially the emergency supplies, allow for supreme peace of mind for both the owner and renter when the RV is on the road.
Selection, Price, and Ease of Use
RVShare claims to have the widest selection of RVs available. They are categorized into Class A, B, C, and travel trailers. The travel trailer category is divided into Truck Camper, Fifth Wheel, Toy Hauler, Pop Up Camper, and even Wheelchair Accessible.
Both owners and renters can sign up on the website for free and create listings. Because the website is peer-to-peer, the prices are less than traditional RV rental companies. RVShare claims that owners can stand to earn a lot from their rigs; up to $40,000 a year depending on the RVs size and value.
The website is user-friendly and customer support is available 24/7. Some renters are not happy with inquiries they submitted that have gone unanswered. However, RVShare leaves it to the owners to respond to renter questions so the company cannot be held responsible.
As with Outdoorsy, the transaction occurs entirely on the website so that no one has to deal with the hassle of paperwork.
RV Owner Payment Procedure
Once a booking is made on the RVShare website you receive the $10,000 peace of mind guarantee. When the reservation process is complete owners receive a payment within one business day. This excludes weekends as Friday bookings will be released on the following Monday.
Cancellation Policy
The cancellation policy for RVShare is a bit more extensive than Outdoorsy. Owners can choose the following: Forgiving, Flexible, Standard, Strict, Very Strict, Most Strict. These vary in extremes from a full refund up to seven days before rental to no refund and a $99 dollar cancellation fee.
Customer Reviews
RVShare’s reviews are slightly below Outdoorsy, boasting a four out of five stars compared to Outdoorsy’s five out of five. The Better Business Bureau gives RVShare a rating of A+ with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars out of 402 reviews.
Positive reviews like the ease of booking and the wide variety of RVs available. However, unfortunately, the most recent reviews have all been negative. Most of the negative reviews center around billing, arbitration, and refunds. The company typically responds that its dispute team is handling the matter.
Pros
- No membership fees
- Can opt for a higher level of insurance coverage
- Set up and delivery available for a fee
Cons
- Insurance fees vary
- The strict and most strict cancellation policies can be stringent for renters
Overall, RVShare has a large inventory which is perfect for renters who are just starting to explore the RV lifestyle. They are a large peer-to-peer platform with the bonus of insurance coverage and benefits typically only seen at traditional RV rental companies.
