Survey: RV Rental Demand Still Healthy Despite Uncertainty – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
FAIRFAX, Va. – Almost two-thirds of RV dealers who also rent RVs surveyed this spring said their bookings for the upcoming summer season either equal or exceed their bookings for the same period as last year, according to a survey conducted this spring by the RV Rental Association (RVRA), a division of the national RV Dealers Association (RVDA).
Thirty-four percent of the RV rental operators responding to the survey said their 2025 bookings exceeded 2024 levels while another 29% said their number of reservations equaled last year’s. Seventeen percent of RV renters said their bookings were up 5% to 9% over last year’s while 5% said they were up 20% or more.
Traditional family vacations, family reunions, attendance at music or food festivals, dog, horse, antique car and air shows along with car, motorcycle, or dirt bike races are the most popular uses for rented RVs. This is reflected in the length of rental contracts. Forty-four percent of those completing the survey said five to six nights was the average length of their rental contracts in 2024. Another 22% said seven or more nights was their average contract length.
Two-thirds of rental operators believe their rental contract lengths will be the same in 2025 and another 20% feel their contract lengths will be longer.
Bigger also is better as far as RV rental company customers are concerned. Thirty-four percent of those completing the survey said RVs with enough sleeping room for at least four adults and/or children were the most popular. Another 32% said RVs with enough sleeping room for at least six people were the most popular.
“There are plenty of choices for those looking to rent an RV,” said Scott Krenek of Krenek RV in Coloma, Mich., chairman of the RV Rental Association (RVRA). “That’s why so many RVRA members are looking forward to a great summer season this year.”
Perhaps the biggest change occurring in the RV rental market in the last several years is the popularity of towable RV rentals. One-third of rental companies responding to the survey said up to 50% of previous customers already own a Ford F-series, Chevy Silverado, RAM pickup, or SUV capable of safely pulling an RV trailer. Those renters are called “tow & go” customers.
But owning a big pickup or SUV is not a requirement for renting a towable RV. Thirty-six (36) percent of the rental operators filling out the survey said at least 20 percent of their customers had trailers delivered to a campground or other location specified by the renter. Rental company personnel will even set up the trailer at the location specified by the customer. Consumers can access the complete list of RVRA member companies at www.rvra.org.
Rental Dealers Better at Fixing Problems
Renting an RV from private owners through peer-to-peer digital platforms has grown in recent years, and the survey found 38 percent of rental dealers believe posting some or all of their rental fleet units on peer-to-peer platforms is “a great addition to my marketing program.”
Prospective renters are advised that rental dealers know more than the typical owner about how RVs work, how to maintain them, and how to fix them if they break down while in use, according to Krenek.
RV Rental Advice
Here are some questions RVDA advises consumers to consider before renting an RV this summer:
- Does the RV rental outlet keep regular hours for drop-off and pick-up?
- For first-time RV renters, does the rental company provide an orientation on the RV systems and components?
- If customers have questions about the RV during the trip, is there a phone number they can call or text for help?
- What are the terms for the security/damage deposit?
- Is the RV that was described online the actual model that will be available at time of pickup?
- Who owns the RV that you are renting and how does the insurance coverage work?
- If the RV you want to rent is damaged, does the renter have an adequate replacement unit available, or will the renter cancel your reservation.
- For RV owners considering renting their unit on their own, RVRA urges them to read and understand the terms of their RV manufacturer’s warranty as well as any component part warranties. They should also read and understand the terms of any financing agreement associated with the unit.
RVRA is a division of RVDA and its goal is to enhance the rental industry’s professionalism and service to rental customers. The survey was conducted through the RV Retailer Intelligence program, a service of the RV Assistance Corp. (RVAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of RVDA. To find an RVRA member company, visit www.rvra.org.
