Here’s the good news: you’re not responsible for much. The rental company handles oil changes, tire replacements, and anything that breaks due to normal wear. But there are a few things they DO expect you to handle, and ignoring them can cost you hundreds in fees.

Let me save you that headache.

What You’re NOT Responsible For

Let’s start with what you can ignore:

  • Oil changes: Not your problem
  • Tire replacements: Only if you cause the damage
  • Engine or transmission issues: Call the rental company
  • Broken appliances (stove, fridge, AC): Unless you caused it
  • Pre-existing damage: This is why you take photos at pickup

I had a water heater stop working on day 3 of a rental. Called the company, they had a technician out the same day. No charge, no hassle. That’s on them, not you.

What You ARE Responsible For

Here’s where renters actually need to pay attention:

1. Checking Fluids Before Long Drives

You don’t need to change the oil, but you should check it if you’re driving more than 200 miles in a day. Same with coolant and windshield washer fluid.

Person checking RV oil dipstick in the engine compartment

How to check oil:

  1. Park on level ground, engine off for 5 minutes
  2. Pull the dipstick (usually bright orange or yellow handle)
  3. Wipe it clean, reinsert fully, pull it out again
  4. Oil level should be between the MIN and MAX marks
  5. If it’s low, add the type specified in the manual (or call the rental company)

I’ve rented RVs eight times. I’ve never needed to add oil. But I check it every time before a long drive because blowing an engine due to low oil? That’s on you, and it’s expensive.

2. Tire Pressure (This One Actually Matters)

RV tires need higher pressure than car tires—usually 50-80 PSI depending on the RV. The correct pressure should be on a sticker inside the driver’s door.

Check pressure every few days, especially if you’re driving in hot weather. Under-inflated tires heat up, and hot tires blow out. I saw this happen to someone at a rest stop on I-40 in Arizona. The tire shredded, and they were stuck for four hours waiting for roadside assistance.

Where to check/fill tires:

  • Truck stops (Pilot, Flying J, Love’s) have high-pressure air compressors
  • Some gas stations have them, but call ahead—not all can reach 80 PSI
  • If a tire looks low or the RV feels wobbly, pull over and check immediately

RV tire with pressure gauge showing proper PSI

3. Emptying Waste Tanks (The Job Nobody Wants)

You’re responsible for dumping the black tank (toilet) and gray tank (shower/sinks) before returning the RV. Most rental agreements say this explicitly.

If you return it with full tanks, they’ll charge you $50-100 to dump them. Trust me, it’s worth doing yourself.

How to dump tanks without making a mess:

  1. Wear the gloves they provide (seriously, wear them)
  2. Attach the sewer hose to the RV outlet and the dump station
  3. Open the BLACK tank valve first (yes, the one with poop)
  4. Wait for it to fully drain (you’ll hear it)
  5. Close the black tank valve
  6. Open the GRAY tank valve (this rinses the hose)
  7. Once gray tank is empty, close valve and disconnect hose
  8. Rinse the hose with the dump station spray nozzle

I messed this up once by opening the gray tank first. Bad idea. The gray water doesn’t flush the hose properly if you do it that way. Black tank always goes first.

4. Propane Levels

Most rentals come with a full propane tank. You’re expected to return it full (or pay a refill fee, usually $30-50).

Propane runs your stove, fridge (when not plugged into shore power), and water heater. If you’re boondocking (camping without hookups) or using the fridge while driving, you can burn through propane fast.

Where to refill propane:

  • U-Haul stores (cheapest, usually $15-25)
  • Gas stations with propane exchange (more expensive, but convenient)
  • Some campgrounds offer propane refills
  • Truck stops (Pilot, Flying J)

Check the propane gauge every couple of days. It’s usually near the outside propane tanks, looks like a gas gauge. If it’s below 25%, top it off.

RV propane tank with gauge indicator

5. Basic Cleaning (The Stuff That’s Obvious)

You’re not expected to detail the RV, but you should:

  • Sweep the floors
  • Wipe down counters and the stove
  • Clean the toilet (use RV-safe cleaner, not bleach)
  • Empty all trash
  • Remove any food from the fridge

I returned an RV once with mud tracked all over the carpet (we’d been camping in the rain). Got hit with a $120 cleaning fee. Lesson learned: spend 20 minutes cleaning before you return it.

What To Do When Something Breaks

Things break. It happens. Here’s how to handle it:

If It’s Your Fault

You backed into a tree? Scraped the awning on a low branch? Broke a window? Call the rental company immediately. Don’t try to hide it—they’ll find it during the return inspection and you’ll pay more.

This is where insurance matters. If you bought the collision damage waiver, you’re usually covered up to $2,500-5,000 in damages (minus a deductible).

If It’s Not Your Fault

Fridge stops working. AC dies in the middle of summer. Water heater won’t turn on. This is on the rental company.

Call them right away. They’ll either:

  • Send a mobile tech to fix it at your location
  • Tell you to bring it to a local RV shop (they’ll cover the cost)
  • Offer a partial refund if it can’t be fixed during your trip

I had an AC fail on the second day of a rental during an Alabama heat wave. The company sent a tech the same afternoon, but it couldn’t be fixed. They refunded us $200 and upgraded us to a newer RV for the rest of the trip. Document everything and be polite—they’ll usually work with you.

Daily Checks You Should Actually Do

Every morning before you drive, do a quick walk-around:

RV owner performing daily exterior walk-around inspection

✓ Tire check: Look for anything obviously flat or low ✓ Lights: Have someone hit the brakes/turn signals while you watch ✓ Slide-outs: Make sure they’re fully retracted ✓ Awning: Rolled up completely ✓ Exterior compartments: Closed and latched ✓ Mirrors: Adjusted properly and not loose ✓ Nothing left outside: Chairs, hoses, leveling blocks, etc.

Takes three minutes. I once drove 10 miles with an exterior storage compartment door hanging open. Lost a camping chair and some firewood. Could’ve been worse.

The Stuff That Can Wait Until You Get Home

Don’t stress about:

  • Greasing the slide-outs: Maintenance job, not yours
  • Replacing air filters: Rental company handles this
  • Checking brake fluid: Unless the brakes feel spongy (then call them)
  • Waxing or polishing: You’re renting, not detailing
  • Deep cleaning the black tank: Just dump it, that’s enough

Fees to Watch Out For

Here’s what rental companies commonly charge for if you don’t handle basic maintenance:

  • Excessive cleaning: $75-150
  • Un-dumped waste tanks: $50-100
  • Empty propane: $30-50 refill fee
  • Tire damage from low pressure: $200-400 per tire
  • Dead battery from leaving lights on: $50-100
  • Generator misuse (running without oil, etc.): Can be $1,000+

I got charged $85 once for not dumping the tanks. Never again.

The Bottom Line

RV rentals are pretty low-maintenance from your end. Check fluids, monitor tire pressure, dump the tanks, refill propane, and clean up after yourself. That’s really it.

The rental company handles the hard stuff. Your job is to not break anything and return it in decent shape. Do that, and you’ll get your full security deposit back.

And if something does break that’s not your fault? Document it, call the company, and let them handle it. They’re used to it.

About Mike: I’m a former RV rental fleet manager turned travel writer. I’ve seen every possible thing renters can do to RVs (good and bad), and now I help people navigate the rental process without expensive mistakes. 12+ years in the RV industry.