How We Review RV Rental Companies

Our comprehensive methodology for testing and evaluating RV rentals. Transparent, independent, and based on real-world experience.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Every RV rental review on BestRV follows the same rigorous, hands-on testing process. We don't just visit websites or read marketing materials—we actually rent, drive, and live in these RVs to give you the most accurate, honest reviews possible.

Here's exactly how we evaluate every RV rental company we review.

Our 6-Step Review Process

1

Hands-On Experience

We personally rent, drive, and stay in the RVs we review. Every review comes from actual usage, not just website research. We spend a minimum of 2-3 days with each RV to fully assess the experience.

What We Test:

  • Actual Rental Process: From booking to pickup, we experience the entire customer journey
  • Real-World Driving: Highway performance, handling, fuel efficiency, and comfort
  • Living Experience: Cooking, sleeping, showering—we use every feature
  • Different Conditions: Various weather, terrain, and campground types
Why This Matters: Reading about an RV is completely different from actually living in one. We catch issues that only reveal themselves through real use—uncomfortable beds, poor water pressure, quirky systems, and hidden problems.
BestRV expert personally testing RV on real road conditions
Detailed technical inspection of RV systems and safety features
2

Comprehensive Inspection

We inspect every critical system using professional-grade tools and expertise. Our team includes RVIA-certified technicians who know exactly what to look for.

What We Inspect:

  • Mechanical Systems: Engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, tires
  • Safety Features: Fire extinguishers, smoke/CO detectors, emergency exits, propane systems
  • Plumbing & Electrical: Water systems, gray/black tanks, electrical panels, battery health
  • HVAC Systems: AC, heating, ventilation, insulation effectiveness
  • Appliances: Fridge, stove, water heater, generator functionality
  • Structural Integrity: Roof, seals, slideouts, awnings, windows
Why This Matters: Safety and reliability are paramount in RV rentals. Our technical inspections catch potential issues before they become road emergencies. We've prevented many readers from renting unsafe or poorly-maintained RVs.
3

Photo Documentation

We take hundreds of original photos showing the real condition of RVs. No stock photos, no marketing images—just honest visual documentation of what you'll actually experience.

What We Document:

  • Interior Condition: Real lighting, actual wear and tear, true space perception
  • Storage & Layout: Cabinet space, storage capacity, floor plan functionality
  • Appliances & Features: Every amenity, control panel, and system
  • Exterior Condition: Body condition, awnings, hookup locations, accessibility
  • Small Details: Wear patterns, cleanliness level, maintenance quality
Why This Matters: Marketing photos are professionally staged and edited. Our photos show you exactly what you're getting—including flaws, wear, and realistic expectations. No surprises at pickup.
Professional photo documentation of RV features and condition
Objective analysis and comparison of RV rental company data
4

Independent Testing & Analysis

We maintain complete editorial independence. While we may earn affiliate commissions, our reviews are never influenced by compensation. We've given low ratings to companies that pay us.

Our Standards:

  • No Pay-to-Play: Companies cannot buy better ratings or placement
  • Honest Pros & Cons: Every review includes both strengths and weaknesses
  • Comparative Analysis: We compare companies directly against each other
  • Clear Disclosure: We transparently disclose affiliate relationships
  • Reader-First: Our loyalty is to you, not to rental companies
Why This Matters: Many "review" sites are just paid advertisements disguised as editorial content. We prioritize your trust over short-term profits. If a company provides poor service, we say so—regardless of business relationships.
5

Community Feedback & Verification

We actively engage with the RV community, incorporating feedback from thousands of travelers. Reader comments and experiences help us keep our reviews comprehensive and current.

How We Use Feedback:

  • Reader Comments: Every review has comments where travelers share experiences
  • Survey Data: We conduct regular surveys of RV renters
  • Social Media: Active monitoring of RV forums, Facebook groups, Reddit discussions
  • Direct Outreach: We contact readers for detailed follow-ups on their experiences
  • Pattern Recognition: Multiple reports of the same issue trigger re-evaluation
Why This Matters: One experience (even ours) might be an outlier. By incorporating hundreds of traveler experiences, we provide a more complete, balanced perspective. Community input catches issues we might have missed.
RV community members sharing experiences and feedback
Ongoing verification and updating of RV rental reviews
6

Regular Updates & Re-Testing

We revisit and update reviews regularly to ensure accuracy. RV companies and services change over time, and we're committed to keeping our content current and relevant.

Our Update Process:

  • Quarterly Reviews: Every review is checked for accuracy every 3 months
  • Policy Changes: We monitor and update when companies change pricing, policies, or terms
  • Fleet Updates: When companies add or retire RV models, we update accordingly
  • Re-Testing: We re-rent from companies annually to verify quality hasn't declined
  • Timestamp Transparency: Every review clearly shows "Last Updated" date
Why This Matters: Outdated reviews are worse than no reviews. A company that was great 3 years ago might have declined in quality. We ensure you're making decisions based on current, accurate information.

Our Rating Criteria

Every RV rental company is scored across these 8 categories. Final ratings are weighted averages based on importance to travelers.

🚐

RV Quality & Condition

Weight: 20%

Age, maintenance, cleanliness, mechanical condition, amenities functionality

💰

Pricing & Value

Weight: 15%

Base rates, fees transparency, mileage policies, fuel costs, overall value for money

👥

Customer Service

Weight: 15%

Responsiveness, helpfulness, professionalism, pickup/return process, problem resolution

📋

Rental Policies

Weight: 10%

Cancellation flexibility, insurance options, damage policies, terms clarity

📍

Availability & Locations

Weight: 10%

Number of locations, geographic coverage, fleet size, booking availability

🛡️

Safety & Reliability

Weight: 15%

Safety features, maintenance records, roadside assistance, breakdown rates

💻

Booking Experience

Weight: 5%

Website usability, booking process, payment options, confirmation clarity

⭐

Overall Experience

Weight: 10%

First-timer friendliness, walkthrough quality, documentation, overall satisfaction

Our Editorial Standards

✅ We Do

  • Personally test every RV we review
  • Disclose affiliate relationships clearly
  • Highlight both pros and cons honestly
  • Update reviews when circumstances change
  • Incorporate community feedback
  • Maintain editorial independence
  • Use only our own photos and videos
  • Provide evidence for all claims

❌ We Don't

  • Accept payment for positive reviews
  • Use stock photos or marketing materials
  • Review RVs we haven't personally tested
  • Hide or downplay significant issues
  • Let affiliate relationships influence ratings
  • Make claims we can't verify
  • Recommend unsafe or unreliable companies
  • Publish reviews without hands-on experience

Meet Our Review Team

Our reviews are conducted by experienced RV travelers and certified technicians who live the lifestyle full-time.

Mike Thompson - RV Technical Expert

Mike Thompson

Lead Technical Reviewer

12 years full-time RV living • RVIA Certified RV Technician • Mechanical Engineering degree • 125,000+ miles traveled

Sarah Jenkins - Travel Writer and RV Expert

Sarah Jenkins

Chief Content Officer

10 years full-time RV living • Former travel journalist (NYT, Travel + Leisure) • 300+ campgrounds visited • NATJA member

Affiliate Disclosure

Full Transparency: BestRV earns affiliate commissions when you book RV rentals through links on our site. This means if you click a link to an RV rental company and complete a booking, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Here's what that does NOT mean:

  • It does not influence our ratings or recommendations
  • It does not prevent us from highlighting problems or giving low ratings
  • It does not change our testing methodology or editorial standards
  • It does not affect which companies we choose to review

How we maintain independence:

  • Our review team never knows which companies have affiliate agreements
  • Ratings are determined before affiliate partnerships are considered
  • We've given negative reviews to companies that pay us commissions
  • We regularly decline affiliate offers from low-quality companies

Why affiliate commissions exist: They allow us to provide comprehensive, free reviews while covering the costs of RV rentals, travel expenses, equipment, and maintaining this site. The alternative would be charging readers for access or accepting sponsored content—neither of which serves you.

Our promise: Your trust is worth more than any commission. We will never compromise editorial integrity for short-term profit.

Questions About Our Review Process?

We're happy to answer any questions about our methodology, testing process, or specific reviews.

Get in Touch