RVshare Review

Peer-to-peer platforms like RVshare connect individual RV owners with renters. RVshare owns zero RVs—they're a marketplace facilitator. You rent from "David in Seattle" or "Sarah in Denver," not from RVshare corporate. This means more variety and competitive pricing, but also variable quality and less corporate accountability. Corporate rentals like Cruise America own their fleet and standardize everything—more predictable but less flexible.

The 15% service fee covers RVshare's platform operations, customer support, payment processing, owner/renter verification, messaging system, and basic roadside assistance. However, many renters feel this fee is excessive given the documented customer service and roadside assistance issues. Outdoorsy charges similar fees but provides better support, making their fees feel more justified.

No—this is RVshare's most documented weakness. Multiple Trustpilot reviews report 30-60 minute hold times, delayed or no-show service, and poor coordination. During my rental, I waited 47 minutes on hold with no callback for a tire issue. I strongly recommend supplemental coverage like Good Sam Roadside Assistance ($99/year) or AAA RV Plus ($125/year) for reliable backup. Do not rely solely on RVshare's included roadside assistance for peace of mind.

Read the full listing carefully and add everything to your cart to see the total before committing. Key fees to watch: 15% service fee (automatic), insurance ($15-30/day), security deposit ($500-5,000 held), cleaning fees ($75-200), generator fees ($3-5/hour if charged), mileage overage ($0.35-1/mile after included miles), and pet fees ($25-50). Total fees typically add 25-35% to base rate. Ask owners if any fees are negotiable—some will waive cleaning or delivery charges.

Each owner sets their own mileage policy. Most include 100-250 miles per day, then charge overage fees of $0.35-1 per mile. This is much better than Cruise America's 100 miles/day then $0.40/mile. For a 7-day rental with 150 miles/day included, you get 1,050 free miles—saving $200-400 versus per-mile pricing. Always check the listing's mileage allowance before booking and calculate whether included miles cover your planned route.

Some owners charge generator fees (typically $3-5/hour of use), while others include unlimited generator use. Generator powers A/C, outlets, and appliances when not plugged into shore power. If you're dry camping (no hookups), expect to run the generator 2-4 hours daily for A/C, adding $20-60 to your trip cost. Look for RVs with solar panels to reduce generator dependence and fees.

Basic (free): Liability-only, you pay 100% of RV damage. Essential (+$15-20/day): Up to $200K comprehensive covering exterior damage, $1,500 deductible, but interior NOT covered. Preferred (+$25-30/day): Up to $300K comprehensive covering exterior AND interior, $1,500 deductible. I recommend Essential minimum, Preferred for expensive RVs or first-timers. Remember: All coverage is secondary to owner's insurance.

Pay the refundable security deposit, not the waiver. Security deposits ($500-5,000) are held on your credit card and refunded within 72 hours if you return the RV undamaged. Some owners offer a deposit waiver fee (typically 10-15% of deposit) for a non-refundable payment instead of the hold—this is rarely worth it unless you don't have enough credit available for the hold. The deposit protects both parties fairly.

Instant Book: Book immediately without owner approval (like Airbnb Instant Book). Owner has enabled automatic booking for qualified renters. Faster and guaranteed. Request to Book: Owner must review and approve your request within 24 hours. Allows owners to screen renters but adds uncertainty. Instant Book is better for time-sensitive trips; Request allows owner communication before commitment.

Each owner sets their cancellation policy (flexible, moderate, or strict). Flexible: Full refund if canceled 7+ days before trip, 50% refund 2-6 days before. Moderate: Full refund 14+ days before, 50% refund 7-13 days before. Strict: Full refund 30+ days before, 50% refund 14-29 days before. Service fees are non-refundable. Always check the specific RV's cancellation policy before booking. Consider travel insurance for flexibility.

RVshare will refund 100% of your payment and offer rebooking assistance to find a comparable RV. However, this is a documented issue with peer-to-peer platforms—owner cancellations happen more frequently than corporate rental companies (who control their own fleets). If you're booking for specific dates (weddings, national park reservations), consider booking 2-3 months early to have time to rebook if needed, or use Cruise America for guaranteed availability.

Book 2-3 months ahead for peak season (May-September), especially national park trips. Many owners offer 10-15% early booking discounts for reservations 60+ days out. Last-minute bookings (under 2 weeks) are harder to find but sometimes available at discounted rates when owners want to fill calendar gaps. Winter/spring shoulder season has best availability and lowest prices. For more detailed seasonal pricing strategies, check our guide on when to book RV rentals.

No. RVshare requires all renters to be at least 25 years old with a valid driver's license. This is a strict policy with no exceptions or young driver fees. If you're under 25, try Outdoorsy (same 25+ requirement) or Cruise America (21+ with young renter fee). Some local RV rental companies rent to 21+ renters—check city-specific options.

It depends on the owner. Many listings allow pets for an additional fee ($25-50 per pet), while others prohibit them. Use RVshare's "pet-friendly" filter when searching. Owners may restrict certain breeds or sizes. Always disclose pets upfront—bringing undisclosed pets violates terms and can result in deposit forfeiture and cleaning fees ($200-500). Pet-friendly RVs are more common on RVshare than corporate rentals.

Delivery fees are set by individual owners, typically $1-3 per mile each way plus setup fee ($50-150). For example, 100-mile delivery might cost $200-300 round trip plus $100 setup = $300-400 total. Some owners include free delivery within 25-50 miles—ask before booking. Delivery is convenient if you lack a tow vehicle for trailers or don't want to drive the RV yourself. Factor delivery into total cost comparisons.

Outdoorsy is objectively better for most renters. They offer primary insurance coverage (vs RVshare's secondary), up to $1M comprehensive (vs $300K), lower total fees (20-25% vs 30%), faster owner payments, higher Trustpilot ratings (4.3 vs 4.0), and better customer service. RVshare has slightly larger selection (100K vs 70K RVs) and marginally cheaper insurance. Many RVs are listed on both platforms—compare prices for specific RVs. I recommend trying Outdoorsy first.

Yes, if your RV is in demand and well-maintained. Owners keep 75% of rental revenue (RVshare takes 25% commission). A $200/night RV booked 10 nights/month = $2,000 revenue - $500 RVshare commission = $1,500/month to owner. Over 6-month peak season, that's $9,000 to offset RV payments and maintenance. However, factor in cleaning time, wear/tear, meet-ups, and potential damage. Outdoorsy pays faster (24 hours vs 7 days) and takes slightly less commission, making it better for owners too.

RVs 15+ years old only qualify for liability-only insurance on RVshare (no comprehensive or collision coverage). This means renters are 100% responsible for any damage to older RVs. If you're renting a vintage Airstream or older motorhome, understand you're taking on significant financial risk. Consider personal RV rental insurance or look for newer models with full coverage available. This age restriction is one reason to prefer newer RVs on the platform.

Canada: Yes, many U.S. owners allow travel to Canada. Check listing details and ask owner permission. Mexico: No, insurance typically doesn't cover Mexico travel. Each owner sets cross-border policies. International travel requires additional insurance. Always confirm cross-border permission in writing through RVshare messaging before your trip to avoid insurance voiding.

Moderate to poor customer service based on Trustpilot reviews and my experience. Email responses take 24-48 hours. Phone support has long hold times (30-60 minutes common). Agents are often unhelpful or unable to resolve issues due to peer-to-peer model limitations. For urgent issues, contact the RV owner directly (usually faster). Compare to Outdoorsy's more responsive support. Don't expect corporate-level customer service—treat RVshare as a platform, not a service provider.