Travel Trailer Rentals — The Largest RV Category, Where to Rent One
Travel trailers run $89–$175/night to rent. They're the most-owned RV category in the US and dominate the peer-to-peer rental market. Here's where to rent and what to know before towing one.
- Length
- 16–35 ft
- Sleeps
- 2–8
- Weight (GVWR)
- 3,500–9,500 lb dry; 5,000–11,500 lb GVWR
- Typical rate
- $89–$175/night
A travel trailer is a towable RV that hitches to a standard ball receiver on your tow vehicle’s rear bumper. Rental rates run $89 to $175 per night before fees, making it the least expensive RV category to rent. Travel trailers are also the largest category by US ownership — more units shipped in 2024 than every motorhome class combined.
For the technical definition, see the Travel Trailer glossary entry. This page is the rental decision guide.
Why travel trailer rentals work the way they do
Three structural differences from motorhome rentals:
- You provide the tow vehicle. Unlike a motorhome (which includes the drivetrain), a travel trailer needs your truck or SUV to move it. The rental owner verifies your vehicle’s tow rating at booking.
- Pickup is at the owner’s storage location. Almost all travel trailer rentals are peer-to-peer on Outdoorsy or RVshare — corporate chains don’t rent towables.
- Many rentals include delivery and setup. The owner tows the trailer to your campsite, levels it, hooks it up, and picks it up at the end. For first-time renters, this is almost always the right option.
What it actually costs
For a 7-day travel trailer rental (mid-range pricing on a 2022 25-foot trailer):
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base rate: $125/night × 7 nights | $875 |
| Platform service fee (10–20%) | $88–$175 |
| Insurance / damage waiver: $25/day | $175 |
| Mileage: unlimited (you’re providing the tow vehicle) | $0 |
| Cleaning + prep fee | $100 |
| Delivery + setup (optional but recommended) | $200–$500 |
| All-in for the rental | $1,438–$1,825 |
| Fuel: depends on your tow vehicle (typically 10–14 mpg towing) | $300–$500 |
| Campground fees (7 nights, mix of state + private) | $250–$450 |
| All-in trip cost | $1,988–$2,775 |
Travel trailer rental is often the cheapest way to RV if you already own a capable tow vehicle. If you have to rent a truck separately, the math changes significantly.
What tow vehicle you need
Three things to check on your tow vehicle:
- Tow rating from the manufacturer. Look in your owner’s manual or on the door jamb sticker. Subtract the trailer’s dry weight plus 20% for cargo to find the required rating.
- Hitch class. Class III (5,000 lb) covers most light travel trailers. Class IV (10,000 lb) covers heavier ones.
- Weight distribution hitch (WDH). Required by most tow-vehicle manufacturers for any trailer over about 5,000 lb. Some owners include a WDH; some require you to bring your own.
| Trailer weight | Tow vehicle needed |
|---|---|
| Under 3,500 lb | Midsize SUV (4Runner, Pilot, Highlander) or half-ton pickup |
| 3,500–5,500 lb | Half-ton pickup (F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500) with tow package |
| 5,500–8,000 lb | Half-ton with tow package + WDH, or three-quarter-ton |
| 8,000+ lb | Three-quarter-ton pickup (F-250, 2500) |
Where to rent a travel trailer
- Outdoorsy — largest selection. Strong delivery-and-setup option network. Best for: first-time renters who want platform-level insurance + delivery service.
- RVshare — comparable inventory. Best for: rate-shoppers and renters in markets where Outdoorsy is thin.
- Cruise America and El Monte RV — no travel trailers. Motorhomes only.
- Fireside RV Rental — some travel trailers at franchise locations. Confirm at booking.
When travel trailer is the right choice
- You already own a capable tow vehicle — biggest cost advantage
- You’re renting for a stationary or near-stationary stay (delivery-and-setup means you don’t tow at all)
- You want the cheapest RV format
- You want more space for the price than Class B or small Class C offers
- You’re traveling as a couple or small family of 4–5
When travel trailer is wrong
- You don’t have a tow vehicle — buying or renting one adds significant cost and complexity
- You’re a complete novice driver — towing a 20+ foot trailer is a real skill
- You’re traveling solo — typically too much trailer for one person
- You’re doing significant city or urban driving — backing a trailer into tight spots is hard
- You want one-way rental — almost no owner allows this
Delivery-and-setup vs. self-tow
The single most important decision when renting a travel trailer:
| Delivery & setup | Self-tow | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost adder | $200–$500 | $0 |
| Towing skill required | None | Significant |
| Trailer arrives at | Your campsite | Owner’s storage location |
| You drive | Your normal vehicle | Your tow vehicle hauling the trailer |
| Stress at pickup | Minimal | Moderate-to-high |
| Right for | First-time renters; mostly stationary trips | Experienced renters who want flexibility |
For first-time renters, almost always pick delivery-and-setup. Towing a 25-foot trailer with passing semi-trucks and unfamiliar exits is not the right place to learn.
What to verify before booking
- Trailer weight (dry + GVWR) and match against your tow rating.
- Whether the owner provides a weight distribution hitch if needed for your trailer’s weight class.
- Whether the brake controller is in your tow vehicle or whether the owner provides a wired-in unit.
- Whether delivery and setup is offered and at what radius / fee.
- The hitch ball size required (1 7/8”, 2”, or 2 5/16”). If you don’t have the right ball, the owner needs to provide one.
- The cargo capacity (GVWR minus dry weight) — important for family + gear trips.