Camper trailer rental: Essential tips for success

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Undecided on whether to buy a camping trailer? It’s not an easy decision – the newest models can cost big money and you won’t know if that trailer will suit your camping style and dream destinations. The last thing you want to do is splurge on a big fifth wheel and then realize that you miss traveling light.

Why not try out a camping trailer rental for a weekend or vacation?

It’s a great test to figure out whether a camping trailer is for you and whether your vehicle can take the weight of the type of trailer you’ve got your eyes on.  

There’s a huge variety of camping trailers for rent out there: from small travel trailers and pop-up campers to fifth wheels and toy haulers.  All you have to do is pick your favorite model and enjoy an epic camping trip on it.

Just imagine boondocking in your cool small trailer rental in front of an amazing beach, by lush woods or in the desert. Watch the sunset from your comfy bed after enjoying a hot cooked meal prepared in the kitchenette.

Sounds special, doesn’t it?

Why you might want to try out a camping trailer rental

Renting a camping trailer is a lot of fun: you can get a good feel for what driving a trailer is like and test the living space on board.

You don’t need to pay yearly insurance, store the trailer when you don’t use it or maintain its systems – you just enjoy your camping trip and hand the trailer back in once you’re done. Then you can just forget all about it and post those cool # TravelTrailer shots on Instagram.

Compared to camping in a tent or in your car, a camping trailer offers quite a few advantages. The obvious one is the comforts available – cooking in a kitchenette with a double burner and counter space, sleeping on a soft mattress and showering in your own bathroom are all real game-changers. 

Camping in a trailer rental makes you more independent – you have enough water and electricity to get off-grid for a few days, so you can explore those stunning remote places for longer. You can also take more stuff with you, including your favorite adventure gear, whether it’s your surfboard, mountain bike or skis. 

Renting a travel trailer rather than owning means you can probably go for something a little bigger than what you’d buy. You can test drive some massive fifth wheels or toy haulers and enjoy their luxury without the hassle of buying and looking after them.

If you’re considering investing in a camping trailer, you can’t miss the opportunity of renting one and finding out if it’s the right fit for your camping style. Maybe you prefer to go backpacking, or maybe you need more space than you thought.

How much does it cost to rent a travel trailer?

Camping trailer rental prices go from as little as $55 per night to $200+ per night, depending on the type of trailer you choose, the time of year and the area in which you rent.

You can rent for a weekend, a week or a month. So even if you have a limited budget, you can have a bit of a taste by renting just for a weekend.

Renting on the website Outdoorsy is super easy – just choose which trailer you like in your area and book your dates.

It’s like Airbnb for travel trailer rentals: you rent from trailer owners, so you can be sure the vehicle is well looked after and loved.

Use the coupon code “wayward40” to get $40 off your camper trailer rental! Click here to book a camper trailer on Outdoorsy.

There are trailers of all sizes – from cozy and compact to huge and luxurious. Make sure to check the tow weight before getting too excited about some of the beasts you’ll find on Outdoorsy.

You can choose from a variety of super cool add-ons for a daily fee: a drone, camping chairs, a hammock, a generator or awnings. Among the add-ons, sometimes you’ll see a delivery option. When this is available, you can get the trailer delivered to you within 30-60 miles from its location. 

Tips for driving a travel trailer rental

Driving a travel trailer rental isn’t difficult. Connecting the tow bar to the tow hitch may be the most challenging bit if you’ve never done it before. Most owners will give you a hand hitching up, anyway.

When you start driving your trailer rental forward, you can drive pretty much as you always do, but you’ll need to pay more attention to your width and height. Always brake earlier and more gently than you would if you were just driving a car. Take bends as wide as possible and avoid 90-degree turns.

Make sure the load is well-distributed on the travel trailer rental and don’t go too fast to avoid swaying (when the trailer wiggles back and forth). Avoid driving in high winds, especially if the trailer has a lot of windage.

Going up hills isn’t a problem as long as you keep the revs up and aren’t towing a trailer that’s too heavy for your vehicle. Going downhill can be a little more dangerous. Brake very early and slowly and consider engine braking if your towing vehicle allows for it.

How to back up a travel trailer rental

Reversing is slightly more difficult, but once you do it a couple of times, you’ll get the hang of it. The most important thing to remember is that a trailer pivots in the opposite direction to its towing vehicle.

To reverse a trailer, you need to slowly reverse your car in the opposite direction in which you want the trailer to go.

Once the trailer swings, straighten your wheels and drive backward, then again turn the wheels to steer in the opposite direction (opposite to the first direction in which you steered). Then reverse in a straight line to complete the maneuver.

It’s best to have someone help you judge distances the first time you reverse into a camping spot or parking space. If you’re worried about maneuvering a big trailer rental, opt for a smaller, lighter trailer that you can move by hand.

These usually have handles on the back for pushing it where you like and they’re easier to tow. It’s also helpful to ask for tips to the owner or dealer when you pick up your camping trailer rental.

And if you’re super nervous about driving a trailer, you could opt for a pick-up in a campground, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy your holiday.

What to bring when renting a camping trailer

When you’ve booked your camping trailer rental, it’s time to pack. Here’s what we suggest you bring with you:

• Clothes and PJs
• Food, drinks and condiments
• Bed sheets or sleeping bags
• Pillows 
• Towels
• Toiletries
• Earplugs – especially if you’re planning on stopping at a busy campground 
• Wet wipes 
• Camping plates and mugs – although some rentals include these
• Torch – to walk to the campground’s toilets or around camp after dark
• Camping chairs and table (if not included in the rental)
• Battery bank for your phone – especially if you’re going off-grid 
• Board games and books
• Reading light
• Insect repellant and mosquito coils
• Campfire wood and tinder
• Any gear you can fit, like bikes or surfboards 

Make sure to check the amenities of your trailer rental well before you set off. Depending on the trailer’s layout, you may need to bring a portable toilet, a camping stove or a cool box.

Check out these super cute camping trailer rentals

Forest River R-Pod (Travel Trailer)

Price: $99 per night

Location: Cincinnati, OH

This small trailer rental is the definition of cute! I mean, look at it. It comes with all the comforts you need: a double bed, wet bath, outdoor kitchenette with oven and a microwave, an awning, AC, heating and more. With the 36-gallon fresh water tank, you can be sure to be able to get off-grid for a while.

Find out more about this Forest River R-Pod rental.

2019 A-Liner Classic (A-Frame trailer)

Price: $82 per night

Location: Scotts Valley, CA

Check this one out! Such a charming design by one of our favorite manufacturers: A-Liner. This A-Frame camper is super light and easy to tow. It comes with towing hitch and the owners will help you get hitched. This camping trailer rental features an outdoor shower, AC and furnace, kitchenette with fridge-freezer, dinette and double bed.

You can either stay in spectacular campgrounds or venture further into the wilderness with the 11-gallon freshwater tank.

Read more about this A-liner rental.

Grand Design Reflection (Fifth wheel)

Price: $200 per night

Location: Sandown, NH

This fifth wheel is truly a home away from home, with its beautiful wooden interior and roomy cabin. The galley is as big as most apartments’ kitchens and the bedrooms have doors. There are even a proper sofa and a dry bath. You can hang out in the deck chairs outside, or get cozy inside by turning on the gas fire and entertainment system.

This beast of a trailer will be super comfortable in any weather.

Find out more about this Grand Design Reflection rental.

Airstream Basecamp (Toy hauler)

Price: $150 per night

Location: John’s Island, SC

This adorable Airstream Basecamp is ideal for a couple’s weekend getaway. Fill it up with your favourite adventure gear and then set up camp with the awning at the back of the trailer. At only 16-feet long, this small trailer rental features a staggering amount of comforts, such as a dry toilet, inside and outdoor showers, kitchenette and dinette, as well as an awning and an entertainment system.

Read more about this Airstream Basecamp rental.

Heartland Torque (Toy hauler)

Price: $150 per night

Location: Atlantic Beach, NC

This toy hauler is unreal. We bet celebrities’ trailers on Hollywood movie sets look just like this inside. The kitchen has an island and, in front of it, there’s the longest sofa you’ve ever seen. The fridge is probably as big as the one you’ve got at home.

This trailer sleeps up to nine people and comes with separate bedrooms, one of which is a master bedroom with a king-size bed. There’s even a 50” TV!

Find out more about this Heartland Torque rental.

Coleman Sedona (Pop-up)

Price: $55 per night

Location: Harrisburg, PA

Looking for a light, small trailer rental that any car can tow? Then “Poppy” should be right up your street. This pop-up camper is truly adorable with its boho interior and old school outside look. At only 16 feet long, Poppy features a king-size bed, a double bed, a dinette that turns into an extra bed and indoor galley.

It even comes with a portable toilet, AC and heating. This is a lovely budget option.

Learn more about this Coleman Sedona rental.

Explore Adventure Camper (Travel Trailer)

Price: $125 per night

Location: Park City, UT

Want a more rugged lightweight trailer rental? Then go for this Explore Alternative travel trailer. It can be towed by any vehicle with a decent sized engine and is made of aluminum. The old school design of the cab looks fabulous, while the interior is modern and practical. 

It comes with a slide-out outdoor kitchen – a simple double burner and a cooler box. There’s a soft pop-out bed on the side and a roof-top tent. You can also opt for the adventure kit, which includes two SUPs, fishing gear and a gas BBQ.

Find out more about this Explore Adventure Camper rental.

Questions and answers about camping trailer rentals

Can you take pets on a camping trailer rental?

Yes and no. Some owners are pet-friendly, others aren’t. Check the trailer description on Outdoorsy to find out whether you can take your pet with you.

What about insurance for trailer rentals?

Most trailers on Outdoorsy come with comprehensive insurance up to $500,000. You can also buy damage protection and roadside insurance from Outdoorsy and get trip insurance, in case you have to cancel your booking. Check the bottom of the listing to find out what types of insurance the vehicle is covered by or eligible for.

Do you need to dump the tanks of camping trailer rentals?

Yes, most rentals will require you to dump the tanks before you bring the trailer back.

Can I take a travel trailer rental to a festival?

Some vehicles are marked as festival-friendly, while others aren’t. Make sure to check before booking.

Can I smoke in a camping trailer rental?

Most rentals don’t allow smoking inside the vehicle, but you may get lucky and find one that does.

Is there a cleaning fee for travel trailer rentals?

Yes, most rentals come with a compulsory cleaning fee of $50. Some owners wave the fee if you return the camper in the same condition as it came in.

Ready to get a travel trailer rental?

So are you set on trying out a camping trailer rental? Go for it! It’ll give you a good idea of whether a trailer is right for you.

No matter if you decide to buy a trailer or not, it’ll be a super valuable experience – you can either buy feeling confident in your decision or walk away, relieved you didn’t spend big money on something that doesn’t suit your camping style.

We hope you’ll have a great time renting a trailer for your next outdoor adventures!

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