Published May 28, 2026 03:20AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Ten years ago, I started road tripping in a 1976 Toyota Chinook. After the motor blew up, I got into a 1978 Toyota Sunline and unfortunately that didn\u2019t last long, either. My love of old vehicles (and hatred of carburetors) eventually gave way to more practical and reliable camper vans. For the last eight years, I\u2019ve traveled in a couple of different vans.<\/p>\n
If I could hit rewind, though, I\u2019d rent before buying. It would have saved me a lot of heartache and money. And with summer upon us, there\u2019s never been a better time to rent a camper van to find out whether a van is the right adventuremobile for you. TikTok and Instagram can be super inspiring, but the reality is often far different than the golden hour reels your favorite creators share.<\/p>\n
These are my recommendations for camper van rental companies in North America to help stop you from endlessly scrolling camper van videos and actually experience one with minimal commitment and maximum fun.<\/p>\n Outdoorsy<\/a> is one of the most popular peer-to-peer RV rental sites for starting your camper van adventure due to its vast inventory and listings in over 5,600 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Think of it like Airbnb but for RVs. (Outdoorsy even has a similar rating system that highlights Superhosts, which adds a sense of familiarity for new users.)<\/p>\n In a move toward greater transparency, the company recently updated its pricing model so there aren\u2019t any hidden fees; what you see when browsing is what you pay upon checkout (barring individual hosts\u2019 fees for things like pet deposits or waste dumping).<\/p>\n Newbies will also appreciate what Bryan Rucklos, the head of growth at the Outdoorsy has to say about insurance: \u201cOutdoorsy is the only major rental marketplace powered by Roamly insurance,\u201d says Rucklos. \u201cTheir proprietary insurtech is purpose-built for RV and camper van rentals, which means renters get specialized coverage without the headaches of figuring out third-party policies.\u201d<\/p>\n Outdoorsy solves the big pre-trip hassle that is proper coverage, leaving you more time for planning fun.<\/p>\n RVshare<\/a> is another major peer-to-peer RV marketplace known for its large inventory with over 100,000 listings. Some vans are listed on both RVshare and Outdoorsy, so it\u2019s wise to do a comparison on both platforms before committing. The sheer number of vehicles on RVshare makes it an ideal place for camper van enthusiasts.<\/p>\n Maddie Bourgerie, vice president of marketing at RVshare says that more than 30 percent of renters are booking RVs to test before committing to a purchase of their own.<\/p>\n RVshare\u2019s Rental Advisors<\/a> offer one-on-one support to help you choose the right rig for your adventure and offer personalized recommendations via the phone or text. \u201cCamper vans like Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions, Winnebago Solis, and Ram ProMaster builds are among the most popular,\u201d says Bourgerie. \u201cThey strike a balance between comfort and drivability, easy to maneuver like a large SUV, but fully equipped for off-grid adventures.\u201d<\/p>\n Roadsurfer\u2019s<\/a> founding idea is simple: travel should feel free. The company started in Germany in 2016 with a fleet of 25 VW buses. \u201cIn Europe, the road trip is a kind of cultural inheritance. You grow up assuming you can throw a few things in the back, point the wheels at the Alps or the coast, and figure the rest out as you go,\u201d says Roadsurfer\u2019s growth marketing manager for North America, Grace Sillano. \u201cThat\u2019s how Roadsurfer started.\u201d<\/p>\n A decade later, the company continues to grow, with rentals in 100-plus locations in 16 countries with a fleet of over 10,000 vehicles. Roadsurfer also offers unlimited miles with its rentals, making the company a great choice for cross-country adventures.<\/p>\n It also has a lot of vans to choose from. The Horizon Hopper<\/a> is built into an AWD diesel fuel Sprinter van with a navigation system, toilet, warm shower, portable induction stove, fridge with a freezer compartment, sink, and AC and heating systems that can be used while driving or parked. It\u2019s the closest you can get to living top-end van life without having to buy the van. \u201cWe see ourselves as the newcomer to the U.S. market, but with ten years of European road-trip experience behind us,\u201d says Sillano. \u201cOur goal is pretty simple: to democratize road camping and make it easier than it\u2019s ever been.\u201d<\/p>\n Located in a dozen major cities\u2019 airports in the U.S., Avanti Campervans<\/a> are simple, no-frills conversions built into the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Voyager. From the outside, each model looks like a typical minivan, making them a good option if you\u2019re trying to fly under the radar.<\/p>\n Both of the models, the Caravan and the Voyager, have a fold-up bed, and the Voyager has a pullout kitchen in the back. Each rental comes with fresh linens, a comforter and pillows for two, a full set of kitchen utensils, folding chairs, a folding shade canopy, a camp (solar) shower, and a gas stove in each van, making it ideal for those flying in and picking up their van.<\/p>\n Avanti also recently purchased the popular Escape Campervans brand and trademark. Mike Verdi, Avanti owner, says company representatives will announce the next phase for both companies in a few weeks. \u201cFor now,\u201d says Verdi, \u201cI\u2019ll just say our vision and mission align closely with the original Escape brand, and we will continue focusing on making campervan adventures more fun, affordable, and accessible.\u201d<\/p>\nOutdoorsy<\/h2>\n
RVshare<\/h2>\n
Roadsurfer<\/h2>\n
Avanti Campervans<\/h2>\n
Native Campervans<\/h2>\n