South Dakota was the perfect choice for a first-time excursion, since we basically followed the same long highway and didn't have to navigate around too many other vehicles at the campsites (especially in early March). Logistics aside, traveling in an RV was pretty much exactly what I hoped it would be. And every single RV rental from RVShare comes with 24/7 roadside assistance, which gave me a lot of peace of mind on the road-though luckily I never needed to tap into it. (My biggest takeaway: Side mirrors are an RV driver's best friend.) After getting used to the slower brake reactions and extremely wide turning radius after a few minutes on the highway, helming the Freelander wasn't too much different than driving my tiny Ford Fiesta. The day of departure, I went to the dealership to pick up the RV an employee walked me through running the generator, hooking up to electric outlets at campsites, and a few other basics of driving a vehicle that's roughly the size of a studio apartment in Manhattan. Then you request to book your favorite, and the owner will contact you through RVshare to discuss details and send you the necessary paperwork, which includes the option to purchase insurance. Once you find the vehicles that meets your demands, you browse the RVs' profiles see more specs, read cancellation policies, and comb through reviews from previous renters. My only stipulation was that the owner allowed pets in the RV, but you can also select things like maximum price, kitchen appliances (microwave, refrigerator, etc.), bathroom amenities (toilet, shower, etc.), and some other entertainment and dashboard features. The site then populated with RVs available near Kansas City during that time, and then I could either browse the options or select more filters. I began by searching for vendors near Kansas City (my pick-up location) and a general date range for my trip. Head to RVshare and book yours before the summer of the RV really takes off.So how exactly does renting an RV work? If you've ever used Airbnb, the steps on RVshare should feel somewhat familiar. city (including lots and lots of Airstreams). The availability of RVs obviously depends heavily on the area you're searching in, but there are literally hundreds to choose from in and around almost every major U.S. Most also come with a 100 mileage allotment per 'night' booked (with mileage overages typically on par with a rental car).

Prices are generally very reasonable, and based on our findings, tend to hover in the $150-250 per night range (some newer and more luxurious options will run you upwards of $500). Some rentals are even available for 'Instant Booking' (like Airbnb), so you don't even have to await owner approval. Then, it's up to you to coordinate with the owner to confirm your reservation, and voila, you're in business. From there, you can further filter results based on any number of criteria, from price, to amenities, RV/trailer type, and whether the owner offers delivery (an especially helpful feature if you don't have a vehicle). You simply plug in your location, when you'd like to book one, and the number of guests you'll be traveling with (1-6+), and it'll show you listings for any and all RVs available nearby. The only difference, of course, is these properties are portable: campers, trailers, and motorhomes. Much like Airbnb, RVshare helps you easily search and book someone else's property. In fact, Bloomberg reports that motor home sales have skyrocketed in recent weeks, as people out of both fear and frustration are buying up 'Covid Campers.' That said, you definitely don't need to buy an RV to enjoy a nice getaway in a motorhome. The idea that this will be the summer of the RV isn't mere speculation. And the even better news? It's not that expensive.

There's a site out there that makes it incredibly easy to rent campers, trailers, and RVs directly from owners in your area. If you're one of them, we've got great news. Hitting the road in a camper is the sort of activity reserved for retirees and B-list touring bands, right? Of course, nothing is normal these days, and with a litany of travel restrictions at play and skittishness around social distancing, lots of people are considering renting an RV in an effort to pull off something even vaguely resembling a summer vacation. Under normal circumstances, heading out of town in an RV for a few nights isn't a 'dream' vacation for many of us.

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