Outdoorsy and RVShare are two pioneering platforms for peer-to-peer RV lending. Although mostly similar, this Outdoorsy vs RVShare comparison might help you spot a few differences and choose the ideal website.
The RV trend is taking conventional vacationing by storm. And why shouldn’t it? RVs are just amazing. They let you drive through the wilderness with your friends, family or loved ones while enjoying all the amenities of your home.
Additionally, most rental RVs are much cheaper than hotel accommodations and are more fun. Following this emerging trend, many websites pop up online, aiming to connect RV renters and RV owners.
If you own a luxury rig, you can rent it out to someone who needs it when it’s not in use.
Or, if you can’t afford one, log in to one of these sites and rent one for your weekend getaway. The question is, which website to go for? Whether you’re a renter or an owner, signing up for a scam site can ruin your experience entirely.
To ensure you don’t have to go through the ordeal, I have compared two of the best RV rental sites in this RVShare vs Outdoorsy showdown. So let’s get started.
What is Outdoorsy?
Outdoorsy is a popular marketplace website for RV renters and owners. The company is not a formal RV rental company but a service connecting an RV owner with people looking to rent RVs.
Created back in 2015 by two co-founders who saw profit potential in the RV industry. Today, RV renters and owners have exchanged more than half a million dollars through the website.
The website provides exposure, advertisement, security, and insurance options for a small commission on every rental for owners. Similarly, for renters, the platform offers location-specific RV options, customized RV search engines, roadside assistance, and a safe payment gateway.
Most importantly, the website has amazing user ratings on sites like Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau, making it a legit option for RV enthusiasts.
See Related: Rental Cars That You Can Take Out of State
How Outdoorsy Works
Outdoorsy works in a pretty simple way. I love the user-intuitive and clean interface of the website.
Even if you’re visiting for the first time, you can easily find your way around and complete your task.
For RV Owners
If you’re an RV owner, the first thing you’ll have to do on the site is to list your RV. You’ll find the option in the top right corner, redirecting you to a listing page.
Here, you must enter all the details about your RV, including its model, manufacturer, type, and condition. After that, you can upload pictures and select a catchy name for your rig to attract renters.
Another great feature is that you can set your rental price rate. Once you have specified all the details, the waiting game starts.
The trick to earning good money through regular rentals on Outdoorsy is communicating well with potential renters and maintaining your rig regularly.
For Renters
Now, if you are a prospective renter, the website works slightly differently for you. First, you will have to sign-up and become a member, after which you can access the long list of RVs available.
You can apply multiple filters to customize your search according to your location, RV type, and the amenities you need to find the perfect RV rental.
Once you find the right RV, you can check out all its details on the platform and reserve it for further reference. After that, you can communicate with the owner for further assistance and confirm your booking. That’s when you must pay a security deposit and the rest of the rent when you acquire the vehicle.
Outdoorsy also offers great roadside assistance for renters and vehicle insurance for RV owners. So, whether you want to make some side income or plan your vacation through the site, you can do it concern-free.
Pros of Outdoorsy
- Wide range of RV options from more than 14 countries worldwide
- Low price range compared to traditional RV dealerships
- Impeccable customer service
- Good insurance and roadside assistance
Cons of Outdoorsy
- Does not conduct background checks on RVs
- High commissions charged by owners
- Renters face lots of additional charges after the trip.
What is RVShare?
RVShare is another popular RV rental website founded by a travel-enthusiast couple in 2012. Similar to Outdoorsy, they operate in a different way than traditional RV rental companies.
Matt and Rachel went RV-ing on their honeymoon, only to return and watch their precious RV catch dust in their garage.
Unfortunately, they didn’t find any suitable RV rental platform to help them put their idle RV to use. That’s why they created their website where RV owners and renters could connect and conduct smooth transactions.
RVShare is one of the first peer-to-peer RV rental services in the market, but does it match up to the advanced features of Outdoorsy? You’ll get the answer in this Outdoorsy vs RVShare comparison.
How RVShare Works
RVShare is an online platform that lets private owners and dealerships list their RVs for rent. Both renters and owners can sign-up and browse the options for free.
See Related: Best Car Rental Sites to Find Great Deals
RV Rental Process For Renters
If you’re a renter, you can find the RV of your choice on RVShare. First of all, you’ll have to become a member of the platform to access the list of RVs available.
Instead of cramming all the available options on one page, RVShare categorizes them according to their type, size, and amenities. You can choose from Class A, B, and C RVs or rent Fifth Wheels, Pop-Ups, Towable RVs, and Travel Trailers. If you’re aged 25 or older, RVShare lets you become a member after checking your previous record for any red flags.
Those who have any driving offenses against them in the last 12 months or have had their licenses suspended are restricted from the platform. Once you sign-up and select the right RV, you can book it immediately and contact the owner for further details.
Just like Outdoorsy, RVShare offers roadside assistance for RV renters. These include assistance during lock-out, towing, tire service, and emergency supplies.
RV Rental For Owners
If you own an RV and want to list it for some passive income, you can do that through RVShare. The listing process is similar to Outdoorsy.
All you have to do is enter all the details about your rig and upload images to bring in renters. You can set your own security deposit and rent price on RVShare. Free rental insurance is perhaps the best feature of RVShare for RV owners. Instead, the costs are covered by the renter.
If the owner finds his RV damaged in any way after the renter returns it, the insurance charges will be deducted from the security deposit.
Pros of RVShare
- A wide range of RV options is available
- Free rental insurance
- The comprehensive roadside assistance program
- Cashback deal for regular renters
- Easy to use
Cons of RVShare
- Limited RV availability in some states
- Delayed owner responses
RVShare vs Outdoorsy – Similarities
Now that you know both platforms’ basic features, let’s discuss the similarities before the differences between the two platforms. These websites are pioneering peer-to-peer platforms that let RV owners and renters connect to perform profitable transactions.
Mainly, they work like Airbnbs for RVs. Those with spare RVs can list them on these websites, while those planning an RV vacation can rent one. So, by joining these sites, you can get your tasks done online without going through the hassle of traditional vehicle dealership systems.
Most importantly, both platforms offer direct contact between owners and renters, which is better than having a third person conduct the formalities between two parties.
Similarly, both platforms provide their renters with some features to ensure a safe journey and for their owners to receive secure payments. These rental service features include:
- RV insurance policies
- Roadside assistance
- Secure payment processing
- Specific regulations for cancellation
Difference Between RVShare and Outdoorsy
The above section shows that the two platforms are highly similar in their basic operations. However, they have slight differences that can influence your decision while choosing the ideal platform. I have discussed how these two platforms are different to clearly represent Outdoorsy vs RVShare.
RV Rental Pricing
In both platforms, the pricing depends on various factors, including the RV model, the location, and the rental duration. Also, there’s an additional fee for extra amenities like pet accommodation, extra linen, and extra fuel.
In the case of RVShare, renters can book class A vehicles from $150-$250 per night. Similarly, Class B models can cost around $100-$200, while Class C costs $50-$100 per night.
Besides that, if renters book newer models from these three classes, they might cost more than the older versions. On Outdoorsy, a small, cheap RV with basic amenities will cost renters around $50-$100 per night.
On the other hand, larger RVs with luxurious features can cost $300-$500 per night. The main aspect to consider is the commission or service fee charged by the platform itself. Remember, the rental price is not set by the websites but by the owners.
- Outdoorsy’s service fee is a little high, as they charge 5%-10% from renters and around 15%-20% of the rent from owners.
- RVShare, on the other hand, only charges a standard 5% service fee from both parties when the transaction is conducted.
Insurance
You never know what can go wrong on the road you’re traveling. That’s why you should always go for a platform that offers rental insurance to prevent damage to your precious rig.
The RVShare insurance policy is detailed and comprehensive. It offers coverage for a wide range of unpleasant events, including the following:
- Storms
- Falling tree limbs
- Hail
- Animal collisions
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Fire
However, the insurance amount depends on the type of RV. If the RV is worth $10,000, the insurance fee will be $9.95 daily. Outdoorsy offers vehicle insurance from a third-party insurance provider. The website covers $250,000 for collision damage and around $1 million for liabilities.
Moreover, owners don’t have to pay for the insurance at all. If an unpleasant event occurs, the renter deducts the amount from the security deposit.
RV Renter Roadside Assistance
If your vehicle breaks down or you face a problem, both websites offer roadside assistance during emergencies. Th RVShare assistance program comes to your aid in the case of towing, batter service, lockout service, extraction, tire replacement, and even emergency supply delivery.
Besides that, you can contact an RVShare representative at any time through online live chat, email, or call them directly to get a response to your query. On the other hand, the Outdoorsy roadside assistance program provides tech support, lock-out service, tire service, and extraction.
What sets RVShare assistance apart is the emergency supply delivery. They go the extra mile with this one, providing whatever you need on your RV trip.
Additional Perks with RVShare and Outdoorsy
While renting RVs through Outdoorsy, you can get extra perks like customized bedding, grills, and pet accommodation. Besides that, renters can refer the site to their friends to earn money on the site, just like owners.
Furthermore, RVShare also has an extra perk for regular renters. They can get a 5% cash back for future RV rentals on the website.
Outdoorsy vs RVShare – What is Better?
Now that you know all the details about both platforms, you know that choosing the better option is challenging. While RVShare performs better in pricing and roadside assistance, Outdoorsy has a better insurance program and great additional perks. Most importantly, both platforms are equal regarding their user-intuitive website and flawless customer support.
Who Should Use Outdoorsy?
If you’re a renter who wants unlimited RV options in multiple destinations worldwide, you should go for Outdoorsy. That’s because, unlike RVShare, the website operates in various countries worldwide.
If you want staunch insurance backing as an RV owner while avoiding any insurance costs, Outdoorsy is the ideal website for you.
Who Should Use RVShare?
On the other hand, if you prefer to travel with your family around the US, RVShare has affordable RV options for you with minimum service charges. As a frequent traveler, you can get cashback on future rentals and save up on your family getaways.
Similarly, Outdoorsy charges a high service fee from owners. So, if you want to rent your RVs and keep the maximum rental income for yourself, RVShare is your option.
FAQs
How trustworthy is Outdoorsy?
Outdoorsy is generally considered trustworthy, providing a secure platform for RV rentals. They implement a rigorous verification process for owners and renters and a million-dollar insurance policy for all qualified rentals. In addition, the platform encourages user reviews to ensure transparency and confidence in its community.
What is better, Outdoorsy or RVShare?
Choosing between Outdoorsy and RVShare often depends on personal preferences, as both platforms have their unique strengths. Outdoorsy is lauded for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer service, while RVShare is known for a wide variety of RV types and frequent promotional discounts. Both platforms provide insurance coverage and 24/7 roadside assistance for peace of mind during your travels.
What are the best RV rental platforms?
Outdoorsy and RVShare are two of the best RV rental platforms due to their extensive listings and robust security measures. They offer a wide selection of RVs, excellent customer support, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Other noteworthy platforms include Cruise America, known for its fleet of motorhomes, and Campanda, which offers international rentals.