The van life is the go-to option for people looking for safer and more affordable ways of traveling. There are fewer travel hurdles to deal with, and it provides much flexibility.
RVs have been the most popular means of camping for a long time, because they allow you to dine and lodge in the same space. Even so, they can be challenging to maneuver, costly to fuel, and too big for some campgrounds.
That’s why camper vans have become such an excellent alternative for people looking for similar benefits without dealing with all such challenges. Travelers can carry their sleeping and dining essentials while enjoying high levels of control over their environments. Also, with a campervan, you can access most camping grounds without problems.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a camper van for travel but can’t decide which one to purchase, it would help to rent one. Camper vans for rent allow you to try out the van life and an excellent way of testing out your desired camper van model. We’ve prepared 5 best camper vans for rent near me to help you make an informed decision.
The 5 Best Camper Vans for Rent Near Me
Check out these five best camper vans for rent:
Boho Camper Van: Best Budget-friendly Van
The Boho Camper Van is a great budget pick for anyone looking to rent a camper van. The company rents out custom-built vans and pre-built vans for a mind-blowing travel experience. The founders’ initial plan was to provide functional camper vans for people with minimal experience in maintaining RVs so they could focus on traveling.
They seem to have achieved this goal perfectly. Boho camper vans are available for rent for a minimum of 3 nights for $600-$800 based on the type of camper van, and if you rent out a van for a longer period, e.g., two weeks, you get a discount.
In addition to getting a custom-built camper van, Boho offers maps to the most epic camping locations, and you may request a driver at no charge. There are no restrictions on the places you can travel using the van, but you must make a reservation early because their vans are often booked out.
Outdoorsy Campervan Rental: Best Peer-to-Peer Rental Company
Outdoorsy is one of the best peer-to-peer campervan rental companies. It connects renters and campervan rental companies, allowing you to compare various models, rates, and other benefits. The company is an online platform where campers and camper van owners meet, allowing you to rent from a private van owner, not a company-owned fleet.
You’ll find a range of camper vans, from compact campervans to Class A, B, and C vans, and you can narrow your search to find vans near you. Simply type in your location, and Outdoorsy provides campervan rentals near you.
The site is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to select your destination, number of guests, and travel dates and indicate whether you’re bringing a pet. Once you click on the search button, a variety of campervans appear on the screen, listing the price, feature image, and other information about the vehicle’s make and model.
The location is also indicated under each option, and a map showing the locations of each vehicle and their prices. After finding your ideal vehicle, make a booking request to the camper van owner and finalize the payment. Outdoorsy charges a base rate, a service fee of 5-20% and a refundable security deposit.
Escape Campervans: Best for East Coast Campers
With over a decade’s experience, Escape Campervan is your go-to option when looking to camp on the East Coast. Many campervan rental companies focus on the West Coast, leaving campers planning to visit the East Coast with few options.
Escape Campervans cover cities around the East Coast and beyond (Calgary and Vancouver in Canada). Moreover, the company has a fleet of more than 600 campervans and RVs converted into houses, providing a vast range to choose from.
You’ll find four models of a converted Ford campervan, a Jeep camper equipped with a rooftop tent, and each can accommodate 2-5 people. The rates are pretty affordable ($33 per day) with a 3-14 day minimum booking period based on whether you’re going on one-way camping or a round trip, your destination, and the time of the year.
The camper vans are equipped with camping essentials like a stove, bed, refrigerator, dining area, and a dual battery system with solar. For extra energy, you can bring the BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station to power all the high-demand appliances.
With the campervan equipped with a fridge, shower, and other such equipment, you want to carry enough energy to keep them running. The high-capacity power station has 268.8 Wh worth of LiFePO4 batteries, which can power a refrigerator for 3 hours, a fan for 11 hours and keep five-watt light bulbs on for 30 hours. You may request extras like kitchen kits, bedding, or camping gear for an extra fee.
Mercedes Sprinter RV Rental: Best for Luxurious Campervans
The Mercedes Sprinter RV Rental campervan is the true definition of a home away from home. The company has up to 28 branches in the Western region of the US, offering a range of luxury campervans for rent.
Its fleet of vehicles is decked out with essential amenities, including a bathroom (with a sink, toilet, and shower), TV, and solar power. Vehicles in the standard category are equipped with a full-fledged kitchen featuring a built-in oven, a two-door fridge, and lots of counter space. They’re also incredibly spacious, providing lots of seating, sleeping, and storage space.
They’ve closets with shelving and drawers to store all your clothes, camping gear, and kids’ toys, while the spacious seating areas can accommodate a family of 7. Mercedes Sprinter RV camper vans can carry 7 people and allow up to four people to sleep comfortably. The only bummer is that its services come at a premium, with a price range of $400-$500 a night.
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Lost Campers
The Lost Campers is another excellent budget pick for travelers. It has a fleet of vehicles equipped with many camping essentials, including bedding, picnic chairs and tables, a DC-powered cooler, a roof storage bin, a GPS navigator, and bike racks, to mention a few.
The company’s fleet of vehicles is categorized into three- the Sierra Class Campervans, the Hotel Sierra Class Campervans, and the Wanderer Class Sleepervans with each category offering a unique traveling experience.
Sierra Class Campervans are a favorite pick for travelers going for long-distance trips. They’re bright-red campervans that come with one full-size bed to accommodate two people. The bed is outfitted at the back of the front seats and can be transformed into a lounge.
Since these campervans aren’t too spacious for families with children, the Hotel Sierra Class Campervan is a better option. They are equipped with all the amenities in the Sierra Class campervans, except they can carry more people. Hotel Sierra Class camper vans can carry 4-5 people thanks to the rooftop tent, which can sleep 2-3 people. Moreover, the roof tent is discreet, making the trip as private as you’d want it to be.
The last category, the Wanderer Class, is pretty standard and more suitable for backpackers looking for a simple and budget-friendly way of getting around. They have fewer amenities than the other categories, but you’ll find camping necessities like a cooking kit, a bed with underneath storage, and an outdoor kit.
Note that Lost Campers campervan rentals don’t offer airport pickups and drop-offs because most of their branches are located near major airports.
How to Find the Best Camper Vans for Rent Near Me
The kind of campervan you choose can make or break your camping experience. Here’s how you select one:
The Size of the Vehicle
You want to choose a campervan that can accommodate all the people you’re going with and carry all your camping essentials. If you’re a solo traveler, a simple two-seater campervan will suffice, but if you are bringing your entire family, a larger campervan is more suitable.
Mileage
Most campervan rentals have a daily mileage of 100-150 miles beyond which you must not exceed. You’re charged extra for the additional miles. As such, if driving long distances, consider looking for a campervan rental that doesn’t have a daily mileage allowance.
Check the amenities
Find out about the campervan’s amenities. Does it have a bathroom, a kitchen, a heating system for chilly nights, a GPS navigator, sleeping bags or beds, a lounge area, or an undercarriage for extra storage?
Sometimes, your destination plays a critical role in the type of campervan you choose. For example, if you’re planning to go off-grid, you want a vehicle that supports alternative power sources like solar.
Insurance
Although camping is fun, you can get into accidents, and you want to be prepared. Check the company’s insurance policy before renting the campervan and find out what the policy covers.
Most campervan rental companies have policies that cover up to three drivers for free but exclude damages made to the roof or undercarriage. You can also liaise with your insurance company to determine if it covers rental vehicles.
Pickup and Drop-off Time
Campervan rental companies have pickup and drop-off times, so you want to know their timings to make adequate plans beforehand. Most companies schedule pickups in the afternoon and drop-offs before noon, allowing them to clean the vehicle before the next client takes it.
Conclusion
With this list of best camper vans, finding the best campervan for rent near you should be easy. The Mercedes Sprinter RV Rental is an excellent premium pick, but if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Boho Camper Van is a better choice. Remember to find out about the company’s insurance policy, mileage, vehicle size, and amenities as they can make or break your camping experience.
