Outdoorsy Review: Biggest Selection, Biggest Fees

What Is Outdoorsy?

Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer RV and camper rental marketplace. Private owners list their vehicles on the platform. You browse listings, contact owners, book and pay through Outdoorsy. The platform handles insurance, payment processing and dispute resolution.

Think Airbnb for RVs. The owner sets the nightly price, availability and rules. Outdoorsy facilitates the transaction and provides a safety net for both sides.

Founded in 2015 in Austin, TX, Outdoorsy has grown into the largest RV rental marketplace in the world. They operate in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and France.

What You Can Rent on Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy's biggest advantage is selection. The platform has listings in every category:

• → Class A motorhomes. Full-size coaches with slide-outs, king beds and residential-style interiors. $200-$400/night. Best for large groups or extended trips.
• → Class C motorhomes. The most popular rental category. Over-cab sleeping area, 24-32 feet, sleeps 4-8. $125-$275/night. Good balance of space and driveability.
• → Class B campervans. Van-based campers with compact living spaces. Easiest to drive and park. $100-$200/night. Perfect for couples.
• → Travel trailers. Towable options from 15 to 35+ feet. Need a truck or large SUV to pull. $75-$175/night. Many owners offer delivery to your campsite.
• → Specialty vehicles. Vintage Airstreams, converted school buses, teardrops, truck campers, pop-up campers and custom builds. Prices vary wildly. This is where Outdoorsy shines — you won't find these on fleet rental sites.

Outdoorsy Pricing Breakdown

The listed nightly rate is just the starting point. Here's what your actual bill looks like:

Real example: A Class C motorhome listed at $175/night for a 5-night trip. Subtotal: $875. Service fee (20%): $175. Insurance (standard, $25/day): $125. Cleaning fee: $100. Mileage overage (200 extra miles): $75. Total: $1,350. That's $270/night — not the $175 on the listing page.

Outdoorsy Insurance Options

Every Outdoorsy booking includes $1 million in liability coverage automatically. That protects you if you cause damage to other people or property. Collision and comprehensive coverage for the rental vehicle itself is separate.

Three insurance tiers:

• → Basic. Lowest daily cost but highest deductible ($2,500-$3,000). Good if you have RV experience and want to minimize per-day cost. Risk: one small scrape costs you $2,500 out of pocket.
• → Standard. Middle ground. $1,000-$1,500 deductible, $20-30/day. Best for most renters. Reasonable cost with manageable risk.
• → Premium. Lowest deductible ($500 or less), highest daily rate ($30-40/day). Worth it for expensive vehicles or first-time renters. Peace of mind isn't free but it's cheaper than an uninsured fender scrape.

Check your personal auto insurance and credit card before buying Outdoorsy's coverage. Some policies extend to RV rentals. Most don't — but it's worth a quick call to your insurer.

The Booking Process

Booking on Outdoorsy follows a standard pattern:

1. 1. Search. Enter your location and dates. Filter by vehicle type, price range, amenities and delivery options. The search works well — you can filter by pet-friendly, festival-ready, 4x4, towing capacity and more.
2. 2. Contact the owner. Most listings allow you to message the owner before booking. Ask about the vehicle's condition, mileage limits, campground recommendations. Good owners respond within hours.
3. 3. Book and pay. Payment goes through Outdoorsy — never pay an owner directly. You'll select your insurance tier and see the full cost breakdown before confirming.
4. 4. Pickup or delivery. Meet the owner at their location or pay for delivery to your campsite or home. The owner walks you through the vehicle — systems, driving tips, quirks. Budget 30-60 minutes for this.
5. 5. Return. Bring it back with the agreed fuel level and general cleanliness. The owner inspects and both parties confirm the return in the app. Security deposit is released after inspection.

Outdoorsy Pros and Cons

Who Should Use Outdoorsy?

Outdoorsy is the right pick when:

• → You want the widest possible vehicle selection
• → You're looking for a specific or unique vehicle type
• → Insurance coverage is a priority
• → You want delivery to your campsite or home

Skip Outdoorsy when:

• → Budget is your top priority (RVshare has lower fees)
• → You want a guaranteed, standardized experience (try Cruise America)
• → You just need a basic campervan (Escape is cheaper)

Our Verdict

Outdoorsy earns a 4.5/5 because the selection is unmatched and the insurance framework is strong. The service fees sting, and quality depends entirely on the individual owner. But for sheer variety and the ability to find exactly the right vehicle for your trip, nobody else comes close.

If you're comparing Outdoorsy to its closest competitor, read our Outdoorsy vs RVshare comparison for a direct breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions