Rental guide
Campervan Hire and RV Rental Guide
Hiring a campervan, motorhome or RV lets you test layouts, driving size and touring routines before buying. The headline daily price rarely tells the whole story, so compare the vehicle, insurance, mileage, equipment and return conditions together.
Compare rental availability
Camperdays UK lists campervan and motorhome rental options across multiple destinations. Check the final provider terms, insurance and included equipment before booking.
Campervan, motorhome or RV?
Campervan hire
Usually easier to park and drive. Best for couples, short breaks and routes with frequent stops. Check bed length, pop-top operation, heating and toilet arrangements.
Motorhome hire
Offers more indoor space and often includes a washroom. Useful for families and longer trips, but height, width, payload and campsite access need more planning.
RV rental
Common in the USA and Canada, including Class B and Class C vehicles. Compare generator charges, hookup requirements, fuel use and campground length limits.
Calculate the real rental price
Start with the quoted rental rate, then add compulsory insurance, booking or preparation fees, cleaning charges and taxes. Estimate mileage charges using your planned route, and check whether bedding, towels, child seats, outdoor furniture or kitchen equipment cost extra.
- Daily or weekly rental charge.
- Security deposit and insurance excess.
- Mileage or kilometre allowance and excess-distance rate.
- One-way or different-location return fees.
- Extra driver, pet, festival or cross-border charges.
- Fuel, LPG or propane, campsite fees, tolls and ferries.
- Cleaning, toilet-emptying and late-return charges.
Insurance, excess and deposits
Read the policy rather than assuming comprehensive cover protects every part of the vehicle. Rental agreements may exclude tyres, windscreens, roof damage, underbody damage, awnings, incorrect fuel, lost keys or damage caused on unsuitable roads.
Confirm how the deposit is taken, when it is released and whether a credit card is required. If an excess-reduction product is offered, compare its cost and exclusions with the standard excess. Photograph the vehicle at collection and return, including the roofline, wheels, glass and interior.
Driving licence and driver rules
The rental company decides which licences, ages and driving histories it accepts, subject to local law and insurance. Check vehicle weight, licence category, minimum driving experience and whether endorsements need to be declared. International renters may need additional documents.
- Confirm every driver before collection.
- Check the vehicle’s height, width, length and weight.
- Ask whether toll tags, low-emission registration or roadside equipment are supplied.
- Clarify restrictions on islands, unsealed roads, ferries or international borders.
Choose a layout that works
A vehicle advertised for four people may not provide four comfortable adult beds or four travel seats with suitable restraints. Check bed dimensions, seatbelts, child-seat compatibility, washroom privacy and whether the dining area must be converted every night.
For a first trip, a compact fixed-bed layout can be easier than the largest available vehicle. If you are using the rental to inform a future purchase, compare it with the campervan buying guide or the used motorhome buying checklist.
Equipment and utilities
- Bedding, towels and correctly sized sleeping kit.
- Cookware, tableware, kettle and safe stove instructions.
- Electric hook-up cable, adaptors and leisure-battery guidance.
- Fresh-water hose or filling equipment.
- Grey-water hose or container and approved disposal instructions.
- Toilet chemicals, cassette procedure and gloves.
- Levelling ramps, outdoor chairs and table if required.
Ask the handover team to demonstrate the water, toilet, heating, gas and electrical systems. The touring water systems guide, motorhome grey-water guide and solar and power guide provide useful background.
Collection and handover checklist
- Record all existing exterior and interior damage with dated photos or video.
- Check tyre condition, warning lights, fuel level and mileage.
- Test doors, windows, rooflights, locks, lights and safety equipment.
- Learn how to connect electricity and fill or empty each water system.
- Ask how heating, hot water, fridge, cooker and ventilation operate.
- Confirm the breakdown number and accident procedure.
- Check the return location, time, fuel level, cleaning and waste requirements.
Route and campsite planning
Book pitches that accept the vehicle length and provide the services you need. Allow time for slower roads, fuel stops and waste disposal. For European trips, check ferry rules, toll systems, low-emission zones and country-specific equipment. In the USA and Canada, reserve popular national park campgrounds early and confirm generator-hour rules.
Campervan cushions and custom foam
For campervan conversions, replacement seat foam, sleeping platforms and custom cushion projects, compare UK-made foam options and measure carefully before ordering.
Common rental mistakes
- Choosing by daily price without calculating insurance and mileage.
- Booking a vehicle too large for the route or campsites.
- Assuming all advertised berths have legal travel seats.
- Skipping the damage photos because the collection feels rushed.
- Returning late or with waste systems in the wrong condition.
- Planning an ambitious first day immediately after a long handover.
Final booking checklist
- Total payable price and cancellation schedule confirmed.
- Driver, licence and payment-card requirements confirmed.
- Deposit, insurance excess and exclusions understood.
- Mileage, borders, ferries and road restrictions understood.
- Correct number of travel seats and usable beds confirmed.
- Included equipment listed in writing.
- Collection, return and emergency procedures saved.
For destination-specific starting points, use the main motorhome, RV and campervan rental hub.
Last updated: June 2026.