6 Things You Should Look For In A Camper Rental
If you are thinking about renting a camper there are several questions you may have, especially if you have never used a camper. And even if you have used or owned a camper you want to make sure you got your bases covered and get something that is going to work for your needs. Some things are pretty obvious but others may not be so here are some important things to look for in a camper rental.
- Size
- Primary Use
- Included Extras
- Detailed Instruction and Training
- Insurance and protection
- Proven Customer Service
Pick the right camper rental size
There are several factors when deciding on what size of camper is right for you. It’s not just about space, or what you feel comfortable towing. Size plays a big role in picking a camper rental.
Tow vehicle capacity is the first thing you need to know. Many half ton trucks (think Ford F150, Chevy and Dodge 1500) can handle between 5000 – 10000 pounds. Tow capacity can vary greatly depending on truck packages and add-ons so it’s important to understand what your specific vehicle is capable of. Its best to check your owner’s manual but here is a site you can use as a guide for vehicle tow capacity.
If your vehicle is rated at 10k pounds, this does not mean you can tow a 10,000 pound camper. Remember to allow for cargo, full water tanks, etc. There are also other things to consider like tongue weight and your vehicles payload capacity. Learn about these terms in the link above also.
Once you know what size camper you can safely tow based on your vehicle, you can start looking what is right for your family based on ease of towing, space and budget. Our current offerings are all pretty much the same size. We have found that under 29 feet seems to hit the sweet spot on all these points. They are light enough for most trucks and full size SUVs, are easy to tow, even for those new to camping, yet they have a good amount of space for the family and are still easy on the wallet.
How do you plan to use your camper rental
There are several types of campers out there to rent. For the longest time we were tent campers. And most of those camping trips were straight up roughing it. No facilities or anything. It was usually because those were where the best fishing spots were located.
Now that we are older, and have discovered the comforts of a camper. We like to make sure we have something that is comfortable and roomy in case we do want to spend some time inside. You may be completely opposite. You may be looking for something that is essentially just home base for sleeping and using the restroom and shower. All other activities and time will be spent outside. If this is the case you can probably opt for something smaller and with less bells and whistles. Though, I would suggest going just a bit bigger even if you plan on not spending too much time inside in the name of comfort and convenience just to be sure.
As mentioned above, at about 24 feet long, our campers offer an excellent amount of space while still being easy to tow.
Included extras
Make sure you know what’s included, or not included with your camper rental. When renting from owners, you may just be getting a bare bones camper that you need to pack with everything from dishes and even necessary equipment. For some people, this works. Just make sure you know what you are getting, regarding the complete package.
Our campers come with everything you need for your stay; Pillows, bedding, towels, plates, bowls, utensils, cookware, games, etc. You really only need to bring drinks, food, toiletries and anything you just cannot be without.
More important than those things are the items we include related to safe use of the camper you have rented. These include chocks for wheels on both sides of the camper, not just one side. A surge protector and water pressure regulator. And the all important weight distribution hitch with sway control brake for safe towing of your rented camper. All this is included in the nightly rental price.
We also offer a few extras like propane griddles, table top grills and generators for an additional fee so you don’t have to worry about purchasing things that you will only use a couple of times a year, if that.
Instruction and Training for Camper Rentals
It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced or previous travel trailer owner. It doesn’t matter if you have towed boats and trailers before. Or if you are complete rookie to all of this, success in your rental depends on proper instruction and information for the camper you are using.
Make sure the person or company you are renting from has a procedure they follow to introduce you to the specific camper you will be renting. With proper instruction and information on all systems the renter stands less of a chance of causing damage to a rented camper and therefore will wind up having a more pleasant experience than the alternative.
Our process involves at least 45 minutes to walk though, highlight and explain all systems and items included. We also have a document that is emailed before pick up day that contains instructions, information and rules for using our campers. We also have videos available for reference and we are always available via phone or text to answer any questions.
Insurance Coverage
Accidents happen and if in the unfortunate chance something happens to a camper you have rented, you want to make sure you are insured to cover those damages so they don’t add financial burden to a trip you have already spent money on.
The popular rental platforms offer insurance. We have had to use them and I’m not going to lie they were helpful and I know our renters were glad the insurance was there and that the small daily charge was worth it. The platforms offer this insurance starting at just under $20 a day and deductibles start at $1500-$2000 depending on platform and insurance choice.
We offer a low $1000 deductible for our Comprehensive and Collision insurance and we don’t charge for this insurance. The only stipulation is that your liability insurance will have to extend to a rented trailer to take advantage of this, so check with your insurance company. If it doesn’t, its ok, you can still rent from us. See more details on that here.
We also pay for roadside assistance to be available to our renters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the renters responsibility to pay for any services needed but rest assured there will be someone there to answer your call no matter where your travels take you.
Proven Highly Rated Camper Rentals
Reviews, recommendations and ratings are what we all look at whether its buying something on Amazon, figuring out what to read next or where to eat. And while people’s experience may vary from those reviews we see for products or services, its usually a pretty good indicator of what to expect. So make sure you are reading those reviews and even ask if referrals or references are available.
We have fast accumulated top rated reviews since starting DFW Outdoor Rentals. This is by no accident. We strive to make sure our process exceeds expectations and that our campers add to your experience rather than become a stress or worry for you. We will not be out done in customer service, communication and instruction. You can read all our camper rental reviews here.