Since pets are part of the family, naturally you would want yours to come along with you on your cross-country RV adventure. However, if you don’t own an RV but want to experience the RV lifestyle this summer, you can rent one – for a week, a month or the entire season! Right now, you may be considering it and wondering to yourself, ‘are RV rentals pet-friendly?’
Most RV owners and/or rental companies allow pets in their motorhomes. Make sure to read the listing for the rig you’re looking at carefully to determine if it’s indeed a pet-friendly option before you book. You’ll know for sure that it’s pet-friendly if you see an additional fee or deposit attached to the listing specifically stated for pets.
Now that you know it’s possible to rent a pet-friendly RV, let’s take a closer look at this in more detail below. We’ll discuss how to find pet friendly RV rental companies and what information is required.
We’ll also include a list of the top American RV rental companies that allow pets and how much extra (if any) it costs.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about travelling with your four-legged companion in a rented RV, then let’s get started!
What are RV Rentals?
An RV rental is a convenient, temporary option which allows you to enjoy the fun and flexibility of RV living without the long-term costs and maintenance fees attached to ownership.
You can pre-book the perfect motorhome online or by phone just as easily as you would a hotel/motel room or car rental.
Best of all, you can even rent ones that are pet-friendly!
This allows you to take your furry friend along with you on your journey! This is a great option for animal lovers as many hotels/motels (and even some campgrounds) don’t allow pets.
How to Find Pet-Friendly RV Rentals?
It’s easy to find pet-friendly RV rentals nowadays. All you need to do is search online (or read further in this article for a convenient list of pet-friendly RV rental companies in the United States).
You can also talk with friends or neighbors to find out if they know of any RV owners in the area willing to rent their rigs to families with pets. Or, you can make some calls to your local RV rental companies and inquire.
Are Pets Allowed in RV Rentals?
Yes, pets are allowed in RV rentals, so long as the owner or rental company specifically states that it’s okay. While most campgrounds and RV parks do allow pets, there are some that don’t.
For these exceptions or rare occurrences, it’s good to have the option of a pet-friendly RV rental. The upfront cost for a pet-friendly RV rental may be more than the standard price, depending on the company.
Are Pets Allowed in Cruise America RV’s?
Cruise America is an independently owned RV sales and rental company based out of Mesa, Arizona.
It offers pet-friendly RV rental options for over 130 locations across North America, including the United States, Alaska and Canada. For Canadian excursions, check out Cruise Canada, their affiliate RV rental company, for more information.
What’s great about this company is that there are no restrictions on either the size or number of pets allowed in the rig as well as no additional deposit fees required!
In fact, if you return the RV clean and in good condition, you won’t incur any extra charges whatsoever for taking your pet along with you! However, should the motorhome require cleaning, a $250 fee will be applied upon return of the rig.
What are Examples of Pet-Friendly RV Rental Companies?
As mentioned above, Cruise America is one example of a pet-friendly RV rental company. Others include the following:
Around the Park RV
Around the Park RV is based out of Denver, Colorado and provides pet-friendly RV rentals to locals or visitors in the area as well those near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
They specialize in providing the ultimate RV living experience and will not only help you plan your trip itinerary but also deliver and help setup the motorhome!
Chill RV Rentals
Chill RV Rentals is a recreational travel company in Los Angeles, California. They provide fully stocked, luxury RVs for any and all pet-friendly cross-country excursions.
A pet fee of $100 is required as well as an additional deposit fee. If you reside in the area, the company will even deliver the rig right to your front door an no extra charge!
El Monte RV
El Monte RV has over 30 locations across the United States. It’s been providing pet-friendly RV rentals to local families for over 40 years (and counting)!
There are no restrictions on the size or number of pets allowed and no extra deposit upfront!
If the rig isn’t brought back clean and in the same condition in which it was rented, an additional cleaning charge of $50 to $100 will be applied to the rental fee.
Escape Campervans
Escape Campervans has 10 locations in the United States and 2 more in Canada. They’re more like a van than an RV, smaller in size and easier to drive.
What’s so unique about them is that the company has commissioned local artists to paint cool images on each!
A non-refundable pet fee of $150 is charged to all renters upfront with the stipulation that no pets are allowed on trips between July and September.
Outervan
Outervan is conveniently located in the San Francisco Bay area, great for those looking to tour Big Sur, Lake Tahoe or Yosemite Park. They provide pet-friendly RV rentals to families in and around the area or visitors travelling form out-of-state.
An added fee of $75 is required upfront with no restrictions applied, regardless of the size or number of pets.
There are also RV rental companies throughout Canada in places like Toronto and Ottawa in Ontario that allow pets.
If you’re planning a trip to Niagara Falls, for example, and want to take your four-legged friend on the journey, check out Cruise Canada (as mentioned above).
or Outdoorsy, which enables you to ‘experience the magic of outdoor travel with the best RV and trailer rentals on the planet.’
What Information is Required for Renting a Pet-Friendly RV?
Taking your pet with you as you tour the countryside while enjoying the RV lifestyle is easier than you may think. With a little pre-planning, some online research and a few pieces of identification, it’s not only possible but preferable to bring your furry companion along for the ride!
The only information most rental companies need is a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. Some companies will also require you to be at least 25 years of age or older.
An additional deposit or non-refundable fee is usually necessary, if pets are accompanying you on the trip.
Regarding information on your pet, you should ensure that he/she is microchipped and registered, if possible, as well as collared (with an identification tag that states your pet’s name, your phone number and the city in which you currently reside).
Also, bring a current photo of your pet with you, just in case the unthinkable happens and he/she gets lost!
The more information you have, the better. A copy of your pet’s medical requirements as well as the name and phone number of his/her veterinarian is also good to keep handy while travelling.
Conclusion
To conclude, most RV owners or rental companies in North America will allow pets in their rigs (under specific circumstances, that is). You must inquire upon booking whether pets are permitted and if so, what deposits or fees are to be paid in advance.
Maintaining the motorhome (keeping it clean and returning it in the current condition) is necessary and your responsibility, should you enter into a pet-friendly RV rental agreement. Hopefully the information contained in this article has helped you. Thanks for reading, good luck and happy trails!