Hidden Costs of Renting Your RV & How to Reduce Them

When I rented out my RV for the first time, I was focused on one thing: the income.

I saw friends pulling in a few thousand a month, and I figured—why not me? I cleaned it up, took some photos, listed it on Outdoorsy, and waited for the bookings to roll in. And they did.

But by the end of that first summer, I was surprised at how little I had left over. I started looking back at my expenses—and realized I’d missed some big (and small) costs that ate into my profits.

Don’t get me wrong—renting your RV can be a fantastic source of income. But if you’re not prepared, those hidden expenses will quietly sneak up on you.

This guide is here to help you avoid that. I’ll walk you through the real costs of RV rentals, share examples from real owners (including me), and give you tips to reduce each one—so you can keep more of your hard-earned income.

Introduction: The True Cost of RV Rentals
The 7 Most Overlooked Expenses
Cost Breakdown: A Real-World Monthly Example
How to Offset Platform & Listing Fees
Maintenance, Cleaning, and Repair Realities
Insurance Gaps and Protection Tips
Depreciation vs. ROI: What It Really Means
Tools & Systems That Help Lower Costs
Lessons from the Field: What Experienced Owners Wish They Knew
Final Thoughts: Treat It Like a Business

1. The True Cost of RV Rentals

On paper, renting your RV looks like easy money. But behind every successful rental is a stack of costs most people don’t think about.

I had one guest who returned the RV two hours late—no big deal, I thought. But that small delay cost me a full-day booking from another renter. Little things like that? They add up fast.

When you treat your RV like a business, you start to see the importance of planning, budgeting, and protecting your margins. That’s the goal of this post.

2. The 7 Most Overlooked Expenses

Here are the sneaky costs most new owners miss:

Cleaning & Restocking: One family left melted marshmallows in the microwave. I spent an hour just on that. Whether it’s your time or a cleaner’s, every trip needs a reset.
Wear and Tear: I replaced my dinette cushions after just one season. Kids love jumping on them—and they don’t own the rig.
Downtime Costs: When my RV needed a new water pump mid-summer, it sat for two weeks. That was $2,000 in missed bookings.
Storage Fees: I had to move my RV off my property due to HOA rules—$125/month gone.
Platform Fees: If you book through Outdoorsy or RVshare, expect 20-25% off the top.
Uninsured Damage: A guest cracked the awning during setup. My insurance didn’t cover it—$700 out of pocket.
Admin Time: Messaging, scheduling, walkthroughs… this stuff takes real hours.

Tip: Track your expenses from day one—even if you’re not turning a profit yet. Knowing your costs is the first step to reducing them.

3. Cost Breakdown: A Real-World Monthly Example

Let’s say your Class C RV makes $4,000/month in the summer. That’s the number many new owners focus on.

But here’s how it breaks down for many of us:

It’s still profitable—but only if you’re managing the costs smartly.

4. How to Offset Platform & Listing Fees

A friend of mine, Sarah, started off relying 100% on Outdoorsy. She was paying $200+ per booking in fees. Over time, she shifted to repeat guests and word-of-mouth referrals—and now 60% of her bookings are direct.

Here’s how you can reduce fees:

Build a repeat guest list with email follow-ups
Use social media to promote direct bookings
Work with a manager who handles direct inquiries (like we do)
Negotiate fees as your volume grows
Improve your listings with pro photos and better copy to reduce cancellations

The goal is to increase your direct bookings and maximize what you keep.

5. Maintenance, Cleaning, and Repair Realities

I’ve had everything from an overflowing toilet to a fridge that stopped working mid-trip.

Rentals get used hard. Here’s what breaks down fastest:

Tires: More miles mean faster wear
Brakes: Frequent use, especially in mountains
Generators: Guests love air conditioning
Plumbing: Tanks get full (and sometimes abused)
Soft Interiors: Mattresses, cushions, and cabinet latches wear fast

Prevention tip: Set aside $100–$200/month for a “break & fix” fund. It’ll save you in peak season when time is money.

6. Insurance Gaps and Protection Tips

Not all insurance policies are created equal.

I learned this the hard way when a renter bumped into a tree and cracked the side panel. Outdoorsy’s coverage had a $2,500 deductible—and my standard policy didn’t help.

What to do:

Only rent through platforms with commercial insurance
Require trip protection or damage waivers
Take thorough before/after photos and videos
Consider third-party add-ons like GPS trackers
Keep detailed rental agreements signed by each guest

Pro tip: Do a video walkthrough before handoff. It’s great evidence if a claim ever arises.

7. Depreciation vs. ROI: What It Really Means

Yes, your RV loses value over time. But so does your car—and you’re not renting that out.

Let’s say your RV depreciates $6,000/year. But if you’re making $18,000 in clean profit, you’re still $12,000 ahead.

You’ll protect your resale value by:

Keeping it clean and professionally maintained
Avoiding overuse or harsh renters
Storing it properly between seasons
Documenting all upgrades and repairs

Bottom line: It’s not about depreciation—it’s about net ROI.

8. Tools & Systems That Help Lower Costs

If you’re running your RV rentals manually, it’s going to feel like a job.

Here’s what I use to stay sane:

Wheelbase (or similar) for managing bookings and calendars
Slack or Notion to coordinate with my cleaning team
Google Sheets for tracking income, expenses, and maintenance logs
Text templates for check-in/check-out messages
Ring camera near the storage lot for peace of mind

Want hands-off? We include all of these tools for owners we manage at RV Management USA.

9. Lessons from the Field: What Experienced Owners Wish They Knew

Here are some hard-earned lessons from other RV owners in our community:

“I wish I had raised my prices sooner.” – Mike, Texas
“Don’t skip your walkthrough checklist. Ever.” – Jenna, California
“Insurance won’t cover everything—especially awnings.” – Luis, Florida
“Direct bookings are gold. Build that list.” – Kara, Colorado
“Get a cleaner you trust. They save you hours and headaches.” – Steve, Oregon

Learning from others’ mistakes is the best way to fast-track your profits.

10. Final Thoughts: Treat It Like a Business

If you treat your RV like a weekend hobby, that’s what your profits will look like.

But if you treat it like a business—with systems, protections, and a real plan—it can be a real asset.

Whether you’re managing it yourself or working with a team like ours, understanding the true cost of RV rentals puts you in control. You know your numbers. You protect your margins. And you’re ready for anything the season throws at you.

Want to know what your RV could really earn? Schedule a free income + cost projection with our team and see if rental income is the right move for your rig.

Let’s turn that driveway queen into a money-making machine—wisely.

— The RVM Team

Hidden Costs of Renting Your RV & How to Reduce Them

Table of Contents