Should You Rent Your RV Privately or Through Outdoorsy? Pros, Cons, and What Most Owners Don't Expect If you own an RV, you've probably wondered whether it's better to list it on a rental platform like Outdoorsy or RVezy, or simply rent it out privately. At first glance, private rentals seem like the obvious choice. There are no platform commissions, you can set your own rules, and every dollar goes directly to you. But after hosting renters myself and talking with many other RV owners, I've realized the decision isn't nearly that simple. Each approach comes with trade-offs, and the best choice depends on what matters most to you: convenience, income, risk, or long-term growth. Here's an honest comparison. Renting Through a Platform Platforms like Outdoorsy, RVezy, and RVshare have made RV rentals much easier than they were years ago. Instead of finding customers yourself, the platform already has thousands of travelers searching for RVs every day. P...
Should You Rent Your RV Privately or Through Rental Platform? Pros, Cons, and What Most Owners Don't Expect
Should You Rent Your RV Privately or Through Outdoorsy? Pros, Cons, and What Most Owners Don't Expect
If you own an RV, you've probably wondered whether it's better to list it on a rental platform like Outdoorsy or RVezy, or simply rent it out privately.
At first glance, private rentals seem like the obvious choice. There are no platform commissions, you can set your own rules, and every dollar goes directly to you.
But after hosting renters myself and talking with many other RV owners, I've realized the decision isn't nearly that simple.
Each approach comes with trade-offs, and the best choice depends on what matters most to you: convenience, income, risk, or long-term growth.
Here's an honest comparison.
Renting Through a Platform
Platforms like Outdoorsy, RVezy, and RVshare have made RV rentals much easier than they were years ago.
Instead of finding customers yourself, the platform already has thousands of travelers searching for RVs every day.
Pros
1. You get exposure immediately
This is probably the biggest advantage.
A brand-new owner can create a listing today and potentially receive booking requests within days.
Without a platform, very few people would even know your RV exists.
In my own experience, this made a huge difference. My RV was only a few years old, well maintained, and priced competitively. Shortly after my listing went live, it appeared near the top of the search results, and I started receiving booking requests much sooner than I expected.
I don't know exactly how the platform's search algorithm works, but based on my experience, a newer, well-maintained RV combined with reasonable pricing seemed to help increase my visibility. For someone starting from scratch, that's a tremendous advantage over trying to attract customers entirely on your own.
2. Payment processing is simple
The platform handles payments, deposits, taxes in many situations, and refund procedures.
You don't have to worry about collecting money or wondering whether someone will actually pay.
3. Insurance is easier
One of the biggest challenges of private rentals is insurance.
Platforms typically offer insurance options that cover both owners and renters during the rental period.
While every policy has limitations, having insurance available removes one of the biggest obstacles for new hosts.
4. The system is already built for you
One advantage that new RV owners often overlook is that most rental platforms already have an established system in place.
Instead of creating your own rental policies from scratch, you can simply follow the framework the platform provides.
Things like daily mileage limits, security deposits, cancellation policies, pricing suggestions, rental agreements, and communication templates are already organized for you.
Many platforms also offer recommendations on what equipment to include, how to prepare your RV for guests, and what information renters should receive before pickup.
For someone just getting started, this removes a tremendous amount of guesswork and makes the learning process much easier.
5. Reviews build trust
Positive reviews become valuable assets.
Future renters often choose a well-reviewed RV over a cheaper listing with no history.
As your reviews grow, booking requests often become easier to receive.
The Downsides
Of course, platforms aren't free.
Service fees reduce your earnings
Platforms charge commissions or service fees.
Depending on the platform and insurance option, the total cost can become significant.
Although guests pay some of these fees, owners often need to adjust pricing to remain competitive.
Less flexibility
You must follow the platform's policies.
Cancellation rules, payment schedules, communication methods, and dispute procedures are largely controlled by the platform.
Sometimes you simply have to accept decisions you might not have made yourself.
You don't fully own the customer relationship
Many renters discover you through the platform, not because they know your business.
In most cases, platforms also restrict sharing personal contact information before booking.
That means building repeat customers can take longer.
Renting Your RV Privately
Private rentals give owners complete control.
There are no marketplace commissions, no listing rules, and you decide exactly how your business operates.
For experienced owners, this can be very attractive.
Pros
Higher profit per booking
Without platform commissions, you keep more of the rental income.
If you already have a steady stream of customers, this can make a noticeable difference over time.
Full control
You decide:
- Rental agreement
- Security deposit
- Payment methods
- Pickup process
- Cancellation policy
- House rules
Nothing is dictated by a third-party company.
Stronger relationships with repeat customers
When renters have a great experience, they often come back.
Many private owners eventually build a loyal customer base through referrals and repeat bookings.
That can reduce marketing costs over time.
The Challenges
Private rentals aren't just "more profit."
They also come with much more responsibility.
Finding customers is your job
Without a platform, you need your own marketing.
That could mean:
- A website
- Google search traffic
- Social media
- Facebook Marketplace (where allowed)
- Local advertising
- Word-of-mouth referrals
This takes time, and bookings may be slower at first.
Insurance can be complicated
This is one of the biggest reasons many owners stay with rental platforms.
Not every personal RV insurance policy allows commercial rentals.
Depending on where you live, you may need specialized rental insurance or commercial coverage.
Always confirm your policy before accepting private bookings.
More administrative work
With private rentals, you're responsible for everything:
- Contracts
- Payment collection
- Damage claims
- Security deposits
- Customer screening
- Record keeping
Some owners enjoy the independence.
Others eventually realize they preferred having a platform handle many of these tasks.
Which Option Is Better?
There isn't one answer for everyone.
If you're just starting out, a rental platform usually makes the learning process much easier.
You gain exposure, insurance options, payment processing, and a system that has already been built.
As your experience grows, private rentals may become more attractive.
Some experienced owners eventually develop their own websites, attract customers through Google, and build a repeat client base that reduces their dependence on rental platforms.
Interestingly, many successful RV owners don't choose only one approach.
Instead, they use rental platforms to reach new customers while gradually building their own private rental business in parallel.
That combination offers both visibility and long-term independence.
Final Thoughts
Whether you rent through Outdoorsy, RVezy, or privately, the most important factor isn't simply maximizing income.
It's building a rental business that you can manage confidently over the long term.
Platforms provide convenience and built-in trust, while private rentals offer greater control and potentially higher profits.
Neither option is perfect.
The right choice depends on your experience, your insurance situation, and how much time you're willing to invest in marketing and customer management.
If you're planning to keep your RV rental business for years rather than months, it's worth thinking beyond your next booking and considering where you ultimately want your business to be.
About the Author: Hi, I’m a retiree living in North America, managing two financed RVs. By renting them out, I completely offset their maintenance costs, fund my own travels, and generate a steady side income. I created this blog to share practical, real-world advice for new hosts, fellow retirees, and anyone on a tight budget who wants to live the RV dream sustainably.
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