Renting costs more per night. Owning costs more per year. Which is cheaper depends almost entirely on how many nights you use the RV, so the first step is to count honestly how many nights you would really camp.
The real question: nights per year
An owned RV has costs that arrive whether you use it or not: insurance, storage, depreciation, maintenance and the money tied up in the purchase. A rental has almost none of those, but each night costs more. Divide the owner's yearly fixed costs by the nights used, and compare the result with a rental rate.
Worked example: a $60,000 used travel trailer
This is an illustration with stated assumptions, not an average. It assumes a used travel trailer bought for $60,000, a tow vehicle you already own, and the same camping fees and fuel in either case, which are left out of both sides.
| Yearly fixed cost of owning | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Insurance | $900 |
| Storage | $1,200 |
| Routine maintenance and seasonal service | $900 |
| Repair reserve | $1,000 |
| Depreciation (8% of $60,000) | $4,800 |
| Cost of the money tied up (5% of $60,000: interest or lost investment return) | $3,000 |
| Total | $11,800 |
Spread over the nights you camp, that fixed cost per night looks like this:
| Nights camped per year | Fixed cost per night |
|---|---|
| 10 nights | $1,180 |
| 20 nights | $590 |
| 30 nights | $393 |
| 45 nights | $262 |
| 60 nights | $197 |
Now compare with a rental. The break-even point is the number of nights at which owning costs the same as renting:
| Assumed rental rate per night | Break-even nights per year |
|---|---|
| $150 | 79 nights |
| $200 | 59 nights |
| $250 | 47 nights |
| $300 | 39 nights |
Rental rates in these tables are assumptions to test, not quotes. Rates vary by type, season, region and fees, so replace them with real quotes from RV rentals by province for the type you would own. Change the numbers for your own purchase price, insurance and storage. The ownership cost calculator does that for you.
In this example, at 30 nights a year ownership is far more expensive per night than a typical rental. Around 45 to 60 nights it starts to compete, and above that it can win. People who camp every weekend and take long summer trips cross that line. People who camp two weekends and a week a year usually do not.
What the numbers leave out
Benefits
- Always available, with no booking competition on holiday weekends
- You can set it up how you like and leave gear aboard
- Can double as seasonal accommodation or a guest room
- Possible to earn money by renting it out, subject to insurance and rental terms
Trade-offs
- Storage, winterizing and maintenance are your job
- Depreciation is steepest early on
- Repairs can interrupt a trip
- You are committed to one type and layout
Why renting often wins at the start
- You can test types and layouts before spending anything large. See which RV is right for you.
- You can learn towing or driving a larger vehicle with less risk.
- You can match the RV to each trip: a van for a coastal tour, a large unit for a family reunion.
- You avoid storage and winter care.
Before you rent, check the insurance, the deposit, mileage and generator charges, cleaning and pet fees, and what happens in a breakdown. Check also whether the rental can be towed by your vehicle, since many rental trailers are delivered and set up for you.
Why buying wins for some people
- You camp many nights a year, particularly in peak season when rentals are expensive or sold out.
- You use the RV for seasonal sites or extended stays.
- You need a particular layout, accessibility feature or setup.
- You can store it cheaply at home and handle basic maintenance yourself.
A middle path
Rent two or three different types over a season, keep notes on what you liked, then buy used rather than new. A used RV avoids the steepest depreciation, and a rental trial may save you from buying the wrong layout. Read the buying an RV in Canada, the common buying mistakes and the used RV viewing worksheet before you sign.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy an RV?
Renting is cheaper if you camp relatively few nights a year. Owning tends to win when you use the RV many nights, but the break-even depends on the price you pay, insurance, storage and depreciation.
How many nights do I need to camp to make buying worthwhile?
In the example on this page, owning a $60,000 trailer starts to compete with renting at roughly 45 to 60 nights a year. Your own figures will differ, so run them through the ownership cost calculator.
Should I rent before I buy?
Yes. Renting similar types and layouts shows what you like and what you do not, before you spend a large amount.