A small RV rental usually means a Class B camper van, a compact Class C motorhome, a truck camper or a light towable such as a pop-up or teardrop. These rigs suit couples, solo travellers and first-timers who want easier driving, simpler parking and lower fuel bills. Expect roughly $60 to $120 a night for a pop-up, $150 to $275 for a Class C and around $250 on average for a Class B, with each owner setting the final rate.
| Typical length | Drivable small RVs are mostly about 19 to 25 ft; teardrops and pop-ups are shorter |
|---|---|
| Sleeps | Usually 2; compact Class Cs and pop-ups can sleep 3 to 5 |
| Licence | Standard car licence in most US states; rules vary by state for heavy or very long rigs |
| Typical price per night | Pop-up $60 to $120; Class C $150 to $275; Class B about $250 |
| Best for | Couples, solo trips, national-park roads, first-time renters |
| Watch out for | Small water tanks, tight bathrooms, limited storage |
Which RVs count as small
There is no official size cut-off, so "small" is a practical label. In this guide it means anything you can park in a normal space or drive without a second thought on a mountain road. Four types qualify.
Class B camper vans
These are van-based campers with the living space built inside the body of the van. Many sit on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Winnebago's Revel, for example, is listed at about 19 ft 7 in to 19 ft 9 in long, sleeps two and uses an all-wheel-drive Sprinter chassis. Airstream's Interstate 19X is a 19 ft Sprinter-based coach that sleeps two. For a closer look at the chassis, see our guide to Sprinter-based camper vans, or the wider Class B rental guide.
Compact Class C motorhomes
A Class C has a cab-over bunk above the driver. The small end, under about 25 ft, gives you a proper bathroom, a dinette and a fixed bed without moving up to a bus-sized rig. It usually sleeps 3 to 5. See the Class C guide for layouts and costs.
Truck campers
A camper unit that slides into a pickup bed. You get the narrow footprint of a pickup and the ability to take rougher roads, but you live in a compact box with limited headroom. Our truck camper guide covers what to check.
Small towables
Pop-ups and teardrops are towed behind an SUV or pickup. A teardrop camper is a tiny sleeping pod with an outdoor kitchen at the back. Many owners deliver and set these up at the campground, which means you do not need a tow vehicle. Delivery is at each owner's discretion, so check the listing.
Why go small: fuel, parking and park roads
Smaller vehicles use less fuel, fit more campsites and are less stressful on narrow or winding roads. The biggest practical gain is access to roads that have hard limits on vehicle size.
The clearest example is Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The National Park Service says vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 ft (including bumpers) or wider than 8 ft (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. It also warns that vehicles over 10 ft tall may struggle driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop because of rock overhangs. A 19 ft van is within the length limit (check its width with mirrors and its height too); a 24 ft motorhome is not. The NPS road information page has the current wording.
Other parks set their own limits and reservation rules, so check each park's own page before you book. Measure the full length of the RV including any rear bike rack or ladder, because those count.
Choosing a size by how many are sleeping
Berth counts on listings are often optimistic. A van that "sleeps 4" may only do so if two people use a roof bed or a converted table. Work out what you need before you search.
- One or two adults: a Class B, truck camper or teardrop gives the most flexibility.
- Two adults and one or two children: a compact Class C or a small travel trailer is more comfortable than a van with a pop-top.
- Four adults: look at the bigger end of Class C. A small RV starts to feel cramped here, and our main RV rental guide shows the larger options.
Ask where the bed is made up. If the bed has to be converted every night from a lounge or dinette, factor in the daily set-up time.
What small RV rental costs
Use these as starting ranges, because owners set their own nightly rates and these move with season, location and age of the vehicle.
- Pop-up: $60 to $120 a night
- Class C: $150 to $275 a night
- Class B: about $250 a night on average. Older and simpler vans often list from about $100 a night, while late-model factory vans cost more: some newer Winnebago Revel listings are $500 a night or more.
Weekly discounts are common. Owners can set weekly and monthly rates, and Outdoorsy says many offer 10 to 20 per cent off for a 7-night stay. Mileage allowances, generator hours and delivery are also owner-defined, so read each listing before comparing prices. Our RV rental cost breakdown explains the extras that add up.
Costs people forget
- Fuel. A van is cheaper per mile than a big Class A, though a diesel van still adds up on a long loop.
- Campground fees, which vary widely by park and season.
- Mileage beyond the free allowance.
- Prep and dump fees, if the owner charges them.
- Optional roadside assistance, which you can usually add at booking. It is not included as standard.
Driving and licence rules
Most US states do not need a special licence for a typical RV rental, and a small RV is easier to drive than a large one. Some states have rules for vehicles over 26,000 lb or for very long rigs, though small RVs sit well below those. Rules vary by state, so check the state where you are picking up the vehicle.
A Sprinter-based van is mostly tall rather than long. Mercedes-Benz lists maximum gross vehicle weight ratings for the 2026 US Sprinter cargo van from 9,050 lb (2500) up to 12,125 lb (4500), so a Class B built on one stays well under 26,000 lb. Check the height on the listing before you enter a car park, drive-through or garage.
New to driving something taller than a car? Practise reversing in an empty car park first, and use a spotter at campsites.
Living small: the trade-offs
A small RV is a compact space. Typical compromises include:
- Bathroom: some vans have a wet bath, where the shower and toilet share a single compartment. Others have only a portable toilet.
- Water and waste tanks: small tanks mean refilling and dumping more often, and shorter time off-grid.
- Storage: pack soft bags, not hard cases.
- Cooking: a two-burner hob is common, and a full oven is not.
- Power: check whether the van has solar or a generator if you plan to stay off hook-ups.
For hot weather or longer stays, a compact Class C is often more comfortable.
Is a small RV right for you?
Good reasons
- Easier to drive and park than a bus-sized rig
- Fits park roads with length limits
- Lower fuel use and usually lower nightly rates
- Simple systems that are quick to learn
Not so good
- Little room if the weather turns
- Small tanks and basic bathrooms
- Less storage for gear and family
- Premium vans can cost as much as a bigger Class C
How hire works
- Search by location and dates and filter by type.
- Check the listing: length and height, sleeping layout, mileage, generator hours, delivery, insurance excess and cancellation terms.
- Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking, and 24/7 roadside assistance is an optional extra.
- Collect it or have it delivered, if the owner offers delivery.
Cancellation terms are chosen by each owner from three levels (flexible, moderate or strict), as Outdoorsy's help centre explains. Our USA RV rental guide covers the booking steps in more detail.
Small RV rental FAQs
How much is a small RV to rent?
A pop-up is about $60 to $120 a night, a Class C about $150 to $275 and a Class B about $250 on average. Weekly rates are usually lower per night, and each owner sets their own.
What is the smallest RV you can rent?
A teardrop trailer or a pop-up camper, which are towed. Among motorised options, Class B vans and truck campers are the most compact, and many vans are under 20 ft.
Do I need a special licence to drive a small RV?
Not in most states. Rules differ by state for heavy or very long rigs, so check where you will collect it.
Can a small RV go into national parks?
Often yes, and it is the main advantage. Some park roads limit length: Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier has a 21 ft limit on the Avalanche Creek to Rising Sun section. Check the park's own page for your route.
Is a Class B or a small Class C better?
A Class B is easier to drive and park. A small Class C gives more bed space, storage and a fuller bathroom. Our Class A, B and C comparison sets them side by side.
Find one for your dates: search small RVs near you.