Campervan and Small Camper Rental Options in the USA and Canada

Bakpak Dave here. I am the self anointed campervan and RV rental guru, and have meditated on some awesome small campervan and camper options I can book for your trip (no seriously, I meditate on top of the vehicles). If you are a couple, small family or group of besties searching for an affordable road trip adventure in the US and/or Canada, then hot dog, it's your lucky day.

You are no longer limited to a basic campervan, which in the US refers to a vehicle with a bed(s) and kitchen (accessed from the back) but without a toilet, shower or campground hookup/generator. Now you can go rugged with Jeep Wrangler 4-doors with rooftop sleepers and campervan style kitchen in the back (no toilet/shower though). Or class it up with Class B campers, truck campers or  jeep/trailer combos complete with toilet, shower and inside kitchen.

To make your life easier (that's my job, right), I put together a list of vehicles I can book for you with my pros, cons, recommendations and a photo for each option. I also include the locations each vehicle is available to/from as it does vary widely between vehicle options.

The following list includes campervans and Jeep campers (no toilet/shower), Class B campers, truck campers, Jeep/trailer combo. But it does not include the standard Class C RVs, which I can also book for you but are generally for four or more travelers and more expensive (but not always).

CAMPERVANS (NO TOILET/SHOWER)

All the campervans below include:

• a kitchen, accessible from the back, with an always-on fridge powered by a dual battery as well as a pump sink
• solar panels to recharge the dual battery
• automatic transmission with power steering
• a table for day set up
• an inside bed that you set up at night
• Included OR Optional rooftop sleeper for rent (2nd bed)
• can generally be used in tent only sites (although some campgrounds might have restrictions)

Campervans do not have toilet, shower, generator or campground/electric hookup. All campervans seat 5 passengers. But in my opinion, traveling with 5 adults in any of the campervans except maybe the Big Sur will be quite cramped, have very limited storage area and is not recommended unless you have additional sleeping options.

Finally, a note about branding and van designs. Some campervans have uniquely painted designs, some have colorful branding. This may raise concerns about safety, which is understandable. However, in my many years of booking travelers, none have ever reported any safety issues to me.

Mavericks Campervan

The Mavericks campervan has been the staple campervan since its introduction. While some of the vans are older and are being phased out, the engines/vans they are built from are sturdy, powerful and long lasting. The Mavericks is a roomy campervan, which has its benefits, but yet is still easy to drive.

Get a Quote

17.7ft long, avg campervan year 2012

Locations Available to/from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Miami and Atlanta (NOT available in Canada)

Pickup/Return Times: Pickup time 1 to 4pm, Monday to Sunday; Return time 8:30am to 10am. After hours pickups/returns are NOT available.

Minimum Rental Period or Charge: 7 nights minimum rental period OR charge.

Engine: 4.2L, 8 Cylinder, automatic transmission

Beds: sleeps 2-3 on inside bed 191cm (75in) x 168cm (66in); sleeps 2 additional with optional rooftop sleeper 210cm (83in) x 130cm (51in) or ground tent rental.

Unique Features: second largest campervan option behind the Big Sur; each Mavericks has a uniquely painted art design; good head room compared to smaller campervans

Good for: short, medium or long trips; families; groups; extra space/storage for two travelers; bike trips (racks available to rent for up to 2 bikes)

Not Good for: good for all trips in my opinion except 5 travelers (can be done, it's just cramped); need an early or after hours pickup/return

Mileage: the daily rate does NOT include miles. Miles packages are 100 miles per day for $19/day; 200 miles per day for $35/day or unlimited miles for $35/day (unlimited miles packages are only available on rentals of 14+ nights). A day is equivalent to a night like in a hotel. Overage miles are 25 cents/mile.

Insurance options: The daily rate does NOT include camper damage cover but does include minimum 3rd party liability cover (to State minimum levels which are low). Optional insurance packages: include camper cover with $0 excess ($10/day); camper cover plus glass/tire ($14/day), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) ($14.95/day) or No Worries cover ($26.25/day).

Big Sur Campervan

The Big Sur is a new model campervan introduced in 2018. It is 1.5 feet longer than the Mavericks campervan and has about two times the storage space. The nice feature about the Big Sur is the second row of passenger seats are right behind the front seats instead of the back row of seats in all the other campervans. This makes connecting with and access to your kids or friends much easier and closer.<./P

Get a Quote

19.83ft, avg campervan year 2016

Locations Available to/from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Miami. In Canada, to/from Vancouver and , Calgary but NOT between the US and Canada.

Pickup/Return Times: Pickup time 1 to 4pm, Monday to Sunday; Return time 8:30am to 10am. After hours pickups/returns NOT available.

Minimum Rental Period or Charge: 7 nights minimum rental period OR charge.

Engine: 3.7L, V6 Cylinder, automatic transmission

Beds: sleeps 2-3 on inside bed 191cm (75in) x 168cm (66in); sleeps 2 additional with optional rooftop sleeper 210cm (83in) x 130cm (51in) or ground tent rental.

Unique Features: extra lounging room and bigger inside table; 2nd row of seats right behind front seats; each Big Sur has a uniquely painted art design; good head room compared to smaller campervans

Good for: short, medium or long trips; families; groups; 5 travelers; travel within Canada; bike trips (racks available to rent for up to 2 bikes)

Not Good for:  good for all trips in my opinion unless you don't want the larger size vehicle. Might be too long for some campgrounds tent sites. Need an early or after hours pickup/return.

Mileage: the daily rate does NOT include miles. Miles packages are 100 miles per day for $19/day; 200 miles per day for $35/day or unlimited miles for $35/day (unlimited miles packages are only available on rentals of 14+ nights). A day is equivalent to a night like in a hotel. Overage miles are 25 cents/mile.

Insurance options: The daily rate does NOT include camper damage cover but does include minimum 3rd party liability cover (to State minimum levels which are low). Optional insurance packages: include camper cover with $0 excess ($10/day); camper cover plus glass/tire ($14/day), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) ($14.95/day) or No Worries cover ($26.25/day).

Trailblazer

The Trailblazer campervan is built from the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and includes two (2) beds in the daily rate, one inside and one rooftop sleeper.

The first bed is an inside bed and the second, a comfy rooftop sleeper with ladder. The Trailblazer offers a good balance of an easy to drive, smaller size vehicle with the amenities of a campervan with bed and kitchen. The Trailblazer build out and design includes really nice attention to details to make your stay inside more comfortable. And the personal kits (linens/pillows/blankets/towels) are attractive, good quality and come in a nice package.

Get a Quote

17ft long, avg campervan year 2012-14

Locations Available to/from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas

Pickup/Return Times: Pickup time 1 to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 11am Saturday. Return time 9am to 11am Monday to Saturday (any time on Sunday). Closed Sundays for pickups unless you arrange an after hours pickup. After hours pickups and returns ARE available for an extra fee.

Minimum Rental Period or Charge: 4 to 7 nights depending on time of year.

Engine: 3.3L, V6 Cylinder, automatic transmission

Beds: sleeps 2-3 on inside bed 6ft X 3.11ft; sleeps 2 additional with optional rooftop sleeper 6.8ft X 4.5ft;

Unique Features: cool optional extras; easy to drive; 2nd bed allows couples to sleep on top and keep the inside day setup or two friends to have their own bed; good storage space;  early, late and after hours pickups/returns available.

Good for: short to medium length trips, families, groups, couples, friends traveling together; need an early or after hours pickup/return; one-ways to/from Canada;

Not Good for: really long trips (it's definitely doable but you may feel cramped after a while)

Mileage: $12/day for 100 miles/day averaged out over your trip. Unlimited miles $25/day extra. A second 100 miles/day is $12/day extra. NOTE: 100 miles/day are included in the daily rate from October 15 to March 31.

Insurance options: Campervan damage cover with $1500 excess per incident included; includes minimum 3rd party liability cover. Optional CDW with $0 excess and/or SLI cover ranges from $10 to 24.95/day.

Wavefarer Campervan

The Waverfarer campervan is exactly the same van as the Trailblazer but without the rooftop sleeper and has a slightly lower daily rate. Like the Trailblazer, the Wavefarer offers a good balance of an easy to drive, smaller size vehicle with the amenities of a campervan with bed and kitchen. The Wavefarer build out and design also includes really nice attention to details to make your stay inside more  comfortable. And the personal kits (linens/pillows/blankets/towels) are attractive, good quality and come in a nice package.

Get a Quote

17ft, avg campervan year 2012-14

Locations Available to/from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas

Pickup/Return Times: Pickup time 1 to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 11am Saturday. Return time 9am to 11am Monday to Saturday (any time on Sunday). Closed Sundays for pickups unless you arrange an after hours pickup. After hours pickups and returns ARE available for an extra fee.

Minimum Rental Period or Charge: 4 to 7 nights depending on time of year.

Engine: 3.3L, V6 Cylinder, automatic transmission

Beds: sleeps 2-3 on inside bed 6ft X 3.11ft;

Unique Features: cool optional extras; easy to drive; good storage space;  early, late and after hours pickups/returns available.

Good for: short to medium length trips, couples, two friends traveling together; need an early or after hours pickup/return; one-ways to/from Canada;

Not Good for: more than two travelers unless you bring your own tent; really long trips (it's doable but you may get cramped).

Mileage: $12/day for 100 miles/day averaged out over your trip. Unlimited miles $25/day extra. A second 100 miles/day is $12/day extra. NOTE: 100 miles/day are included in the daily rate from October 15 to March 31.

Insurance options: Campervan damage cover with $1500 excess per incident included; includes minimum 3rd party liability cover. Optional CDW with $0 excess and/or SLI cover ranges from $10 to 24.95/day.

Santa Cruz Campervan

The Santa Cruz campervan is brand new for 2019 and available starting May 1, 2019. It is ideal for two travelers that want easy driving but a place to sleep at night. Lots of storage space is packed into the smallest campervan on the market. There is generally limited availability for the Santa Cruz during it's first year of operation.

Get a Quote

14.5ft, avg campervan year 2016

Locations Available to/from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas ONLY

Pickup/Return Times: Pickup time 1 to 4pm, Monday to Sunday; Return time 8:30am to 10am. After hours pickups/returns are NOT available.

Minimum Rental Period or Charge: 7 nights minimum rental period OR charge.

Engine: 2.5L, 4 Cylinder, automatic transmission

Beds: seats 2/sleeps 2 in one always set up inside bed 119.38 cm (47 in) x 201.93 cm (79.5 in).

Unique Features: smallest and newest campervan option. Each Santa Cruz has a uniquely painted art design; easy to drive, always set up bed. No inside table.

Good for: short or medium trips; couples; one parent and child old enough to sit in the front; single travelers

Not Good for: families, more than 2 travelers, small children; need an early or after hours pickup/return

Mileage: the daily rate does NOT include miles. Miles packages are 100 miles per day for $19/day; 200 miles per day for $35/day or unlimited miles for $35/day (unlimited miles packages are only available on rentals of 14+ nights). A day is equivalent to a night like in a hotel. Overage miles are 25 cents/mile.

Insurance options: The daily rate does NOT include camper damage cover but does include minimum 3rd party liability cover (to State minimum levels which are low). Optional insurance packages: include camper cover with $0 excess ($10/day); camper cover plus glass/tire ($14/day), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) ($14.95/day) or No Worries cover ($26.25/day).