Renting vs. Buying
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether renting or buying a camping trailer best suits your needs.
How often will you go camping?
If you have only one camping trip per year it's generally better to rent. For three or more camping trips a year it's probably better to own a camper. For two camping trips the economics are very similar so then you need to weigh picking up a rental, packing it, cleaning it, and returning it against buying a camper that has all your gear ready to go but you need to store it, license it, and accept the depreciation for it.
The numbers behind it:
During 2021 the 208 rented for $500 per week.
A used 2020 208 in January 2021 cost $9795. A used 2019 208 cost $8795. So the depreciation for this model in one year was $1000. To that $1000 we would add insurance and license (this varies, but around $300) to the cost of ownership. We can estimate the total cost-of-ownership at around $1300 for the year.
$1300 is just under renting the 208 for a week three times . So, if you were able to go on three camping trips (or if you went on two trips and a neighbor used it on a third trip, for example) that would cover the cost of ownership in the first three trips. The fourth trip and any more beyond that would be a bonus!
What about a new camper?
With a new camper changes the equation slightly. A new 2020 208 was $11,095 (in 2020). A used 2020 208 is currently $9795 so the new-to-used depreciation on a 208 was $1300. To that we would add insurance and licence (estimate $500 for a new 208) for a total of $1800. At $500 per week you could take nearly four one-week rental trips for the cost-of-ownership of a new camper for one year. However, there are two caveats:
1. These figures only apply to the first year because after the first year (or actually, the first trip) the camper is now used, so the depreciation percentage decreases and the economics of owning a camper revert to the used-camper example above (three trips a year covers the equivalent cost of renting)--or better, since depreciation will continue to decrease as time goes by.
2. Not all models are available used or available to rent. If the model that works best for you is not available as a rental, buying your preferred model may be the best option regardless of the economics (in order to get the specific features you want).
A note about trip frequency
Keep in mind that if you own a camper it's likely you'll go on more trips than if you rent. For starters, owning a camper means it will already have your gear inside, ready to go. You don't have to call to set up a reservation or pick up the camper like you would on a rental (and you're not beholden to a company's rental availability). And the likelihood of going on last-minute weekend trips increases (that's not always an option with rental schedules and availability).
Consider, also, that if you own a camper and can't use it on a given week or weekend, perhaps a friend or neighbor would like to use it (and if a nominal fee is appropriate depending on the nature of the relationship, well, that helps pay for the camper, too).
Comparison
| Renting | Buying |
|---|---|
| You must pick up the rental camper, pack it, clean it, and return it | Your gear is in your camper, ready to go at a moment's notice |
| Limited models to choose from | Many models to choose from |
| The features and options for the rental campers are set and generally more basic than sale trailers | Many options are available to sale trailers (like showers, bike racks, and awnings) that don't come with our rental trailers |
| Your get a current model-year camper every year (if you rent from us, that is) | The model year stays the same unless you purchase a different camper |
| No depreciation, no licensing, no maintenance, no storage | Depreciation, licensing, maintenance, storage at your residence or at a storage lot |
You can try a different model each time you rent |
The model stays the same, obviously |
| At the end of a camping trip you have your memories and hopefully some nice pictures | At the end of a camping trip you have your memories, hopefully some nice pictures, and a camper |
Conclusion
For one camping trip a year it is more economical to rent a camper. For two trips a year you have to weigh the logistics of reserving, picking up, packing, cleaning, and returning a rental camper over the logistics of storing, licensing, insuring a camper you own. If you own your own camper you'll have all your gear packed up, ready to go on short notice. You could also lend or rent your camper to recoup the cost of ownership. For three or more trips a year, owning a camper is more economical.
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