Renting a Class A Motorhome: Why We Tried One Before Buying
Before you drop tens of thousands of dollars on an RV, do what we did: rent the kind you think you want and live in it for a weekend first. We rented a 39-foot gas Class A motorhome for 48 hours to find out whether the big-bus life is really for us, and the lessons (and the white-knuckle first drive) were worth every mile. Here is how it went.
Should you rent an RV before buying one?
Yes, one hundred percent. Renting the style of RV you are considering is the single smartest move before you commit. You learn how it drives, how it fits your family, and what you would change, all for a fraction of the cost of buying the wrong rig. Our Class A test taught us more in two days than months of research.
How we rented it
This was actually our second rental experiment. The first time we went through Cruise America. This time we used the Outdoorsy platform (think of it like Airbnb for RVs) and rented a gas Class A from a local host. It is an easy way to try a specific rig from a real owner. Huge thanks to Outdoorsy and our host for the experience.
The first drive (humbling)
Let's be real: driving a 37-plus-foot, 27,000-pound motorhome for the first time is intimidating. Camille took the wheel first, and we headed to an empty parking lot to practice turns, mirrors, and parking before hitting the road for real. That practice run was the best decision we made. A few takeaways from learning to drive a Class A:
Practice in an empty lot first. Get a feel for the length, the swing, and the mirrors before traffic is involved.
Mirrors are everything. Learn the controls and adjust them before you move.
Go slow on turns. You have a lot of vehicle behind you, so take curves wide and easy.
Watch your back tires. Knowing where they track keeps you out of trouble.
The walk-around: what a Class A offers
Once we got it to camp, leveled, and hooked up, we toured the rig. This particular Forest River Georgetown had the space a family could really use:
Exterior: a 40-inch outdoor TV, tons of storage bays, three slides, a hitch rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and auto-leveling.
Living area: heated, vibrating theater seats that recline, facing a TV with a soundbar. A cab-over bunk that sleeps one adult or two kids.
Kitchen: a double sink, three-burner stove, a small oven, and a convection microwave.
Dinette: seats four adults comfortably, with seatbelts on both sides for extra passengers.
Bunks: a double bunk our kids loved, each with its own TV and light.
Two full bathrooms: a genuine luxury when a group is trying to get ready at once.
Master bedroom: a king bed, closets and drawers on both sides, plus a rear bath with a tub/shower and even a washing-machine hookup.
The big draw of a Class A for us was space. With two little ones and grandparents who love to come along (Camille's dad really wanted to drive one), we wanted to see whether a big motorhome could fit the whole family comfortably. Short answer: it can.
Where we stayed
We camped at Falls Lake State Recreation Area outside Durham, North Carolina. Even in brisk November weather, the back-in site (B23) was really nice for a state park, a paved pad with a picnic table, a fire ring, and room for a second vehicle. The recreation area has hiking trails, tent camping, a playground, and (in warmer months) kayaking, fishing, and swimming. A great spot whether you are glamping in a bus or roughing it in a tent.
The verdict on Class A life
So, are we Team Class A? Honestly, the jury is still out (Camille loved it, Aaron took more convincing). But that is exactly the point of renting. We got to feel what it is like to drive and live in a big motorhome before spending the money, and that clarity is priceless.
Tips if you want to try this
Rent the exact style you are considering. Class A, Class C, fifth wheel, whatever is on your short list.
Use a platform like Outdoorsy or Cruise America. Both make it easy to try before you buy.
Practice driving before your trip. An empty lot and 30 minutes will save your nerves.
Bring the whole crew. The real test is whether it fits your actual family, kids, grandparents, and all.
FAQ
Is it worth renting an RV before buying?
Absolutely. It is the best way to learn how a rig drives and fits your family before making a big purchase.
How hard is it to drive a Class A motorhome?
Intimidating at first, but manageable with practice. Start in an empty parking lot and take it slow.
Where can you rent a Class A RV?
Platforms like Outdoorsy (peer-to-peer) and companies like Cruise America both rent motorhomes.
Is a Class A good for families?
Yes. The space, multiple bathrooms, and bunk options make it great for larger families and multigenerational trips.
The Verdict
Renting a Class A motorhome for 48 hours was the perfect way to test-drive a dream without betting the bank on it. We learned to wrangle a 39-foot bus, fell for the space and the two bathrooms, and walked away with real clarity about what our family wants in an RV. If you are anywhere near a big RV purchase, let this be your sign: rent what you love first. It is the cheapest, smartest education in RVing you will find.
Want to ride along (and watch the first drive)? Watch it on YouTube: Our First Time Driving a Class A RV, and subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more RV content.
