I’m Kayla, and yes, I actually did a rent-to-own on an RV. We used it. We camped in it. We fixed it. We even fought with a water pump in the dark outside Moab. So I’ve got thoughts.
You know what? I didn’t plan to do rent-to-own. We rented a couple rigs first, loved the whole campfire life, and then wanted our own without a big loan right away. Rent-to-own felt like a bridge. It was, kind of.
So… why rent-to-own anyway?
We’re a family of four, plus one loud dog, Daisy. We wanted memories now. Not “one day.” But buying new felt scary. Prices were high. Rates were weird. A used RV was more our speed, but we still wanted a test phase.
Rent-to-own gave us time. We had full use. We could walk away if it didn’t fit. That part mattered.
Our exact deal (numbers you can feel)
We did our deal with a small used dealer near Kansas City, KS. Not a big chain. The rig: a 2019 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S with bunks. Light enough for our half-ton truck. One slide-out. Murphy bed. No glam, but cozy.
If you want to dig into real-world feedback on that model, here’s a collection of Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite owner reviews that helped us sanity-check the floorplan before we signed.
- Term: 24 months
- Monthly payment: $1,150
- Monthly credit toward purchase: $350
- Up-front deposit: $3,000 (refundable minus damage)
- Buyout price at end: $19,500
- Insurance: on us (about $78/month through Progressive)
- Storage: also on us ($110/month when not in use)
- Maintenance: on us (yep… that one was… spicy)
- Mileage: unlimited miles, but generator hours had a limit (we barely used it)
Sales tax was due when we bought it at the end, not during the “rent” phase. The dealer handled title after buyout. That part went smooth.
Did we buy it in the end? We did. We finished the 24 months and then paid the buyout. No drama there.
Test runs that helped us choose
Before the rent-to-own, we did two real trips with rentals:
- A 2017 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106DS for a long weekend, booked through Outdoorsy. Loved the Murphy bed. Hated the tiny bath.
- A 2016 Keystone Passport 2400BH for a week near Broken Bow. Great bunks for the kids. The sway in wind… not great. Learned we needed better weight distribution.
Those trips told us what we can tow, what we can’t, and what we’ll actually use. Bunks? Yes. Outdoor kitchen? Fun but not a need. Big fridge? Yes, yes, yes.
The good stuff
- We had keys right away. No waiting for loan approvals or endless paperwork.
- We camped a lot. Smoky Mountains in fall. Padre Island in spring. Moab in the heat, which I don’t recommend, but the photos? Wow. That desert haul felt a lot like when I took a Flagstaff rig across Arizona—beautiful, but with quirks you don't notice until the pavement sizzles.
- If you’re seeking a laid-back campground near those Smoky Mountain trails, Riverhouse Acres gave us river views and hot showers that felt downright luxurious after a muddy hike.
- We used the two years to learn repairs. I can now winterize without crying. Most days.
- We were not locked to buy. If it became a money pit, we could leave and just lose the deposit or repairs. It gave me peace.
The not-so-good stuff (this is where the sweat lives)
- Repairs were on us. Even during the “rent” phase. Our water pump died outside Moab. We swapped it in a dusty campground, headlamp on, kids chasing the dog, me muttering. Pump: about $95. Time: two hours. Marriage: tested, survived.
- One tire blew on I-35 near Waco. Tire and roadside: about $280. Lesson: always check tire dates, not just tread.
- Hidden fees can sneak. We dodged them by reading the whole contract out loud at the dealer’s desk. Awkward? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
- The monthly credit was small. You pay a lot to “rent.” Only a slice goes to the final price.
What it actually cost us per month
Here’s our average when we weren’t traveling heavy:
- Payment: $1,150
- Insurance: $78
- Storage: $110
- Propane, small stuff: about $25
- Maintenance, averaged out: about $40
So around $1,403 a month to have it. Only $350 of that cut down the buyout price. The rest was the cost of using it now.
Is that smart money? Depends. If you camp twice a month and your kids live for it, it feels worth it. If you go twice a year, that’s a hard pill.
Real-life trip moments (the sweet and the salty)
- The night in the Smokies when the fog rolled over the ridge. The kids fell asleep to tree frogs. The slide-out squeaked once, then hush. Pure magic.
- That time I forgot to latch the fridge before we left the site. I opened the door at a gas stop and took a yogurt shower. I still laugh. Sort of.
- Winterizing in November. My hands went numb. But I nailed it. No cracked lines that year. Small win, big mood.
While most evenings were just us and the crickets, we discovered that campgrounds can double as social hubs for grown-ups on the road. If you ever pull in hoping the neighbors might become more than a quick hello, an adults-only community like WellHello can match traveling singles and adventurous couples with nearby members in minutes, giving you a discreet way to line up fireside drinks—or a little after-dark fun—without the awkward small talk.
If your route ever swings through Arizona and you’re curious about where the nightlife heats up once the campfire dies down, the up-to-date Scottsdale USA sex guide details the best clubs, bars, and couples-friendly spots in town so you can decide whether to hitch up the trailer or grab a rideshare before diving into the scene.
Who should try rent-to-own?
- You want the RV life now, and buying this minute feels risky.
- You have a tow vehicle that can handle it. Know your tow rating and the RV’s GVWR.
- You’re okay doing repairs or learning fast.
- You plan to camp often, not just once in a while.
Who should skip it?
- You hate surprise costs.
- You don’t want to read contracts.
- You can buy a solid used trailer with cash instead. That’s cleaner.
Quick tips that saved us a headache (or ten)
- Get a pre-inspection. Pay a mobile RV tech to check roof seals, slide motors, soft floors, and the black tank valve.
- Ask for the APR equivalent. They’ll say it isn’t a loan. Still ask what your effective rate would be if it were.
- Cap fees in writing. Cleaning, generator hours, late returns, and mileage rules should be clear.
- Check tire dates. Replace if older than six years.
- Test everything before signing. Slides, AC, furnace, water pump, water heater on both propane and electric, all lights, outlets, and the awning.
- Insurance: call your provider first. Some want special wording for a rent-to-own.
- Winter rules. Who winterizes? Who pays if a line freezes? Get it in writing.
- Title and taxes. Ask how and when the title transfers and when tax is due.
- Buyout math. Know the exact buyout price each month of the term. Not just at the end.
Models that worked well for us to tow and live in
- Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S (our pick): light, bunks, Murphy bed, decent storage.
- Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BH: simple and tough. Great for kids.
- Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE: comfy for couples, roomy bath, nice build.
- Coachmen Freedom Express 248RBS: great floor plan; roomy kitchen for camping food that isn’t just hot dogs.
For specs, weights, and current floorplans, you can skim RVing Planet’s full Rockwood Mini Lite guide while you shop.
One upgrade we splurged on later was swapping the factory jackknife sofa for true recliners; on road days, [my RV recliners got a thorough test](https://