A festival is hard on a rental RV: dust, dry camping, a generator running in the heat, and a crew of friends coming in and out all weekend. Most surprise charges come from not asking the host the right questions up front. These are the ones we ask before we book, for any peer-to-peer rental (Outdoorsy, RVshare) or rental fleet.
About the rig
- How many generator hours are included, and what is the rate after that? Outdoorsy says rentals typically include a base amount of miles and generator hours and charge for extra use, and each listing sets its own. A hot weekend can use a lot of generator time.
- How many miles are included per day? Same deal: check the listing, and ask if anything is unclear. Outdoorsy notes hosts are often open to package deals.
- How big are the fresh, gray and black tanks? That decides how long you can dry camp before you need a pump-out.
- What is the rig's length with slides and awning out? Festival sites have fixed sizes. At the Gorge, for example, a rig that doesn't fit its site needs a second campground ticket.
- Is there a house battery or solar? It decides how quietly you can run lights and fans at night.
About the trip
- Are festivals allowed? Some hosts and fleets set event rules. Ask directly and get the answer in the booking messages.
- Can you deliver and set it up? Outdoorsy lists delivery and setup as something to confirm with the host. Check the festival's rules too: Bass Canyon has a drop-off form, while Okeechobee did not allow RVs to be dropped off by non-ticket holders.
- What does the prep fee cover? On Outdoorsy, standard cleaning is part of the host's Prep Fee, and a separate cleaning add-on is no longer allowed.
- What counts as "excessively dirty"? Outdoorsy lets hosts add post-trip charges for excessive dirtiness, failing to dump waste tanks, or damage. With festival dust, ask exactly what return condition they expect.
- Do I return it with tanks dumped and fresh water full? Ask, then plan where you will dump on the way home.
- What kitchen kit and supplies come with it? Outdoorsy now requires a basic kitchen kit, basic consumables and a clean, sanitised fresh water tank on every listing. Levelling blocks are an optional add-on, so ask if they are included.
- What happens if something breaks on the road? Ask about roadside support and how to reach the host over the festival weekend.
Then check the festival
Every fest is different: some ban RVs entirely, some cap generator size, some only allow motorhomes with a holding tank. Start with our RV-friendly festivals 2027 list and festival generator and power rules, then the per-fest guides: Bass Canyon, Gorge Amphitheatre, EDC Las Vegas, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest and Stagecoach.
Protect the deposit
Dust is the big one. Our how to dust-proof a rental RV guide covers sealing vents and doors and a clean-out routine before you hand it back, and the Festival RV Kit has the gear. For the full packing list, see our US festival RV packing list, and for the big picture, renting an RV for a music festival and RV vs tent.
Sources: Outdoorsy Help Center, mileage and generator fees, Guest FAQs and standardized add-ons and amenities; Gorge camping FAQ; Bass Canyon camping questions; Okeechobee camping guide. Checked 31 October 2026.
Quick answers
Do RV rentals charge for generator use?
Often, yes. Outdoorsy says rentals typically include a base amount of miles and generator hours, then charge for extra use, and each listing sets its own limits and rates.
Can I be charged if I return an RV with full tanks?
On Outdoorsy, hosts can add a post-trip charge for things like excessive dirtiness or failing to dump the waste tanks. Ask your host what they expect before you book.
Rules and prices come from official pages as of 31 October 2026 and can change. We only list what has been published. Always confirm on the official page before you book.
Shop the kit
Our picks for this trip, all in our store: