Swap It!
By Darcy Nybo
Thanks to the Internet, travellers far and wide can swap their current RV for one on the opposite side of the world.
Do you ever wish you could inexpensively travel with your RV to another part of the world? Wish no more… now you can swap your RV with someone who wants to vacation where you live!
Motorhomes, RVs, campervans, fifth wheels, and even revamped buses can be listed, swapped, and enjoyed around the world. The premise is quite simple. If you have an RV and you want one somewhere else, hop online and register your RV. There are several sites out there that specialize in RV exchange, swap and rent, which we have listed below.
Once you find a site you like, you can register to swap or rent your RV. Some sites have options to just find an RV to rent, depending on the part of the world you plan to travel. Most sites have registered RV owners wanting to exchange from Canada, the United States, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, France, South Africa, and dozens of countries on every continent.
It’s not just RVs either. You can look at homes, yachts, canal boats, and cruisers too. Create a package deal that gives you the vacation of a lifetime, or create one for some other lucky traveller. Exchange homes, cars, trailers, you name it!
The beauty of creating an exchange package is you get to stay in the total comfort of a home, before hitting the road. There are plenty of vacation homes for exchange that are located on or near beaches and in and around ski resorts.
Organizing any type of exchange requires great communication before giving a stranger the keys to your home or RV. Make sure you use email (so you have it in writing to refer to later) to sync up travel dates, expectations about what is being swapped, and any special needs you or your fellow swapper may have. You may be asked to water a garden or feed the dog. Should you be away when your swappers arrive, have a relative or friend meet them to ensure the right person gets your keys. If you’re going to be away, it’s also a good idea to have a local friend/relative as a contact to assist them with any questions or concerns they may have.
All agreements should be in writing. There should be a sample agreement available on the site you visit. Make sure you put any and all special requirements in the agreement, like allergies or accessibility issues.
We’ve done some research into the costs of an average RV rental for overseas or down south rental. To rent a similar Class C in France, Australia or Florida, you’ll be paying, on average, $1200 per week for two people. And that’s just for the rental. Considering you probably want to spend more than a week on your holiday adventure, the bills could add up quite quickly.
An RV swap makes great sense financially. Just ensure you have clear, concise communication (both as the swapper and the swappee) and remember there are no foolish questions. Get your agreement in writing and most importantly, respect each other’s property.
Happy travels!
Check out these sites for RV Swaps: