Motorhome Cost: What You Really Pay to Rent or Own One

When you think about motorhome cost, the total price of renting or owning a motorhome, including fuel, insurance, and site fees. Also known as RV hire price, it’s not just the weekly rental rate—it’s everything you spend from booking to returning the keys. Most people focus on the upfront number, but the real cost hides in the small stuff: cleaning fees, mileage limits, insurance excess, and even the price of filling up a 4,000-pound vehicle that gets 18 miles to the gallon.

Then there’s the motorhome hire price, what you pay to rent a motorhome for a few days or weeks. In the UK, you’ll see prices from £600 a week in winter to over £2,000 in summer. But here’s the catch: the cheapest option isn’t always the best. A motorhome with no heating, a broken fridge, or no awning might save you £100 upfront—but cost you £300 in frustration and extra campsite fees because you can’t stay out in the rain. And don’t forget camping fees UK, the daily or nightly charges for parking your motorhome at a site. These range from £15 at a basic farm pitch to £70 at a luxury spot with hot tubs and WiFi. Over a 10-day trip, that’s another £150–£700 added to your budget.

Then there’s depreciation. If you’re thinking of buying, not renting, motorhome depreciation, how quickly a motorhome loses value after purchase. Some models drop 30% in the first year. Others hold value like a well-maintained car. The Winnebago View, for example, stays in demand because it’s reliable and easy to service. But if you pick a rare brand with no parts available, you’re stuck with a vehicle that’s hard to sell later. Fuel, maintenance, and winter storage add more. A motorhome isn’t a holiday—it’s a small lifestyle change.

You’ll find posts here that break down exactly what you pay in 2025: from hidden charges on rental contracts to how much a campsite in the Lake District costs in August versus November. Some guides show you how to slash your motorhome cost by renting off-season, avoiding tourist traps, or even renting out your own vehicle on peer-to-peer platforms. Others reveal the real price of sleeping on the side of the road versus a proper site—because getting fined isn’t a savings tactic.

Whether you’re renting for the first time or thinking about living full-time in one, the numbers matter. This isn’t about fancy gear or Instagram-ready views. It’s about knowing what you’re signing up for—and how to avoid paying for someone else’s mistake.