4.7 out of 5

3,000+ Google reviews across Road Bear's 7 branches

Price range

Premium

Founded

1980, as Road Bear International RV

Countries

USA

Vehicle types

RV

Sleeps

4 to 7

Best for

Overseas visitors who want a well-equipped Class C and a hotel shuttle

About Road Bear RV

Road Bear RV, sometimes written Roadbear, started in 1980, trading first in Canada as Road Bear International RV before moving into the USA, and has used its current name since 2001. Tourism Holdings (thl), the New Zealand group behind maui, Britz, Apollo and Mighty, bought it in 2010 as its first US business. thl later added El Monte RV, and the two brands now operate as one company: both are trading names of the same lessor and they share several depots.

Road Bear rents only Class C motorhomes, the American style with a separate truck cab and a bed above the driver, in lengths from 23 to 31 ft for 4 to 7 people, plus a cheaper Saver 4 category where the size is assigned on the day. Every model is an automatic petrol motorhome with a toilet, shower, kitchen, air conditioning and an onboard generator, and three of the four models have a slide-out that widens the living area once parked. The brand is aimed at international holidaymakers, and seven of its eight locations run free shuttles from nearby airport hotels.

Is Road Bear RV a good choice?

A Road Bear motorhome suits overseas travellers who want a well-equipped Class C and an easy start with a hotel shuttle. Its Google ratings average 4.7 out of 5 across more than 3,000 reviews, higher than sister brand El Monte RV, and reviewers often describe the RVs as nearly new. The trade-offs are the add-on costs: a preparation fee of US$239 to US$309, miles at US$0.47 each, generator use charged by the hour or night, and no pets. If you are travelling with a dog or want more pick-up cities, compare El Monte RV.

Use the depot list on this page to plan your Road Bear pick-up, and search below to compare live RV prices from the brands in our search.

USA

Road Bear RV rentals in the USA

Road Bear's fleet is all Class C: the Super Van Camper 23-25' for two adults and two small children, the Class C 23-25' for 5, the 26-28' for 6 and the 29-31' for 7, plus the Saver 4 category. You book a category, not a specific make or floor plan. Miles cost US$0.47 each, US$45 per 100-mile pack or US$1,135 for unlimited miles on rentals of up to 21 nights, and the generator costs US$3.50 an hour or US$11 a night unless you take the Platinum package.

Round trips need at least 3 nights and one-ways at least 7, and every booking is charged for a minimum of 4 nights. One-way fees are usually US$200 to US$750. Canada is allowed if declared at booking, Alaska only with written approval, Mexico never, and Death Valley is closed to rentals from June to September.

Depot addresses

Las Vegas

3800 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas, NV 89121

Free shuttle incl. airport terminals and Strip hotels; open 7 days

Los Angeles

28404 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

In Agoura Hills, 35 mi from LAX; free shuttle from LAX hotels

San Francisco

420 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro, CA 94577

East Bay depot near Oakland Airport; free shuttle from SFO hotels and BART

Denver

6586 Brighton Boulevard, Commerce City, CO 80022

Winterized 31 Oct to 31 Mar; closed 19 Dec to 5 Jan; free shuttle from DEN hotels

Seattle

1541 S 96th Street, Seattle, WA 98108

Winterized 31 Oct to 31 Mar; free shuttle from SeaTac hotels

New York

3401 Tremley Point Road, Linden, NJ 07036

In New Jersey; winterized 31 Oct to 31 Mar; no Manhattan driving

Orlando

3800 West Colonial Drive, Suite B, Orlando, FL 32808

Open 7 days 9am to 4pm; free shuttle from MCO hotels

Dallas

3500 S Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070

Drop-off only; shared with El Monte RV in McKinney; no shuttle

Opening hours

Depots open at 8am or 9am and close mid to late afternoon, with longer hours from 1 April to 30 September. Las Vegas and Orlando open every day, while the others close on Sundays and often on winter Saturdays. Free shuttles run from listed airport hotels to every depot except Dallas and must be requested about a month ahead. Denver, New York and Seattle RVs are winterised from 31 October to 31 March, so the water system can't be used, and Denver closes from 19 December to 5 January. Several depots sit outside their namesake city: Los Angeles is in Agoura Hills, San Francisco in San Leandro and New York in Linden, New Jersey.

Vehicles

Road Bear Super Van Camper 23-25 ft Class C RV in USA

Class C RV

Road Bear Super Van Camper 23-25 ft

Compact motorhome for two adults and two small children with a slide-out rear queen bed, shower, toilet and generator.

Sleeps
4
Toilet
Shower

Day layout

Road Bear Super Van Camper 23-25 ft day floor plan, USA

Night layout

Road Bear Super Van Camper 23-25 ft night floor plan, USA
Road Bear Class C 23-25 ft Class C RV in USA

Class C RV

Road Bear Class C 23-25 ft

Smallest full Class C with cab-over, rear and dinette beds, private bathroom and generator; no slide-out.

Sleeps
5
Toilet
Shower

Day layout

Road Bear Class C 23-25 ft day floor plan, USA

Night layout

Road Bear Class C 23-25 ft night floor plan, USA
Road Bear Class C 26-28 ft Class C RV in USA

Class C RV

Road Bear Class C 26-28 ft

Mid-size Class C with a slide-out, four beds including a sofa bed, full kitchen, bathroom and generator.

Sleeps
6
Toilet
Shower

Day layout

Road Bear Class C 26-28 ft day floor plan, USA

Night layout

Road Bear Class C 26-28 ft night floor plan, USA
Road Bear Class C 29-31 ft Class C RV in USA

Class C RV

Road Bear Class C 29-31 ft

Largest model, seven seatbelts and four beds with a slide-out, full kitchen, bathroom and generator.

Sleeps
7
Toilet
Shower

Day layout

Road Bear Class C 29-31 ft day floor plan, USA

Night layout

Road Bear Class C 29-31 ft night floor plan, USA

Vehicle specs, floor plans, photos, depot addresses, opening hours and fees come from Road Bear RV and can change at any time. Please confirm the details when you book.

Current deals

Road Bear Early Bird Special and save 10%

Plan ahead and save 10% on your Road Bear RV rental with this Early Bird Special. Book by 31 October 2026 for travel between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2028. With all vehicles and locations included, this is a great opportunity to lock in your USA road trip early and enjoy extra savings on your adventure.

Booking Period: Available now – 31 Oct, 2026

‍Pickup Dates: 1 Apr, 2027 – 31 Mar, 2028

‍Drop Off By: 31 Mar, 2028

‍Pick Up Location/s: All Locations

‍Drop Off Location/s: All Locations

‍Vehicles: All Road Bear RVs

Terms and Conditions apply
Hot deal is automatically applied in our pricing

‍

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Pros, cons and good to know

Pros

  • Google ratings average 4.7, the highest of thl's US brands
  • Free shuttles from listed airport hotels to every location except Dallas
  • Every model has a toilet, shower, generator, air conditioning and a reversing camera
  • Slide-outs on the Super Van Camper and the 26 to 31 ft Class C models
  • The Gold Package of roadside cover, awning use and extra drivers comes with every booking
  • The Saver 4 category takes up to 20% off the nightly rate if Road Bear picks the size

Cons

  • No pets in any vehicle, and a US$250 cleaning charge if one has been carried
  • Preparation fee of US$239 to US$309 per rental, depending on the pick-up day
  • Miles cost US$0.47 each, or US$1,135 for unlimited miles on rentals of up to 21 nights
  • Class C only, with no camper vans or Class A motorhomes, and Mexico is off limits

Good to know

  • Driver age: 21 or over for the renter and every driver, and some locations may require older drivers
  • Licence: full, physical licence from your country of residence, with no temporary, provisional or digital licences; bring an International Driving Permit or translation if it is not in English
  • Deposit: US$1,500 on a major credit card in the main renter's name at pick-up; debit cards, cash and virtual cards are not accepted for it
  • Mileage: 100-mile packs at US$45 or US$0.47 a mile at return; unused prepaid miles are not refunded
  • Pets: not allowed in any vehicle; Road Bear refers pet owners to El Monte RV

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Frequently asked questions

Who owns Road Bear RV?

Tourism Holdings (thl), the NZX and ASX-listed New Zealand group that also owns maui, Britz, Apollo, Mighty, El Monte RV and CanaDream. thl bought Road Bear in 2010, its first business in the USA.

What is the difference between Road Bear and El Monte RV?

They are the same company: both are trading names of El Monte Rents, Inc. and share depots in Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Agoura Hills), Denver, Seattle, Orlando and New York (Linden, New Jersey). Road Bear is the smaller brand, with Class C motorhomes only, free hotel shuttles and no pets. El Monte has 18 depots, Class A and camper van options, cheaper miles and allows pets.

Is mileage unlimited with Road Bear RV?

No, unlimited miles are an extra. Buy 100-mile packs at US$45 each, pay US$0.47 a mile when you return, or add Unlimited Miles for US$1,135 on rentals of up to 21 nights plus US$35 for each night after that. Unused prepaid miles are not refunded.

What does the Road Bear price include?

Every booking comes with the Gold Package of roadside cover, awning use and extra drivers. A preparation fee of US$239 to US$309, miles, generator use, linen kits (US$75 per person), the RV Essentials kitchen kit (US$150) and liability insurance cost extra.

Do I need insurance for a Road Bear RV?

Yes. Road Bear does not provide primary insurance, so overseas visitors without US auto cover should add one of its liability products: Rental Liability Insurance at US$17.50 a night, or Enhanced Liability Insurance with up to US$500,000 of cover at US$35.95 a night. VIP, at US$16 a night, cuts your damage liability to a US$1,500 deductible.

How much is the Road Bear security deposit?

US$1,500, secured on a major credit card in the main renter's name at pick-up. Debit cards, cash and virtual cards are not accepted for it, and Burning Man and Race Across America rentals carry a higher deposit that is charged rather than held.

Does Road Bear pick up from the airport?

Yes, through free shuttles from listed airport hotels at every location except Dallas, and the list includes the Las Vegas airport terminals and the LAX and SFO rental-car areas. Request the shuttle about a month before pick-up, and plan a hotel night because you can't collect the RV on the day you land from overseas.

Can I do a one-way rental with Road Bear?

Yes, between Road Bear locations, with a minimum of 7 nights and a one-way fee that is usually US$200 to US$750 depending on the route. Discounted one-way deals are listed on Road Bear's deals page.

What time can I pick up and return a Road Bear RV?

Standard pick-ups run from 1pm to 4pm on weekdays, with earlier slots for a fee, and you choose your slot during online check-in. Returns are due in the morning, there are no after-hours pick-ups or returns, and late returns cost US$50 an hour plus any slot fee difference.

Can I take a Road Bear RV to Canada, Alaska or Mexico?

Canada and Alaska yes, Mexico no. Canada must be declared at booking and remote northern areas carry a US$450 Far North Surcharge, while Alaska needs written approval plus that surcharge, and roads such as the Dalton and Denali highways are banned. Death Valley is off limits from 1 June to 30 September.

Can I bring my dog in a Road Bear RV?

No. Pets are not allowed in any Road Bear vehicle, and a US$250 cleaning charge applies if one has been carried. Road Bear points pet owners to its sister brand El Monte RV, which takes pets.

Which Road Bear RV should I choose?

Couples, or a couple with two small children, suit the Super Van Camper 23-25' or the cheaper Saver 4. A family of five fits the Class C 23-25', and groups of six or seven need the Class C 26-28' or 29-31', both with a slide-out.