Roadsurfer offers truck campers for the 21st century

If you’ve ever looked enviously at those trucks loaded with bikes and kayaks heading out for some fall fun after a long, hot summer, you don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to join them.

Sure, there are a lot of RV rental companies out there. But finding a compact pickup truck that’s smartly equipped and ready to go is a little trickier.

Enter roadsurfer (yes, in lowercase), a German-based RV/van rental startup that recently opened a location in Los Angeles after huge success in Europe. During its first five years of operation, Roadsurfer expanded into 12 European countries, including Italy, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain, with more than 50 stations. As of 2023, the fleet includes more than 5,000 vehicles of different models and brands.

This company has been in operation since 2016, and is now the leading company in Europe offering small campervans for solo road trips. Roadsurfer has also developed the “roadsurfer Spots” app for booking unique private camping spots across Europe, although this has not yet arrived in the US.

Why consider renting a surf car for your next European trip or long weekend trip on the California coast? Attractions include unlimited miles, a complimentary second driver, flexible change/cancellation options, a kitchen box and camping table/chairs.

They have new, compact vehicles designed for maximum flexibility on Europe’s small roads and in narrow village streets. These are not the behemoths you see on American highways. They accommodate two or four people, including shower, toilet, air conditioning/heating, stove, microwave and refrigerator. The seating areas can easily be converted into a comfortable double bed.

The company opened its Los Angeles branch in 2022, and its vans offer almost what they do in Europe: unlimited miles, a free second driver, and a full kitchen box (bed linen and bike racks are available for an additional fee). Vans can accommodate two or four people, including shower, toilet, air conditioning/heating, stove, microwave and refrigerator. Their carts are small and compact for maximum flexibility.

They offer two models based on the Dodge Ram Van base in the US. The Couple Condo is a Class B RV rental for two people and features two sleepers, a kitchenette, an extra-large bathroom with hot water shower, a toilet in the back, and an outside shower. It also has a 190 watt solar panel. You can escape the heat on those last hot days of the season with a constant air conditioner. Rates start at $155 per night.

They also offer a Road House XL Class B RV rental for four people with four sleeping berths, a pop-up roof, a spacious kitchenette, and a bathroom with hot water shower and toilet to provide the amenities of a large motorhome but the size of a pickup truck. space. This also comes with a 190W solar panel and a parking air conditioner, which provides cooling even when the engine is turned off. Rates start at $165 per night.

Need inspiration? Roadsurfer suggests renting your truck in Los Angeles and heading up Interstate 395 for an extended weekend getaway, going to Mammoth Lakes or Lake Tahoe, or using the Tioga Pass to Yosemite National Park.