The 2021 North America Camping report states that 13 million households in the U.S. own an RV, and this number keeps growing. Buying and renting an RV always pays off, according to several RV rental statistics reports.
Renting out your RV can be a great way to earn extra money. But you have to make sure that your RV is in good condition, that you set clear rules and expectations with renters, and that you market it effectively online.
Here are some tips on how to rent out your RV:
Make Sure Your RV Is in Good Condition
Before renting out your RV, make sure you give it a thorough inspection. The last thing you want is to rent out your RV and have it break down in the middle of nowhere. Check for leaks and damage, cleanliness, and signs of wear.
If possible, test all systems that are important to maintaining an RV lifestyle, such as whether the lights work, water pressure is strong enough to wash dishes, water heater works properly, refrigerator keeps food cold without freezing up inside, toilet flushes well, etc.
Set Clear Rental Rules and Expectations
It\’s important to set clear rental rules and expectations from the beginning. You should be able to set rules on what to do and not do, as well as how often you can expect updates from your renter.
It\’s also worthwhile to establish a process for communicating about changes in plans, such as when they need to be notified if their trip is delayed or if an additional person will be joining them.
Price Your RV Competitively
You should price your RV competitively. To do this, you should look at the market and see how much similar RVs are going for in the area. You\’ll want to include all fees in the price of your RV, including insurance and cleaning fees.
Market Your RV Effectively
The most important thing to do when renting out your RV is to get it listed on all the major rental sites. This will ensure you’re getting the maximum number of bookings from people searching for an RV.
Here’s how you can get your motorhome listed on all the big sites:
- Listing on Airbnb, HomeAway, FlipKey, and TripAdvisor (these are mainly for short-term rentals).
- Listing in Craigslist (this site has a lot of good traffic but also lots of fraudsters, so be careful).
- Listing on local classified pages such as Kijiji (in Canada) and Craigslist (in the USA).
Screen Renters Thoroughly
Once you\’ve found a renter, the next step is to screen them thoroughly. The best way to do that is by checking their credit score and criminal record. If they don\’t have one, they might not be able to rent an RV from you, or they could just be hiding their criminal record and hoping you won\’t check it out.
If they have any sort of record, make sure it\’s a minor offense before going through with the rental agreement. Otherwise, you may want to pass on that renter altogether.
Consider Purchasing Insurance
RV rental insurance is an important consideration for anyone renting an RV. It can provide financial protection in the event of an accident, theft, or damage to the vehicle.
Without insurance, the renter may be held financially responsible for any repairs or replacements needed. Additionally, some rental companies may require insurance as a condition of the rental agreement.
It is important to review the coverage offered by the rental company and compare it to other options available to ensure you have the best coverage for your specific needs. Overall, purchasing RV rental insurance can give peace of mind and financial protection while on the road.
Follow Up with Renters after Their Trip
After your renters have returned from their trip, follow up with them to ensure they had an enjoyable experience and that the RV was easy to operate. If there were any problems with the RV or the area in which they traveled, ask your renters if they would rent from you again.
You should also ask for feedback on the trip itself. If it was a good one, what aspects did they enjoy most? If not, what could be improved?
This will help you identify any issues, so that when other customers rent from you in future years, they have a better experience than those who came before them.
Be Honest and Transparent in Your Communication
Being transparent and honest with your renters is key to a successful rental.
You\’ll want to be clear about the RV\’s condition, as well as all of its amenities so that renters are fully aware of what they\’re getting into before they make a decision. You may also want to include any potential issues with the RV, such as needing repairs or maintenance work done during their stay.
Give a Detailed Explanation of the RV Features
If you want to rent out your RV, it\’s important to explain the RV features and amenities thoroughly before handing over the keys. Don\’t assume that someone who rents your RV will be familiar with what it can do.
The Roadtrippers said the same to people taking the motorhome on rent. Even if they have previous RV experience, they’ll still want to get a thorough walkthrough of the RV they are renting.
They may not know how to use certain features, like a television or microwave oven. Before you hand over the keys, make sure they understand how everything works in the RV, so they don\’t accidentally break something during their stay.
Conclusion
So, you\’ve decided to rent out your RV. Great. Doing so has many benefits, including earning extra income and gaining a new set of skills. According to CBS News, there were 600,000 travel homes sold in 2020, an increase of 19% from previous years. The industrial trade group also states that 40 years of long-term growth is expected in the sector.
Before you get started, though, make sure that you have everything in place first so that you can be prepared for any questions or requests guests might have when they arrive at your property.
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