How I Make Money Renting My RV (& You Can Too)
Owning an RV can be expensive! However, you can actually make money renting out your RV when you’re not using it. When I first decided to rent out my RV, I wondered how to get started and if it was even worth it. But the process was much easier than I thought. I got inquiries within days and made money the first month.
I am going to show you the best way to rent out your RV and give you my swipe file to get started the smart way.
RV owners make $10,000 to upwards of $50,000 dollars a year renting out their RVs. Outdoorsy said that the highest-earning RV owners made an average of $42,000 in 2021. Any RV owner can make money renting out their RV on peer-to-peer platforms like RVShare, Outdoorsy and RVezy.
I have found renting out my travel trailer to be lucrative and easy. (The neighbors were shocked how much money I was making every time the RV left my driveway). I was able to make an average of $1350 a month my first season with an older travel trailer. I could have easily made much more money, but we were traveling ourselves, so I declined many bookings.
Our highest-earning one-rig RV owners made an average of $42,000 by renting out just one RV. Yep, some of our owners nicely supplemented their annual income by renting out their RV. Some have even decided to take the plunge and turn it into a full-time gig!
Outdoorsy
Can you cash out on this latest side hustle too?
Making money renting out your RV has become easier than ever with the new online platforms specifically for RV owners. You can think of these platforms as the Airbnb of RVs. You sign up on the website, supply all the information about your RV and they take care of the advertising, insurance, and contracts. You manage your own RV by prepping it, meeting the renters, and cleaning it on return.
Outdoorsy and RVShare are the two most common online platforms that connect RV owners and renters. I rent my RV on both platforms. You can read more about my honest review and the Outdoorsy vs RVShare Showdown here
Wondering how much you could make renting out your own RV? Check for the estimated earnings from your RV here.
Best Way to Rent Your RV
The easiest way to get started in the RV rental business is to use an online company that connects RV owners and renters. This is exactly how I started, and I was surprised how easy it was.
In the United States and Canada, the two most popular platforms are RVshare and Outdoorsy. Each company has its own Pros and cons. You can read more about our comparison of RVshare vs Outdoorsy here
I’ll tell you I slightly prefer Outdoorsy because they take a smaller commission and are easier to deal with. RVshare advertises more aggressively but the numbers don’t lie and I had 3 times as many bookings on Outdoorsy.
Listing in both places is free, so my suggestion is to set up your listing on Outdoorsy first. Then once everything is set up and you’ve gotten some training set up a listing on RVshare too.
Pro tip: make sure to keep both calendars updated
The next section, I’m going to tell you exactly how to set up your profile, get your RV ready, and start renting your RV.
PSSST ….HERE IS THE SMART WAY: Use our swipe file and fill in the blank for your profile here.
What Kind of Insurance do I Need to Rent Out my RV?
Your personal RV insurance excludes rentals therefore commercial RV rental insurance will be required to rent out your RV. Another option is to have the renter get a binder on their own personal insurance to cover renting and towing your RV. The third, and easiest option is to use the insurance to is included as an added fee for every rental on Outdoorsy.
Outdoorsy for example has three levels of insurance and covers your RV up to $1 million from Liberty Mutual. Each renter can choose the different levels which correspond to think such as when they rent your RV.
Pro tip: I suggest setting your deposit as high as the deductible for the insurance that they choose.
If you want to look into commercial rental insurance, there are 3 companies that offer commercial insurance for 1 or 2 vehicles. You would need to contact them and set up separate insurance.
- Triad Insurance management
- Auto Rental Resource Center (AARC)
- MBA Insurance
What Documents Do You Need to Rent Out your RV?
Before you can advertise and start renting out your RV to make money, you will need to gather some important documents. In order to join Outdoorsy, you need to know the make and model of your RV. You will also need the VIN number for your RV, your mileage, and your own identification.
When setting up your free account, Outdoorsy will automatically pull information about your RV from the make and model and VIN number.
Find out How much your RV will rent for and start your listing on Outdoorsy here.
How to Advertise Your RV and Attract Great Renters
I have seen advertisements in the local newspaper and Facebook for rental RVs. However, using Outdoorsy or RVShare makes the process so much easier. The screenshot below is my exact listing for my 35-foot travel trailer.
You just need to create an enticing listing and take some really great pictures of the inside and outside. People try to have at least one cover picture of the camping at somewhere very fun.
Creating your listing takes a little creativity to describe all the wonderful points about your RV. We created this fill-in-the-blank swipe file to help you get started. Click here to get access to our google docs file. When you open the Google dock, choose the drop-down for saving as and you can have your very own copy of this check sheet to get your listing up right away.
How to Create a Legal Rental Agreement
A lawyer can draft a legal rental agreement for you including all of the issues that need to be covered. This is generally referred to as an SRA or standard rental agreement.
Outdoorsy and other platforms have a rental agreement in place that covers both the renter and the owner. At the time of renting the renter will sign this agreement online or on the app.
Some owners add an additional standard rental agreement to the basic one that Outdoorsy has. They may include things like mileage, cleaning fees, uses that are not allowed, and many other things.
One of the best ways to answer all your questions about the rental agreement is to ask your coach at Outdoorsy and join their member’s Facebook group. I am part of a group of over 42,000 RV business owners on Facebook
Getting your RV Ready to Go Out for a Rental
I found one of the hardest parts of getting started in the RV rental business was cleaning up and removing many of our personal belongings. You can leave as many or as few personal belongings for the renters to use. Some people remove everything and require renters to bring their own pillows blankets and linens. This makes cleaning and sanitizing much easier.
However, I supply everything you need to go camping. I advertise that this is our personal trailer, and the renter has access to all the dishes and kitchen appliances, lemons, and bedding. I did, however, remove all of our personal clothes, toys, and other camping gear.
In addition, you will need to supply the renter with hoses and electric hookups. Frequently, renters are new to RVing and need instructions and signs to help them remember how to fill and empty tanks.
We added colors and stickers next to the black water/connection and the black and gray water dump valves. Other owners hang laminated signs throughout their rig.
How to Create a RV Rental Manual
A rental manual is so helpful for the renters. You will complete a walk-through and training, but they might forget some important points once they are on the road.
You can create a manual by doing a practice walk-through and taking pictures of everything. Make sure to include things like operating the RV, driving the RV, and what to do in case of an emergency. Take pictures of all the buttons and tank level indicators, the fuse box, fresh tank hookups, and waste tank drain valves. Put everything together in a word document or Google Docs.
Many people also create instructional video. Include the link to this video if you have it. Lastly include all your contact information, roadside assistance, and Outdoorsy information.
Should I Offer RV Delivery and Set Up?
There’s no doubt that delivering your RV and setting it up at a campsite will increase the number of rentals that you can have. However, delivering your RV does take time because delivery and pick up are two round trips. People generally set the cost between $50 and $100 for 50 miles or less. Another way is to charge between $1 – $3 a mile for delivery.
Also, when you have a towable RV such as a travel trailer moving and setting up creates the potential for damage. Some owners decide to only allow delivery and set up at the campsite. This reduces the damage that’s possible during driving and setup.
How to Start Renting Out Your RV and Making Money
Once everything is in place and your listing is complete, you will start getting requests for people to rent your RV. Many owners will wonder how quickly they will get inquiries into renting. I had 10 inquiries within a week of listing my RV.
Although Outdoorsy has an instant book feature, I suggest that you do not use this option. I scan all my renters beforehand and ask them many questions. Partly because of the size of my travel trailer, I cannot let somebody with a small truck try to tow it. But having a connection with the potential renters before agreeing to allow them to take your camper reduces a lot of the problems that can occur.
Additional Tips for Renting Out Your RV
Have a Spotless RV
Reviews for the first time are important to build your business so make sure to go above and beyond with cleanliness and communication with your renter. I told my renter that I was new so that they could give me feedback. They were more than happy to give me a good review knowing it was my first time.
Complete all the Required Paperwork
The number one advice all seasoned owners give new renters is to have the paperwork completed and take lots and lots of pictures before your rig leaves your driveway. The insurance will require photos if there is damage.
Complete a Thorough Walk-Through and Training
Make sure you have all your paperwork in hand when the renter arrives and use a checklist for the walk-through. Outdoorsy will give you instructions about the different pictures that you need to take before the rental, the points that you need to hit during the walk-through, and the practice driving that you should show the renter.
It is easy to forget simple things like how to use the remote for the TV if you don’t have your checklist handy.
Install a GPS Tracker
The other tip that I see often is to install a GPS tracker on your RV. You can track location mileage and speeds. Knowing this GPS is on there will prevent so many problems.
You might be as nervous as I was the first time your RV pulls out of your driveway without you. However, your RV should be properly insured, and have the check deposited in your account will alleviate some of your concerns.
After each rental and more money, you’ll be more and more excited every time your RV leaves the driveway. In general, people make $1000 to $4,000 a month during the high season.
When the RV returns make sure to do a thorough walk-through. Look for damage and actually turn things on. If you do find damage notify the renter right away and decide if you need to make an insurance claim.
Final Thoughts on How to Make Money Renting Out your RV
The easiest way to start renting out your RV is to create a listing on Outdoorsy. Everything will be taken care of for you. And they have an excellent training program. In addition, you can schedule a time to take advantage of their personal coaching program.
Don’t forget to join the face group of over 42,000 business owners. You can get input, advice, and a good laugh here and there.
DOWNLOAD NOW: Don’t forget to grab my free swipe copy of the fill-in-the-blank listing template. It’s easy as download your own copy, follow the instructions, and fill in specific information About your RV. You will have your listing up and renters in no time!
I have also included my personal invitation for you to join outdoorsy here.
Feel free to ask more questions here in the comments. And let me know how your first rental goes.
In addition, I’d like to offer you my wide array of planners and journals. Head over to my Etsy Store and see if anything catches your fancy.
More on the blog to help you plan your family RV trip:
Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever. We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug! I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.
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