6 Rv Rental Business Success Stories [2024]
An RV rental business involves acquiring a fleet of recreational vehicles to rent out as campers for travelers and vacationers.
As an RV rental business owner, you supply motorhomes equipped with living essentials for road trips and outdoor getaways.
With flexibility around RV classes from luxury to budget rates, building inventories and customizing rental packages can create diverse revenue streams.
For hospitality-inclined founders seeking an accessible franchise, an RV rental company presents a promising venture as pandemic-weary travelers prioritize domestic trips focused on flexibility and the outdoors.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a RV rental business:
1. ROAMERICA ($120K/year)
After experiencing the discomfort of traveling in their old Toyota Tacoma, Taylor and Gretchen began dreaming of a vehicle that could keep them dry and comfortable during their adventures. One night, Taylor suggested the idea of renting campervans, and both instantly knew it was a great idea. They started with one campervan and quickly realized the demand was high, leading them to expand their fleet and build their own campervans in-house.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 5
ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.
2. Dry Camp ($24K/year)
Paul Schauer and Anthony Benacquisto came up with the idea for their camping brand, Dry Camp, after realizing their mutual love for the outdoors. They conducted extensive research to find unique products that would appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, leading them to the development of their flagship products, Waterproof Dry Bags and Double Hammocks. With a focus on quality and a lifetime replacement warranty, they found a reputable manufacturer and launched their online store using Shopify. They utilized social media, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as partnerships with influencers and platforms like Reddit to attract new customers and drive traffic to their website.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 0
Dry Camp founders, Paul Schauer and Anthony Benacquisto, share how they researched, designed, and launched their camping brand, which now brings in $1,500 to $2,000 in monthly revenue through multiple sales channels, with Waterproof Dry Bags and Double Hammocks as their flagship products, and reveal their tips on finding manufacturers and attracting customers.
So... can you actually make money with a RV rental business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. NW Adventure Rentals ($3M/year)
John Higgins, the founder of NW Adventure Rentals, came up with the idea for his business during a family vacation when they decided to rent an RV but were met with hidden fees, poor quality, and bad customer service. After having a successful trip in their own purchased travel trailer, John put an ad on Craigslist to rent it out and was overwhelmed with the response, realizing there was a real need for high-quality RV rentals without hidden fees. This led him to start NW Adventure Rentals, which has now grown to three locations, 85+ rental units, and $3 million in annual sales.
How much they make: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 19
NW Adventure Rentals is a thriving business with three locations, 85+ rental units, and $3M in annual sales over the last 10 years, offering clean, well-maintained luxury RVs for road trip adventures with a leaseback program that has proven to be a win-win for all.
4. Fireside RV Rental ($1.8M/year)
How much they make: $1.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 2
Fireside RV Rental, the nation's first RV Rental Management franchise, has 24 locations and over 200 RVs under management, with an annual revenue of just under $2 million last year and hopes to close out this year around $2.5 million; franchisees rent out privately owned RVs to families, helping owners earn passive income and franchisees maintain low overhead.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings