When Mike first bought his 2020 travel trailer, he wasn’t looking for a business opportunity—he just wanted a few family trips each summer. But after a full year with more months in storage than on the road, Mike decided to try renting it out.
Twelve months later, with help from RV Management USA (RVM), he more than doubled the trailer’s annual value through consistent bookings—and barely lifted a finger to do it.
This is the story of how one RV owner turned an underutilized vehicle into a cash-flowing asset with a little trust, a lot of support, and a smart rental management system.
Table of Contents
- From Weekend Trips to a Business Idea
- Mike’s DIY Rental Attempt (and Why It Failed)
- Enter RVM: The Power of Hands-Off Management
- Income Comparison: Before and After
- What Made the Difference: Systems, Scale, and Support
- Lessons Learned and Advice for Other Owners
- Mike’s Next Step: Scaling Through Consignment
- Final Takeaway: A Simple Shift, A Big Return
1. From Weekend Trips to a Business Idea
Mike’s 2020 Keystone Passport had everything his family needed: bunks for the kids, a cozy kitchen, and room to relax at the campsite. But after their third summer trip, he noticed a trend—the RV sat idle for nine months each year, fully insured, fully depreciating, and fully costing him money.
“I loved the idea of having an RV, but I hated seeing it just sitting there,” Mike said. “It felt like a waste.”
After chatting with a friend who rented on Outdoorsy, Mike wondered if he could do the same.
2. Mike’s DIY Rental Attempt (and Why It Failed)
In early spring, Mike listed his RV on a peer-to-peer platform. Within two weeks, he had his first booking.
But what started as excitement quickly turned into a part-time job:
- Coordinating pickup times with renters
- Cleaning the RV top to bottom between trips
- Refilling propane, checking tire pressure, fixing a broken drawer
After just three bookings, Mike was frustrated.
“The money was there, but I was spending hours getting ready between trips. I missed one Saturday soccer game because I had to meet a renter an hour away.”
He earned $2,000 over two months—but was burning out fast.
3. Enter RVM: The Power of Hands-Off Management
That’s when Mike found RV Management USA. A Territory Manager in his area offered to handle:
- Listing optimization and pricing
- Cleaning, inspections, and turnaround
- Communication with renters
- Insurance and roadside support
It sounded too good to be true, but Mike gave it a shot.
“I still remember the first booking RVM handled. I got a notification and saw the payout schedule—but didn’t lift a finger. I was hooked.”
4. Income Comparison: Before and After
Here’s what Mike’s trailer earned in his first full season with RVM:
Pre-RVM (DIY rentals)
- Bookings: 3
- Nights rented: 9
- Gross revenue: $2,000
- Net after cleaning and platform fees: ~$1,450
With RVM
- Bookings: 17
- Nights rented: 48
- Gross revenue: $8,760
- Mike’s share (45%): $3,942
That’s 2.7x the rental income—with none of the hands-on work.
5. What Made the Difference: Systems, Scale, and Support
Three things helped Mike succeed:
- Professional listings: Better photos and descriptions led to higher visibility and bookings.
- Calendar management: No more overbookings, missed inquiries, or juggling trip schedules.
- Hands-off logistics: Mike’s TM handled every drop-off, pickup, inspection, and cleaning.
By removing himself from the day-to-day grind, Mike’s RV could work year-round—even when he was working his day job or vacationing with the family.
6. Lessons Learned and Advice for Other Owners
Mike’s advice for new RV owners?
“If you think renting out your RV means handing someone the keys and getting paid, think again. There’s real work involved—unless you work with someone like RVM.”
His top tips:
- Don’t underprice your unit just to get bookings—it hurts in the long run.
- Trust the systems—walkthrough videos, checklists, and clear expectations are key.
- Clean matters. RVM’s post-rental inspection found small issues Mike had overlooked.
7. Mike’s Next Step: Scaling Through Consignment
This year, Mike is exploring consignment, where he’ll manage another family’s RV using the same system. With RVM’s support, he can earn a management share without owning another trailer.
“I’ve got the process now. If I can double income with one RV, I can scale without the upfront cost of buying more.”
By the end of this season, Mike expects to have two RVs under his profile—both generating income passively.
8. Final Takeaway: A Simple Shift, A Big Return
Mike didn’t invent anything. He didn’t quit his job. He didn’t take on massive risk.
He simply shifted from a DIY rental mindset to a managed system that let his asset perform without demanding his time.
And in return? He doubled his income—and gained peace of mind.
– RVM Team
