When it comes to renting your RV, reputation is everything. Bookings don’t just depend on location, price, or floorplan—they hinge on trust. And nothing builds trust faster than a glowing review.
This is the story of how a first-time RV owner named Lisa went from sporadic bookings to a fully booked summer—tripling her income in just one season—by focusing on the renter experience and leveraging the power of 5-star reviews.
Table of Contents
- Lisa’s Early Struggles in the Rental Market
- The Turning Point: A Negative Review and a Wake-Up Call
- Rebuilding Trust: The 5-Star Strategy
- What She Changed: Systems, Presentation, and Experience
- The Snowball Effect: How Reviews Boost Visibility and Rates
- Income Comparison: Before and After the Turnaround
- Lisa’s Top Tips for Maximizing Reviews and Revenue
- Final Thoughts: From Underdog to Overbooked
1. Lisa’s Early Struggles in the Rental Market
Lisa purchased her 2018 Forest River travel trailer to make summer memories with her kids. After one epic Yellowstone trip, it sat idle in storage.
“Insurance, maintenance, storage fees—it added up fast,” Lisa recalled. “I thought, maybe I can rent it out to cover those costs.”
She listed it herself on a rental platform and had moderate interest. But by the end of the season, she’d only booked six trips, generating around $3,000.
2. The Turning Point: A Negative Review and a Wake-Up Call
Lisa’s third rental ended in a mediocre review: “RV was clean, but no towels, no instructions, and we had trouble with the fridge.”
It stung. She thought she’d done enough. But when two more bookings canceled and her listing dropped in the rankings, she realized reviews weren’t a bonus—they were the engine behind her business.
“That review cost me three more bookings. I had to change everything,” she said.
3. Rebuilding Trust: The 5-Star Strategy
Lisa committed to turning her rental into a guest-first experience. Her new mantra: treat it like a boutique hotel on wheels.
Here’s what she did:
- Added a printed welcome guide with emergency contacts and local tips
- Filmed a 7-minute walkthrough video renters received before pickup
- Stocked the RV with towels, coffee, utensils, and cleaning supplies
- Installed QR codes with how-to guides for slide-outs, tank dumping, and thermostat settings
- Created a post-trip follow-up message thanking guests and asking for feedback
4. What She Changed: Systems, Presentation, and Experience
Lisa’s RV didn’t physically change—but the guest perception did.
She replaced dated bed linens with crisp white sheets and added throw pillows. A $25 set of LED string lights made the awning area cozy. She created a Spotify playlist for renters titled “Campfire Vibes.”
Then she partnered with RVM to automate bookings, cleanings, and communication.
“I stopped stressing about logistics,” Lisa said. “I focused on the fun part—making it feel like a home away from home.”
5. The Snowball Effect: How Reviews Boost Visibility and Rates
Once Lisa started collecting 5-star reviews, everything changed.
Her listing rose to the top of search results. Her calendar filled up weeks in advance. And most importantly—she could charge more.
By the end of peak season, she’d increased her nightly rate from $115 to $165, and she still had a waitlist.
6. Income Comparison: Before and After the Turnaround
That’s 3x the revenue—from a shift in mindset, not hardware.
7. Lisa’s Top Tips for Maximizing Reviews and Revenue
- Treat your RV like a hospitality business. It’s not just about functionality—it’s about comfort and care.
- Follow up. A thank-you note and gentle nudge for a review makes a huge difference.
- Create a consistent experience. Every guest should know exactly what to expect.
- Document everything. Photos, checklists, and pre/post inspections protect your RV and your ratings.
- Delegate what you can. Lisa’s partnership with RVM freed her to focus on guest delight.
8. Final Thoughts: From Underdog to Overbooked
Lisa didn’t upgrade her RV. She upgraded the experience.
By prioritizing guest satisfaction and enlisting RVM to handle operations, she transformed her idle travel trailer into a reliable income stream—and her renters into raving fans.
“In the end, I realized the best way to make money renting your RV is to make people love their time in it.”
– RVM Team
