Why Real-World Use Drives Better Design, Happier Renters, and Bigger Returns
If you’ve ever rented out your RV—or even thought about it—you’ve probably asked yourself: What kind of RV is best for rentals?
Should you go with a nimble campervan or a spacious bunkhouse trailer? Do renters care more about solar setups or smart storage? And what really makes someone book your RV again—or recommend it to their friends?
At RVM, we work with thousands of RV owners and manufacturers who are leaning into the power of rentals—not just to earn income, but to better understand what real people want when they hit the road.
This article isn’t just about floorplans or features. It’s about understanding how the rental experience has become the proving ground for smart RV buying decisions—and why more owners (and manufacturers) are learning by doing.
Table of Contents
- Rentals Are the Ultimate Test Drive
- What Makes Renters Fall in Love
- Real Feedback = Smarter Upgrades
- Helping First-Time Campers Feel Confident
- Broadening the RV Lifestyle (and Market)
- What Renters Teach Dealers
- Real Example: Fixing a Floorplan Mid-Season
- Why Visibility Equals Value
- How RVM Helps Owners Choose Smarter
- Final Thoughts: Think Like a Renter, Buy Like an Investor
1. Rentals Are the Ultimate Test Drive
Before you buy an RV to rent out, ask yourself this: Would I want to camp in this thing for a weekend?
That’s how your renters will think. The truth is, a family’s first real experience with an RV often isn’t a purchase—it’s a weekend rental to Big Bend or a week in Yellowstone.
And that weekend? It’s their test drive.
They cook in your kitchen. They find out if the bathroom layout works or if it’s a nightly wrestling match. They’ll discover whether the dinette converts easily or if it’s an adult-sized puzzle.
Rentals put your RV into the wild—where features either shine or flop. So, if you want to know what RV to buy for renting out, start by thinking about the kinds of experiences people are really having inside them.
2. What Makes Renters Fall in Love
We’ve heard countless stories from renters who came back gushing over “that Winnebago with the outdoor kitchen” or “the little Class B that fit into every trailhead.”
They fall in love with the experience. And often, with the RV itself.
One family rented a bunkhouse trailer for a road trip through Utah’s national parks. They said the layout felt like a cabin on wheels. Two years later, they bought the same model outright—and recommended it to three other families.
Renters aren’t just trying out the lifestyle—they’re forming brand loyalties, floorplan preferences, and future purchase decisions. And that starts with your unit.
3. Real Feedback = Smarter Upgrades
Let’s be honest: RV forums can only tell you so much. If you really want to know what works, hand your RV over to a family of five and let them take it on a summer trip.
That’s what one owner did with their 30-foot travel trailer. After a few rentals, they noticed all the reviews mentioned the same thing: “Wish the mattress was better.” Easy fix. They upgraded it and saw a spike in 5-star reviews.
Renters will tell you what you’re not thinking about. They’ll spot awkward storage, tricky hitches, or poor insulation long before you do.
In this way, rentals become a constant feedback loop—helping you upgrade smart, not just spend blindly.
4. Helping First-Time Campers Feel Confident
Renting an RV is often someone’s first brush with the lifestyle. And it can be overwhelming—gray tanks, leveling blocks, slide-outs?
The right RV makes that learning curve a little less steep.
If you’re buying to rent, look for user-friendly features: automatic leveling, color-coded hookups, good signage, and clear instruction guides. The easier it is to operate, the better your reviews—and the more likely that renter comes back or becomes a buyer someday.
5. Broadening the RV Lifestyle (and Market)
Not everyone who rents is already dreaming of RV ownership.
Sometimes, it’s a group of college friends going to a music festival. Other times, it’s a young couple testing van life before they quit their jobs. We’ve even seen New York City retirees rent a Class C just to try something new in their 70s.
That’s the beauty of rentals—they introduce RV life to people who never thought they’d try it.
When you choose an RV that’s approachable, versatile, and appealing to different types of travelers, you’re not just filling booking slots—you’re planting seeds for the entire industry.
6. What Renters Teach Dealers
Here’s something most owners don’t realize: dealers watch what rents well.
When a certain model is constantly getting high reviews on platforms like RVM, it doesn’t go unnoticed. We’ve seen dealers shift stocking decisions based on rental performance. Why? Because they know those units work in real life.
Buying a rental-friendly unit doesn’t just help your bottom line—it can actually influence what ends up on the lot next season.
7. Real Example: Renter Feedback Changed Everything
In 2022, a West Coast manufacturer placed a new bunkhouse travel trailer into multiple RVM rental fleets. Within weeks, renters were leaving feedback about the under-bunk storage: “Too shallow,” “Doesn’t fit our bags,” “Could be better.”
The company took the hint. Mid-season, they redesigned the model, increasing the depth and access of the bunk storage. The results?
- Renter reviews jumped.
- Dealership interest increased.
- The updated model became one of their top sellers the next year.
Rentals don’t just test your RV—they shape what sells.
8. Why Visibility Equals Value
Let’s face it: most people don’t know a Winnebago from a Forest River—until they camp in one.
Rentals are how people remember brands. They recall the trip to Glacier with the Thor Chateau. Or that weekend at Lake Powell in a Jayco that had the perfect slide-out kitchen.
The more your RV is seen, used, and loved, the more valuable its brand (and layout) becomes. Visibility creates familiarity—and familiarity builds trust.
9. How RVM Helps Owners Choose Smarter
At RVM, we work with both individual owners and manufacturers to place RVs into high-performing rental fleets.
Here’s how we help:
- Real-time data on renter preferences and wear-and-tear
- Layout insights that show what features perform best
- Professional support so you’re not guessing on what to buy or how to maintain it
We don’t just help you rent—we help you optimize.
10. Final Thoughts: Think Like a Renter, Buy Like an Investor
Choosing the right RV for rentals isn’t about buying the biggest or flashiest unit—it’s about understanding what real travelers want, how they use it, and what keeps them coming back.
So before you pull the trigger on your next rig, ask yourself:
Would you want to rent it for a weekend getaway?
If the answer is yes, chances are you’ve found a winner—not just for renters, but for your long-term ROI.
Ready to choose the right RV for your rental journey?
Let’s talk about which models perform best in the real world—because the road to success starts with the right rig.
— The RVM Team
