Underused RVs Cost Money

There are plenty of good reasons to buy an RV. If you’re reading this article, you probably don’t need to hear them. But what happens when real life gets in the way of your retirement fantasy? What happens when your motorhome or trailer spends more time in storage than it does on the road?

Depreciation, for one thing — the value of an RV starts plummeting the minute you drive it off the lot.

But depreciation doesn’t mean financing gets any cheaper. Unless you shelled out and paid for your rig in full, you’re probably making hefty monthly loan payments. When you can’t use your RV often, making regular loan and insurance payments can feel like a real injustice.

Finally, there’s the fact that like any other vehicle, an RV that sits idle for long periods of time costs more to repair.

Renting Your RV Is A Safe & Easy Source Of Income

But for all the extra costs, you can’t bring yourself to sell your vehicle. You may not make it to the lake every weekend, but you haven’t given up your Grand Canyon dreams just yet. Besides, the grandkids might want to go camping this summer instead of playing video games (we can all dream, right?).

So why not rent your RV out? A few years ago this idea might have seemed totally crazy. But the rise of peer-to-peer rental marketplaces like Airbnb, Vrbo and Homeaway has taken some of the crazy out of renting your personal property to strangers.

Companies like Campanda have made the process simple, safe and surprisingly lucrative. RV owners can rent their underused vehicles out for hundreds of dollars a night, offsetting many of the costs of ownership.

The income you earn from renting your RV can be used to make insurance or loan payments, cover maintenance costs or fund your next road trip. And yes, we offer comprehensive RV rental insurance and roadside assistance — because renting out your RV should be an easy way to earn money, not rack up pricey repairs.

Other Financial Reasons To Rent Your RV

There are less obvious financial benefits, too:

RVs that get regular “exercise” stay in better shape and generally cost less to repair. In some ways, renting out your vehicle out is sort of like hiring a dog walker for your luxury Class A — you can’t take her out as often as she needs, so you find someone you trust to do the work for you. The difference is that in the RV scenario, you are the one getting paid!

Tax season reveals some other surprising benefits to renting out your RV. You may actually be able to deduct expenses like depreciation, insurance, maintenance and repairs on your federal taxes. Read more about RV tax deductions here, and check with your accountant to find out where and how your RV can save you money on your taxes — the answers may surprise you!

RVing Is About Freedom

Finally, RVing isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle. RVers value things like fresh air, fireside conversations with friends and family, and the freedom to travel wherever the road takes you.

The people who would rent your RV share these values but usually don’t have the space or desire to commit to full-time ownership (or they’re traveling from a far distance to visit a nearby national park, for example). If you can’t use your RV, why not share the joys of RVing with a fellow enthusiast who can? They’ll thank you for the memories — and you’ll put extra cash in your pocket!

RVing is about freedom. That’s why Campanda gives you the freedom to rent your motorhome, camper or trailer the way you want. Name your price, pick your dates and choose your renters — it’s your RV, after all!

Intrigued? Listing your RV is free and you never have to make a booking until you’re ready. Click the link below to find out more, or give us a call at (339) 707-7307 to talk to someone who cares about your experience.

Click Here To List Your RV

The post Renting Your RV For A More Comfortable Retirement appeared first on Campanda News.

Woohoo! Your RV is officially listed on Campanda. Now it’s time to start thinking about your customers —who they are what their ideal RV rental looks like. Then you can make a few tweaks to ensure that your rig will stand out in a crowd.

Couples are one of the biggest and best groups of RV rental customers out there. Creating a listing that will appeal to couples will help make your RV rental business more profitable.

Check out the following tips to make your RV listing more appealing to couples:

1. Take LOTS of high-quality pictures.

This is my number one tip and absolutely essential to getting your RV rental business off the ground.

Having good pictures will automatically make your listing stand out against the rest.

Good photographs require the right lighting, equipment and staging. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need a professional photographer or even a fancy camera. But you do need to use the best camera available to you. A fairly new cell phone can do the trick, but if you have a friend with a decent digital camera, that’s even better!

The first image on your listing should be an exterior shot of your RV. Nailing this photo is going to bring more people to your listing — and ultimately earn you more money.

Consider going the extra mile and setting your rig up in nature or at the local campground. This will help your potential renter really see themselves enjoying your RV rental like they would on their trip.

Here are some rookie photography tips for your RV:

• Wider angles are more visually appealing. Step back from your RV until the whole vehicle fits in the frame.
• Hold your camera horizontally rather than vertically (portrait mode).
• Try taking a few pictures from low or high angles (not eye-level). This can make for a more unique picture and often helps a space seem larger.
• Natural lighting from the sun looks best. When taking interior photos, avoid using your camera’s flash — it creates dark shadows and usually gives images a creepy vibe.
• Clean your RV before taking photos! No one wants to see dirty socks or mops lying around.

Aim to take 20 photos using these tips. Then go through and pick the best 10 or so and you’re bound to have a more appealing listing.

2. Offer extra amenities.

Sure, all RVs are exciting and interesting in their own special way. But if you want your unit to be irresistible to couples, consider sweetening the deal with a few inexpensive extras.

Many couples are renting an RV to get out in nature. They want to take an active vacation, which means they’ll be on the lookout for an RV that can accommodate their outdoor equipment.

Adding a bike rack to your RV is a great way to enhance your rig, but adding some beach cruisers or mountain bikes is even better! Boasting extra amenities is a great way to get more people booking your RV rental.

You could also consider kayaks, stand-up paddle boards or walking sticks depending on your location. The best part? You can offer these things as add-ons for an extra fee!

Even active couples are going to look forward to some lazy moments in your RV. You don’t need to go full-blown romantic, but make sure your rig is cozy: Add a nice area rug, a set of wine glasses and lots of pillows to make your listing appeal to couples.

You may also want to consider including a small outdoor grill in your listing and some outdoor games like Ladderball so that a couple can imagine themselves socializing with friends at the RV park.

3. Write a great description.

Once you’ve hooked a potential renter with a high-quality exterior photo, you’ve got to reel them in with a good description.

Highlight the features that are important to couples here. This is where you really answer the question: Why should a couple rent my RV?

Does your rig have a comfortable living room area? Picture all the ways a couple can use that feature: They can lounge around after a long hike. They could also invite friends over for dinner or for a comfy spot around the TV for the big game. Be sure to include this and other features in your description.

Above all else, your RV rental description should include a great opening sentence.

When couples are scrolling through the Campanda site, they will be able to see that first sentence without actually having to click on your listing. Make it a great one and people will be much more likely to click to learn more about your rig.

Just think of it this way: the job of the first sentence is to get someone to read the second sentence.

4. Consider allowing pets.

Lots of couples have furry companions. Consider allowing pets into your rig. It may seem scary at first, but it can greatly increase your visibility on the Campanda website and ultimately lead to higher profits!

You can charge a small additional security deposit and cleaning fee for renters who want to bring their cat or dog along. And of course, feel free to ask your renters questions about the pet they plan to bring along to make sure they’re suitable for RV life.

Put “pet-friendly” in your description to make sure renters notice this amazing feature about your RV!

Couples are generally fantastic renters. And each year, more and more are discovering a love for RVing. Appealing to couples, young and old, is great way to make your RV rental business a successful one!

Now that you know how to make your RV more appealing to couples, why not spruce up your RV rental listing on Campanda?

Click the link below to start or continue your RV listing.

Click Here To Rent Your RV

Are you interested in renting an RV yourself? Find your perfect RV rental on Campanda:

Click Here To Find An RV Rental

The post How To Make Your RV Rental More Appealing To Couples appeared first on Campanda News.

I’ve rented an RV myself.

Campanda’s policies give me peace of mind.

No-Pressure Listing Policy

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Flexible Insurance Options

• Use their policy.
• Use my policy.
• Require renters to secure their own binder coverage.

RV rentals are a good source of income.

I want to share my love of RVing.

Click the link below to rent your RV with Campanda:

Click Here To Rent Your RV

The post Why I Want To Rent My RV appeared first on Campanda News.

RV As A Second Home

• You can sleep in it.
• You can cook food in it.
• It has a bathroom.

Does a the vehicle I use to tow my RV qualify for this tax deduction?

The Tax Reform Bill Removes The Tax Benefit For Towable RVs

RV Sales Tax Deduction

• Alaska
• Delaware
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• Oregon

Tax Deductions For Business Expenses

Tax Benefits For Renting Out Your RV

More RV Tax Write Offs

If you find yourself owing money to Uncle Sam:

Click Here To Rent Your RV

The post Tax Deductions For RV Owners | 2017 appeared first on Campanda News.

You’ve listed your RV on Campanda and now you’re eager to start earning! One of the best ways to do this is to think about your renters — who they are and what they want from an RV rental — and then assess your rig and make a few small improvements to meet their needs.

Families are some of the most pleasant (and profitable!) renters out there. Optimizing your RV for family rentals is a great way to get your camper out of storage and onto the road.

Here is a list of tips to make your RV rental more appealing to families — and make you more money!

1. Start with a little RV makeover.

At the risk of stating the obvious, thoroughly clean your RV. Anything that you don’t intend for your renters’ use should be taken out of the RV. While it’s totally up to you how much you leave in your rig, you may want to consider leaving at least some amenities inside when renting to families. You can always offer these things as add-ons for an extra fee.

• Linens
• Towels
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Kitchen supplies

Adding family-oriented items will also help make your listing successful:

• Board games
• Playing cards
• Extra blankets
• DVD player and a few movies
• Outdoor camping games (think Ladderball or Cornhole)
• Small grill
• Camping chairs

These small steps will not only make your listing more appealing, but will allow you to charge a bit more as well. Win-win!

2. Describe your RV the right way.

Highlight the features of your RV that are important to a family.

When you’re writing your description, imagine that you’re talking to a parent. What would you say to someone trying to take their kids to the campground for the first time?

Does your rig have an outdoor shower? Picture all the ways a family can use that feature: They can rinse the kids off after running around outside. It can also be great fun on a hot day. Be sure to include it in your description.

Can you think of any uncommon features in your unit? A lot of them were made with families in mind! A bathtub is a true asset to a family and should be included in your description if you have one. An outdoor kitchen is also highly valued, as are large slide outs or big storage areas.

3. Take the right photos.

Nothing kills a rental listing faster than bad photos. Take a few good photos and give a beautiful visual of your RV and you should see great return on your investment.

Most articles out there will tell you to put everything away for photos. While this is great advice, it can be a good idea to add certain family-oriented items to your pictures.

For example, when taking a picture of kids’ sleeping areas, put one or two stuffed animals on the bed. This small act gives your rental listing a personal touch and makes it more appealing.

The kitchen is an important place for families to gather. Make sure you get a clear and wide shot of this area (taking the photo from a low angle can result in a better picture). Don’t forget to take a picture of the dining area as well.

The exterior photo is perhaps the most important image for any RV listing. It’s the first photo your renters will see, so make it a good one!

Get your RV into nature and set up a lovely shot. Turn the camera to ensure a landscape (horizontal) photo and step back as far as needed to get the entire RV in the shot. Remove any leaves and debris from the scene for a clean look.

4. Sweeten the deal.

There are some things that will make your listing irresistible to families.

Many families have a furry companion. If you are comfortable with it, allow for pets. In a renter’s mind, one of the greatest benefits of RVing is that they can bring Fido or Mittens along. Charge a small additional security deposit and cleaning fee to maximize your unit’s potential to make money while also appealing to many more renters.

You can also boast extra services. Offer to deliver a unit to a campground, especially if it is a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Many families prefer these units because they offer more space and storage, but have no way of transporting them. A delivery service will stand out from the crowd and allow you to add a simple flat fee to your rental.

It’s important to remember that families have a lot of working parts. While most owners require their renters to dump tanks and clean before returning, you can turn this into a profitable service. By giving the option to return the unit “as is” for a fee, you will turn a potential negative into a positive, making your RV listing unique and noteworthy.

Families are great customers. And every year, more and more families are looking towards the RV industry for their travel needs. Appealing to families is a great way to not only get your RV noticed, but to get it rented out again and again.

Now that you know how to make your RV more appealing to family renters, why not spruce up your RV rental listing on Campanda?

Click the link below to start or continue your RV listing.

Click Here To Rent Your RV

The post How To Make Your RV Rental More Appealing To Families appeared first on Campanda News.

Here at Campanda, we spend a lot of time talking with interested renters. They’ve told us first-hand just what it is they’re looking for in an RV rental.

Using renter feedback and owner success stories, we put together a list of 10 easy tips to help you maximize your earning potential, get great renter reviews and make sure your RV stands out in a crowd.

1. Photos, Photos, Photos

People like pretty pictures. This is especially true when it comes to online shopping, whether they’re spending money on a new coat or a vacation rental. We recommend that you take as many photos as possible.

Fun fact: RV owners who include four or more photos in their listing receive up to seven times more inquiries.

To help potential renters really imagine themselves living in and enjoying your RV, make sure your photos are well lit and the space is tidy. And don’t worry too much about camera quality: Unless you’re using a Nokia flip-phone that you bought at a gas station, your mobile phone camera is probably fine.

Your main photo should grab the renters’ interest. Make sure that the vehicle is clean and that the angle shows as much of the RV as possible.

Setting is important too — photographing your RV in nature will help renters imagine themselves there and inspire them to book.

While the main photo is supposed to attract renters’ attention, the rest of the photos should close the deal.

Try to show as many details about your RV as possible. Take pictures of the cabin, the bathroom, beds, driver’s seat and so on. Remember to take the photos when there is plenty of light.

2. Use Your Listing Title Wisely

One of the best ways to set your listing apart is to give it a catchy and descriptive title. Cut to the chase and communicate the things that make your RV special as early in your listing as possible.

Whether your RV is extra roomy, dog-friendly or boasts solar panels, putting these details in the title will help you catch the eye of a renter with specific wants and needs.

3. Provide As Much Detail As Possible

The more information you provide, the more comfortable renters will feel about booking your vehicle.

Put yourself in the renter’s shoes — think about all the little details you’d ask about if you were borrowing someone else’s vehicle. Does your RV come equipped with cooking utensils or linens? Do you have camping gear available to rent? Is there space in the cabinets for renters to store their own supplies?

The more accurate and honest you are, the more likely it is that your renters will walk away satisfied.

And don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your description. Tell renters what makes your RV special, whether that’s smooth handling on the road or the way the light comes through the curtains in the morning.

4. Price Competitively

First, you have to know how much your RV is worth. Start by doing a little research. Look at similar rentals in your area — on Campanda.com, at local rental services and RV dealerships — to get an idea for what other owners are charging for vehicles like your own. Be realistic about what your RV is worth and you will be rewarded with more interested parties.

Pro tip: It’s often better to set the base price low and offer extras as optional add-ons. This will offer renters as much choice as possible while ensuring that your price stays competitive.

We also offer an earnings calculator for new owner accounts that will give you an earnings estimate based off of your vehicle’s make and year. You can use this estimate as a general guideline for pricing your listing.

For existing owner accounts, feel free to give us a call at (339) 707-7320. One of our customer support specialists will be happy to help you calculate your income potential.

5. Consider Seasonality

What is the most popular time to RV where you live? When do you see the most RVs on the road in your area? This is called the “high season” — the time (or times) of year when demand for RVs is highest. Conversely, a “low season” is the time of year when demand is lowest.

With Campanda, you can adjust the base price of your RV listing depending on the season. We recommend that you charge slightly more during the high season to take advantage of increased demand and offer a slight discount during the low season to stay competitive.

Similarly, you can also adjust the minimum rental length according to seasonality. Many owners like to increase the minimum rental length to a week or more during the high season.

6. Offer Extras — For A Price

Upselling works. Anything that might benefit your renters — coolers, camping chairs, tents, extra generators, etc. — you can offer as an add-on, either individually or as a package deal. These extras will attract more renters and increase your average earnings. Small things like extra linens can sometimes make a big difference.

Pro tip: People don’t like mileage restrictions. Most renters prefer to pay a little more upfront and have unlimited mileage on their trip. If you’re comfortable offering unlimited mileage for a fee, we highly recommend making this option available to your renters.

7. Ask Us About Direct Booking

Many of our most successful RV owners offer direct booking on their listings. Direct booking is a feature that enables renters to book your RV with a single click.

The direct booking feature shows renters that the RV owner is ready and willing to rent out their vehicle and is perfect for last-minute planners. Direct booking also speeds up the process for the owner, putting extra cash in your pocket more quickly.

The feature isn’t for everyone — if you’re listing your RV for the first time and are still on the fence about approving your first booking, you may want to hold off until you feel more confident. However, RV owners who do choose direct booking can look forward to more bookings and higher income in a shorter period of time.

To activate direct booking, simply give the Campanda team a call at (339) 707-7320. We’ll walk you through the setup and tell you how you can best manage the tool.

8. Make Insurance Simple

We could talk about our amazing RV rental insurance all day, but you’ve got an RV listing to get to. So we’ll save some time and lay it out straight: our insurance policy is free for owners (yes, really) and Campanda renters love it.

While we happily support RV owners who want to use their own insurance plan (make sure yours covers third party rentals — many don’t!) or require renters to secure their own binder as proof of coverage, the fact is that most renters don’t want to go through the hassle.

For many renters, having to secure their own insurance binder or go back and forth with an owner about insurance coverage can be a deal breaker. Campanda’s RV rental insurance option is the simplest way to ensure that your vehicle is fully covered without detracting from your listing’s appeal.

To learn more about our insurance option, see our Insurance FAQs.

9. Clean Your RV

When you stay at a hotel, you expect the room to be cleaned between guests. Likewise, renters expect a clean and tidy RV.

A clean RV is an important part of a positive renter experience. And since happy renters leave better reviews, a clean RV also means more bookings for you and more money in your pocket.

You can set a cleaning fee in your listing. It’s up to you whether you outsource the job to a professional or do it yourself and pocket the cleaning fee as payment for your efforts.

10. Communicate

Be responsive. Whether you want to approve their inquiry or not, getting back to prospective renters as soon as possible is important — both for the renters’ experience and your own success.

That’s because on Campanda, renters give owners ratings. These ratings help others decide who they should rent from. When renters search for an RV on our website, listings from responsive owners appear higher in their search results, meaning those owners get more attention and make more money.

Responding to renters as quickly as possible is a simple but important way to earn good reviews. It’s also a surefire way to maximize your earnings — owners who communicate with renters receive up to six times more bookings than owners who do not.

Click Here To Rent Your RV

The post 10 Ways To Make Your RV Listing More Successful appeared first on Campanda News.

How Campanda Fits In

Why Companies Like Campanda Are Important

What The Sharing Economy Means For RV Owners

Want To Dig Deeper?

• This Forbes article explains how pesky millennials and big data fuel the sharing economy.
• This article in The Economist on the rise of the sharing economy is a good introduction to the ever-growing popularity of the peer-to-peer model.
• The People Who Share offers a good overview of the sharing economy, it’s core values and benefits.
• And then of course, there is Wikipedia — itself a prime example of the sharing economy, in which individuals contribute their knowledge to a seemingly infinite online encyclopedia.

Click Here To Start Your Listing

The post The Sharing Economy: What It Is And Why RV Owners Should Care appeared first on Campanda News.

1. Your RV spends more time in storage than at the campground.

2. You’re interested in paying off your RV.

3. The value of your RV is depreciating, and quickly.

1. A quick internet search shows an RV is only worth half of its retail value by its sixth year. HALF!
2. Unless you own a rare or classic RV, your rig will likely never appreciate in value.
3. Your RV will only stop depreciating when its value is equal to the scrap value.

4. You see RVs everywhere.

5. You’re ready to take the leap.

Remember, more than two and you’re ready to start renting out your RV today!

Click Here To Start Your Listing

The post 5 Signs You’re Ready To Rent Out Your RV appeared first on Campanda News.