Question:
Many comments about RVs and where to rent them
but is there an online network of RV owners who might rent them to
a private individual at a rate much cheaper than commercial places?
Many people have campers/trailers but they are generally sold after a
short time. These people are losing money on their investments.
Isn't there a market for private individuals to make profits on their
assets?
I need to rent a travel trailer/truck with camper/RV/tent trailer for
a tour of the Western United States. Any suggestions or referrals?
Please NO RV Commercial Rentals (e.g., cruiseamerica.com).
Answer:
Question: Many comments about RVs and where to rent them
but is there an online network of RV owners who might rent them to
a private individual at a rate much cheaper than commercial places?
Answer: There is no online network such as you describe that I know of.
Possibly because anyone renting RVs at a "much cheaper" rate than the
commerical places doesn't understand the economics of the situation,
which is likely to be a very small percentage of RV owners. And
renting to Joe Public a time or two is likely to educate even that
small number of RV owners.
Question: Many people have campers/trailers but they are generally sold after a
short time. These people are losing money on their investments.
Isn't there a market for private individuals to make profits on their
assets?
Answer: Anyone who sees their RV as an "investment" needs a guardian to
manage their money. The problem with your question is the hidden
assumption that there is money to be made renting RVs at rates
substantialy lower than what the commercial firms are charging--there
isn't. If it was a money making proposition El Monte and Cruise
American would have lots of competition with lower rates.
Question: I need to rent a travel trailer/truck with camper/RV/tent trailer for
a tour of the Western United States. Any suggestions or referrals?
Please NO RV Commercial Rentals (e.g., cruiseamerica.com).
Answer: You don't "need" to rent a travel trailer or any other RV. It's
quite frankly a luxury item. All you really "need" is a sleeping bag
and a bus ticket--a car, gas money, an ice chest and a camp stove
would be even better (been there--done that MANY times). Alternately
you could _buy_ an RV and rent it out after your trip, which by your
logic would pay for your trip several times over. Hell, when the money
starts rolling in buy more RVs and become an RV rental mogul. Who
needs college, just "invest" in RVs.
The reason most folks don't rent out and seldom, if ever, loan out
their RVs is because the wear and tear the average renter would
subject them to makes it a losing proposition, unless you charge
enough to cover ALL the costs, which brings you up to nearly what the
commerical firms charge. Hell, if I had a friend I figured I owed that
big a favor to I think I'd rather rent them an RV than loan them mine.
It would be likely to be easier on the friendship and certainly easier
on our RV.
