route50
New Member
Vintage Camper Rental Business
Posts: 2
1958 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by route50 on May 17, 2014 12:04:37 GMT -8
Hi All,
I'm new to the group, and so glad I found this resource! My "new" 1958 FAN travel trailer is currently being refurbished from the wheels up. Woohoo!
I am starting a business in Cincinnati, Ohio in July, renting vintage travel trailers to campers, partiers, businesses. I have one camper to rent (the FAN mentioned above). I plan on finding other vintage camper owners who would like to make extra money by renting through my business, which I will promote heavily. There are no other vintage camper rental companies in this area, and I think this business will really stand out.
If anyone has any ideas, comments, or experience in this arena I'd love to hear it. Also, if anyone knows of anyone in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area with quality vintage camper(s) who may wish to participate as a consignor, please let me know!
Thank you!
Debbie
Route Fifty Campers, LLC
|
|
mattyshorts
Junior Member
Posts: 57 
Likes: 9
Currently Offline
|
Post by mattyshorts on May 17, 2014 12:12:55 GMT -8
Good luck with your business. I would rent one If I didn't have a trailer already....but I would NEVER put my trailer out there for someone else to use...thanks,matty
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on May 17, 2014 13:07:01 GMT -8
I think I feel the same way, with the hours involved in making my trailers mine the only way someone else will use them is when they lay down the cold hard cash and buy it then they can treat it any way they desire and I won't care. There is no way I would rent it out. I would be very unhappy if it came back dented or damaged in any way so no renting.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator 
Posts: 4,781 
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on May 17, 2014 16:54:26 GMT -8
Oh, yeah, I agree with the above. If I were on the other end, it would be really cool to rent one! Much more appealing to me than a rental RV or giant van!
|
|
bmxovich
Active Member
Posts: 187
Likes: 69
1952 Airfloat Skipper
Currently Offline
|
Post by bmxovich on May 17, 2014 18:16:00 GMT -8
Ya I'd have to agree. I could loan out to a close family member or such, but just couldn't rent out to someone I don't know. I can see it being an interesting business venture though. Good luck!
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on May 17, 2014 18:27:10 GMT -8
:Dafter mine is complete, ill be glad to rent it for 1 week minimum, at a rate of 6k a week.
oh and welcome to the board!
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on May 17, 2014 22:04:47 GMT -8
Ah Pirate, always generous...
The suggestion I have is to make absolutely positively SURE that the trailers are roadworthy and sound. A partially repaired/refurbished trailer can come apart on the road and make a for a very unpleasant experience. All of your rentals should be repaired properly and completely.
Enjoy the board.
|
|
|
|
Post by kto17 on May 18, 2014 5:18:10 GMT -8
BEFORE everyone says no...... I've been asked to use mine for photo shoots before and would have for a movie if my vintage car had a hitch. I've seen some in music videos and commercials. If you set up your business where the trailer owner has a list they allow ie; photo shoots, movies, commercials, etc. I think it could work well. I would also word it that for those type events the owner is paid for their time and transport to avoid an insurance nightmares. You could pay me to tow it to a field and kick back and read a book and tow it home.... Like most of you it wouldn't leave my sight.  |
|
soup
1K Member
"I hate cold Soup"
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 204
Currently Offline
|
Post by soup on May 18, 2014 15:28:53 GMT -8
Welcome to VTT route50! 
Agree with above posts. Enjoy the site. Soup  |
|
|
|
Post by universalexports on May 18, 2014 17:06:22 GMT -8
I'm not even sure I want to let my grand kids in mine, no way would I ever rent it out.
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,824
Likes: 3,749
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on May 19, 2014 5:42:01 GMT -8
Welcome to the board... I have a client who owns a fleet of 20 vintage travel trailers just for this purpose and she is busy. However she delivers and sets up the trailers. She does not allow customers to tow them. Just so you know, it's a lot of hard work and it will take you a while to get to know the antics of the general public and how they will treat your trailers. You must make dang sure that the trailers are safe once hooked up to power and filled with propane. C02 sensors and smoke detectors are a must. Also knowing who to say NO to is a plus. I won't tell you who to rent to and who not to rent to because that's not my end of the biz. I just make them pretty and safe. In case you are interested in seeing what they do here is their link. www.tinkertin.comGood luck and again, welcome to the board. |
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on May 19, 2014 7:32:37 GMT -8
Liability insurance!
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,824
Likes: 3,749
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on May 19, 2014 15:59:12 GMT -8
I'm sure she's been through all that already. It's the main reason for LLC. People today are very sue-happy and if they happen to fall out of the trailer drunk and break their arm landing on a rock they will go after everyone they possibly can. The owner of the trailer biz, the owner of the land and maybe even me for giving advice here on this forum LOL... By the way I don't give advice. I just share my experiences. |
|
piglover
Member
1955 Shasta
Posts: 36
Likes: 11
1955 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by piglover on May 19, 2014 19:50:39 GMT -8
Mobiltec, is there anything you don't know?? You never cease to amaze me.
|
|
route50
New Member
Vintage Camper Rental Business
Posts: 2
1958 FAN
Currently Offline
|
Post by route50 on May 20, 2014 6:04:14 GMT -8
Thanks Everyone!
Mobiltec, thank you for the info. I have found Tinkertin online in the past. They're on my list to call. I think I'll do that today! I've decided to stay away from propane altogether, the thought of that and a renter who's had too much to drink scares the camp out of me! And yes, I have liability insurance lined up (that was no easy task!). I've been tossing around the idea to let people tow themselves or not, I'm heading in the "no" direction. But, I still feel in some cases it might be appropriate, it really depends on the individual and their experience. Right now, the MAIN business model is for my company to deliver - set up - tear down. The "set up" really allows me to dress it up a little bit and make it special for the renter. It becomes a specialty hospitality type business that way, and helps differentiate my camper rental business from a typically rv rental.
Again, thank you all so much!
Debbie
|
|
