For Julie Fergus, her RV was a practical purchase. “We have dogs, and traveling and lodging with dogs is tough,” she tells us. “In 2016 we rented first to get a sense of how it would work for our lifestyle with dogs.”
We guess it went well because the Ferguses bought an RV of their own a couple years later! “The RV we bought was very similar to the one we rented,” says Julie.
Being an interior designer, you can bet Julie gave her rig a little makeover as soon as she got it. Shortly after that, the rig was listed on Outdoorsy. “We planned to rent the RV when we purchased it because we live in a summer resort town,” Julie explains. “This means there is much to enjoy in our area in the summer. We have a vacation rental that we personally manage that is booked all summer, so that keeps us home as well. In addition, summer camping is too hot and crowded, so it makes sense to rent it out during a season when we would not be planning to travel.”
Because she and her husband are experienced vacation rental owners, the couple offers an excellent product for those looking to get away from it all. “We offer our rig completely furnished and stocked with literally everything,” Julie shares. “Renters need to bring clothes and food only. We have had renters fly in from all over the country, so having the motorhome completely stocked means they can simply get in and go.”
Of course, the Ferguses thought of the furry family members as well. “Our rental is also dog-friendly,” says Julie. “Most of our renters have dogs, including one who flew in from Chicago!”
So what is Julie’s goal for her fully furnished, pet-friendly rig? “I hope it lets renters get out and experience the RV travel lifestyle easily and comfortably because our rig is stocked,” Julie tells us. “99% of our renters are newbies, so we are basically training them. And once they get the info, they are excited and ready to go. Everyone has a great time, even if they experience some rain. We love hearing about their adventures when they return.”
It would seem that focusing so intently on this goal has offered a financial reward. “We had renters right away after listing our RV. Now, we average about $12–13K a year. We just completed our third rental season.”
Yes, a well-stocked rig that welcomes furry friends does help with success, as does a focus on providing an excellent experience. That said, renting your RV isn’t all fun and games. Therefore, Julie wanted to offer these bits of advice to new owners looking to get into the renting game:
Be handy! Be able to afford it. Don’t say yes to everyone. Be a good communicator. Be proactive. Have written and video instructions on your rig. Be professional. Treat this as a business. Be flexible.
Read more about Julie’s adventures at Wine and Whiskey Travelers.
All about Julie
Favorite morning beverage: “Coffee with butter in the blender.”
Favorite campsite meal: “Ribeye steak.”
Music you like to play on the radio: “’80s hip-hop.”
Best game to play on the road or at your campsite: “Phase 10.”
Favorite season: “Fall.”
If you could travel anywhere in an RV, where would you go? “Grand Canyon…but it’s such a long drive.”
