How to Make Money Renting Your RV When You’re Not Using It

On the road in Kansas,

By RVShare.com

 

You’ve been dreaming of seeing the open road. You’ve read every guide; you’ve researched all there is to know about places to go and the best campgrounds. You’ve spent a considerable amount of time deciding which type of RV is best for your family. You’ve even figured out what you’ll do about the no-Wi-Fi situation.

After months of planning, you’re finally ready to buy what you’ve been waiting for. When all the negotiations with the dealer are over, you reach a mutual agreement. As you watch them put up a “sold” sign right on the front windshield, your imagination runs wild. Picturing all the fantastic adventures you’ll have, you couldn’t be happier.

RV Campground on Lake Superior.

Your family heads off on their first few road trips, and they’re everything you’ve hoped for. Your trips are fun and relaxing, giving your family an escape from the hectic world. For a few weeks, you’re out there, and nothing outside your RV exists. All that matters is your family and the grand adventure that lies ahead.

Next thing you know, you look back, and that life-changing epic you went on was years ago. Where did the time go? Now you realize your RV hasn’t even moved at all for 90% of the year! You know you want to get back out there soon, but you don’t know when.

Work, life pressures, and perhaps health problems bombard your day. It seems as though the time to enjoy your RV escapes you. Yet what never seems to escape you is your monthly payments. Your insurance, maintenance costs, and time don’t either. Last but definitely not least is the burden of finding where to keep your RV most of the year.

You’re exhausted, and time flies by. You wish you had the time and energy to drop everything and keep your adventure going. But alas, it just isn’t in your power yet. After all, you never planned on being a full-time RVer.

Peer-To-Peer Rental

What can you do? Not wanting their RVs to go to waste, some owners let friends and family use them for most of the year. They’re not using the RVs themselves. However, problems arise with that. There’s no guarantee your friends and family will return it in the same condition you left it. Not to mention, friends and family are adding miles and miles to what is already becoming a liability. Or what if something worse happens? It can be daunting to think about.

But that has to be the better option. After all, your precious RV is just sitting there in the elements, costing you money anyway, right? Isn’t it better if at least someone benefits from it? But why not let that someone still be you?

Enter RVshare, the largest RV rental marketplace. Here, people can rent their RVs and earn extra money. It’s a peer-to-peer community of RV renters and private owners. At the core is a world-class team dedicated to helping its customers thrive.

This peer-to-peer industry is relatively new and is gaining massive popularity. Think Uber, Airbnb, or Amazon Flex. Their whole concept is to bridge the gap between consumers and the industry. Companies like these develop, market, and operate their mobile apps or websites. They let consumers request services from private parties. With these up-and-coming companies having thousands of listings and customers, the new business model is an innovative way to attract new consumers and create new entrepreneurs.

The concept of RVshare isn’t much different. Founded in 2012, it’s already a heavy hitter in the RV rental space. The company is growing at an exciting pace. It’s the perfect opportunity for families to use their static RVs. Listing your personal RV on the site can be an easy and exciting way to generate cash flow. There are plenty of reasons to rent out your RV when you’re not using it.

First, it won’t sit idle for long periods. As a responsible owner, you know that it can end up costing more in the long run. Problems like degrading gas in the tank, cracked tires, or dead batteries can happen. You can even use the fact that you’re renting it out as a tax write-off. That’s pretty great. Payments are highly secure. It offers 24/7 roadside assistance for renters. Another big benefit is that you’re in complete control of your availability and who you rent to.

Arguably, the best reason to rent out your RV is the ability to generate secondary income. Some owners have been making serious money listing their RVs on RVshare. For example, Denton, an owner, made close to $68,000 by using RVshare to rent out his RV! That’s more than the average American household income. Another owner with tons of success renting out their RV is Susanne. She started using the service in 2015 and generated $12,200 in rentals that year. So far, in 2016, she is up to $7,300. It’s not bad when listing their RV doesn’t cost the owner anything.

How To Get Started

Legends of America camped in Dayton, Iowa.

For owners who want to turn their RVs into an asset, put extra money in the bank each month, and spread the joy of efficient travel to the world, the process is pretty straightforward.

  1. List your RV on the secure site. Add photos and a detailed description. Manage exactly what potential renters see when they search.
  2. Review reservation requests. Work directly with renters to agree on terms. You’re in complete control.
  3. Reap the benefits of listing on the largest rental network in the world
  4. The renter will return your RV at the end of their trip.

As you can see, renting your RV when you’re not using it can be a rewarding way to make money. The return can be spectacular. Depending on your availability, you can even make thousands! And, of course, you’d be putting your RV to great use while promoting the love of the open road. As you wait for your next journey, you can help another family have theirs. Why not give it a shot?

For more information, see RVshare.

 

©Submitted August 2016, updated October 2026.

Also See:

Boondocking

RV Tips, Tricks, Travel Information

RV Vacations – Ten Tips

Working While You RV