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If you own an RV or are currently considering buying one, you can make big money renting out your RV in Sacramento, CA.
Surprised? Well, you shouldn’t be.
The RV rental trend is steadily rising in the United States and lots of RVers just like you are racking in stacks of cash from it.
You could also start making a nice profit from renting out your rig. Continue reading to learn how.
Can You Make Money Renting Your RV in Sacramento?
Yes, RVers can definitely make some big money renting out their RVs out in Sacramento. With so much to do and see in this region of California, the area is an extremely popular destination for RVers.
The Pacific Coastal Highway and it’s breathtaking views of the American West Coast and the Pacific Ocean are just the tip of the iceberg. Other attractions for RVers include the legendary Californian wine country surrounding Sacramento, and plenty of State and National parks. There are also plenty of stunning and wilderness/camping areas scattered around Sacramento.
How Much Can I Rent Out My RV for In Sacramento?
Depending on the class and model of RV that you own and plan to rent out in Sacramento, you can earn anywhere from $75 to $250 per night (according to Outdoorsy). This can add up to thousands of dollars in a short period of time.
That said, for longer rentals (such as weekend, weekly, or monthly) daily rental prices may drop down to between $50 and $60.
These prices are estimates (based on RVs that are currently listed for rent) and are subject to change. However, they are very realistic numbers for those seriously considering renting their RV out in Sacramento.
Click Below to See How Much You Can Make Renting Out Your RV!
And Check Out RVshare Too!
Is There a Demand for RV Rentals in Sacramento?
Yes, there is a massive demand for RV rentals in Sacramento. The main reason for this demand is that there is not enough supply. There just are not enough RVs in the area to supply all the potential renters seeking short-term rentals.
All things considered, once your RV is listed for rent in Sacramento, most likely you’ll begin receiving inquiries within days. Many RVers claim to receive responses in less than 24 hours.
How Do I Find RV Renters in Sacramento?
Finding renters for your RV in the Sacramento area couldn’t be much easier when you get right down to it. Merely listing your RV for rent on both Outdoorsy and RVshare will connect you with more potential renters than you can possibly accommodate with your RV. That means you should have enough inquiries to vet and choose the best potential customers to rent your RV.
Outdoorsy and RVshare are like the website VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) but for people looking to rent RVs. So you can list your RV on both sites to find renters. And it doesn’t cost anything to list your RVs on these sites so why not list your RV on both and increase your chances of finding qualified renters.
There are additional ways to get in contact with RV renters in Sacramento as well. However, they are not as highly recommended as Outdoorsy and RVshare. These methods include FB groups, Craigslist, and other similar sites with much smaller amounts of traffic than Outdoorsy or RVshare.
Why Rent Out Your RV?
Most folks that own RVs don’t use their RV all that often because many people can only use them when they have vacation time or for a few weekends here and there. Why not rent out your RV and make some money rather than letting your valuable asset sit idle in your driveway 48 weeks a year. In my own neighborhood, I see RVs sitting in driveways for the vast majority of the year.
The extra money you can make can cover your RV payments, insurance, maintenance, and storage costs if you have to store your RV somewhere when not in use. And the profit you make can go towards paying for your vacations, or RV gear, or whatever else you want to use it for.
What are the Pitfalls of Renting My RV?
It’s true, you can absolutely make big money renting your RV out. However, there are a few pitfalls to be aware of and side-step along the way. Not everyone deals with these issues but I figure if you are aware of them you can take steps to avoid them.
Here are a few of the most common pitfalls of renting your RV (and how to deal with them):
Your Possessions Could Get Stolen or Broken
Renting out an RV is a great way to make some extra money, even enough to make your RV payments. But, when dealing with renters, you will want to remove your valuables and possessions from your RV.
Understandingly, TVs, appliances, and other expensive items will need to be left in the RV for the renter’s convenience. The more amenities and appliances listed with your RV, the easier it will be to attract steady renters.
Through regular wear and tear and occasional accidents and such, the things inside of your RV may become worn, broken, or even be stolen by renters. From coffee cups and bath towels to TVs and microwaves, the possibility of something going missing from your RV (stolen by renters) is very real.
When you decide to rent your RV you should keep these sorts of considerations in mind. And, from time to time, you will need to make repairs or replace things (which is really the case even if you’re not renting it out). Picking up some RV rental insurance will help out a lot in this area.
However, to avoid excessive damage or theft, you can take photos of the interior and exterior of your RV. This will help you prove in court if anything was broken or went missing while your renters possessed the RV. You should also make sure that your renters are aware that there will be extra charges for missing or damaged items.
All that being said the 2 best RV rentals companies RVshare and Outdoorsy have insurance which covers your RV for theft or damage. And they also vet the RV renters by verifying their driving records.
Extra Cleaning Is Necessary
Another slight pitfall to be aware of when preparing to rent your RV out is the amount of extra cleaning that is necessary. The RV will need deep cleaned before the renters show up and again once they’re done with it.
That said, vetting possible renters and explaining to them that extra charges may apply for leaving the RV a mess can help to reduce the amount of cleaning necessary after your RV is returned to you by the renters.
Just keep in mind that no matter how well you vet your renters, from time to time, there will be no getting around spending extra time cleaning up the RV. However, for the most part, if renters clean up after themselves, a quick wipe down and disinfecting should do the trick.
Plus many RV renters charge a cleaning fee. Just check the RVs for rent on RVshare and Outdoorsy in your area. You may be able to charge up to $100 or more for a cleaning fee.
Not Understanding the RV Rental Business and Importance of Insurance
Perhaps one of the most frustrating and trying pitfalls that come with renting your RV is getting to know your way around the RV rental business. This potential pitfall also includes learning about and understanding the importance of RV rental insurance.
The best way to learn about and understand the RV rental business is to speak with others who’re already involved (such as others renting their RVs and even folks who’ve rented other people’s RVs). You should also study as many RV listing as possible.
Furthermore, speaking with several insurance agents/companies and others who rent their RVs will help to get a solid grasp on the importance of RV rental insurance. At any rate, make sure that you know exactly what your chosen policy covers before signing a contract and making the first payment.
Failure to understand RV rental insurance, as well as lacking to secure a policy, before renting your RV out may lead to a number of penalizations by the local government as well as your insurance company.
However, if you use RVshare or Outdoorsy to rent out your RV you are ways ahead of the game because they supply plenty of insurance to cover your RV. In fact, Outdoorsy boasts having a $1 Million liability policy. You can check out the Insurance for Outdoorsy and Insurance for RVshare by clicking the links and visiting their insurance pages.
Stress From Renting Your RV Out to Strangers
Among the most common pitfalls, RVers fall into when going to rent their RVs out for money the first few times is the stress that comes with letting strangers take possession of your RV. Even though you’ve insured your RV, and have a signed rental agreement, stress is still a common emotion in the beginning.
After all, parting with your RV, even for short periods of time, is similar to allowing strangers to take your home away. For some, the feeling may even be similar to that of watching a child leave home for college or to move across the country.
The upside to this pitfall is that it’s also one of the easiest to overcome. For most RVers, once the money starts flowing in, and the RV returns home safe and sound again and again, this stress lessens.
Simply preparing yourself mentally for the stress and fluctuation of emotions such as worry and excitement all mixed together will go a long way in helping you conquer this pitfall. In addition, having proper RV rental insurance and rental agreements also helps lower the stress level greatly.
Not Knowing Who Your Renters Are
This is a real concern for some people considering renting out their RV. But here’s the deal. You have the final say in deciding who you will rent your RV to. You can talk directly to the potential RV renter before you agree to the rental terms and see if you get a good vibe or not. If not – just refuse the rental.
Although it seems scary to rent your RV to someone you don’t know you can at least be comfortable knowing that Outdoorsy and RVshare have been around for years and they do a great job vetting renters and handling all of the paperwork, providing the proper insurance protection, and collecting security deposits and rental fees.
If you were to try to rent your RV on your own and you didn’t know what you were doing you could be exposed to some serious risk. But using a resource like Outdoorsy or RVshare significantly lowers that risk.
Plus there are huge businesses that run off of the same business model. For example, apartment rentals, car rentals, vacation home rentals like (VRBO), equipment rentals and the list goes on. For the most part, all of these rentals must work out or these businesses would stop renting.
How to Maximize Your RV Rental Income
Take Great Pictures
The higher the quality and amount of pictures you include with your RV listing, the easier it will be to rent. Be sure to include images of the outside, front, back, and both sides. Also, capture multiple photos from each room/area inside the RV. If you don’t have a good iPhone or camera find someone who does. And, if you take pics with your iPhone hold it sideways wherever possible.
Create a Catchy Listing Title
The title of your listing will be the first impression people have of your listing. For this reason, make sure it gets their attention. Think of something that makes your RV unique or special and focus on that. Examples might be, Super Clean, New!, or Vintage. Look at other RV headlines on Outdoorsy and RVshare to get some ideas.
Provide all the Details
Including all the proper details will maximize the number of renters that contact you through your RV rental listing. The most significant details include miles per gallon, how many it sleeps, weight, and all amenities and appliances.
Price Correctly
Another major factor that affects the number of renters that contact you about your RV is the price. Check out other rentals in the area and make sure you’re not asking too much before posting your RV.
Consider the Season
RV renters are more likely to rent your RV during warmer seasons. Be sure to keep this in mind while listing your RV online for rent. That said, spring and summer are the most popular seasons to rent an RV. Autumn is another popular season depending on where you are renting your RV. And if you don’t use your RV over the winter consider a long term rental to a snowbird.
Offer and Charge for Extras
A huge factor that will affect your RV rental income is the offering and charging for extras. All the best rentals have plenty of extras. These may include bike racks, cleaning services, pick up/drop off service and more. The more extras you offer, the more luxurious and comfortable your RV will seem to potential renters.
Get Great Reviews
Eventually, you will begin to receive reviews from your renters. Make sure to do everything in your power to make sure these ratings are as close to five-stars as possible. A high rating will not only keep your RV rented out more frequently but will also allow you to charge more than those with the same rig but lower ratings.
How to Get Started Renting Your RV in Sacramento
To get started renting your RV in Sacramento, begin by taking pictures, researching similar RV listings, brainstorming what extras you can offer, and of course, getting your RV rental listing posted with both RVshare and Outdoorsy.
Don’t be discouraged at the number of current listings you find while doing your research because in reality there are far more potential renters than RVs listed for rent – especially in Sacramento!
Remember that it’ll be a learning process, and possibly a bit emotional renting your RV to strangers, but in the end, it’ll be well worth the effort when the money comes rolling in.
Have you rented an RV in the Sacramento area, or rent your own RV out in the area? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.
Good luck renting out your RV in Sacramento (and making big money)!