Hiring out our very new VW Camper

[Amandapwells]

We bought our nearly new camper in January- its a T6 Beach 2019 model. We have obviously been unable to take it out, and now due to COVID and both being self employed cash flow is limited and both our industries we work in are being effected. We have a large loan to pay off from purchasing the van, selling it is not an option as its been our life ong family dream. Please can I ask peoples advice regarding renting out our private van, negatives and most of all positives as it looks like we have no choice but to go for it? Regarding pricing and how much we should rent it out for where is the best place I can research going rates?

 

[2into1]

There are several threads on here already if you use the search.
I'd suggest you learn how to train hirers to close the roof without trapping the canvas (at the hinges and the clamps) else your profits will be very slim.
The threads cover the insurance problems.

 

[California4x4]

We bought our nearly new camper in January- its a T6 Beach 2019 model. We have obviously been unable to take it out, and now due to COVID and both being self employed cash flow is limited and both our industries we work in are being effected. We have a large loan to pay off from purchasing the van, selling it is not an option as its been our life ong family dream. Please can I ask peoples advice regarding renting out our private van, negatives and most of all positives as it looks like we have no choice but to go for it? Regarding pricing and how much we should rent it out for where is the best place I can research going rates?

That’s a tough situation to find yourselves in. I feel for you. If you have some time to devote to the idea. Spend your time on marketing to sell your dream to others, a clean website, exceptional customer service and a non-budget price to try to attract customers who might respect your Campervan. Some of the challenges are likely to be, Insurance, damage, no contingency, if something has to be repaired between a return and the next hire, you would have to ‘let down’ your customer. If it goes well, it should help you out. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[NZCol]

Don't.
Your dream is someone else's 'don't give a monkeys' and you will inevitably be upset by minor (or major) damage to the van in general use. Fine if you do it yourself, less so when someone else does it. If it's that major a financial issue advertise it here and you will probably lose little if any investment as Beaches are becoming scarce. Batten down the hatches and get another when you can financially stomach it. Just my opinion.

 

[Camperfamily]

Don't.
Your dream is someone else's 'don't give a monkeys' and you will inevitably be upset by minor (or major) damage to the van in general use. Fine if you do it yourself, less so when someone else does it. If it's that major a financial issue advertise it here and you will probably lose little if any investment as Beaches are becoming scarce. Batten down the hatches and get another when you can financially stomach it. Just my opinion.

I echo this response. I would never rent out my Cali, new or old. Sell yours and rent one instead when you would like to use for camping, then potentially buy another one later when your finances are more comfortable.

 

[HowieDog]

We hired out our T4 and T5 Calis when we first bought them about ten years ago.
There were a few ‘moments’ and back to back hires were pretty stressful and best avoided.

The handover is key and a stock of spare bits and pieces useful.
For us it worked really well and we had plenty of business for the two years we ran it.

We used Alan Boswell on a per hire basis for insurance which was competitive at the time. It’s easier now to take credit cards for damage deposits and we had £1000 excess which focused the kind of our hirers.
You do need to view it as a business and that the Cali is just an asset - inevitably things will happen as not everyone is as careful or as considerate as you would hope. Just have to factor that into the revenue you will earn and don’t get attached to the van or take things personally. Think Herts/Avis rather than pride and joy!
Good luck, with some planning it can work really well.

 

[westfalia]

No

 

[Big Ron]

We hired out our T4 and T5 Calis when we first bought them about ten years ago.
There were a few ‘moments’ and back to back hires were pretty stressful and best avoided.

The handover is key and a stock of spare bits and pieces useful.
For us it worked really well and we had plenty of business for the two years we ran it.

We used Alan Boswell on a per hire basis for insurance which was competitive at the time. It’s easier now to take credit cards for damage deposits and we had £1000 excess which focused the kind of our hirers.
You do need to view it as a business and that the Cali is just an asset - inevitably things will happen as not everyone is as careful or as considerate as you would hope. Just have to factor that into the revenue you will earn and don’t get attached to the van or take things personally. Think Herts/Avis rather than pride and joy!
Good luck, with some planning it can work really well.

Just like to say that was a very positive/supportive post HowieDog.

 

[HowieDog]

Just like to say that was a very positive/supportive post HowieDog.

For us at the time we couldn’t justify spending the money on the Cali unless it paid for some of its keep.

At the end of the day it’s a metal box on wheels, of course you grow some attachment linked to the fun trips and experiences, but at the end of the day those memories are often more to do with the people you’re with and what you do rather than the van you drive.

 

[Amandapwells]

That’s a tough situation to find yourselves in. I feel for you. If you have some time to devote to the idea. Spend your time on marketing to sell your dream to others, a clean website, exceptional customer service and a non-budget price to try to attract customers who might respect your Campervan. Some of the challenges are likely to be, Insurance, damage, no contingency, if something has to be repaired between a return and the next hire, you would have to ‘let down’ your customer. If it goes well, it should help you out. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you for taking the time to write all this sound advice down- much apprectiated!

We hired out our T4 and T5 Calis when we first bought them about ten years ago.
There were a few ‘moments’ and back to back hires were pretty stressful and best avoided.

The handover is key and a stock of spare bits and pieces useful.
For us it worked really well and we had plenty of business for the two years we ran it.

We used Alan Boswell on a per hire basis for insurance which was competitive at the time. It’s easier now to take credit cards for damage deposits and we had £1000 excess which focused the kind of our hirers.
You do need to view it as a business and that the Cali is just an asset - inevitably things will happen as not everyone is as careful or as considerate as you would hope. Just have to factor that into the revenue you will earn and don’t get attached to the van or take things personally. Think Herts/Avis rather than pride and joy!
Good luck, with some planning it can work really well.

Thank you for the positive and encouraging post as well as useful info, much appreciated.

Don't.
Your dream is someone else's 'don't give a monkeys' and you will inevitably be upset by minor (or major) damage to the van in general use. Fine if you do it yourself, less so when someone else does it. If it's that major a financial issue advertise it here and you will probably lose little if any investment as Beaches are becoming scarce. Batten down the hatches and get another when you can financially stomach it. Just my opinion.

Thank you.

I echo this response. I would never rent out my Cali, new or old. Sell yours and rent one instead when you would like to use for camping, then potentially buy another one later when your finances are more comfortable.

Thank you!

 

[Johndoe]

Hello, did you end up renting out your Beach? Just curious how it went if you did as I’m thinking about renting out a Beach but wasn’t sure how much demand there would be for it....