Sprinter camper vans are a major investment, but did you know that they have the potential to pay for themselves, and even turn into a form of passive income? You can capitalize on the popularity of the #vanlife movement by renting out your Sprinter camper van on sites like Outdoorsy.com and GoCamp.com.

While there are a few people who live out of their vans full-time, the majority of vandwellers purchase their vans with weekend trips and short summer getaways in mind. This means that their vans sit in the driveway for most of the year. But with a small amount of effort and some simple tips and tricks, you can turn a depreciating asset into a substantial money-maker. Keep reading to learn how to rent out your camper van!

How Much Money Can You Make Renting Out Your Sprinter Van?

According to GoCamp, those who rent their vans actively can make upwards of $40,000/year from this ‘side hustle’. That’s an impressive chunk of change, especially considering the fact that this passive income could more than cover your payments on the van! The sites you list with will take a small portion of your earnings, as a fee for their services.

Of course, not everyone will want to deal with cleaning, maintaining, and managing their van rental enough to make this much rental revenue. One of the best parts of renting out your van is the flexibility; you choose your available dates, you set your rates, and you decide whether you want to add extra fees for things like cleaning and pets. Renting out your van can be a minor income boost or a major part of your finances—it’s up to you!

Where to List Your Camper Van for Rent

So, you’ve decided to rent out your Sprinter camper van to make some extra money. Where do you start? Currently, the camper van rental market is dominated by two main players: Outdoorsy and GoCamp. These two companies actually work together and make it super simple for you to list your van. Outdoorsy is the most popular place for people to look for camper van rentals. GoCamp also offers rental listings, but their main service is to manage listings for privately-owned vans (like yours!) on both their own site, and on Outdoorsy.

GoCamp helps camper van owners list their vans effectively by offering marketing, insight, insurance, and more. They act as a one-stop shop for those looking to make extra money by renting their vans part-time.

Tips for Renting Your Camper Van

Van rental sites operate similarly to private vacation rental platforms like Airbnb. Prospective customers choose vans to rent based on pricing, amenities, and importantly, past reviews. Building positive reviews is a critical step to renting your van successfully in the long term. Follow these simple tips to boost the satisfaction of your camper van rental customers:

• Write a thorough and clear handbook. You know your camper van inside and out, but your customers won’t. It’s important to remember that many people renting vans have never used a camper van or RV before, and they might be interested in renting a van because they want to know what it would be like to own one. Writing a thorough handbook for your customers can help to avoid headaches for both them, and you. Simple questions like “how do I use the outdoor shower?”, or “how many days of off-grid power do I have before I run out?” can be answered in a few short sentences in your handbook.
• Be available. Even with a thorough customer handbook, things do come up from time to time. It is your responsibility as the van owner to be available and responsive while your customers are out enjoying your van. If they have concerns or questions, you can make their experience much better by answering promptly.
• Maintenance is critical. One situation you’ll want to avoid is having issues arise while your renters are out on the road. This headache can be avoided by being diligent with the maintenance of your van–not only its mechanical components, but also the components and systems of the camper itself, including the water, propane, and electrical systems. A well-functioning van is an important foundation to your rental business!
• Keep it clean. Cleanliness is probably the single most important thing to keep in mind when renting out your van. You want your van to sparkle–inside and out. Think of your van like a hotel room; every square inch should be kept perfectly clean!
• Keep it well-stocked. Details can go a long way towards making your van rental stand out. Make sure to keep your van well-stocked with basic amenities like extra sheets, towels, camp chairs, and cooking supplies. A well-stocked van makes your customers’ trip easier to plan and more comfortable.
• Add some special surprises. One of the best ways to keep your customers happy is to add little touches of generosity and care that, while cheap and easy for you, mean the world to them. A fresh bag of locally-roasted coffee, a few chocolate bars, even a simple hand-written welcome note–all of these things can make a great impression on your customers and help them to feel welcome in your little home on wheels.
• Dress it up. Your van is beautiful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it even more pretty. Decor is an important piece of your van rental. Items like bedding and dinnerware are opportunities for you to add a personal touch to your van and make it stand out.

If you are in the market for a camper van and are interested in renting it out, Muse & Co. Outdoors offers two models of luxurious camper van, both of which make excellent rental vehicles that can easily pay for themselves with this great form of passive income! Check out our website to learn more.