Does anyone rent out their camper?

[8IKERDAVE]

I'm considering a campervan in the new year. I imagine we will get away in it once a month (any less and it's not really worthwhile).

It did get me thinking though, is it worth renting it out on the down days? Seems daft to have it sat there doing nothing when it could be a potential income stream. I have a few concerns and wondered whether anyone has explored this route before and can help:

1) Where to advertise? I've seen there are a few agencies out there but presumably they're going to take a large chunk of the rental. However, if I'm spending a fortune advertising it every month it might be worth just letting an agency manage it.
2) Insurance - Again, would I need some form of self-drive policy to cover anyone over 25 or is it normal to expect people to cover themselves? I imagine again, an agency would cover this but I've never looked into it previously.
3) Misuse and damage. I guess with this one it will be a case of taking a fairly substantial deposit to cover such eventualities but there is a limit as to what people will be prepared to pay.
4) Breakdown cover - again, through an agency I would assume this is part of the package but if I was to go it alone I would need some form of breakdown cover which applies to the vehicle rather than the individual driver.
5) Anything else to consider? This was literally an idea that popped into my head this morning so I am sure I have missed something.

[POIDH]

I had friends who did this. The abuse and damage thier van received from renters was breathtaking....bodywork damage every week, including one couple who had reversed into something, scraped the side and rear ended a car in one week. Then there was the folk who left all the crockery and glasses on the table and drove off. One week all the items in the van - from crockery to duvet and pillows to lumi jacket and triangle were stolen. Another week they had baby st on the seats. Etc etc etc


Just don't do it.

[DirtyHands]

Don't do it! Unless you have a fleet of motorhomes and technicians to hand.

We have a hire fleet of motorhomes and campers where I work (motorhome dealership).

They get hammered, even where folks have tried to look after them they come back broken or damaged due to misunderstanding of how things work or just from being heavy handed.

Our rental fleet is about 8 motorhomes and 2 campers, almost every week we have to replace a set of wing mirrors. We also currently have 2 motorhomes awaiting body shop repairs for damaged caused from low bridges and trees.