A late-night TV commercial changed my life. As a stay-at-home mom, watching television after putting my children to bed, an RVshare advertisement caught my attention and introduced me to a possibility I’d never considered – turning my family’s travel trailer into a source of income. Today, that single moment of inspiration has grown into Kim’s Cozy Campers, a certified women-owned small business managing a fleet of 26 RVs. My story proves that with determination and the right support, a stay-at-home mom’s dream of entrepreneurship can become a reality.
What makes my story unique is how I’ve maintained the family focus even as I’ve grown. During winter months, I’m still primarily a stay-at-home mom, cherishing precious time with my children. Come summer, the business becomes a family adventure where my kids (ages 17, 7, 5, and 2) learn valuable life lessons about hard work, customer service, and the joy of helping other families create memories. Running this business doesn’t mean sacrificing family time – it enhances it.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The journey from one travel trailer to a thriving business
- Essential tips for creating inviting RV rental listings
- How to build a strong community and customer relationships
- Strategies for successful fleet management
- The role of RVshare in business growth
Kim’s Cozy Campers: Where I Began
It started with a $5,500 investment in a 2005 Coachmen Spirit of America during the challenging times of COVID-19. As a mother of three at the time, including a daughter with serious health concerns, I needed a safe way for my family to travel. With less than $1,000 in renovation costs and countless hours of personal attention, I transformed that first RV into a cozy, welcoming space.
My Experience Listing an RV with RVshare
That first RVshare listing proved remarkably simple. The platform’s user-friendly interface allowed me to create my listing and upload photos without any technical support. The built-in communication system streamlined guest interactions, while providing direct contact options when needed. Within my first year on RVshare, I earned enough to pay off my initial investment, making an estimated revenue of $10,000.
Making Your RV Listings Inviting
My success stems from creating true home-away-from-home experiences:
- Fully stocked units with essentials from Bedding/Pillows and fresh towels & washcloths to trash bags, cleaning supplies outdoor camping necessities (water hoses, sewer hoses, adapters, poopy protection bin with gloves and sanitizer) all the way to include other items like salt and pepper, tin foil, saran wrap & convenience bags (filled with travel essentials one might forget – toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution & case, OTC medicines, etc.) The list is long!
- Camping essentials package including:
- Grill with accessories
- Outdoor table and chairs
- Optional larger outdoor mat
- Personalized touches including:
- Outdoor game packages
- S’mores package with extendable marshmallow sticks
- Tank dumping services
- Baby packages
- Puppy packages
- Golf Cart & ATV add-ons
- Comprehensive setup and delivery services
The Importance of Forming Community Relationships
Building strong community ties has been fundamental to our growth and success. As a local business, we believe that supporting our community isn’t just good business practice – it’s about creating a network of trust and mutual support that benefits everyone. When businesses and communities work together, we create a stronger, more resilient local economy and forge connections that last beyond any single transaction.
These relationships have not only helped us grow but have also allowed us to better serve our community’s needs, whether it’s providing emergency housing solutions during disasters or making outdoor adventures accessible to more families. Through our community involvement, we’ve learned that success isn’t just measured in revenue, but in the positive impact we can make in people’s lives.
We’ve built strong connections through:
- Local campground partnerships
- Event and festival involvement
- School team sponsorships
- Trusted consignment partnerships
- Donation of tricky tray baskets to community fundraisers
- Half-price rentals for community events
- Providing disaster relief rentals to families in need during challenging times
- Supporting local small businesses by sourcing supplies and equipment locally
- Creating job opportunities within our community
How to Successfully Manage a Fleet of RVs
Successfully managing an RV fleet requires careful planning, systematic growth, and attention to detail. The key is to grow sustainably while maintaining quality across every unit. We’ve found that diversifying our fleet with unique layouts helps meet varied customer needs, while maintaining strong relationships with consignment partners ensures reliable inventory growth. Most importantly, treating each RV as if it were your own personal unit – whether owned or consigned – creates the foundation for long-term success.
Our growth story reflects this measured approach:
- Started with one personal RV
- Added first consignment through family
- Expanded to three units in year two
- Welcomed five more consignments the following year
- Currently manage 26 RVs (5 owned, 21 consignment)
- Maintain fleet diversity – no two rentals have the same layout
This strategic growth has allowed us to offer everything from 15-foot travel trailers to 43-foot luxury units, including pop-ups, motorhomes, and fifth wheels. By carefully managing our expansion and maintaining strict quality standards across all units, we’ve built a reliable and diverse fleet that serves a wide range of camping needs.
Hollywood Connection
My commitment to quality recently led to an exciting opportunity – our RVs were chosen for a film production featuring cast members from “The Office”:
- 2022 East to West (View Listing) – Brian Baumgartner’s personal space
- 2020 Coachmen Catalina (View Listing) – Kate Flannery’s accommodation
- 2023 Sabre (View Listing) – Wardrobe department
- 2016 Jayco (View Listing) – Hair and makeup station
How One Listing Grew Into a Fleet of 26
My journey from one listing to a diverse fleet is a story of careful expansion and market understanding. Starting with a single 2005 Coachmen Spirit of America, I learned the fundamentals of the RV rental business through RVshare’s platform. As demand grew, I strategically expanded my fleet to serve different family sizes and needs.
My growth accelerated when I pioneered my consignment program in the second year, starting with a family member’s RV. This innovative approach involves managing and maintaining consigned campers during the camping season, with owners receiving monthly commission-based income from rentals. The success of this model led to significant expansion in my third year, when I added eight more units – two of my own carefully selected RVs with unique layouts, plus four additional consignment partnerships.
Today, my fleet encompasses 26 units, including:
- 1 pop-up camper for those seeking a simple camping experience-small SUV or Van friendly!
- 1 25-foot motorhome for travelers preferring to drive their accommodation
- Travel trailers and fifth wheels ranging from 15 to 43 feet, including:
- A luxury fifth wheel with two full bathrooms
- A spacious three-bedroom fifth wheel
- Various toy haulers and family-friendly layouts
- 21 trusted consignment partnerships
This diverse fleet allows me to serve any camping need while maintaining my commitment to quality and personalized service. Each addition to my fleet is carefully considered to ensure I’m meeting specific market demands without creating internal competition – no two units have the same layout.
Business Success Tips
- Start with RVshare:
- Learn industry fundamentals
- Benefit from built-in insurance protection
- Utilize their proven booking system
- Access their support network
- Add their calendar link to your Apple or Google Calendar for ease of keeping track
- Focus on Communication:
- Regular updates to consignment partners
- Clear rental agreements
- Transparent policies
- Proactive maintenance communication
- Expand Strategically:
- Maintain unique inventory
- Build strong consignment relationships
- Develop additional revenue streams (like our expansion into RV repairs and detailing through Wittens RV Solutions)
Our latest expansion includes Wittens RV Solutions (www.WittensRV.com), where my husband, Jonathan, is working toward his Master Technician certification while offering comprehensive RV service, repair, and detailing services. His expertise in maintaining my rental fleet has grown into a full-service operation handling everything from furnace and AC repairs, winterization/”summer-ization” services and awning replacements, transporting to detailing all makes & models. Together, we’ve transformed Kim’s Cozy Campers (www.kimscozycampers.com) from a simple rental operation into a complete RV solutions provider. RVshare’s platform provided the foundation for this growth, offering the tools and protection needed to build a successful enterprise that now encompasses both rentals and comprehensive RV services.
Starting your RV rental journey with RVshare can transform a single travel trailer into a thriving business, just as I transformed my first family RV into Kim’s Cozy Campers’ fleet of 26 unique units. Throughout this article, I’ve shared how RVshare’s user-friendly platform, comprehensive insurance protection, and built-in support system provided the foundation for my growth from a stay-at-home mom’s initiative to a certified women-owned business.
If you’re considering listing your RV for rent, remember that success starts with that first step. RVshare makes it simple to begin, offering all the tools and protection you need to confidently enter the rental market. Whether you have one RV or dream of building a fleet, the platform’s proven system helps you learn the business while earning income from your investment.
Final tips for success in the RV rental business from my experience:
- Start small and learn the basics through RVshare’s platform
- Focus on creating personalized experiences for your guests
- Build strong community relationships
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness and maintenance
- Consider consignment partnerships for sustainable growth
- Most importantly, remember that this business is about helping families create lasting memories while building a sustainable future for your own
Success in this industry isn’t immediate, but I’ve found it deeply rewarding. My journey from earning $10,000 in my first year to building a six-figure business in just four years shows what’s possible. Whether you’re considering renting your RV or building a fleet, start with RVshare. Their platform provides the perfect foundation for learning the business while enjoying their comprehensive protection and support.
Remember, this journey isn’t just about running a business – it’s about helping families create lasting memories while building a sustainable future for your own family. With dedication, attention to detail, and a platform like RVshare behind you, I’m living proof that you can transform a single RV into a thriving business opportunity.
