Airbnb and camping trailers

Airbnb and camping trailers

Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 0 votes

Hi there! My wife and I bought our house about a year ago with the intention of using the mother-in-law basement as a long-term rental. After having two horrible rental experiences we outfitted it as an Airbnb and we've had great success. We live within 10 miles of most of the ski resorts in Utah and we figured that would drive a lot of business our way. Surprisingly enough, most of people rent out our basement to visit family, not the slopes. Our basement is already booked for the next 5 months. This has given me a lot of confidence in Airbnb as a reliable source of income, and I'd like to see how I can expand this in a cost efficient way? I travel a lot and am very familiar with travel trailers and I'd like to purchase a used 5th wheel trailer (These are the big ones that offer sleeping arrangements for 4-6 and all the amenities of a home) and use it as another stationary unit. Would you think that people would be as excited or eager to rent this out as a fully furnished basement? In my research, I've found its hard to crunch these numbers. There is only one trailer on airbnb that I've found that I can compare this to. It seems to be doing well when I look at its availability calendar. Its tiny in comparison to the one I'd be purchasing, so I'm wondering if I should actually be comparing this to actual apartments like mine? How would you conduct your research on a unique unit like this? What would you compare a unit like this to?

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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y

Ok @Christiaan Loveless, I think you could make a go of it, but I would think about doing a quaint type of trailer rather than a massive 5th wheel. I have read several articles about trends in vacation rentals and one was unique places to stay.

Something like this:

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    Hi @Christiaan Loveless! I wouldn’t compare it to a cabin or the basement unit. 

    Would you be parking it on you property?

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    6y

    I would think you could do this, but I would also market on the websites that are set up for renting RVs and they provide the correct insurance through these sites.

  • Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    I tried it once with a 5th wheel camper that had 3 beds, kitchen and bathroom. I sold it for what I paid for it after a year. It was parked in the driveway of an STR, so the two properties could hold a medium sized group (more beds, wifi, 2 baths, 2 kitchens). I couldn't even get a degenerate, derelict or a vagrant to rent it.

  • Architect · Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2018 · 843 posts · 907 votes
    6y

    I heard of people doing this, pretty sure someone down the block from me does this....that or they collect and move trailers A LOT. Anyways, I'm pretty sure their business model is going and setting up the trailer where the renters have booked a camping spot. Be that at a camp ground or nation park or somewhere else...idk the details. But they dont park them AND rent them at their house or rental property. I think this model would be more successful than treating it like a home on wheels. 

    Have you see that British show on Netflix where people design and build "tiny homes" and trailers for a competition. The intent was for them to be moved around to different vacation sites to be rented as STRs and not a stationary type "tiny home". This is the kind of model I think would be the most successful but I'm not sure. I have not experience in this. I've only heard of what has been done. Obviously, it will be very localized to specific regions as to how successful it would be or not. 

  • Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    @Michael Baum Yes, It would be parked in my backyard, away from the street, that would provide them with a little gathering area, firepit and such. 

    @Nik Moushon I've seen several people follow that model on airbnb and, based on their calendars, it looks like they're doing well. I think I would default to that model if the house-on-wheels, model didn't produce. 

    @Paul Sandhu What factors do you think played a part in the trailer failing? I imagine having it in the driveway made it less appealing? If I move forward with this plan, I'd opt to get a very nice rig, to try and compensate for the "I'm vacationing in a trailer feeling". My wife is pretty picky and since we'd use it as well, we'd be looking at a nice trailer, 40 feet, 4 pull outs, electric fire place, king size bed, outdoor kitchen etc... Do you think this would improve my success? Also, do you think me being close to the ski resorts would help out?

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    Ok @Christiaan Loveless, I think you could make a go of it, but I would think about doing a quaint type of trailer rather than a massive 5th wheel. I have read several articles about trends in vacation rentals and one was unique places to stay.

    Something like this:

  • Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    @Michael Baum I've wondered about that. In places like Moab, Utah they make a killing. They definitely appeal to the traveler seeking an experience. Thank you so much for your advice and help. Can you help me find those articles?

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    Sure @Christiaan Loveless. Here is the basic VRBO article for 2020. That is where I pulled that pic from:

    https://www.homeaway.com/disco...  It is quite basic and talks about trends.

    https://www.lodgify.com/blog/v...

    https://www.buildupbookings.co...  A pull of 2020 stats based on 2019. Basically from other cool sites you can go check out.

    https://www.pmbo.com/vacation-...

    There is quite a bit more if you want to do some data mining. Most talk about the same things. These are just some highlights.

  • Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    6y

    @Michael Baum You're a great help! thank you so much!

  • Hatfield, PA · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 629 votes
    6y
    First thing to do is check with your zoning department about how many days you can  rent  the unit on your property.  We are allowed two weeks a year here.

    Originally posted by @Christiaan Loveless:

    Hi there! My wife and I bought our house about a year ago with the intention of using the mother-in-law basement as a long-term rental. After having two horrible rental experiences we outfitted it as an Airbnb and we've had great success. We live within 10 miles of most of the ski resorts in Utah and we figured that would drive a lot of business our way. Surprisingly enough, most of people rent out our basement to visit family, not the slopes. Our basement is already booked for the next 5 months. This has given me a lot of confidence in Airbnb as a reliable source of income, and I'd like to see how I can expand this in a cost efficient way? I travel a lot and am very familiar with travel trailers and I'd like to purchase a used 5th wheel trailer (These are the big ones that offer sleeping arrangements for 4-6 and all the amenities of a home) and use it as another stationary unit. Would you think that people would be as excited or eager to rent this out as a fully furnished basement? In my research, I've found its hard to crunch these numbers. There is only one trailer on airbnb that I've found that I can compare this to. It seems to be doing well when I look at its availability calendar. Its tiny in comparison to the one I'd be purchasing, so I'm wondering if I should actually be comparing this to actual apartments like mine? How would you conduct your research on a unique unit like this? What would you compare a unit like this to?

  • Rental Property Investor · Lehi, UT · Member since 2016 · 105 posts · 96 votes
    6y

    @Christiaan Loveless - I think it could be worth a go. I think you just way the risk vs reward in this situation. How much would a monthly payment be on a 5th wheel, can you afford the payment if no one rents it out. how many nights a month would you need to rent it out to cover your cost. If after 5-6 months it doesnt work you could sell the 5th wheel and even if you lose a little bit you would have learned a lot from the experience. 

    If you like the Airbnb game you should also consider checking out the Airbnb arbitrage model. You basically rent out a long-term rental with a year lease, furnish it and then rent it on Airbnb and pocket the delta from what you are renting at and renting to. Obviously you will need to find a rental where the owner knows you are doing this and is okay with it. I have heard of people doing this and making good money on it. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

  • Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    @Michael Baum. I agree.

    I use AirBnB all the time. I love it. But anything that looks remotely dirty or very unkempt does does get a second look.

    Be sure it is immaculate, uncluttered, and hopefully very attractive. If you have any way of making sure the screens are n out fallible and t he camper doesn’t squeak too much when walking through it-even better. An outside area to use will make it seem bigger and more attractive.

    Get very good pics of it too. I think it could work well. You already know there is some demand for short term rental. Take advantage of it.

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Don't forget you'll need electric, water, and sewer hookups in your backyard , which may require permits.  

  • Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    My trailer costed me $1300, that's not very much.  At the time I tried renting it, I already had about 70+ beds in 20 something houses.  I was never 100% filled, so people could always stay in a house instead of the trailer.  If there was a group of 4 guys, they took a house with 4 bedrooms; not the trailer/house combo.

    My trailer is not in the same league as the setup you are describing.  You have a home on wheels.  I have a $1300 trailer.

    Being close to ski resorts, there is a ton of tourism.  Search Airbnb and Craigslist to see what other people are marketing towards the tourists and see what they get for the money they charge.  Finesse the numbers/comforts and come up with a price for your trailer.

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