We have a business idea that could work, however we don't know where we stand legally to do it.
I know it happens in France but don't seem to hear a lot of people doing it in the UK.
The idea is to rent our trailer tent out to people, ready set up on a local campsite.
It would be a very similar idea to renting a static caravan out, but with a trailer tent instead and the idea would be that the person could just turn up, stay in the trailer tent, enjoy their holiday, not have to worry about towing the tent, assembling the tent or taking it down at the end of their holiday. The tent would be ready assembled and good to go, also they wouldn't need to worry about the tent not being put up right, as I am a member of the scouts and have a Gold D of E so have plenty of experience assembling tents.
Obviously we would put hitch locks and wheel clamps on the tent to ensure it stayed in one place.
The only thing that is stalling our plans is how do we go about finding a site to progress forward. I presume in effect we would be sub-letting the site, as we'd be booking the site but letting it out to our customers.
Do most campsites allow subletting of trailer tents on their site in this manner? and if not does anyone know of a site near Ludlow that might entertain this idea?
Our local caravan site is now a Static Only site and anyone caught subletting their van will be put off the site immediately.
I think that before you go down the road of sub letting, you have to obtain certain licences and certificates to cover the electrics and other equipment used in the unit as well as insurance etc. Also I am sure the site owner would require a cut of any takings, if he allowed it at all, which I very much doubt.
I doubt if a Trailer Tent/Folding Camper would survive more than one season of use by those who are not familier with these types of units.
I don't know why a trailer tent. There key feature is all in one unit with storage for your camping equipment (obviously wouldn't apply in your case) and the beds above ground level. Could be achieved with folding camp beds. Surely you can bypass the sublet issue. The customer books the space, you arrive to erect the tent as their agent. This already occurs by some companies for teepees and yurt hire.
I agree with Lobey, I think you would be looking at new canvas per season, and no offence, I wouldn't book unseen with you ( zero reputation, very small, no guarantees, not exactly a Eurocamp type of operation). It can be difficult enough relying on campsite descriptions, without the issue of what will the tent be like.
It's a nice idea that comes up on this forum every now and again.
Ultimately I think you're trying to re-invent the 'Eurocamp' wheel. If renting one tent only at a UK site was in any way viable, they, and their like, would be doing it.
You are so much at the mercy of your users too and with one tt only you can't really absorb the cost of having really good insurance or more tts spare for existing bookings should one get damaged. Even with the best will in the world regular tt owners experience accident damage, spilt cooking oil seems to be one, small rips and tears etc. If renting out you will have limited chance to vet clients and have to accept that not all people will treat the tt in the same way, some accidents are bound to happen because of lack of experience and some due to careless treatment. Given that it is a rental tt and people are looking for fairly cheap holidays you are unlikely to be successful at requesting a large deposit either.
Big companies with a number of units can cope with these costs far better and probably get away with charging more too.
Having seen new rental tents after one season's use,you are defintitely looking equipment renewal and/or canvas renewal. To cover costs and to make any money, a small business would probably be priced out of the market.
I think it is great idea! This summer I am planning a backpacking trip around Scotland including Shetland Islands and I need a good tent. However, can't afford to buy a new one, so I would rent it, but there are not many places in Glasgow to do it.
Have you phoned a couple of local sites to see what they think? If they are willing then you could advertise your services on site. If there were some way of advertising on their website that would be even better? But if i were a site owner i'd be thinking of wanting some of the revenue or even doing something similar myself but then its also a lot of effort for them so they might be willing to let you.
Thank you everyone for the excellent responses, I have got an e-mail back from one of the campsites I contacted, I was also very surprised when I went to Eurocamp's website to find that they offer this type of service in the UK (although not in Ludlow).
I can understand that campsites obviously may want to take a cut from the money, but it depends on how the campsite looks at it, because they are possibly filling up a pitch which could have been empty otherwise, especially if it takes off and we can say to the campsite we want that pitch for a whole month, or two (or even the entire season) then that is guaranteed income for them, rather than them having to try and advertise the pitch, etc.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We had a static at one time and some of the people who hired it were really disrespectful of the van, a couple of them cost us more in cleaning and repairs than we made on the booking, so be prepared that not all people look after property as you would like!
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Topic: Trailer Tent renting
