idwest Camper Rentals started with one camper and a simple plan: use it a few weekends a year, and rent it out the rest of the time so it pays for itself. Today they run a fleet of turnkey travel trailers and fifth wheels out of Chenoa, Illinois, delivering fully stocked, fully set-up campers to festivals, fairs, events, and campgrounds within about 120 miles.
We asked Ian Dassow, the manager, how it all happened, what the work really looks like during a sold-out event weekend, and how BookingCentral fits in. If you’re thinking about renting out an RV, or you already do, there’s plenty here worth borrowing.
How did Midwest Camper Rentals get started?
By accident, according to Ian. The team bought their first camper, a 2022 Palomino Puma XLE Lite 25BHSC, back in 2021, knowing they’d only use it a few weekends a year. So they thought, “Let’s rent it out when we aren’t using it.” The goal was simple: never pay for the camper out of pocket.
It worked. Ian says they’ve never made an out-of-pocket payment, and the camper has been paid for by rentals “and then some.”
For two years, that one camper was the whole business. Then in 2023, demand for more campers picked up, so they started asking around. Did anyone else have a camper they weren’t using as much as they’d planned, and want to make a little money? They got a few inquiries at first, and then the fleet grew fast. Within about four months, they went from one camper to 17, most of them consigned to them by the owners.
What does “turnkey” camper rental mean?
It’s the word Ian keeps coming back to, and it means exactly what it sounds like. Every camper comes stocked with bedding, linens, towels, toiletries, and a fully stocked kitchen and bathroom. Guests don’t pack sheets or pots and pans. They show up and the camper is ready.
Then there’s delivery. Midwest Camper Rentals delivers and picks up within about 120 miles of their storage lot, and when a guest chooses delivery, the team doesn’t just drop the camper and leave. They set it up completely. “All they have to do is enjoy the experience,” Ian says. Guests who’d rather pick up can do that at the storage facility.
Ian says many other companies and individual owners don’t offer that many amenities. That’s a lot of moving parts for a small team, which is where the right booking software earns its keep. More on that below.
Who rents from Midwest Camper Rentals, and why?
Ask most people why they’d rent a camper and they’ll say a camping trip. At Midwest Camper Rentals, that’s the smaller slice. Ian says most customers rent for festivals, fairs, and events. Only about 20% book a camper for a campground reservation.
A camper that shows up stocked and set up is an easy fit for an event weekend, and it’s a good reminder that RV rental demand isn’t only about campgrounds. If you rent RVs or campers, it’s worth thinking about the events in your own area.
They also offer campers as a temporary housing option, though Ian says nobody has taken them up on it yet.
What’s the hardest part of running a camper rental business?
For Ian, it’s the turnaround. Big events sell out, and the gap between them can be just two or three days. In that window, the team has to clean, stock, sanitize, and deliver every unit that came back, then get them out the door again.
Laundry is the other big one. With bedding, linens, and towels in every camper, they’re constantly running two sets of washers and dryers to keep up. Over the last two seasons, they’ve added people to the team to make cleaning, stocking, and deliveries more efficient.
The tighter the gap, the more it helps to see your calendar clearly. BookingCentral’s drag-and-drop calendar and fleet management show which units are heading out, which are coming back, and which are sitting ready.
Why did Midwest Camper Rentals start taking direct bookings?
At first, they relied only on the big RV rental marketplaces: Outdoorsy, RVshare, and RVezy. Then, as the business became better known, customers started asking to book with them directly.
That’s what led them to build their own website and partner with BookingCentral for reservations. Now guests can find available campers, book, and pay right on Midwest Camper Rentals’ own site, and the team manages every reservation in one place. Ian says BookingCentral has been “very helpful in all aspects of keeping everything organized.”
Marketplaces are a good way to get found. Direct booking gives repeat customers, and anyone who hears about you by word of mouth, a simple way to come straight to you.
How does Midwest Camper Rentals use broadcast messaging at events?
Ask Ian which BookingCentral feature helps the most, and he points to messaging. Broadcast messages, specifically, which they use consistently during busy events.
The team is usually on site at these events offering water and gas refills. Instead of walking from camper to camper, they send one message to everyone: “hey, we are onsite. Please text us if you need water or gas.” Guests reply with what they need, and the team takes it from there.
The second use is safety. Ian says they also send weather alerts and camper safety procedures during storms. When conditions change fast, being able to reach every guest at once matters.
Broadcast messaging and two-way SMS are part of the BookingCentral platform, so messages go out from the same place where you manage your reservations.
What makes Midwest Camper Rentals different from other RV rental companies?
Ian points to four things:
- The turnkey experience. Linens, towels, toiletries, and fully stocked kitchens and bathrooms in every camper.
- Delivery and full setup. Guests can have the camper delivered and set up, or pick it up from the storage lot.
- Variety. They have travel trailers and fifth wheels in different sizes and floorplans. Some are similar, but none are exactly the same, so there’s something for almost any group.
- Add-ons. They rent generators for the campers, and they rent golf carts too.
What other BookingCentral tools help RV and camper rental businesses?
Ian called out messaging, but BookingCentral has more that fits a business like this one. If you rent RVs, campers, or golf carts, here’s what else is worth a look:
- Dispatch and delivery: If you deliver, you can assign drivers, set stop schedules, add notes, text assignments, and print a daily manifest.
- Drag-and-drop calendar and fleet management: Keep availability accurate across units that are all a little different.
- Online booking and payments: Take direct bookings on your own website, with payments through Stripe, Square, or Authorize.net.
- Digital documents and e-signatures: Rental agreements and waivers get signed before pickup or delivery, and guests can upload documents you need.
- Damage deposits: Collect them up front, so handoff day is simpler.
- Mobile app: Check guests in and out, assign units, take photos and video, and collect payments from the lot or the event site.
- Quotes: Send a custom price for bigger groups and events.
- Reporting and analytics: See which events and weekends fill up, so you can plan your fleet and staffing.
- Review-request texts: Ask guests for a review after every trip.
- BookingCentral AI Connector: It works with ChatGPT and Claude, so you can ask questions about your own booking data.
BookingCentral supports RV and golf cart rentals. Take a look at our RV rental software page to see how it all fits together.
What advice does Midwest Camper Rentals have for starting an RV rental business?
“Start small,” Ian says. Begin with one or two campers and see how it goes. If you enjoy it, you can grow. If you don’t, you find out before you’re in too deep.
And as you grow, build a team you can rely on. Ian credits the people they’ve added over the last two seasons with making cleaning, stocking, and deliveries more efficient.
What’s next for Midwest Camper Rentals?
More of the same, and more of it. Ian says they keep growing year over year, expanding both the fleet and the services they offer. There are plans in the works too, with more to share down the road.
Want to rent a camper for your next event or trip? Visit Midwest Camper Rentals.
Run a rental business of your own and curious how BookingCentral could help? Book a Demo.
Frequently asked questions
Does Midwest Camper Rentals deliver campers?
Yes. They deliver and pick up within about 120 miles of their storage lot. When you choose delivery, the team sets the camper up completely. You can also pick up from the storage lot.
What’s included in a Midwest Camper Rentals camper?
Every camper comes stocked with bedding, linens, towels, toiletries, and a fully stocked kitchen and bathroom.
Can I rent a camper for a festival or fair?
Yes. Most Midwest Camper Rentals customers rent for festivals, fairs, and events. About 20% rent for campground stays.
What types of campers does Midwest Camper Rentals offer?
They offer travel trailers and fifth wheels in a mix of sizes and floorplans. They also rent generators and golf carts.
How do I start an RV rental business?
Start small, with one or two campers, and see if you like it. If you do, grow from there and build a reliable team as you go. A booking system that takes direct bookings makes it easier to manage reservations as you add campers.
What booking software do RV rental businesses use?
Midwest Camper Rentals uses BookingCentral for reservations on its own website. BookingCentral is a booking and operations platform for rental and tour businesses, with online booking, payments, messaging, fleet management, and more.
