Renting out VW campervan?

Alleycat

Hi all,

Myself and my sisters inherited my dad's VW camper when he passed away just over a year ago. It has been stored in a garage for most of the time since his death as things were still very raw and we didn't know what to do. However we now need to make a decision as it's insurance is coming up for renewal again etc. None of the drivers in our family want to drive it unfortunately. I would love to however I would need to learn to drive and given I'm 40 now, I think I would find it hard to learn manual especially with such a vehicle as it is quite heavy etc. It's in okay condition (body work is fine) but can be a bit temperamental. Before we start spending out on it, we need to do our research.

I would dearly love to keep it in the family (in case I do ever learn to drive it!) and there are a lot of family memories etc. However it can't just sit in a garage for ever more.

I thought about maybe hiring it out to at least generate a bit of income to pay for its upkeep but can imagine that there is a huge amount to consider and pit falls etc.

Has anyone here had a similar vehicle that they have rented out? If so, could you share some of your wisdom or give me some direction on my research?

Thank you all so much.

parking_question_chap

First of all is this either the T1 or T2?

Im not sure renting it out is a good idea they are valuable cars and you dont want unknowns driving it, or even if there is much demand for such thing. I would imagine the appeal of these is the personal ownership.

What sort of condition is the vehicle in terms of reliability? If its a well maintaned runner you perhaps could turn it into a wedding car. Decent money for not a great deal of work, plus you keep the appreciating asset.

sheslookinhot

Contact a small company who do rent them out for advice.

ssparks2003

"Its a bit temperamental" is not exactly what a potential renter is going to hear about the vehicle that you intend to rent to them is it?

suki1964

No advice on the renting out, but do learn to drive

I learned at 45, a manual, and passed first time

It did take a while, not because I wasn't competent , my instructor was telling me for months to put in for my test, it was just I really didn't feel confident. But as I say I did pass first time and have since learned to drive

Norman_Castle

I wouldn't rent it out. For rental it needs to be well maintained which takes a fair amount of time and involvement. If no one want to drive it how will you check it between rentals or move it for maintenance etc? How would the family feel if it was abused or crashed?

If its currently in dry storage which is free its unlikely to be loosing value. If your family is not ready to dispose of it agree to discuss it at a later date.


You can get laid up vehicle insurance for vehicles which aren't being used. If its value is mostly sentimental and its storage is secure does it need insuring. What's it currently worth?

Scrapit

You could ren't it out on airbnb

Angus_Og

Seriously OP and this is going to sound harsh. Just sell the camper.

If you want a good home approach one of the clubs and ask their advice on how to sell it.

Better giving a new owner some enjoyment as it will in time just become a millstone round your necks.

knightstyle

Love the idea of renting it out on AirB&B, can you move it to a garden with a view? People pay silly money for novelty sleep outs.

Mojisola

Alleycat wrote: »

I would dearly love to keep it in the family and there are a lot of family memories etc.

With such an emotional attachment, either keep it safe in a garage or cut the ties and sell it on to someone else who will enjoy it.

You will be so upset when some of the people who hire the van don't treat it with care and respect, it's not worth it.

forgotmyname

How will you prove the identity of any potential hirer? The first person to hire it could on a ferry within hours of you hiring it out and never see it ever again.