As you peruse the sleek new RVs on the market, you may be feeling discouraged that your RV won’t have much resale value. No matter how well you’ve cared for your home on wheels, it’s hard to compete with the RV technologies that have become standard and more affordable in the last two decades. If you find that unloading a retired RV won’t bring you much monetary satisfaction, try repurposing this versatile resource.
Guesthouse
You may have noticed an uptick in hosting networks offered by owners. Used RVs can double as money-making guest houses when marketed correctly. Decorating the interior of the RV as a cozy getaway, filling closets with quality amenities, and positioning the vehicle for the privacy of your guests will garner rave reviews online and by word of mouth. Your guest cabin can double as an extra bedroom when your own friends and family come to town.
Ministry of the Interior or Study
Most homes need an office or study of some kind, but all too often they find themselves in the middle of household traffic, crammed into a corner, or taking up space in a multi-purpose room. Retired campers are the perfect place to relocate your home office or study, providing ample storage space, privacy, and proximity to power, internet, and running water. Whether used for working from home, regular household filing and bookkeeping, or as a space for the kids to do their homework, reimagining your RV as a home office or study will allow you to reclaim your vital space.
Recreation room
Speaking of kids: just like they need a place to study, they need a place to play and entertain their friends. Depending on your family’s needs and the size of the vehicle, removing some of the built-ins can open up the floor plan for toys, entertainment centers, or even air hockey. Arcades on wheels can also double as bathrooms after a particularly dirty game. The rehabbed RVs serve as the perfect rainy day room for any age group.
Food Truck/Fundraiser Booth
Even if you’ve never dreamed of starting your own food truck, according to Mobile-Cuisine.com, “By 2017, food trucks will generate about $2.7 billion in revenue,” a 400% increase over 2012 numbers. of the National Restaurant Association. Modifying and marketing your RV as a food truck might appeal to more chefs than outdoor enthusiasts. Donating your vehicle to a local school or non-profit organization to use as a fundraising stand could earn you some tax breaks.
Enriched environment for wildlife
If you own an RV, chances are you’re a fan of nature. If you want to see more wildlife in your own backyard, the possibilities for used RVs are endless. From enriched environments for your house pets to shelters for non-domesticated creatures, converted RVs can serve as chicken coops, terrariums, bee colonies, or drinking troughs for larger animals. Be sure to check any zoning or neighborhood restrictions if you opt for this alternative. Your experience may be different.