Consider renting out your campervan. You may have questions. Will anyone actually book? How much admin is involved? What if something goes wrong? These concerns are entirely typical, and every successful owner started with the same doubts. But our data suggests most new owners are pleasantly surprised by reality.

The Expectation Gap

Here’s a statistic that challenges most assumptions: 86.7% of Quirky Campers owners got more bookings than they expected in 2025.

Read that again. Nearly nine out of ten owners exceeded their own expectations. This isn’t marketing spin. It’s data from real owners who started with the same doubts you probably have right now. The pattern is consistent: new owners typically underestimate demand for their vans.

Why does this happen? Most people assume their van isn’t special enough, that nobody wants to visit their area, or that the market is already saturated. The data suggests otherwise.

Common Fears vs Reality

Let’s address the concerns that stop most people from getting started.

Fear: Nobody Will Book My Van

Reality: The UK camping and caravanning market continues to grow strongly. The global campervan rental market is projected to nearly double from $4.1 billion in 2025 to $7.56 billion by 2033. Domestically, 63% of Brits are planning a UK break in 2026 according to Sykes Cottages’ Staycation Index, with many specifically choosing self-contained accommodation for flexibility and value.

The demand exists. The question is whether your van is visible to the people searching for it, not whether those people exist.

Fear: My Van Isn’t Special Enough

Reality: Quirky Campers features handmade, unique campervans, but “unique” doesn’t mean museum-worthy or Instagram-perfect. Character matters more than perfection. A well-maintained van with personality and thoughtful touches will attract bookings. Hirers are looking for an experience, not a showroom vehicle.

Some of our best-performing vans have quirks and imperfections that owners initially worried about. Those quirks often become selling points, giving the van story and charm.

Fear: The Admin Will Be Overwhelming

Reality: Most of the heavy lifting happens upfront when you create your listing. Writing your description, taking photos, setting your pricing, and defining your policies. Once you’re set up, ongoing admin typically involves responding to enquiries, arranging handovers, and preparing the van between bookings.

Platforms like Quirky Campers handle customer service and payment processing, significantly reducing your workload. You’re not running a call centre. You’re occasionally replying to messages and meeting friendly people who want to enjoy your van.

Fear: Something Will Go Wrong

Reality: Things occasionally do go wrong. That’s true of anything involving humans and vehicles. But proper insurance, clear communication, and sensible policies substantially minimise risk. Most bookings complete without incident. The minority that have issues are usually minor and manageable with good communication.

What First-Year Owners Actually Experience

Based on feedback from owners in their first year, here’s a realistic picture of what to expect:

Common Expectation	Typical Reality
Bookings start immediately	Usually takes 2-4 weeks for the first booking
Consistent bookings year-round	Seasonal variation is completely normal
Truly passive income	Requires ongoing effort and attention
Perfect five-star reviews every time	Occasional constructive feedback happens
High earnings from day one	Income builds over time as reviews accumulate

These realities aren’t discouraging. They’re simply accurate. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare and avoid disappointment when things don’t magically happen overnight.

The First Year Timeline

Understanding what happens when helps set realistic expectations.

Months 1-2: Getting Established

Your listing goes live. You might feel impatient waiting for the first booking. This is completely normal and almost universal. Use this time productively to refine your photos, improve your description, and respond promptly to any enquiries. Your first booking often comes from someone who appreciates your quick, friendly response.

Don’t panic if enquiries don’t convert immediately. Hirers often message multiple owners before deciding. Your job is to be helpful, responsive, and welcoming.

Months 3-6: Building Momentum

First reviews start appearing. These are gold. Potential hirers trust other hirers’ opinions far more than your marketing copy. A handful of positive reviews significantly increases booking enquiries and conversion rates.

During this period, you’ll start to understand your peak periods and pricing sweet spots. You’ll learn which dates book quickly and which need more competitive pricing.

Months 7-12: Finding Your Rhythm

By now, you’ve developed a system. You know how long turnarounds take, which dates book quickly, and what hirers value most about your van. Many owners notice a noticeable uptick in bookings once their review count reaches five or six strong reviews.

You’ll also discover repeat enquiries from previous hirers or their recommendations. Word of mouth begins working in your favour.

The Numbers in Year One

While individual results vary significantly based on location, van type, pricing, and availability, here’s what the data shows across all Quirky Campers owners:

Metric	Figure
Average annual earnings	£6,810
Median annual earnings	£6,524
Owners earning over £5,000	68.3%
Owners exceeding booking expectations	86.7%

First-year owners typically earn somewhat below these averages as they build reviews and refine their approach. A realistic first-year target might be £4,000 to £5,000. The trajectory is generally upward from there.

What Successful First-Year Owners Do Differently

Patterns emerge when you look at owners who perform well in their first year:

1. They respond quickly to enquiries. Speed matters more than you might think. The first owner to respond often wins the booking, especially during busy periods when hirers are comparing options.
2. They take excellent photos: natural light, clean interiors, lifestyle shots showing the van in actual use. Professional photography isn’t essential, but quality definitely is.
3. They price realistically. Starting slightly below market rate accelerates reviews. You can increase prices once you’ve established credibility and accumulated positive feedback.
4. They’re available during peak periods. Easter, half terms, and summer holidays drive significant bookings. Blocking these periods severely hurts early momentum.
5. They ask for reviews—a gentle reminder that dramatically increases review rates. Most hirers are happy to leave feedback, but simply forget unless prompted.

Managing Your Own Expectations

The owners who struggle most are usually those with unrealistic expectations at the start. If you’re expecting passive income with minimal effort, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re expecting every booking to be straightforward and every review to be perfect, you’ll be frustrated.

But if you approach this as a genuine side business that requires attention and care, you’re setting yourself up for success. 86.7% of owners who exceeded their expectations didn’t get lucky. They put in the work while staying realistic about what that work involved.

Is It Worth Starting?

That depends entirely on what you want. If your campervan sits unused for months at a time, rental income represents money you’re currently not making from an asset you’re already paying to own and maintain.

If the thought of strangers using your beloved van makes you deeply uncomfortable, this might not be for you. That’s a legitimate feeling, and there’s no point forcing it.

But if you’re pragmatic about sharing your van, enjoy the idea of others having adventures in it, and want to offset ownership costs or generate genuine profit, the data suggests you’ll exceed your own expectations.

Ready to find out for yourself? Learn more at Quirky Campers.