Got the pop up, now what?

[des1954]

Donnie - Here's a list of what I would expect if I were renting a pop-up or the 5'er....

For the beds...

2 sets of sheets per bed
1 quilt per bed
1 extra blanket per bed
1 pillow per person (put them in a plastic pillow protector before putting the pillow case on it)
I would also invest in plastic mattress protectors & put a mattress pad over top.

For the kitchen...

Silverware service for 8
4 Steak knives
1 Paring Knife
1 Carving Knive
1 Set of tongs
Spatula, can opener, serving spoons (2), slotted spoon
Plastic Mixing Bowls
Trash can w/liners
Mr. Coffee w/filters and measurer
Whisk Broom & Dust Pan
1qt pot, 2qt pot, 4qt pot to cook pasta in, 10 inch fry pan
Colander
2 serving bowls & 1 platter
Instead of paper plates, get Solo plastic plates & bowl. You don't want people dumping food all over because a paper plate collapsed.
Solo cups
Styrofoam Cups
Salt & Pepper Shakers
Napkins
Paper Towels
Dish Soap
6 Dish Clothes & 6 Dish Towels
Pam Cooking Spray
Zip-lok sandwich & gallon size bags
Aluminum Foil
Disposable food storage containers. (Winn Dixie Brand is good)

For general purpose...

2 towels and 2 washclothes per person
Clorox Wipes
Spray Cleaner like Fantastic or Windex
Door mat to keep outside
Make sure there is a light mounted outside the door
TV Set
Microwave (small/cheap)

Other recommendations...

Only toss in a cooler if the pop-up has no fridge.

4 lawn chairs - no table, no awning, no grill.

If the pop-up has a chemical toilet, remove it & let people use the comfort station. People will leave it full of poo - which you don't want to deal with for health (and other) reasons.

On the 5'er - make sure there is plenty of degradable toilet paper in the unit. We've alway used Scot Tissue with no problems, and people are more comfortable with a name brand.

If people are setting up at places other than FtW, get a few disposable grills for them to use. At FtW, if you wish to be nice, stock with a small bag of charcoal. Don't put a grill in either unit.

If you want to be REAL nice.... go to this website & order other condiments like ketchup, mustard, relish, etc....
http://www.minimus.biz/

You may wish to consider keeping a small Dirt Devil hand vac in both units.

I know you're going to do the hooking up, so there really isn't any need for an extra hose or electric cords.

Make sure the LP tanks are full.

And....no awnings!!!

Make up a "user friendly instruction book" for each unit and explain EVERYTHING, no matter how basic it sounds to you. Especially on the 5'er, go over every little thing....especially dumping the grey & black tanks - and how often they should be dumped. Point out the things they should never mess around with. There truly are a lot of people out there with no common sense.

I think I covered the basics - and that's all the people need, are the basics. Let them buy whatever else they perceive to need.

ETA: Due to what Steve said....NO PETS!!! Not all people are as careful and loving as Steve and Renee are with their pets.

 

[big kahuna1]

I would also carry one spare part for every part on the trailer as they will probably be broken eventually.

If you allow pets you will need flea and tick spray or bombs after each rental.

Be prepared to make a trip both prior to and after each rental to prepare, repair and clean the unit. This may be 2 to 6 times a WEEK depending on how sucessful you are so make sure you have an employee to handle your real job while you are handling this job. You may want to consider a minimum rental of 2 nights.

Good Luck!!

 

[stacktester]

I didn't want to copy and paste all of Debbie's stuff but she has some good points. Christy did give me a small gas grill but I was thinking it's just another thing to clean and pack. It does have a nice small microwave.

I was thinking of putting sheets for all beds in the unit but never thought of 2 sets. Do I really need that? I am looking for matress covers in case someone has a small child who could have an accident. If any fellow pop uppers have a source please tell me.

As far as having pets I'm really undecided on that. Once you let an animal in it, the hair will always be in there. Nothing against people who own pets but those who have their pets in the rv don't mind having the hair and smells associated with pets. Not to mention the destruction that can be caused if left alone and even though there is a rule against it I'm sure it get's broken all the time. This may hinder my rentals if I don't allow it but that may be something I have to risk.

This is just going to be really basic. chairs, one of the 30" x 60" folding tables and a mat outside seems like enough. There's not a lot of storage room inside for stuff so the inside needs to stay basic as well. I've got a few bikes to bring as well. There will be a link on the site so the bikes wanted can be viewed and added to the ressie. I think like $10 each per bike is fair. They are going to require a few bucks in tires, tubes and maintainance here and there. Still a lot cheaper than the fort bikes.

I'm not doing the 5'er. Too much trouble.

 

[vick]

I didn't want to copy and paste all of Debbie's stuff but she has some good points. Christy did give me a small gas grill but I was thinking it's just another thing to clean and pack. It does have a nice small microwave.

I was thinking of putting sheets for all beds in the unit but never thought of 2 sets. Do I really need that? I am looking for matress covers in case someone has a small child who could have an accident. If any fellow pop uppers have a source please tell me.

As far as having pets I'm really undecided on that. Once you let an animal in it, the hair will always be in there. Nothing against people who own pets but those who have their pets in the rv don't mind having the hair and smells associated with pets. Not to mention the destruction that can be caused if left alone and even though there is a rule against it I'm sure it get's broken all the time. This may hinder my rentals if I don't allow it but that may be something I have to risk.

This is just going to be really basic. chairs, one of the 30" x 60" folding tables and a mat outside seems like enough. There's not a lot of storage room inside for stuff so the inside needs to stay basic as well. I've got a few bikes to bring as well. There will be a link on the site so the bikes wanted can be viewed and added to the ressie. I think like $10 each per bike is fair. They are going to require a few bucks in tires, tubes and maintainance here and there. Still a lot cheaper than the fort bikes.

I'm not doing the 5'er. Too much trouble.

I don't think I would allow pets without a big deposit. Even then, it might be hard to see everywhere the animal had peed. Male dogs would probably do a lot of "marking" when they smelled other dogs!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

You may want to disclose that you are the Mayor of Fort wilderness and know all of the Disney po-po.

 

[bama_ed]

Donnie,

Seriously, the time back when I stayed in site 928 and you were in 931 (when we met) it was in May and on that trip a thunderstorm came through and rain collected in my awning and the weight of it made it tear and collapse. (I hadn't sloped it enough before we left but it hadn't even rained where we were). If you think you will slope it when you set it up then go for it but you never know what people will do.

That was a $400 replacement (OEM) awning. So ditch the awning, maybe offer an Easy-Up awning (accordian style). And make sure the security deposit/charge clears!

I'm happy for you venturing out into entrepreneur land. I always knew when you went from the red toy hauler to the fiver that deep down inside your heart, you were a pup man. You can get a whole fleet of pups, you and Tinah (and the golf cart guy I've been reading about) can corner the Fort market.

Plus, being the Mayor always helps.

Bama ED

 

[homebrew2]

Congrats Donnie! That's great!!! Does it have Bottle opener? Corkscrew? Blender? I'm thinking of all the important stuff first.

 

[homebrew2]

Good call on the earth friendly paper products! Wouldn't want to risk renters washing the dishes with the black hose or anything!

Ami has a "Black Hose" phobia.......just ask her hubby

 

[LONE-STAR]

Keep it simple. I would only expect to get the same thing in your pop up that I would get at a motel 6(minus the bed bugs ). Sheets,towels,pillows,blankets. Make up a list of what it comes with for that price. Then make a optional list of things you can provide for a extra fee. If you offered a 30 pack of cheap beer for $30.00 it would be a bargain for them and you would make another $15.00. If you want to supply charcoal put it on the optional list if it cost you $5.00 then charge them 9 or 10 bucks for it. Make money on the small stuff thats what Disney does. Remember when people go on vacation they are planning on spending money. So charge them. As far as the pets go I would say no pets. If you had a renter that was allergic to cats or dogs this could turn into a problem.

 

[des1954]

Donnie - I would definitely nix the pets. #1 - You will never get doggie smell out - especially if the dog goes outside during the rain and the renters let a wet dog back into the camper. #2 - Dogs can & do tear thru canvas. #3 - If one of your renters leaves a dog unattended at the site instead of kenneling the pet when they leave to go to a park, and the dog becomes a nuisance, Disney may ask those people to leave. If that happens, can you get to FtW pronto to get the camper? Don't even go there with pets. Too many problems can arise.

The reason I said two sets of sheets is in case of an accidental case of a child wetting the bed. There are other reasons - which are not to be mentioned in polite company.

Just be prepared for the camper to be filthy when you go to pick it up. Some people do not have any respect for others' property. I would think this is especially true when someone is at Disney doing the parks at break-neck speed and are too tired to care what the inside of a rental pop-up looks like when it's their own filth.

I know this may be bordering on paranoia, but I would check into incorporating your business in order to absolve you personally of any liability issues that could come up. (Kid goofing around in camper and slices leg open and requires stitches....pop-up owner's fault, let's sue him...and other equally insane stuff). I think an S-chapter corporation runs about $100 per year thru the state. Look into it as that can spare you from losing you home or more due, to a rediculous law suit.

I really hopes this works out for you, Donnie!

 

[2goofycampers]

makecampingeasy LLC

 

[LONE-STAR]

Donnie -

I know this may be bordering on paranoia, but I would check into incorporating your business in order to absolve you personally of any liability issues that could come up. (Kid goofing around in camper and slices leg open and requires stitches....pop-up owner's fault, let's sue him...and other equally insane stuff). I think an S-chapter corporation runs about $100 per year thru the state. Look into it as that can spare you from losing you home or more due, to a rediculous law suit.

May be worth looking into. At least some sort of insurance that would cover you.

 

[Tiggntaz]

I know this may be bordering on paranoia, but I would check into incorporating your business in order to absolve you personally of any liability issues that could come up. (Kid goofing around in camper and slices leg open and requires stitches....pop-up owner's fault, let's sue him...and other equally insane stuff). I think an S-chapter corporation runs about $100 per year thru the state. Look into it as that can spare you from losing you home or more due, to a rediculous law suit.

Hmmm.......

Hey donnie when can me and the 4 boys rent it?? I will make sure no one gets hurt

 

[stacktester]

I bought a policy with 1 million liabilty and I am processing the LLC Papers as we speak.

 

[stacktester]

Hmmm.......

Hey donnie when can me and the 4 boys rent it?? I will make sure no one gets hurt

Sure, and I'll be out on your cart in unauthorized areas lol.

 

[Tiggntaz]

Hmmm.......

Hey donnie when can me and the 4 boys rent it?? I will make sure no one gets hurt

I bought a policy with 1 million liabilty and I am processing the LLC Papers as we speak.

$1,000,000 Huh??????

Let me win the lawsuit and I will give you $250,000 of it.