Renting rooms on wheels

Julie Woody, owner of Woody RV Rentals LLC, often gives vacation suggestions to people searching for somewhere to travel throughout the United States in their recently rented recreational vehicle. Port Aransas and Big Bend National Park are both places she recommends if the travelers want to stay in Texas.

"I think that's one reason we've done so well—there's so much to do in Texas," she said of the RV rental company's growth in the past several years.

What started out as one advertisement for a Winnebago on Craigslist in 2007 has burgeoned into 48 consignment motor homes, motor coaches, travel trailers and pop-up campers.

Woody said after renting an RV for her family for the first time turned into a disappointing experience, she decided to do it herself.

"When [my husband and I] got our own [RV], I said, 'I bet I could pay for this [RV] and help people have a better experience than we did," Woody said about renting her RV for others to use.

The vehicles and campers at Woody RV Rentals are maintained and cleaned by staff, and the company also offers out-of-town travelers transportation to and from the airport as well as delivery and setup of the units.

Woody said customer service is important to her, and she makes recommendations to customers based on where they plan to go, if they want to tow or drive the rental, how many people will be in it and the renters' level of experience with RVs.

She said the staff takes the time to explain each vehicle to new customers and how to operate it. People often ask if they need a certain driver's license to drive an RV—they do not—Woody said people just need to be reminded about the size of the vehicle.

"In the United States of America, you don't need a special driver's license, you just need a little common sense," Woody said.

She said one group of renters took an RV through a restaurant drive-thru, turning the business's kiosk on its side. Another renter tried unsuccessfully to drive the RV into a parking garage.

General Manager Christopher Coghlan said not only does the rental system offer an affordable option for families to use an RV without the expense of buying, it is also cost-effective for people who own an RV but only use it periodically.

"These people realize, 'I can still own my camper at the end of the day and not have to pay $120 a month to store it,'" he said.

RV owners pay a fee for space at Woody's RV Rentals and the advertisement of their vehicle, and if it is rented, owners get 50 percent of the rental fee.

Woody RV Rentals has options for people on varying budgets, from pop-up campers that people can tow behind their vehicles to luxury motor coaches.

The 48-foot Prevost motor coach is one of the company's top-of-the-line vehicles, Woody said. It comes with a washer and dryer, queen-size bed, revolving closet, a custom mirrored ceiling with fiber-optic lighting and leather seats.

The RVs at Woody RV Rentals have held some famous people. Woody said film companies, musicians and even the cast of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" have all rented RVs from her.

March through December is the busiest time of the year for Woody RV Rentals, as people take family vacations, go to area music festivals, rent an RV for visiting relatives to stay in or plan tailgating parties, Woody said.

Coghlan said all of the RVs were gone from the lot during spring break this year.

Woody RV Rentals LLC, 4550 S. I-35, 944-5800, www.woodyrvrentals.com