Airline Pilots Launch $150,000 RV Rental Side Hustle

The couple, operating under the name Suite Glamping Adventures, initially purchased seven RVs in 2023 for approximately $782,000. By early 2024, they had outfitted the vehicles with hotel-style amenities to distinguish their offerings on the rental platform Outdoorsy. While the business generated $114,000 in 2024 and $95,000 in 2025, the Smiths acknowledge that the venture is not yet profitable. Between loan payments, insurance, and maintenance, expenses remain a constant pressure on their margins. However, they view the business as a strategic asset, leveraging tax deductions to manage their taxable income while building long-term equity.

Running a fleet of nine vehicles has proved to be anything but passive. Early operational hurdles included $16,000 in freeze damage during a Dallas cold snap and the logistical nightmare of managing mismatched linens. To streamline operations, they transitioned to color-coded bedding and purchased 2.5 acres of land to bypass high storage fees. Brian Smith notes that a small percentage of renters often create a disproportionate amount of work, leading the pair to adopt a more selective approach to bookings. Despite the demanding schedule of their full-time flying careers, the Smiths continue to scale, targeting corporate event contracts—such as a recent $9,500 rental for a World Cup broadcast crew—to reach their $150,000 annual revenue goal.