Brian and Carrie Smith, airline pilots from Dallas, bought seven Class C RVs in late 2023 and founded the rental company Suite Glamping Adventures. The initial investment was about $782,000, with $127,000 paid as a down payment. The fleet was later expanded to nine vehicles.
The idea came after a bad rental experience on the RAGBRAI bike tour in July 2023. The RVs were named after their children. The business started in February 2024 and rented out all units in its first week. Despite early challenges, including $16,000 in frost damage, it broke even within the first year, with expected annual revenue of $150,000–175,000. The couple plans to eventually earn $200,000–250,000. They also bought a one-hectare plot to park the fleet and rent spaces to other owners. The venture is also intended as a retirement income plan, given the mandatory pilot retirement age of 65, and offers tax benefits.