Today we’d like to introduce you to Trenton Franklin.
Hi Trenton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
American Dream Vacations is now a nationally recognized premier RV Rental and Sales company with 11 locations across 8 states and growing! I, Trenton Franklin, and my brother, Tony, own and operate our flagship location here in San Antonio, TX. Our father and founder of American Dream Vacations, Steve Franklin, started the company in ’96. Having worked up the ladder, my brother and I are proud of the growth we have accomplished through our youthful, progressive approach and leadership. We started washing and detailing, moved into service, maintenance, and repair, and even did a stint in housekeeping. From there, we grew into rentals, sales, management, consulting for other locations, and finally into ownership. We also own the parent company that oversees the growth and development of the other locations, all of which are licensees to our brand and business model.
Our leadership in the rental industry allows us to stand out from the rest of the RV dealers. We are considered a small outfit when it comes to sales despite offering both new and used products, both motorized and towable; however, when it comes to rentals, we are huge! With approx. 450 total combined units, we cater not only to retail customers such as families looking to control their travel and experience the great outdoors, but we fill many commercial and gov’t needs through larger contracts, emergency response, group rental, festivals, events, etc. Our turnkey Rental Management program makes us unique, offering solutions for RV owners and those wanting to become RV owners. By managing, maintaining, storing, and renting out individually owned vehicles, we eliminate many of the headaches that come with ownership. Our vehicle owners are empowered to realize significant tax advantages while making their asset work for them. Through this win-win-win situation, we have come to build trust with our community, vehicle owners, customers, and more. We are truly providing the American Dream Vacation while continuing our journey, which in many ways, is just getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When it comes to business, there are always ups and downs with ebb and flow. Anyone who tells you business is smooth has yet to be around long enough, or someone else is doing the work. You must adjust with the times, the market, your customer base, the economy, etc., while offering the best experience at a value that makes sense for everyone. We have been through the gas hikes, two recessions, the housing bubble, wars, the pandemic, and supply chain issues, all while retaining our employees and continuing to offer the growing and improving services customers have come to expect from American Dream Vacations. It has not been easy, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our employees, customers, family, and vendors, those we choose to surround ourselves with.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about American Dream Vacations?
People see RVs and are often intrigued. How nice or accommodating, are they? Can I drive it? Are they comfortable and safe? Where do I go? Most people don’t even know you can rent them and that they are affordable. It’s one of the most affordable ways to travel, see things from a different perspective, and experience a closeness you don’t get from flying in and out while maintaining control of your environment, schedule, habits, wants, and circumstances. We rent vehicles for many uses, whether family vacations, weekend getaways, onsite rebuilds/remodels, events, sporting events such as kid’s tournaments, football tailgating, weekend shopping sprees, portable offices, temporary offices hunting lodges, holiday family overflow, and more. We deliver, set up, instruct, support, educate, and ensure a strong experience. You rarely get this when you are trying something new or find yourself on vacation.
For those who already know they like RVing or want to get into it more long-term, we offer the sale of the rigs. We can help you find something, pat you on the back, and on the way you go, or sell you something to manage, maintain, rent out, and profit share while affording you significant tax savings and considering owning a business. You may already own one. We can assist in starting a forward rental business while helping grow the peripheral areas around rental, or we can come into your existing business and install rentals as one arm or division of the business to further the ecosystem. We are RV specialists with various solutions to an array of needs.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
Looking to rent? Call us, stop by, or look at our website to begin building quotes, playing with dates, and seeing how the vehicles are outfitted. They all have full kitchens, restrooms, AC, Heat, and multiple beds. Anyone can drive them with a regular license. You can stay nearby or travel close to home while feeling like you have got away. We can assist with these ideas. It is wise to start small to medium before biting off the cross-country trip in a monster rig. The other thing to know is that they do require some hands-on. You become the ship’s captain, so the more prepared you are, along with our help, instruction, resources, etc., the better experience you will have. In other words, put a little effort into the planning. Again, we can help. Remember, RVing is an investment in your family, time, experiences, and, frankly, your pocketbook while saving compared to other travel methods.
Pricing:
- $90-150/nt for Trailers
- $215-255/nt for Class C Motorhomes
- $265-400/nt for Class A Motorhomes
- 3 Nt Min, surcharge for less time
- Weekly/Monthly discounts
Contact Info:
- Website: www.americandreamvacations.net
- Instagram: @american_dream_vacations
- Facebook: @ADVrvRentals
