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Thanks to the rising popularity of the outdoors lifestyle according to GoRVing the camping industry continues to mushroom with 67 per cent of campers now under the age of 55, Karma Campervans has been rapidly growing since it was launched here in 2018. The Calgary-based company has quickly become one of the largest custom-manufactured rental outfitters of their kind in North America.

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The idea of converting vans into mobile rental accommodation was born in the mind of Dave Wald. It was on vacation to Iceland that he first saw the smaller units and thought that many visitors to this area would like the option of renting a camper van suitable for two, versus having to travel around in a large RV. He had acquired lots of knowledge of the industry working at RV dealerships while at school.

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Wald had experience in marketing at an advertising agency and with his own social media agency and wrote a business plan to entice investors into his idea. Tough sell. But the Redmund brothers, owners of Bucars RV Centre in Balzac, quickly saw the potential and became partners in the venture that was launched as a company in January 2018. Co-owner Wald rented 1,000 square feet of bay space, hired a technician, created a brand logo and website, and designed a prototype of the kind of camper van he thought would be a winner.

By June the first van was converted and rented out — then he bit the bullet and ordered nine more transit vans from Ford.

He assembled a production team of five and contracted with another Calgary company to build custom-made cabinetry. Soon he was able to move into 7,800 square feet in Franklin Industrial Park where 13 full-time employees are currently adding two Karma Campervans to the fleet every five days.

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Number 100 is ready for hire, fitted with the custom elegant yet user-friendly interior.

All of the Karma vans are fitted with a queen-sized bed, sink, storage and built-in gas heater. Wald says, “We take pride in offering our customers with little surprises while supporting other local businesses. In each rental we include a beer growler to fill up at any local craft brewer, a rotating locally roasted coffee brew in the provided French press, and tea from a local tea company.” We all like to see art on our walls and Wald has invited artists from Western Canada to submit their art which Karma produces to hang on van walls with information on how to purchase from the artists.

Inquiries from renters have resulted in Karma ready to launch a family version of its van, which will provide a bunk-style bed with sleeping arrangements for up to four people.

Visitors from Europe the United States and Australia had made up the large majority of business until COVID hit but with borders closed, Canadians were looking for adventures closer to home. They came from all over the country and Karma has since opened a network of locations in Vancouver, Penticton Edmonton, Ottawa and most recently in Moncton. Vans can be picked up and dropped off at any location that all have facilities for cleaning, any required maintenance and restocking of necessities. There are also no restrictions in taking a unit into the U.S.

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Wald says outside the prime van season and during waiting for ordered vans to arrive, his staff are being kept busy now with custom projects. Previous rented units are put up for sale and several new owners ask for modifications to add things such as toilets and refrigerators. They spent seven months customizing a Mercedes Benz Sprinter for a U.S. customer into a “five-star hotel on wheels”.

Karma Campervans has made it easy for locals and inbound travellers to enjoy camping whenever and wherever they like with all-season campers and a convenient automated rental process. The company is planning to open additional locations and develop its fleet, providing more options for travellers to enjoy the great outdoors with the comforts of home.

David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.

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