With locations in Bozeman, Montana and Las Vegas, Nevada, Jonathan Distad’s Class B and C rental business, Blacksford RV Rentals, offers amazing adventures in the American West. Not only are these RVs in an excellent part of the country, but they are also in the ideal spots in the cities they call home.
“We are located at the airports in Bozeman and Vegas, respectively,” Jonathan tells us. This means renters can skip the taxi or Uber and get their RV adventure started as soon as they step off the airplane!
As if the awesome locations weren’t enough, Distad also goes above and beyond to ensure his guests are well taken care of. “We greet you at the gate and load your bags on our carts; we onboard you virtually so you don’t have to spend hours getting to know your RV; we have 24-hour roadside assistance; and, we have a great lounge for the kids to hang out in while we get you all sorted in the RV,” the Blacksford website says. “And because we want you to enjoy the areas we serve, every rental gets a free annual pass to our national parks.”
Why does Jonathan put so much effort into ensuring his customers are happy? It turns out he had a bad experience renting an RV with another company. “I wanted to rent an RV for my family to tour western Canada, and I couldn’t find one for rent between Minneapolis and Seattle,” Jonathan explains on the Blacksford website. “Furthermore, the options for rentals were less than what I expected for the premium paid, from online experience to the physical location to the nickel-and-diming of you for things that should be expected to be part of your vacation. I was actually told by an RV dealer that they hate renting our RVs because they don’t make money on it.”
This prompted Distad to solve the problem himself. He researched and bought his first RV and listed it on Outdoorsy. “Renters started booking with me just a few hours after my first listing was posted,” Jonathan recalls. “I’ve now been operating for three years and have been profitable from year one.” On top of all that, Blackford RV Rentals has grown to include around 50 RVs!
With so many RVs in his fleet, you might think Jonathan is no longer in touch with his customer base on a personal level. This couldn’t be further from the truth. “I love getting calls and emails from clients all the time, telling me what a great time they had,” Jonathan tells us. “I love that we are part of creating amazing vacation memories and hearing about trips.
“I think RVs and camping allow people to connect with the people they love, in areas they learn to love, doing things they love to do.”
All about Jonathan
Favorite morning beverage: “Coffee.”
Favorite campsite meal: “Bloody Mary.”
Music you like to play on the radio: “Everything. Thanks, XM!”
Favorite season: “Every season but mud season.”
Last photo you took: “Cowboy Filet and a beer at Stacy’s Old Faithful Bar.”
If you could travel anywhere in an RV, where would you go? “Central Montana, the most hidden gem of all places.”
