When expanding a campground or glamping resort, the purchase price is only part of the investment. Ongoing maintenance plays a major role in profitability, affecting labor costs, guest satisfaction, and the amount of time an accommodation is unavailable for bookings.
Cabins and covered wagons both provide unique guest experiences, but their maintenance requirements differ significantly. Understanding these differences helps owners make informed decisions that support long-term business growth.
Exterior Maintenance
Cabins are permanent structures exposed to the elements year-round. Their larger size and more complex construction often require regular upkeep, including:
- Roof inspections and repairs
- Exterior painting
- Gutter cleaning
- Siding maintenance
- Foundation inspections
Covered glamping wagons feature a more compact design with fewer exterior components to maintain. Premium weather-resistant covers, durable framing, and quality craftsmanship reduce the need for extensive repairs while helping preserve the wagon’s appearance over time.
Interior Upkeep
Cabins often include multiple rooms, kitchens, plumbing systems, and larger living spaces. While these amenities appeal to some guests, they also increase the number of components that require regular maintenance.
Covered wagons are intentionally designed to maximise comfort with a simpler layout. Fewer fixtures and systems mean:
- Faster cleaning between guests
- Reduced maintenance time
- Lower repair costs
- Easier seasonal inspections
For campground operators managing multiple rental units, these efficiencies can save considerable time throughout the year.
Weather-Related Repairs
Weather exposure is unavoidable for any outdoor accommodation. The difference is often how complicated—and costly—the repair is when something does need attention.
Cabins rely on multiple exterior building systems, including roofing, siding, flashing, gutters, and trim. Storm damage or water intrusion can mean replacing materials, bringing in a contractor, and taking the unit out of service while repairs are completed.
Covered wagons have a much simpler exterior system. PlainsCraft’s Bonnetgard™ cover provides a solid, waterproof barrier over the wagon and is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. Rather than shingles, siding, gutters, and multiple exterior seams to inspect and repair, operators primarily maintain a single protective cover system.
Routine weather-related maintenance can also be straightforward. If the cover needs adjustment, straps can be tightened. Leaves, small branches, or other debris that land on the curved roof will often slide off naturally or can typically be removed without the more involved process of accessing and clearing a traditional roof.
And if the outer cover is ever damaged enough to require replacement, replacing the cover is significantly less labor-intensive and time-consuming than replacing a traditional cabin roof or repairing multiple exterior building components. That can mean lower repair costs, a faster return to service, and fewer bookable nights lost to maintenance.
The advantage isn’t that a covered wagon is immune to severe weather. It’s that there are fewer exterior components to maintain, and when something does require attention, the path to getting the accommodation back into service can be much simpler.
Lower Operating Costs
Maintenance costs extend beyond repairs.
Routine upkeep includes labor, cleaning supplies, replacement materials, contractor fees, and lost revenue when accommodations are temporarily unavailable.
Because covered wagons have fewer structural components and simpler systems than cabins, owners often benefit from:
- Lower annual maintenance expenses
- Less downtime for repairs
- Faster unit turnover
- Reduced labour requirements
- Improved operational efficiency
Over several years, these savings can make a meaningful contribution to overall profitability.
Preserving Guest Appeal
As more glamping accommodations enter the market, standing out becomes increasingly important.
According to U.S. glamping market data from Sage Outdoor Advisory, covered wagons account for just 155 of the 7,390 units represented—roughly 1 in every 48 glamping accommodations.
For comparison, safari tents are about 1 in every 4 units, tiny homes 1 in every 5, and cabins 1 in every 6. Guests have far more opportunities to encounter these more common accommodation types than they do a covered wagon.
Glamping Market Data 2026, Sage Outdoor Advisory
That gives campground and resort owners something valuable: differentiation.
A covered wagon provides a stay guests are less likely to have experienced elsewhere, giving operators a distinctive accommodation to market and another reason for travelers to choose their property.
That uniqueness also comes with a higher average daily rate. Sage reports an average ADR of $385 for covered wagons, compared with $373 for safari tents, $278 for cabins, and $258 for tiny homes. Across those three more common accommodation types, covered wagons average approximately $82 more per bookable night—a 27% higher ADR.
For campground and resort owners, that combination of scarcity and rate potential creates a compelling opportunity: an accommodation that stands out from more common glamping options while supporting a higher nightly rate.
Invest More Time in Guests—Not Maintenance
Every hour spent maintaining an accommodation—and every night it’s unavailable for booking—affects the return on your investment.
Choosing an accommodation isn’t just about what it costs to purchase. It’s about what it takes to own and operate year after year. With fewer exterior components, simpler maintenance, less labor-intensive repairs, and a guest experience that’s still relatively uncommon in the glamping market, covered wagons are designed to spend more time welcoming guests and less time out of service.
For campground and resort owners, that means an accommodation that doesn’t just stand out—it works hard for your property long after it’s installed.
