How a Single-Wide Trailer Beat the Smokies’ Best Airbnb Cabins

How a Single-Wide Trailer Beat the Smokies’ Best Airbnb Cabins

The Smoky Mountains are one of the most competitive short-term rental markets in the U.S.

Luxury cabins are everywhere.

Million-dollar builds line the hills.

And if you ask most investors what it takes to win here, you’ll hear the same advice on repeat:

“If you’re not a cabin, you don’t stand a chance.”

Then investing in a single-wide trailer should be a gigantic mistake… right?

With the right strategy, it’s actually kinda genius.

So genius, it started getting booked within minutes of going live.

This is the story of how Funkit Interiors client Kelly turned a pretty unassuming trailer into one of the Smokies’ most scroll-stopping stays using design, experience, and smart land strategy.

Let’s dive in.

The Problem With Investing in Smoky Mountain Airbnbs

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States.

It gets more than 12 million visitors a year. That's more than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon combined.

That kind of demand fuels a massive STR market.

It’s lucrative… but it comes with one major problem: extreme competition.

But that's one part of the problem. Scroll through Airbnb in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, and you’ll see it immediately.

All the results look the same:

• Log cabin
• Mountain view
• Hot tub
• Rustic interiors

This formula works—but everyone's doing it.

Kelly knew this better than most. Before buying her own property, she spent years managing short-term rentals in the Smokies. She saw firsthand how difficult it was for “just another really nice cabin” to stand out.

So when she was ready to buy her break into short-term rentals and buy her first Airbnb, she made an unconventional pick: She bought a trailer.

Kelly’s Journey: Turning a Trailer Into a Top-Performing Airbnb

To most people, this move sounds insane. How can you compete with luxury cabins with a trailer?!

But from an investor’s perspective, it was incredibly strategic.

Kelly purchased a single-wide trailer sitting on 1.75 acres of land for $195,000. That price point is nearly impossible in the Smokies.

And most buyers wouldn’t touch it because it was a trailer.

Here’s what made it such a strong investment:

Location with proven STR demand

• About 12 minutes from Dollywood
• Close to the Pigeon Forge strip
• Easy access to year-round attractions, dining, and outdoor experiences

Land (the real unlock)

• Enough space to add meaningful amenities
• Zoning that allows for more than one structure
• Long-term expansion potential instead of a one-and-done build

And most importantly: Differentiation

When you stop competing for the same properties as everyone else and start looking for something unconventional—ugly houses, overlooked assets, non-traditional structures—you open the door to better deals and better returns.

Buying a trailer allowed Kelly to invest in an otherwise expensive market. And she also gained flexibility and a built-in “unique factor.”

A Masterclass in Resourcefulness Over Perfection

To get her project off the ground, Kelly leaned into what she already had: family, friends, and a willingness to get her hands dirty.

Together, they:

• Built an expansive deck
• Transformed an old carport into a full game barn
• Installed a cowboy pool
• Poured concrete, mounted aluminum walls, ran lighting — all of it

Going DIY kept costs down. It also gave Kelly a deep understanding of where money actually matters, and what she’ll confidently outsource on future projects.

Knowing the structure itself was modest, Kelly made one non-negotiable decision early:

Design and experience would carry the property.

She brought in Funkit Interiors’ STR design team to help transform the trailer into something unforgettable and scroll-stopping. She said yes to almost every suggestion the team pitched wth the goal of creating something bold that would pop off the page on the Airbnb feed.

Total renovation and design came in around $160,000, bringing her all-in investment to roughly $355,000.

And the finished product looks nothing like a trailer.

Property Overview: Inside “The Nova” Experience

Welcome to The Nova—a bold, bougie, mid-century modular retreat with Smoky Mountain flair.

Set on 1.75 acres, just minutes from Pigeon Forge, this stay blends playful design, comfort, and experience-driven amenities that immediately signal: this is not a typical Smokies cabin.

The Nova offers:

• Hot tub and heated cowboy pool
• Insta-worthy murals and a treehouse net for stargazing
• Fire pit for s’mores and late nights
• A massive covered deck with an outdoor TV, BBQ, and dining
• A full game lounge with a pool table, ping pong, darts, and a bar area
• Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and pet-friendly perks

Inside, bold colors, varied textures, and intentional layouts replace the tired rustic-cabin look.

This space was designed to leave guests obsessed. And it's working.

The Airbnb Results That Changed Everything

When the listing went live, Kelly didn’t wait weeks to see if the concept worked.

Within two minutes, bookings started rolling in.

• 14 bookings in a single day
• Rates quickly climbed with demand
• Holiday nights reached as high as $700 per night

That simple trailer now outperforms the cabins Kelly manages in the same market.

That’s the power of experience-driven destination stays.

Kelly originally hoped to gross $45,000–$66,000 per year.

She’s now on track to exceed $70,000 annually.

The Numbers:

• Property Purchase: $195,000 (10% down)
• Design & Renovation: $160,000
• Total Investment: $355,000
• ADR: ~$230 (up to $700 on peak days)
• Annual Revenue: $70,000+
• Annual Expenses: ~$48,600
• Net Profit: ~$21,000
• Cash-on-Cash Return: ~12%

A 12% CoC return is strong in today’s Airbnb market, especially with current interest rates and prices. At Host Camp, Rob typically targets 10–15% for STR investments.

What Kelly Did Differently (And Why It Worked)

Kelly’s success was no accident. It came down to a few key strategic decisions you can apply to your own portfolio.

She transformed an ordinary property instead of chasing a perfect one.

Kelly didn’t wait for the perfect property. She took something overlooked and unlocked its potential.

She invested in great design and standing out.

Design elevated the trailer into a premium-feeling, unique stay that guests immediately loved. It's begging to be posted on Instagram. Which trailer can do that?

She built a backyard experience that turned the land into the main attraction.

The cowboy pool, game barn, fire pit, and deck made the outdoor space the star.

She focused on differentiation from day one.

Instead of copying competitors and one-upping them, she stood apart entirely from the jump. That's how she outsmarted an ultra-competitive market.

She stayed resourceful to protect returns.

By starting with something affordable, leveraging her network and doing much of the work herself, she kept costs under control.

She didn't only prioritize luxury and aesthetics, but comfort.

Sure, these interiors look amazing. But they also look super comfortable, inviting, and cozy. And that adds to the appeal and charm.

She chose a location with year-round demand.

Not just scenic—but close to activities, attractions, and repeat traffic. It wasn't the easiest market, but she had the strategy to make it work.

She bought with expansion in mind.

This wasn’t just a cash-flow play—it was a growth play. Her property has room for multiple income streams with an additional unit.

This property is the perfect example of The Destination Method: creating stays people will travel just to stay in and experience.

The Land Hack: Why This Property Is Just Getting Started

The property is zoned for two structures.

That means Kelly can add another unit—possibly a tiny home or second trailer. And she won't have to duplicate amenities like the cowboy pool or barn.

That'll bring in double the revenue, with lower marginal costs.

“We already have the investment in the amenities. We already have the space. I see this as a multi-income land play.”

This is what we call a land hack—and it’s one of the fastest ways to scale STR income without scaling expenses.

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The Takeaway: Kelly's Advice for New Hosts

“This project taught me to break the rules, trust my gut, and look at ordinary properties and figure out how to make them extraordinary.”

Real estate doesn’t just reward the people with the biggest budgets.

It rewards those who:

• Start where they can
• Stay resourceful
• Understand their market
• Go all in on guest experiences
• And have the courage to do something different

It’s not what you buy.

It’s what you do with it.

“If I had to give advice to someone who has not yet jumped into the investment Airbnb scene, do it now. Um, you always think you're too late to the game. ” - Kelly.

Check out Kelly's awesome trailer Airbnb here and give it a ♥️!

Ready to build your own experience-driven stay?

Book a free call with our coaches to turn your ideas into a plan.

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