Loaning out RV to family and friends

[Dalin]

I have not been asked about loaning it but have heard remarks like you should let people rent it..or maybe we could all go with you some time...but I take it as them kidding because it ain't going to happen. I have had enough issues keeping it all running and operational even from me using it. I usually tell them things like, there's an RV rental company..maybe you could rent one somewhere. etc. I have suggested they rent one if the villas in the RV park we go to to see how they like it, and I always talk about how much upkeep is on it etc. I don't like to let them think this is a free ride...When you have a camper or RV motor home etc, it's not about saving money, it's about the experience. I also make sure I tell them all about repairs etc that I have had to do and how much it cost, even if it doesn't. I try to discourage and thoughts they might have of asking to borrow it. Actually they are being kinda brazen to even suggest you loan it to them. IT would be like here's my Ferrari take it out with your buddies tonight and have a good time... no it is not happening with my toys. And they should have enough intelligence to understand why and not be asinine about it.

[mickanddon2]

I tell them my insurance only covers me and my husband!

[Crackerjack]

Nope, it ain't gunna happen here either. They can get mad, refuse to talk to me, lay in the floor throwing a temper tantrum, or whatever they wish to do and I will not budge on my decision. If they have any respect for me, and the items I have worked hard to purchase, and maintain then they will understand, and if they don't understand, then sorry about their luck.

2 things I've learned in life is to never let family or friends borrow your expensive toys, and never loan them money (unless you really don't care if you ever get it back, and that on both the toys, and the money). IMO it is very brazen of a person to ask to borrow something like that in the 1st place, and then for someone to be allowed to borrow it, and return it damaged, expecting You (Me) to pay for those repairs is totally ridiculous.


Here's some other things that I would be concerned about loaning my RV, boat, etc. to somebody else. What if they get out there in an RV insured in your (my) name and kill someone because they don't know how to drive it? What if they get out there and start the hot water heater, or the propane tank gets a leak or whatever, and it explodes, catches the RV/camper on fire, and kills them, etc.? LOL so see there I'm not only Not loaning it to them because they have no business borrowing it in the 1st place, I'm not loaning it to them, and could be saving their, or someone else's life in the process.

So I will continue to Just Say NOOOO because their are too many risks, unnecessary expenses, etc. that can, and most likely will arise by saying yes.

[jimdunn17]

Over the years my wife and I loaned out our campers to both family and friends. When we had our pop up, I loaned it to my nephew who was working out of town for several weeks and wanted to save money on lodging costs. After three weeks he packed up and was heading home and did not have the trailer hitch properly on the ball. After getting up to speed , the camper departed the the truck, broke the chains and hit a tree. Needless to say, we had insurance and bought our first Rv.

I loaned out that Rv to friends that just wanted to go camping and could not tow the vehicle. I dropped the vehicle off on a Fri and picked it up Monday. No issues. The other couple are dairy farmers who really do not get a vacation. They used it for a week and again no issues.

We recently bought a new trailer and my son was the first one to use it. Again no issues. Now I would not lend it to anyone, but out of respect, it has always been returned in the condition we gave it ito them. Now I peobably would not lend it to the nephew if you know what I am saying.

Happy Rving!

[calebj06]

I would also like to add that as a young married couple we actually did borrow a Camper from 2 different family members. Once from my in laws and once from my grandpa. It is thanks to those two experiences that we now have our own and enjoy it so much.

We are forever grateful that someone took a chance on us and loaned us theirs. No we did not have the money to replace them at the time. We would have figured it out if something happened and would have made it good. We were also going to a week long church camp and not just to the campground to party it up so they knew we would care for it and respect it.


BUT........and this is a big but!

Those were both very simple 28’ TT with no slides. One was very old but well kept and the other was newer but seldom used. Everything in them was standard and simple.

My TT now is 38 feet, has 3 slides and everything is power with different switches everywhere. It’s just not newbe friendly. Lol.

[Emeraldroz]

Totally agree. why is it wrong for me to be upset with them for having the nerve to ask? It isn’t wrong. Just say no.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by colourful64

I think there’s a difference in lending a tt a fiver and a motorhome ... I wouldn’t lend the motorhome but the fiver and tt. Don’t have near as much to go wrong

How do you figure???

[jaherbst]

Let’s get on with something that does not have an obvious answer.

Jack

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by jaherbst

Let’s get on with something that does not have an obvious answer.

Jack

Or change the thread to "How to say NO when asked for the loan of your RV."

Maybe all the answers could be arranged into a song like the Paul Simon Simon "50 ways to leave your lover".

[bentbev]

My motto - Don't lend out anything you can't live the rest of your life without.

[retnasaguy]

The word "NO" is a complete sentence!

[Frank DeFeo]

Not a chance would I let anyone take it. However 1x I had a situation when too many family members visited at same time. So, there is an rv campground 1 mile from my home. I drove my coach there and set it up so that my son and his family ( who also owns an rv) would have a comfortable place of their own to stay. He is very responsible, so no issues. But again, I drove it there, set it up, and picked it up. NO ONE but me drives it. In case your wondering why I just didn’t set it up at my home, not allowed in my community.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Or change the thread to "How to say NO when asked for the loan of your RV."

Maybe all the answers could be arranged into a song like the Paul Simon Simon "50 ways to leave your lover".

Great idea. "Better say 'no,' Joe."

[Citizen of the World]

Sounds like there are two distinct camps on this thread. Owners of travel trailers seem more inclined to allow borrowing. Owners of RVs, not really. That falls into line with my own thinking. If it has an engine, nope, no way, nobody is going to drive that thing but us. WAY too many things that you have to know and take responsibility for, and way too much expense if anything goes wrong. If it's towed, at least there's no engine to blow, or other mechanicals like that. I still would be picky about who I lent it to though, as I'd expect it to be returned clean and without damage.

Several years ago when we got our financial feet under us we started collecting cars. We restored a few classic beauties, and in addition we always have our modern cars (right now a Lexus, an SUV and a Mercedes). People seemed to have no difficulty asking us to borrow a car because we seemingly had so much money. No regard for the years of working and saving that got us to that point. So we went out and bought a used 1994 Ford Escort station wagon and added it to the stable. Whenever anyone asked to borrow a car, they got the Escort. Yes, some of them got really pissed. But too bad. The ones who were really in need of a car were grateful.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Citizen of the World

Sounds like there are two distinct camps on this thread. Owners of travel trailers seem more inclined to allow borrowing. Owners of RVs, not really.

Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Popups, Truck Campers are considered RVs too, not just Motorhomes.
They are all Recreational Vehicles.

And towables, especially 5th Wheels and TTs are more challenging to drive and maneuver than Motorhomes.

[sportsman]

I had the same problem but i found an easy solution i now just tell then to go to their insuranc company and bring me proof of insurance in an amount large enough to cover the rv and at least 5 hundred thousand of libality coverage in case they injure someone else or damage other property. That usually stops it right there .to the rest i just say no!!

[CAT-RN]

Originally Posted by Citizen of the World

Sounds like there are two distinct camps on this thread. Owners of travel trailers seem more inclined to allow borrowing. Owners of RVs, not really. That falls into line with my own thinking. If it has an engine, nope, no way, nobody is going to drive that thing but us. WAY too many things that you have to know and take responsibility for, and way too much expense if anything goes wrong. If it's towed, at least there's no engine to blow, or other mechanicals like that. I still would be picky about who I lent it to though, as I'd expect it to be returned clean and without damage.



Several years ago when we got our financial feet under us we started collecting cars. We restored a few classic beauties, and in addition we always have our modern cars (right now a Lexus, an SUV and a Mercedes). People seemed to have no difficulty asking us to borrow a car because we seemingly had so much money. No regard for the years of working and saving that got us to that point. So we went out and bought a used 1994 Ford Escort station wagon and added it to the stable. Whenever anyone asked to borrow a car, they got the Escort. Yes, some of them got really pissed. But too bad. The ones who were really in need of a car were grateful.

We keep an extra car in the barn for who ever needs it. It’s a Chev Cruze. Not expensive but a presentable car. Grandkids have cars. They have issues. All our family are close here. So whoever has car issues can use the spare car.

As to our RV’s over the years (all class A) never loan them out. Just too much to be responsible for !!

Russell

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by carlsbad

I let my daughter take mine and she hit a rock backing into a spot at 9,000’ and snapped a jack.

She sent me a text on the way home that she would stop and pick up the new stabilizer jack.

She and her friends cleaned it better than when it left.

My kids are always welcome to borrow my camper and my truck.

I let my oldest friend use the boat and never had a problem. Life is too short to be stingy with stuff.

Not sure how it is being stingy?

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

Not sure how it is being stingy?

its not.
When someone has worked hard for the things they purchase and enjoy and do not feel confident that their interests will be honoured or protected by even family members then they should not be the victim of being belittled or demeaned for that decision as I personally have been.

But its ok because it comes down to problem ownership.

Don't have a truck and trailer - rent one

IMO if someone borrows a family members possessions with condition that they repair or replace if a mishap occurs or deliberate act of negligence occurs - it is too easy to return what's left and say to the owner - oops sorry Mom and Dad or Uncle / Aunt as they get into their own vehicle and drive home.

for most that damage could be as simple as a tire or busted television and a cigarette burn in the flooring or as huge as a wrote off coach / truck and TT/5th wheel.

Stingy is defined in the Cambridge English Dict. as "unwilling to spend money"

Most people who own and maintain to a high standard or even a low standard for that matter of fact have already spent money and therefore would not be "Stingy"


Protective is a better term.

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

its not.
When someone has worked hard for the things they purchase and enjoy and do not feel confident that their interests will be honoured or protected by even family members then they should not be the victim of being belittled or demeaned for that decision as I personally have been.

But its ok because it comes down to problem ownership.

Don't have a truck and trailer - rent one

IMO if someone borrows a family members possessions with condition that they repair or replace if a mishap occurs or deliberate act of negligence occurs - it is too easy to return what's left and say to the owner - oops sorry Mom and Dad or Uncle / Aunt as they get into their own vehicle and drive home.

for most that damage could be as simple as a tire or busted television and a cigarette burn in the flooring or as huge as a wrote off coach / truck and TT/5th wheel.

Stingy is defined in the Cambridge English Dict. as "unwilling to spend money"

Most people who own and maintain to a high standard or even a low standard for that matter of fact have already spent money and therefore would not be "Stingy"


Protective is a better term.

I agree...I was asking the OP why it was being stingy protecting my "stuff".