Loaning out RV to family and friends

[Teaman]

Teaman here. .................... I am wondering how other members handle the issue of family members (or friends) asking to borrow your motorhome or camper? I think I have alienated a couple of family members who asked to borrow my motor home for a Summer vacation trip. I said No.


Having had recent experience letting my Son take my camper. He let his Son take the camper also (easy come - easy go). When I got it back, there was extensive damage (sideswiped some trees apparently). Sway bar lost. Freeze damage to water system (busted hot water heater and leaking water pump and leaking toilet). I had to replace all. Had to call repair man to rebuild one rear corner (tree damage).


I was talking to a local RV store parts man about what happened. He told me he hears plenty stories like this. He said one should never loan an RV or a Boat to friends of even family.


Its hard to turn down family.

[formerFR]

nope, never, unless in an 'extreme' situation, as a friend who lives in 'hurricane' ally in Fort Myers... loaned his coach to his brother in law who lost his house.

[Gumpster808]

Nope wouldn’t, haven’t etc. etc.

Family too far away to ask. Local friends have not asked. Some of them have had boats and things so they understand not to ask I think.

I’d rather have them upset that I wouldn’t loan it to them than have the issues listed by the OP.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

If the have the nerve to ask, I have a bigger nerve to say no. So many stories on here about loaning out RV, all returned with some type of damage or filthy.

I have a hard fast rule "NO"

Teaman, I bet they didn't offer to pay for the repairs either!

[ScottBrownstein]

Never...ever...agree.

[youroo]

Did Hell Freeze Over? Youroo!!

[DieselDrax]

You did the right thing by saying no. It's your property that you paid for and for anyone to be mad at you for saying no shows a large amount of disrespect and selfishness on their part. This is echoed by the fact that family members have already damaged it because they didn't care enough to pay close enough attention to avoid hitting something. It's not about them being inexperienced, someone that is inexperienced and knows it would know to be extra careful. For that much damage to happen they were simply careless and perhaps even reckless. Do they expect YOU to pay to have it fixed?

Friends and grown-up family members know it's rude to ask to borrow high-dollar items like that unless they have been told "You're welcome to use it sometime if you'd like, just let me know." If they haven't been told that then they are simply out of line to ask.

I'm sorry you've had issues with family and they've made you feel like it's your fault for causing a rift by saying no, but that is 100% on them. I don't put up with that kind of drama from anyone and I won't be guilted into feeling like it's my fault or problem.

Good luck!

[Kimber45]

No quicker ways to loose friends or cause family fights. Never Never Never.

[aceinspp]

Nope never will happen. Later RJD

[ManlyMan]

Loan it no, rent it to a family member yes, but the rental fee would be $10,000.00 per day.

[mjones12]

In addition to saying no, I'd also wonder what the insurance implications would be for someone else towing or driving my RV.

[dblr]

I don't even have to speak the answer, my look alone tells them!!!!!!

[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.

[packrat48]

Have let my daughter use my TT for dog shows, but I always take it there and set up then return to pick up.

[carlsbad]

Originally Posted by packrat48

Have let my daughter use my TT for dog shows, but I always take it there and set up then return to pick up.

That works, too.

I was a weird dad to my two girls. They can drive a standard, back up a trailer, tow a boat and get it down the ramp, and lots of things a lot of these kids today can’t do. They are in their 20’s and I think they stand out.

I made them change their oil and even change a tire (let the air out) for practice.

They can handle a pistol and a revolver, eject a stuck round from an AR-15, and know their way around a motorcycle. Mig and Tig are in their vocabulary. Rural America is alive and well.

They are still girls and love to Instagram and all that silly stuff, but they can hold their own.

[dcheatwood]

I asked for a $10,000 deposit once when a nephew kinda, sorta hinted about borrowing mine. He never formally asked. But I have had church friends ask once when their a/c went out at home. He was offshore and she declined as I was explaining in Great Detail about all the necessary processes.
I'm not comfortable with it loaning it out at all.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by dblr

I don't even have to speak the answer, my look alone tells them!!!!!!

I was about to say the same. There's one problem with that comment though. DW says I look that way all the time.

[merrykalia]

My brother has "used" my fifth wheel for a few days. We took it, parked it, set it up and explained all the systems to him. After they stayed 6 days, we showed back up, they left and we finished out 8 days at the beach before heading home.

I will not loan my truck out to anyone other than my son since it is a dually and it's much larger than most people can or want to handle, therefore, my fifth wheel can't be moved by anyone other than us.

If a friend really NEEDED it, I would take it and set it up and let them stay in it, but would NEVER loan it out.

[Roberte52]

Never, but are welcome to pitch a tent next to us!

[dblr]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I was about to say the same. There's one problem with that comment though. DW says I look that way all the time.