Renting out your RV

[Capt. Mike]

Insurance will be sky-high, warranty will be void, and if, God forbid, somebody wore to be injured or killed, not only do you have insurance issues, but you could have issues with the IRS if you aren't a business and are collecting - and not reporting - the income from such rentals. If it is costing you too much for the limited time you get to use it, either suck it up or sell yours and rent one from a dealer when you want to go camping.

[retireearly]

Our class C was actually a rental/demo unit before we bought it. We checked it out very closely, but still found some hidden damage after the fact that should have caused us to get an even deeper discount. However, all of it is cosmetic stuff (scratches and dents) I have broken a few more things myself.. but I still wouldn't rent it out because I don't like to fix other people's screw-ups and messes.

[jeffrapp]

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Insurance will be sky-high, warranty will be void, and if, God forbid, somebody wore to be injured or killed, not only do you have insurance issues, but you could have issues with the IRS if you aren't a business and are collecting - and not reporting - the income from such rentals. If it is costing you too much for the limited time you get to use it, either suck it up or sell yours and rent one from a dealer when you want to go camping.

I didn't know dealers rent them out.
Any details you can add?
Is it only for prospective buyers?
Is it cheaper/better units than the rental companies like Cruise America?
Etc.

[PNWTraveler]

So, I'm on the other side of this equation. We want to rent an RV in Eastern Canada (or Maine) for two weeks. We own an RV but in the Pacific NW. We don't have the time or desire to drive it over and back (7000 miles RT). Local rentals are scarce. Looks like a 23-24' Class C would be about $200 - $250/night.

Recommendations? Suggestions? (I'll also post in the appropriate forum for camping location suggestions.)

[Denny B]

The expression "Drive it like a rental" comes to mind.
Very few people give a d#mn about abusing a rental car. I, for one, would never want that attitude applied to my trailer.
Last year I saw a guy with a C class rental cleaning out his sewer hose with his fresh water hose. When I tried to explain how WRONG that was, I was told to mind my own business.
So, sure, go ahead and rent yours out.

[itat]

When we decided to ditch the tent and get off the ground, we rented a popup from a guy who did mechanical work for a local RV dealer. He rented Coleman popups and kept them in very good condition. It was definitely cheaper than buying and taking the depreciation hit and required zero maintenance on my part.

The problem was that the rental period was Friday to Friday which was a PIA if you wanted to stay the last weekend. We decided to buy our own for the convenience of having it available for any schedule. We ended up buying a used one (exactly same model) from a lady at my office and enjoyed it for several years until we upgraded to the Roo.

Around here, Class C MH rentals are very expensive. I'd never pay that much.

If you're looking for another option rather than owning, you could rent a cabin at a KOA or a similar rental at a campground of your choice.

Owning an RV is not necessarily cheaper than paying for hotels and restaurant meals and it involves a fair bit of maintenance work, but it so nice to have your own bed and to be able to cook your own meals and park it in a location that's much more relaxing than a hotel.

[dphorton]

I rent my 2016 Georgetown at Sahara RV in Las Vegas. They have been great. They perform all Service and repairs. So far they have replaced two Slide Out Cable Systems that were installed improperly by the Manufacture Forrest River, wrong Cables installed for the Main and Front Right Slide Out. Forest River even sent the wrong set for the Main Slide Out. Assisted with the Windshield when it almost fell out while driving in the Wind in California and had the Renter tie the Windshield to the RV with Cargo Straps. This was do to the Forest River not applying the proper amount of Sealant during Windshield Installation. Las Vegas RV Windshield Installer guaranteed his Installation for life. Sahara RV even provide assistance when the Engine ingested two Spark Plugs ruining the Engine and had to be towed to Galpin Ford RV in Dewey AZ next to Prescott, Az. Engine installation is being accomplished today the 11th of April 2018. Engine Failed at 18,000 miles. So this has really help me eliminate all the problems. They think I have a Lemon, however I think now we have all the issues fix. So I am very happy to have rented out our Motorhome. This is my experience so far. I have made money with all the problems.

[retireearly]

There are two dealers in our area that rent them for one season and then sell at the end of the season. They make their money coming and going on the units and then don't tell prospective buyers that they have voided the warranty by doing it.

[dphorton]

Ford is paying for the Engine under Warrantee. The rest of the Motorhome repair was paid for under Extended Warrantee. So this was after the Manufacture expired from Forest River.

[Scrapper]

Rent - NO.
That said I would let my niece use my TT on the seasonal site. Her dad, my youngest brother, has a TT. My oldest brother and my sister, maybe. Rest of my family (there are 3 other brothers), no way. DW and my have a family friend (a mom, dad and daughter) who we trust enough we would let them use it. Remember, the TT is on a seasonal site and we would be checking in on all of them.

[dphorton]

Ok, I got it. Thanks for your input. I just can't see my Motorhome setting and rotting away by not using it. It is a decision only the owner can make. I report the income to the IRS and Sahara RV provides Insurance when our Motorhome is in use, $%2500 deductible by Sahara RV and the Renter, so the RV is covered insurance wise.

[Cold Lake Kid]

I traveled, in the same direction, with a renter.
If he was any indication of the sort that rent RVs, I would not want my unit driven by him.
Furthermore, I see RV companies selling year old rental units at greatly discounted prices.
Coincidence?

[rlh1957]

I would not! Wouldn't even rent or lend to a relative. You don't know their skill level, how they treat their own stuff much less something that doesn't belong to them. Watching the movie RV is all true... All of these things have happened. I even know of one instance that a father rented a motorhome and then let his son and friends take it on a road trip. It was trashed. As in a total loss to the company that rented it.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Cold Lake Kid

I traveled, in the same direction, with a renter.
If he was any indication of the sort that rent RVs, I would not want my unit driven by him.
Furthermore, I see RV companies selling year old rental units at greatly discounted prices.
Coincidence?

No, it's not a coincidence. There's only so much abuse a RV can take before it's of no value to sell.

I know for a fact that if you take the RV to a scrap recycler, you do so at no value. I've seen guys bring in perfectly good boats and RV's to keep the wife from getting her share in a divorce and they walk away without a penny. Can you say revenge?

[poppytoymaker]

Like was told to me if you find owning RVing to expensive maybe you should find another hobby. I use my RV 2 weeks every 3 months that equal a month a year The rest of the time it sits covered and fully insured because that's required in our storage yard covered and protected from the sun and weather. I know at some time in the future I' probably want to sell it and I figure if I keep it nice I'll get more for it than if I let it get ragged out.

[Bobh62]

We are considering renting ours out as my work assignment for August 2018 through April 2019 is not in the continental 48 or (thankfully) Canada. Don't want to sell it. Don't want it sitting unused that long. Not totally thrilled with the thought of others using our home but it's an option.

[Kaadk]

While doing some other searches I came across a local guy that has a dozen or so TT’s he rents out. From the terms on his page he doesn’t let people tow them. He drives it to one of the local campsites and then picks it up later.

That takes care of the towing, levelling, and hooking up concerns. But still leaves a lot of stuff that can be broke by the renters.

[Jdb95661]

The companies that rent rvs buy lower end models so if one is totaled its not a big deal. Between what the insurance pays and the money they have made on renting it it works out ok. You wouldnt want to rent your nice rig.

[EdnKat]

Not only NO, but, HEYL NO. If you can't afford it, don't buy it!

[rlocicero]

Renters are usually amateurs. End of story.