Would you lend out your motorhome?

[TXiceman]

Well Henrick, have you told your "FRIEND" no and is he still a friend?

Do you want Susan and I to go over and "exercise" the rig some weekend or longer?

Ken

[puddinhead]

Yes to friends and family but:
- They must provide their own insurance and provide proof (usually a binder from their agent is free) with coverage at least 250/500/250
- They must have a non-CDL class B (required in our state for vehicles over 26,001 lbs.) No license, take the test, I'll help.
- Must go on 2 overnight trips to understand vehicle operation
- Must sign understanding of what they are responsible for - fluids, tickets, accidents, internal damage, etc. Not responsible for maintenance or major repairs unless caused by neglect or stupidity
- Must pay a per mile fee for periodic maintenance accural (oil changes, tires, etc.), based on actual cost.
- No on the toad or towing, that's an experience thing.
- No smoking or pets (other than mine)
- Must return all tanks full except grey and black water empty
I let friends and family borrow cars (Benz and BMW) on ocassion, its just stuff and if they can't afford it, its nice to see others enjoy something they might not ever afford.
You can't take it with you and personal relationships are more valuable than stuff.
We have an Allegro Bus, not the biggest or best but nice

[dav-cle]

NO,No, and No !

[puddinhead]

Originally Posted by bullheaded

Have you loaned money to friends in the past....I have more than once. Same thing.

I don't 'lend' money to family or friends. I 'give' it to them but I don't tell them that. That way if I don't get repaid, I don't get upset and if I do its a nice suprise.

If I can't afford to gift it, I don't.

[puddinhead]

Originally Posted by Peacekeeper6

I'll go against the majority here.

I would let them borrow mine....provided that if anything....ANYTHING, no matter how minor (toilet plugs up, flat tire, any leaks, stains in carpet/couch/bed etc., scratches, dings, rock chips (you see where I'm going with this ??)) happens, they get the wonderful option of buying me a BRAND NEW 40-foot, 4-slide diesel pusher).

'Nuff said.

And just for the record, I do NOT even let ANYONE use my beater 1/2-ton pickup....

Wow a rock chip gets a 20 year old RV upgraded to a new coach...

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Well Henrick, have you told your "FRIEND" no and is he still a friend?

Do you want Susan and I to go over and "exercise" the rig some weekend or longer?

Ken

Hi Ken

I have refused everybody who have asked. I don't think that everyone have fully understood my reasons because they do not appreciate the size of the vehicle or the complexity of things they would need to operate. I hope that they are all still friends even after my refusal.

Thank you for your kind offer to look after our MH. You are one of the few people I would trust to do that.

General opinion about the necessity of starting up the big diesel engine on a regular basis seems to vary but a lot seems to favor leaving it alone even for extended periods. We therefor set everything up for this - including 100% full tanks with fuel additives. Solar panels are in place and we are hoping that they will maintain the batteries.

Should you at some point pass our rig anyway it would be nice for us if you would have a quick look at the batteries to make sure that they still have water in them. Don't go out of your way for this but if you go to the area at some point plz contact us.

Thanks Ken.

[dvmweb]

No, I wouldn't. Even to my grown children. I have let close family use it as a guesthouse, after I set it up. It's just too big for folks to get used to in one go. I'm pretty fussy about cleanliness and maintenance also. So probably never.

[mythplaced]

Originally Posted by puddinhead

....its just stuff and if they can't afford it, its nice to see others enjoy something they might not ever afford.
You can't take it with you and personal relationships are more valuable than stuff.

Now THATS what I'M talkin bout!

[KaptnKluck]

I take the Red Green approach, "If it ain't broke don't loan it."

[tomv]

Originally Posted by puddinhead

Yes to friends and family but:
- They must provide their own insurance and provide proof (usually a binder from their agent is free) with coverage at least 250/500/250
- They must have a non-CDL class B (required in our state for vehicles over 26,001 lbs.) No license, take the test, I'll help.
- Must go on 2 overnight trips to understand vehicle operation
- Must sign understanding of what they are responsible for - fluids, tickets, accidents, internal damage, etc. Not responsible for maintenance or major repairs unless caused by neglect or stupidity
- Must pay a per mile fee for periodic maintenance accural (oil changes, tires, etc.), based on actual cost.
- No on the toad or towing, that's an experience thing.
- No smoking or pets (other than mine)
- Must return all tanks full except grey and black water empty
I let friends and family borrow cars (Benz and BMW) on ocassion, its just stuff and if they can't afford it, its nice to see others enjoy something they might not ever afford.
You can't take it with you and personal relationships are more valuable than stuff.
We have an Allegro Bus, not the biggest or best but nice

I agree with this poster. I am fortunate that I have the means to buy and afford a decent RV. I do agree that before they get it solo they must accompany me on several overnight trips where I get to be the quest. That means they do most of the driving all of the set up and breakdown to my satisfaction before they get to solo. If you can't trust your family and your good friends friends with your stuff then I believe you have problem. My insurance covers the rig. If they break it they fix or pay my deductable. I get great satisfaction in seeing friends and family returning from a nice trip. Also the first couple of trips I usually ask them to stay within 50 or so miles so if something happens I can easily drive and help them.

It sometimes is better to give than receive.

[DRosedale]

No, No, Never, Never, No, No. My dad use to say if they have the guts to ask, you need to have the guts to say NO. (Edited for family viewing, but you get the point)

[Chuck 1935]

Originally Posted by tomv

I agree with this poster. I am fortunate that I have the means to buy and afford a decent RV. I do agree that before they get it solo they must accompany me on several overnight trips where I get to be the quest. That means they do most of the driving all of the set up and breakdown to my satisfaction before they get to solo. If you can't trust your family and your good friends friends with your stuff then I believe you have problem. My insurance covers the rig. If they break it they fix or pay my deductable. I get great satisfaction in seeing friends and family returning from a nice trip. Also the first couple of trips I usually ask them to stay within 50 or so miles so if something happens I can easily drive and help them.

It sometimes is better to give than receive.

I too am blessed, but the best way to end a family or a friends relationship is to lend them something. You will be criticized for the restraints you have put on them or anything else that the wives or the children can think of. It would be far better to rent one for them so they can enjoy the camping experience completly unencumbered and free of worry or guilt should something go wrong.
I admire your generosity, but it will come back to bite you.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by tomv

I agree with this poster. I am fortunate that I have the means to buy and afford a decent RV. I do agree that before they get it solo they must accompany me on several overnight trips where I get to be the quest. That means they do most of the driving all of the set up and breakdown to my satisfaction before they get to solo. If you can't trust your family and your good friends friends with your stuff then I believe you have problem. My insurance covers the rig. If they break it they fix or pay my deductable. I get great satisfaction in seeing friends and family returning from a nice trip. Also the first couple of trips I usually ask them to stay within 50 or so miles so if something happens I can easily drive and help them.

It sometimes is better to give than receive.

Well said Tom. I think the bottom line on this is that it is VERY difficult to have anyone else who is not already VERY experienced in big rigs safely operate our RVs... whether we want to lend them out or not. It's interesting to see the polarized opinions though.

Rick

[tomv]

Originally Posted by RickO

Well said Tom. I think the bottom line on this is that it is VERY difficult to have anyone else who is not already VERY experienced in big rigs safely operate our RVs... whether we want to lend them out or not. It's interesting to see the polarized opinions though.

Rick

I agree there is a lot to know about operating these rigs. But as my post said anyone who I trust must accompany me and act Like I am not there and do everything on their own to my satisfaction before I let them borrow the rig. I have for my daughter and her family at first gone to a campground and set the rig up and let them alone for several days and then went and picked them up to come home before I let her and her husband go solo. I am still working running a small company and I will never wear my motor home out as I only get to use it on weekends and
when I can get away for longer periods. Every time I have loaned it out to family or close friends it comes back better than it left. Always freshly washed and sometimes waxed. Interior is spotless all fluids are full, Tanks emptied and usually and oil change or some little maintenance item has been done. When I do loan it out it makes me feel good that someone is getting enjoyment out of my investment instead of it just sitting in storage. In addition as far driving these rigs the new rigs which I have are not that difficult to drive. Any one with a credit card and a drivers license can go to U Haul or Penske and rent a rig almost the same size as my rv