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04-29-2017, 06:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Delaware beaches
Posts: 1,164
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Thinking about renting out your MH? Read this.
There is a previous thread which asks if you would rent out your MH. If you are on the fence about that question, here is some food for thought.
"(April 28, 2017) -- KSL Investigators dug into multiple lawsuits and complaints and found one common thread: the woman renting out the RVs owes these renters thousands of dollars and the deposits are just a fraction of the problem.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Summer is just around the corner and for a lot of families that means road trips. For those who don’t own a recreational vehicle, renting them out is a big business. But if you’re not careful, the business you’re renting from could turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.
After getting complaints about one rental company, KSL Investigators went undercover looking into the company’s questionable practices. We spoke with multiple people who all found a RV for rent in the classifieds for around $100 a night.
For Travis Richardson, it seemed perfect, so he put down a $500 deposit, hoping it would be exactly how he imagined a relaxing campout in the mountains with his family would be. Turns out, it wasn’t as advertised.
Read the full story by KSL."
Credit RV Daily Report by Greg Gerber
__________________
2005 Beaver Monterey 36' 400 hp Cat C9 Sold 9/20
2004 Newmar DS 4009 DP Sold 8/18
Delaware beaches ----- DW & Kip the Wonder Dog
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04-29-2017, 06:55 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
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well, 'common sense' would answer some simple up-front concerns in any rental situation, ESPECIALLY an RV...
A) who in their 'right' mind gives money for an RV they've never personally seen before?? an RV is NOT a vehicle you just jump into and go on a vacation in, though apparently some people must think so...
B) who thinks that a 20 year old vehicle, of any kind, is not without 'some' issues, regardless of how 'minor' to some, and 'major' to others? Of course a mechanic that you are paying is going to tell you EVERYTHING that can possibly be wrong with your vehicle - he wants to make money repairing it! and replacing your tires! The tire shown was NOT 'balding'... the tread was very adequate, and just because the tire has some wear on the inside does not mean it's a 'safety' issue - give me a break!
C) "...and the water heater didn't even work" - does he even know how to turn ON the water heater?? the issues with folks renting RVs that don't know the different system, switches, and locations, are just asking for simple problems like these. If it's a propane system, was the propane tank turned ON? Was the propane igniter switch turned ON? If it was an electric system, was the electric water heater switch in the RV turned ON? Was the switch at the water heater turned ON? Does the RV have to be on ShorePower to run the water heater?
These systems in RVs are not always foul-proof, even for first time OWNERS, much less first-time Renters...
D)Do you really think that $100 per night is going to give you a perfect, up-to-date, brand-new, luxurious Motorhome?? Really?? Look at what most RV rental companies charge 'per night'(not that they would ever rent an RV on a nightly basis, most are on a Weekly basis only)... closer to $500 PER DAY! and that's NOT including fuel, propane, or any additionally charged items such as plates/silverware, etc. OR Insurance!
jeeeeez, really? get real.
1) Do NOT pay ANYTHING until you have SEEN and INSPECTED and DRIVEN and been given a clear demonstration of how EVERYTHING works on the RV you are thinking of renting.
2) Make sure that you are provided a test drive and provided appropriate lessons and demonstrations of maneuvering the vehicle safely.
3) READ the contract BEFORE signing it or provided ANY security deposit that you will MOST LIKELY not be returned.
4) Ask for a copy of the renter's INSURANCE policy for the vehicle and demand that FULL COVERAGE be provided for the time of your rental. YOUR own insurance will NOT cover someone else's vehicle, period.
5) Make sure that you have a PHONE NUMBER that you can call 24/7 for help, or walkthru of the operation of the vehicle or it's systems.
6) Ask for a punch-list of everything that you should do when you arrive to set-up, and when you are breaking-down to leave, especially dumping your sewer tank.
...
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04-29-2017, 07:59 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Delaware beaches
Posts: 1,164
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MisterT, I can answer your questions - "Those who have never rented, owned, or even looked at a MH." Common sense is gained through experience, but sadly, even a rudimentary level of this commodity is sorely lacking in most folks today, IMHO (Failure of Public Education?). "But wait, we'll double your offer, just pay a separate fee!" Works, doesn't it?
Your advice for due diligence is spot on.
__________________
2005 Beaver Monterey 36' 400 hp Cat C9 Sold 9/20
2004 Newmar DS 4009 DP Sold 8/18
Delaware beaches ----- DW & Kip the Wonder Dog
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04-29-2017, 09:35 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 282
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While I'm sure much of these people's concerns in this specific story are legit I have to take fault with these "undercover investigation" type stories in general.
They are never undercover when they go to one of their "industry experts" so of course when the mechanics know they're going to be on TV and are told to "find stuff wrong" they nitpik and have to find something. Then the mechanic goes on to say "I wouldn't trust my family in this car!!" when in reality the mechanic probably drives a 30yro F150 on it's last legs that some one traded them for some side business.
You could take a brand new car off a dealer lot to these mechanics, point a camera in their face and tell them to look it over and I'm sure they will find something that makes that car "unsafe".
And as other's have said, many of these people in this story probably never have driven an RV before but expected it to drive like their daily driver Honda Accord (looking at you "steering didn't feel secure" lady) and a 20yro motorhome to have Hilton level accomdations on a Joe's Motor Inn budget.
If the undercover investigators had gone to these mechanics while still undercover and asked for a safety inspection they probably would have been told "yeah, you're check engine light is on due to an evaporative emissions leak, nothing to really worry about. Your tires are getting pretty worn, should think of replacing them soon, and per the manufacturers scheduled maintenance your fluids should probably be flushed." But that doesn't make for shocking TV...
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04-30-2017, 07:39 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WA
Posts: 118
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Not to say this couldn't happen anywhere on earth..... But I lived in Utah for 30 yrs and from the get go, there were so many people that just plain want to screw you over there. From pyramid schemes to full on new car dealers taking advantage of clueless others..... I for one, are not surprised.....
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