Community Forums

mtmt8083 · 09-19-2019, 05:11 PM

Hello all,

We have a 2015 Sunseeker 3010DS. We enjoy using it, but I am currently about to have a baby and don't foresee taking any trips in the near future. In the meantime we have been thinking about renting our RV through RV share in order to help pay for storage costs. Has anyone had any experience renting their RV either privately or through a company like RV share. If so any advice would be appreciated. We are located in southern California.

Megan

Dav L · 09-19-2019, 07:26 PM

Use Search. Discussed many a time. You will get two camps "yes, rent it" and "no way should you rent it".

EJW · 09-19-2019, 08:21 PM

As Dav L mentioned there are two distinct opinions - yes and no.

I have heard some positive stories, but also some negative stories.

I thought about renting our RV (was and am still intrigued), but decided against it for now. In my opinion, there's too many things that can break and go wrong for a novice renter. I'm not a mechanical guru so I wouldn't be able to fix the big broken stuff. Also, I'm not a big fan of strangers sleeping in my bed. As an aside - i wouldn't rent my house on AirBNB either for the same reason.

I think renting would require a bunch of additional time to clean it between renters and making sure things are ready (kitchen supplies, etc.) for the next folks.

Good luck and congrats on your baby!

winniman · 09-19-2019, 08:23 PM

Here is a relevant thread for you to read. Cheers http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/i-re...re-405251.html

momdoc · 09-19-2019, 09:08 PM

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER rent it out. WE tried it once and NEVER again. No one will treat it like it was theirs. Also see what it does to your insurance.

justinpirie · 09-19-2019, 09:40 PM

Yeah two rentals and $35k damage, in the shop for more than six months. It’ll never be the same. Not worth the money or hassle unless it’s a POS.

dons2346 · 09-19-2019, 10:01 PM

Don't know why you would stop taking trips because of a baby. Load everything up and go. Never rent out your rv. If you do, expect a higher insurance and also expect it to get beat up.

SLOweather · 09-19-2019, 10:12 PM

Here's a different take on the question.

Background:

We have owned motorhomes for over 30 years. A year and a half ago we were between coaches, and rented a CruiseAmerica for 10 days. Apparently, they have been doing that for over 40 years, so they have some background, and have their coaches made by different manufacturers to their proprietary specs.

Go to a dealer and look at a CruiseAmerica coach, and compare it to yours. Everything that yours has and theirs doesn't, is something a renter will break, stain, rip off, etc. And look at the scratches on the sides.

NO:
TV
Slideouts
Steps
Satellite
Awnings
Front swivel seats
Carpeting

Rear view camera
Etc.

I'll bet you their flooring and upholstery are more durable and less comfortable than what yours has, for a reason.

They take a $500 cleaning deposit, and, according to our rep, many renters walk away from it rather than return it clean, holding tanks empty, and gas and propane full.

You don't say what your storage costs are, but, IMO, the cost of storage and the cost of ongoing maintenance in time and money, and the stress and expense of a new family member, I say sell it and buy a different coach when you are ready to travel again.

You can always rent a CruiseAmerica if the travel bug hits.

justinpirie · 09-19-2019, 10:19 PM

We’re about to take our newborn on a trip for a couple of months for our respective leaves [emoji41] Great advice above. Sell it before renting it if you can’t justify the money.

SLOweather · 09-19-2019, 10:21 PM

Oh, and I forgot something. The random phone calls because something is broken, or the toilet is overflowing, or they have a flat tire, or they don't know how to make water come out of the shower head..

CruiseAmerica includes a 2" thick manual with EVERYTHING regarding the operation of that particular coach, and they have their own roadside service.

justinpirie · 09-19-2019, 10:22 PM

The calls when they’re crashed your coach or “something broke” are the worst.

**Spdracr39** · 09-20-2019, 07:54 AM

You have to pay storage whether you are using it or not so it should have been considered a cost of ownership with no need to offset it. If you rent it plan on never using it again for yourself because it may be left in such poor condition you probably won't want to. Another thing to consider is your insurance may not cover rentals and you will need a blanket personal liability policy in case they fall out the door.
Can you make money ? maybe
Will it be a hassle? yes
Is it worth the risk? Only you can decide that.

mtmt8083 · 09-20-2019, 06:29 PM

Thanks everyone for their responses. I can see both the good and bad sides of the coin here. We plan to start taking our own trips again soon.

A Traveler · 09-20-2019, 07:00 PM

I know you are never supposed to use the word “never” in a sentence, but I can use it here with total, 100% confidence.

I WOULD NEVER - EVER - RENT OUR MOTORHOME TO ANYONE. It’s an all downside and ZERO upside kind of deal.

Some day I’ll tell you what I REALLY think about it.