Trailer Camper Rental Debacle

We rented a 23’ Forest River 22 foot camper trailer from a family in the cities thru the app RV Share. They had used it lightly last summer and wanted to make some money with it. They charged $130 per night. $650 refundable security deposit. $120 for insurance protection.

We got to the campsite and filled the freshwater tank. Hooked up to power and turned the water pump on. Water started pouring out from behind the toilet. The nut and pipe behind the toilet broke. No cell service. Drive 30 minutes to town to call owners. They suggested we try to fix it so I picked up some parts at the hardware store. After 2.5 hours I failed to fix it. The owner’s son drove two hours to our campsite with the replacement parts. He spent 90 minutes attempting to repair it. Unsuccessful. Couldnt get pressure. Its 1030 pm and he heads home. We spent the next two nights and days with no water. Upon returning the camper I requested a full refund. They tell me they need to call RV Share Monday morning to determine our refund.

With taxes, nightly rental fee and insurance protection we are into this fiasco for $453. They call us monday and offer $130 refund. I reply unacceptable. They say you can dispute it with RV Share.

We wasted a lot of time money and energy with this rental. Now Im going to spend monday morning demanding full refund with RV Share.

This family could have just ate the weekend and Venmo’d full refund. But they didnt. Now Im compelled to leave an extremely negative review on the app. We are their first rental. Doesnt seem shrewd on their part. What would you do?

These amateurs who want to make “quick cash” by renting out their toys have got to understand that this is a business. And they’re not just in the rental business they’re in the maintenance and customer service business.

If I’m following you I know exactly the nut if I’m following you I know exactly the fitting that has cracked and that’s a lack of owner care in winterizing the unit. They left water in the toilet and it expanded and split open that fitting. Total rookie mistake and if you’re going to get into the rental business you have to be way way better than that.

In my opinion a partial refund is BS. The owner should have tested everything before you left the driveway with the unit.

I would tell them it’s full refund or you’ll get the full refund through the RV site and write a negative review.

Ditto what grouse said. If you’re a rental business, then You’re a maintenance and cleaning business primarily.

This exact mentality is why I won’t use Airbnb, VRBO, rv share, any of that. I stay in hotels or resorts, use my own toys and gear, etc. if someone lets me borrow something I return as good or better than I got it even if that means paying to fix something wrong.

If I pay to rent something I fully expect it to be functional; I won’t abuse it but if it breaks I sure as hell ain’t gonna fix it for the company/ person who rented to me.

KPE wrote:

This exact mentality is why I won’t use Airbnb, VRBO, rv share, any of that.

Totally agree. Don’t even get me started on Air Fee & Fee and FeeRBO and their BS cleaning fees. Hard pass.

I agree with everything FG posted. Everything in the rental unit should be checked before it is rented. Everytime!

X4

Although I disagree with the vrbo abnb, have had nothing but positive experiences with some really fantastic spots you can’t book anywhere else, including small cabin in the Appalachians, converted old brewery, driftless region, and some large lake homes the family rents together for vacation.

Hope ya get some agreeable resolve with the situation, even a single negative review in this day and age can really hamper a business.

Agree with getting more of a refund than that. The no cell service probably complicated it more. RVs are very expensive to rent in general. Would have been way more from a dealer. I would support leaving a negative review if they won’t negotiate a little more.

Highly disagree with Air BnB and VRBO though. We almost exclusively use them and although not perfect, MUCH better than what you pay for a hotel. And we’ve had maintenance issues with hotels too.

We also had a bum rental car once. Sh/t happens.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>KPE wrote:</div>
This exact mentality is why I won’t use Airbnb, VRBO, rv share, any of that.

Totally agree. Don’t even get me started on Air Fee & Fee and FeeRBO and their BS cleaning fees. Hard pass.

We rent from both of these places for summer time cabins on lakes for typically 5 to 10 days at a time. Never thought the fees have been high at all. It’s actually the best way to find a beautiful secluded cabin on a lake. Prices have always been good otherwise we pass on the cabin. Way cheaper and better option then any resort I’ve ever been to.

As for the camper rental, that just stinks. Sorry to hear your in that situation. Hopefully you and the renter can work something out

Something like this I’d use my Amex card. Valid disputes are easy to recitify through them

I’m sure there’s good places out there no doubt, we just don’t look to Airbnb or VRBO anymore after looking at cost and some of the “rules” that these owners think are reasonable. Imagine renting a 5 bedroom lake home and having the owner charge extra for more than one vehicle to be parked.

AIRBNB and VRBO are ok but you have to do your homework. Some owners are just nuts with prices, fees, and rules.
Like a 5 bedroom but extra cost for more than 4 people.
Or $25 fee per person if you stop by to have a drink with friends.

We haven’t run in to that or if we see goofy rules we pass on that cabin. I guess if I rented out my cabin I would potentially have rules as well. But again we just pass if the rules or fees are to firm. We haven’t actually had a single negative experience yet. I’ll do most anything to not go to a resort though, when we escape we prefer no one else around.
As for renting personal campers I wasn’t even aware that was a thing.