As you may know by now, in addition to RV Sales, we had rental departments in our dealerships. We rented RVs at our Midwest and Southwest dealerships. But, along with this great adventure of rental, came the issue of mistakes RV renters make. Not intentionally, of course.
- They would enjoy RVing;
- What kind of RV would work best for them before they invested in purchasing one; and
- What the rest of their family liked.
Ultimately, depending on how well renters listened to our orientation and followed our suggestions, the mistakes RV renters make would be limited. Resulting in an experience that would be stress free.
If you are thinking about renting an RV or possibly renting YOUR RV. Take a moment and learn from the experts about some of the common mistakes that RV renters make.
Mistakes RV Renters Make – Inside
- Over Loading: An RV is big and can
handle all the weight in the world! Renters
would take the RV home and load it (and ever compartment and cubby) to the brim. All before the trip to Wal-Mart! Why this is an issue: Everything has a weight limit, and damaged tires from overloading was all too common. Particularly in the warmer months when heat is not your tire’s friend.
- Too Many Passengers (It sleeps 10, right?): Yes, all the friends, relatives and neighbors were sometimes invited to participate. Why? Well to keep the cost down, if an RV sleeps 8 or 10 well that’s equivalent to 3 hotel rooms! Renters all too often thought about cost over comfort. You do the math – 10 people, 200-400 square feet, and 1 bathroom! That’s a lot of humanity in a tiny space for 7 days!. Why this is an issue: An RV the “sleeps 10” is going to do this with the following configuration and will require doubling up. And while that jackknife couch or dinette technically sleeps 2, you have to REALLY like the person you are sleeping with (or be very small).
handle all the weight in the world! Renters 
would take the RV home and load it (and ever compartment and cubby) to the brim. All before the trip to Wal-Mart! Why this is an issue: Everything has a weight limit, and damaged tires from overloading was all too common. Particularly in the warmer months when Mistakes RV Renters Make – Outside
- Use of the Roof: Can we store on the roof? Walk on the roof? Sit on the roof? (they do it at the races all the time). And if there is a ladder, doesn’t that mean we can go up there? Why this is an issue: Storage adds height, and height is a risk (over passes have posted clearance, but trees do not). The roof of most RVs is not designed to be a deck. We inspected the roofs upon return and frequently find shoe prints – and damage.
- Turning Mistakes: Nine out of ten times if the customer returned with damage on the RV it was because they turned too soon. The center of the RV would be scuffed from something that was just too close. During orientation, customers were told that the wheel base is significantly longer than a standard car or truck. Why this is an issue: The rear of the unit comes around a corner much closer to the curb (or any fixed object) than the front of the RV and boom – damage!
- Not Knowing Where Your Rear Is: One of #1 things that was damaged, was the rear of the RV’s. Rear you say? Yes! Each and every customer was
told (warned) that the RV (unlike their personal auto) has a long over hang behind the rear
told (warned) that the RV (unlike their personal auto) has a long over hang behind the rear 
wheel. This overhang swings out in the opposite direction they are turning. On sharp right turn, the left rear of the RV swings out. And on a left turn the right rear swings out. Why this is an issue: You would be surprised at how many people forgot this “rule”. Or they miscalculated hit a fixed object on the opposite side of the unit (often times not even realizing it!). In addition the over hang can drag on curbs, steep driveways, speed bumps, or for that matter any incline that they drive over.
