Do You Loan Out Your AS?

[Skater]

Originally Posted by cojer

wow! airstream owners sure are stingy.

And the insults begin.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by cojer

wow! airstream owners sure are stingy.

Especially the Canadian ones. We can squeeze a nickel until the beaver screams. Just ask any waitress in a Florida restaurant.

I'd just say that it's winterized and put away until spring.

I'd just say that it's over-run with cockroaches and bedbugs.....
and the exterminators are too expensive.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

Especially the Canadian ones. We can squeeze a nickel until the beaver screams. Just ask any waitress in a Florida restaurant.



I'd just say that it's over-run with cockroaches and bedbugs.....
and the exterminators are too expensive.

That's it! "I haven't got it exterminated yet!" Love it. Then watch their face.......

[sarasafari]

People have got nerve! I've been asked to "borrow" mine to go hunting in, to take their kids camping, by my 22year old niece to go to Bonneroo..and mine is still in restoration stage! I go along with the prior post- don't loan anything that you expect to get back.

[Air Apparent]

No. That's why hotels exist.

It's more than a trailer or RV; it's ingrained in us as part of our lifestyle.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

I'd just say that it's over-run with cockroaches and bedbugs.....
and the exterminators are too expensive.

I wouldn't. That would give me the reputation of being slovenly for letting it get that way in the first place.

I don't mind hurting people's feelings by saying "No" without bothering to give a reason why not. But to soften the blow, I'll direct them to the RV rental place in Kenner, the next suburb over.

[Brentsouth]

I had a friend hint at wanting to borrow my Airstream Interstate and I told him No but if he got signed off in my Cessna 206T (cost 4 times the Airstream) he could borrow that! He thought it was hilarious......I was serious! Not sure why it creeps me out to think of someone in my Airstream but it does!

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I wouldn't. That would give me the reputation of being slovenly for letting it get that way in the first place.

Nope.

Tell them it was in "showroom condition" and bug free....until you lent it out.

Another idea: if they are the nervous type, compile all the trailer wrecks from YTube, then email it to them with the caption, "The Perils of Trailering!"

RV Camper Crash on I-40 turned over on it's side - Wreck Poor Guy! - YouTube

Be creative!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Fly at Night

Tell them it was in "showroom condition" and bug free....until you lent it out.

Ah! I think you might be onto something. Should just say, "Never again," and let them wonder what happened last time. Even if there never was a last time.

[Fly at Night]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Ah! I think you might be onto something. Should just say, "Never again," and let them wonder what happened last time. Even if there never was a last time.

Are you talking trailers or marriage?

[ND10CentCan]

We have had a number of people ask if we would lend out the Albatross for vacations, weddings, family reunions, get a ways, etc. and the answer is "If you are willing to give us $25,000 in cash as a deposit, sure." With that we could at least get our materials/parts costs back but not over 2 years worth of B,S&T.

I think we may be willing to lend it to our kids but only after a few hundred hours of practice on towing, systems, and set up. They might lose interest after that run down. I would be on pins and needles until the kids and the Albatross returned safe and sound.
Sandy

[webspinner]

Stingy? I don't think so.

If something breaks, who is going to fix it?

People who don't own Airstreams assume that it's just a cute, miniature house. What could go wrong?

People who own Airstreams know that either a) It's a long way to Jackson Center or b) For those of us who laid in every wire, pipe, cloth seam and wood screw, we wouldn't want the one who was careless enough to break it to the the one to fix it. It is all about the blood, sweat and tears.

[twobikes]

Reminds me of an old saying..."A BORROWED SAW WILL CUT THROUGH ANYTHING"

[Mrs.Mod]

I am so glad for this thread! We have some people we know fairly well that have been pressuring us by drop heavy hints. "If we can't find a RV to use...." 'Oh we wish we could travel to XYZ to see our daughter......' followed by the discussion about the cost of hotels and such. THey are waiting for us to offer, which we are not going to, but I know they will flat out ask soon.
I know these are hints to use our AS because it only comes up when ours is home.
Mine and Mr. Mod's answer is 'no'. But I know these people will be offended when if finally comes up and we say 'no'.
I worry if something breaks, even if it truly is their fault, they could chalk it up to the fact that our trailer is 35 years old and probably would have broken soon. THen I'm stuck with the expense and hard feelings.

I think I would allow certain guests to stay in mine at my home.

Lending it out otherwise, I would probably only loan it out to one person, my bro-in-law. I know he can handle the towing and he's a truly stand-up guy, even if it isn't so much his fault.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[MarkE]

I am afraid I'd have to turn-down a request to borrow my trailer.
I try to be kind and understanding of others but have learned, through experience, that no matter what the loan is (tools, money, car, trailer, etc.) I am just the greatest guy guy in the world when I agree.
Then, somehow, I end-up being the world's biggest a-hole when I want the money repaid, item returned, or damage repaired.
'Funny how if I am in need of something I must buy it for myself but some folks figure, they are entitled to just use/abuse what I have woked/saved for. Then, they try to make ME feel guilty if I don't allow them access to whatever I have, and act insulted if I decline their request.
These are the same people who I have loaned to before with horrible results: they act insulted, appaulled, even angry, when I expect MY posessions returned (oddly, they don't usually offer to return them nor repair/replace damaged goods).
Suddenly, I am the jerk.
So, no I would not loan my Airstream. or tools, or money, or car, or lawnmower, or....

[Travel Bird]

No way, no how! Never ever!

[crispyboy]

The only person I would let borrow/tow the trailer would be my brother. We have always looked out for each other and he could actually afford to get it fixed. I would let my parents and my aunt and uncle use it in the driveway only because they know and understand how much effort it has taken to earn this trailer and they see how I take care of it.
As for the friends that ask I would offer them motel money - another way of saying NO.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Mod

Oh we wish we could travel to XYZ to see our daughter......' followed by the discussion about the cost of hotels and such.

According to their webpage, CruiseAmerica has 125 locations in the United States where one can rent an RV. El Monte RV also rents RVs nationwide. I'm sure there are others, but those two popped up right at the top of the list in a quick Google session. Go to their webpages, download a brochure, and the next time your aquaintances ask, hand them the brochure and say, "Bon voyage!"

If they lease an RV from a rental company, then the insurance will be taken care of as part of the lease, and so will any damage that they may do by not dumping the black tank before the toilet overflows, or whatever.

Those companies don't rent out Airstreams, but the moochers asking to borrow one don't need to borrow an Airstream; for their purposes, any RV would do, so why not rent a Class C instead. They'd never even notice the difference in quality, most likely. Unless they're former Airstreamers suffering withdrawl symptoms after being forced to part with their pride and joy…

And if they rent an RV, they don't have to learn how to hook up a trailer or anything, either. Driving a rented Class C motorhome isn't a whole lot different from driving a U-Haul truck, in terms of size, technique, and all that. Much less for them to learn before they hit the road.

And that way they won't have to borrow your tow vehicle because their [Insert car make and model here] isn't equipped for towing, either.

[Mrs.Mod]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Those companies don't rent out Airstreams, but the moochers asking to borrow one don't need to borrow an Airstream; for their purposes, any RV would do, so why not rent a Class C instead. They'd never even notice the difference in quality, most likely. Unless they're former Airstreamers suffering withdrawl symptoms after being forced to part with their pride and joy…

You're right. They don't NEED an Airstream. These particular people like to 'keep up with the Jones''.
But, they want an airstream because what a way to travel! And rightful so.
I didn't NEED an Airstream, I wanted one....so I bought one.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Mod

These particular people like to 'keep up with the Jones''.

By borrowing from the Joneses. Perhaps they can come on the Forums as guest posters to explain how that works? Because I'd sure like to keep up with Bill Gates. Perhaps he'll loan me his mansion?