Do You Loan Out Your AS?

[Phrunes]

Put your kids in the bed of the truck...problems solved.

[Snedwid]

I'd loan out my dentures before I'd loan my Airstream

[SeeMore]

I can count on one hand the folks from whom I would consider a loaner request for more than a nanosecond. After a second, the list would be pared to two. Over the decades of our friendship, both have exhibited the driving skills, financial and behavioral responsibility, and reciprocal grandiosity to be welcome to use it. I can say this after pushing their rare, expensive exotics around the race track to tire adhesion limits knowing insurance policies do not cover this activity.

[m.hony]

I might let someone use the Airstream on the same basis I let other people ride my Harley:
1. They own one as well and will let me ride it.
2. They have a motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license.
3. If they break mine I can have theirs.
4. They have plenty of money and are willing to pay for any and all damage.
Pretty much...NO!

[m.hony]

When people ask us- hint, hint- "How many does your camper sleep?" I answer, "2. Me and my wife."

[Bettye]

I'm going to start using your answer!

[Zigidachs]

NO!

No one respects or cares for property better than the owner! (We never invested in rentals for the same reasons.)

[Janet H]

Yes. But there are rules....

1. It doesn't leave my property.
2. No activities are permissible in the Airstream except sleeping. No parties, smoking, food prep, etc...
3. The person borrowing the Airstream has to be extra awesome and feel appropriately humbled to be sleeping in my trailer

Other than that - no problem!

[pinkflamingoes]

I've found in the past that if I give reasons, it opens up to "oh that's all right we don't mind" or "but that wont happen", asking again at a future time, or other people hearing that it is a small chance it *could* be a yes, so you have to face the problem yet again.

I would only let my immediate family, stay in the driveway, and ask them not to touch any appliances. But then, my parents were the ones who taught me to respect others property, and they would respect that if we ask them to leave appliances alone, they will.

I had an offer to help lower the shell back onto the frame, I was eager to accept the help. Then I realized they want dibs when it's done.

I will never ask for help from anyone other than an Airstream owner, and then I would drop what I'm doing to help them id they needed me.

Nice to share my feelings about it here. I was feeling overly possessive of our girl. Now I know it's not "overly".

[BAB]

All that's really important to me is my family. My son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids. When my son was a little guy, we tent camped. Then got a little Winnebago. I've taken him on a two-nighter to get to see how the A/S sets-up, tows, etc. It is my hope that he'll want to borrow the trailer to take his family on some trips and that the "bug" will bite them (he's already tent camped with my grandson). Someday, SilverLeaf will belong to him and to them and I hope it will bring wonderful memories to them. So, while I understand the reluctance many of us might have, that would never apply to my family! Other folks? Forget it!

[rmkrum]

Interestingly enough, I'm in possession, with written permission, and also on the insurance, of a loaned Airstream.

My son is active duty military outside CONUS, and has left his trailer and TV here with me for safekeeping, storage, and upkeep for the next 3-5 years or so. Both items are his pride and joy. I get the burden of keeping his TV and AS in tip-top shape, pulling preventative maintenance, and making some improvements that he will pay for (eventually).

The important thing to realize is that he knows thoroughly that "dear ol' dad" is a PROVEN expert mechanic, woodworker, electrician, and general roustabout, and is also responsible enough to pay for what he breaks. We've been through stuff like this before.

Given that, I ask his permission before I move it from one storage slot to another, move it more than 30 feet on the road, and give him a full itinerary for any trip wife and I are planning. I also use my OWN TV instead of his, because of insurance--his TV is on a policy that allows very little annual mileage, even though I am on it.

Yes, its a heck of a responsibility, and fortunately I have the wherewithal to flat out buy it from him if he ever decides to sell it or I total it somehow on a trip.

I fully understand how much that aluminum ham-shack means to him, and he trusts me (to a point). As a family, we have camped in a lot of places, in tents, in a converted van, or with the Boy Scout troops all my sons were in. We're experienced campers and outdoors types.

Given all that, would either of us loan it to someone outside our family, or for that matter certain folks inside our immediate family--the answer is a resounding "Hell NO". And this includes his siblings...

It's an Airstream thing--please go buy/rent your own.

[PharmGeek]

My new AS is on order....just spoke to the dealer...pickup date most likely friday 11/1/13...wooooohooooo (wait that is a long time )

Anyway, my two older brothers live nearby and when I got my modest yet new bass boat 4 years ago (its just an aluminmum tracker 16.5 ft, 30HP merc) I was soon after asked to loan it out...answer? no. why? Because:

A) they are not insured with it
B) even if they were and could pay for repairs, it would be uncertain if damages could get it back in previous perfect condition I have it in
C) I only want to be the one to sink the darn thing


I just respectfully said I was not comfortable lending it out....feelings were a bit hurt...I was probably viewed as a bit of a d$#K - but that passed, and now everyone gets along...now with new AS on order, there is no question about the loaning prospect now is there....

My dad is 63 almost and I do have a bit of a soft spot about considering letting him use it one day....but he could not be prepared to cover damages and he would never ask...but clearly we are planning trips...

My kids - hmmm - well by the time they could use it, this thing will be over 20 years old....If they have kids, and I would be happy perhaps to hand it down...with strings though...if I am still able to go camping...I must be included to tag along (in my either newer model AS or perhaps a really nice vintage polished to perfection )

I really hate having to worry about this stuff...I would rather let everyone enjoy when I am not using it... - aint gonna happen though

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Yes, its a heck of a responsibility, and fortunately I have the wherewithal to flat out buy it from him if he ever decides to sell it or I total it somehow on a trip.

I think it's a good policy not to borrow anything you can't afford to replace. And with something like an Airstream, especially a vintage one, they are often one of a kind, and there is no way to replace it with the same thing, let alone make up for the emotional attachment you have from the work you put into it yourself.

[PharmGeek]

I just realized that...for the vintage folks...some spent years lurking...then years reparing...countless hours polishing, etc...then to have it totalled....oh man....would be gut wrenching

[Mike-Gloria]

How would anyone have the guts to ask such a thing? You were kind to even think about it. No would be our answer.

[Silverflames]

When people ask, I start talking about the gypsy caravan/ hobbit hole RV that we are going to build, how I'm going to set up the 12 vlt and 110 power, holding tanks, and soon their eyes glaze over. Then I tell them when it's done they can borrow that!

[Suzzeee]

Nope -- no one's borrowing either of our "baby's"!! Not even family!! We have let a couple of friends that we like really well come camp with us but we were there the whole time to make sure no tanks overflowed and nothing got messed up! Most of our friends know way better than to ask...but I'm sure someone will at some point and the answer is NO!!

[Protagonist]

Given the separation anxiety I feel when leaving it at the dealer, who will be going in it to FIX things, no way on God's green earth am I leaving it with someone in who might BREAK things!

[LavenderMoon]

Oh sure. We let people borrow it all of the time! We just have a few rules that folks need to follow.

1. Bring your own lawnchair
2. Feel free to position your chair anywhere you'd like - we suggest facing the Airstream so you have a real good view of the shine, shape, and overall beauty that only an Airstream can provide
3. When leaving, bring out anything you brought in (chairs, cans, etc)

Sorry, entry into the Airstream is not allowed.

Cheers

[WayTooCool]

There's a witty Spanish saying that roughly translates to "my wife - -yes, my gun - maybe, my horse - never!" That pretty much sums up the situation.