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| RENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Top 10 Questions - FAQs
(1) How Do I Know My RV Won’t Get Torn Up? Hands down, this is the single biggest concern of RV owners. The long and the short of it is that the renter is responsible for the coach while it is in their possession. The only exceptions are normal wear items. The Rental Rates sheet defines the basic requirements a renter must meet to qualify to rent an RV. We collect significant data on our renters, such as home and work address, home and work phone numbers, social security number, driver’s license number, auto insurance company, agent and policy number plus much more.
Each renter is given an orientation on the RV and must sign off on current condition of RV. We keep log in and log out sheets documenting damages to the RV as a renter comes in and out. Each renter is required to read the Terms and Conditions and initial. They clearly spell out what the renter is responsible for and the penalties involved if they don’t adhere to them. On the contract, it clearly states that we have 10 business days to inspect the RV before refunding the their damage deposit. This gives us ample time to check the unit carefully for any hidden damages not caught in the original check in. None of these things are of any use if we can’t collect from the renter if damage occurs. To make certain we are able to collect, each renter must pay for the rental in advance plus leave us Damage Deposit on hand. Just above their signature on the Vehicle Out contract there is a statement they agree to that authorizes us to charge any balance due on their credit card.
(2) What About Insurance?
When you enroll your coach in our program, we must add it to our master commercial insurance policy. You can drop your current insurance policy because our policy covers you, the RV, the renter and us. We keep a copy of the master policy on hand at all times and welcome our RV owners to go over it or speak with our insurance company to answer any questions they might have. As a rule, our coverage is considerably better than an individual policy. The renter is also responsible for the deductible while the unit is in their possession.
The cost of the insurance depends on the value of the individual coach and whether it is a motor home or a towable trailer. The rates are slightly higher than an individual policy but this broader, commercial coverage is essential. Your individual policy won’t cover you or the coach if the unit is for hire. The insurance premiums are deducted from your rental income each month and it’s clearly identified on your Monthly Owners Statement.
(3) What If I Want To Use My Own RV?
When you know you want to use your coach, call us and we’ll reserve it for you just as though you were a renter. When you pick it up, it will be clean, full of fuel, water and propane. We’ll turn on the refrigerator and water heater for you and check all the appliances, generator, etc. All we ask is that you return it full of fuel and cleaned up so it’s ready to go out on the next rental.
If we already have a renter’s reservation for your coach during the period you want to use it, we’ll make every attempt to switch the renter to another unit.
(4) How Do I Know My RV Will Be Properly Maintained?
When a motor home goes into the program, we fill out a vehicle information screen in our computer. One of the questions it asks is how often we want to perform maintenance on this vehicle. We are also required to enter the mileage and generator hours when we receive the coach and the computer keeps track of how many miles and hours are put on it.
Each time a renter picks up the unit, we record the actual mileage and the generator hours. When they return, we again record the mileage and generator hours. When the unit has 5,000 miles on it since the last service, the computer automatically prompts us to let us know it’s time to service this unit. When so prompted by the software, we change the oil & filter, check the transmission fluid, radiator coolant, brake fluid, batteries and tires for proper operation and safety.
(5) Will Smoking Be Allowed In MY RV?
No, we don’t allow smoking in any of our rental units. There is far too much risk that the upholstery or carpet could be damaged and many people are sensitive to the smell of smoke.
Every renter must sign a sheet that clearly states smoking is not allowed in the coach. If they choose to ignore this rule, they will incur a significant penalty so the coach can be fumigated and professionally cleaned to remove the after-effects from the smoke. This charge is purposely high to deter even the most stubborn renter.
(6) Who Will Be Allowed To Drive My RV?
Only the renter and those persons designated at the time the reservation is taken. Each designated driver will be required to give us their full name, address, copy of drivers license and expiration date. The renter understands that they are the responsible party and will be charged for any damage or repairs due to negligence.
(7) What Happens If My RV Breaks Down On The Road?
Every renter is told that they can repair anything that breaks and bring us the receipt for reimbursement for anything up to $50.00. If the repair is for more than $50.00, they MUST call us for approval and instructions. The Terms and Conditions on the renter contract clearly spell out the procedures that must be followed and our limits of liability. Our liability is limited to the reimbursement for any full rental day(s) lost due to the breakdown and does not include any other expenses the renter might incur.
Our contract specifically states that such things as the refrigerator, generator, air conditioner, etc. does not constitute a breakdown and no reimbursement will be allowed. Once the unit has been repaired and returned to us, we will make the determination as to whether the breakdown was due to mechanical failure or negligence on the part of the renter. If we determine it was due to negligence or misuse, we will charge the renter for the repair. If the unit is still covered by a warranty, we will either send the renter to an authorized warranty station or file the claim ourselves upon their return. If it’s simply a mechanical failure of a part not covered by a warranty, the owner will be charged for the repair as a part of normal maintenance. If a unit requires repair in excess of $100.00, the owner is notified before the repair is made unless it’s an emergency and the owner can’t be reached.
(8) What If My RV Doesn’t Rent?
How often your unit rents depends largely on what it is. The slowest renting RVs are 5th wheels. These units tend to rent better for long-term rentals, such as a person building a house and wants to be on site. Smaller travel trailers rent well for weekends and vacations.
Motor homes are by far the hottest renting units and, currently, demand is far greater than our supply. Inquire for information about the most popular options and floorplans. We certainly can’t guarantee the number of rentals any RV will have, we do have a top notch website and marketing. We offer a high quality product and fair market prices.
(9) Where Would My RV Be Kept When It’s Not Out On A Rental?
Our store is located at 7310 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Texas 78741 and is easily accessible. It is on approximately 4 acres and is fully paved, fenced and lighted. We have approximately 700 ft. of frontage on E. Ben White Blvd. / Hwy 71 with great exposure and high visibility.
(10) How And When Do I Get Paid?
Monthly Owners Statements and checks are mailed each month on the 17th so they are typically received around the 20th. RV owners are paid for the rentals that are returned and closed out during the previous calendar month.
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