Bottom Line: I would highly recommend not renting from this host.There were several issues both with the RV and the communication with the host. Prior to the rental departure I was upfront with the hosts about our destination and that it was going to be hot and that one of the reason for choosing this particular rental was the unlimited hrs on the generator which meant that we would be able to run the AC, something that was definitely going to be needed on our trip. During our initial walk through the host informed us that the AC had been serviced but, that it did not get as cold as they would have hoped, they were correct. Also and this was the biggest omission, they neglected to inform us that there is a safety switch on the generator and that if the gas tank gets near 1/4 tank the generator shuts off. This happened right around dinner time our second night. We lost the ability to use the microwave so the food I had made in advance for a large group basically went to waste. We also lost the ability to have the AC on so being inside was near impossible. I tried to contact the hosts and after several attempts I was finally able to get through, and while I admit the only remedy was to get more gas they did not seem contrite in the slightest for not mentioning the 1/4 requirement up front. Had they done that we could have easily filled the tank prior to reaching our destination and would not have had this issue. Instead I spent the better part of the next 4 1/2 hrs trying to beg and borrow gas cans and a vehicle from strangers and making several gas runs to get the generator going again so that we could try to cool down the RV so we could get some sleep. While all of that was happening the RVs battery died as well and the Jump Starter pack provided was not able to jump the battery. I had to find someone the next day to help jump the RV. All of this was going on while my wife and I were supposed to be competing at a National Waterski Competition and I will tell you that this definitely affected our ability to perform at our best.Aside from those major issues there were also several other issues that we noted:
- This is an older RV and its age shows. Everything rattles and shakes while driving, to the point where several times it felt very nerve racking. Several of the doors on the cabinets would shake open because the latches are old and worn.
- Even though there is a mandatory $100 cleaning fee the unit was dirty and grungy when we showed up. We even found empty drink bottles and old food in the unit during the walkthrough.
- The remote for the front TV was missing, not a huge deal but my daughters were hoping to watch a movie during the drive up and back.
- Most of the window screens were torn so we were unable to open the windows at night for airflow when the AC was not working, without getting the RV filled with bugs
- The normal AC in the cockpit area would turn off whenever the accelerator was pressed, it would only come back on when I let off the gas pedal
- The lower exterior storage areas were filled with excess items making packing for our trip more difficult
- The tank level indicators for the Gray and Black water tanks did not work correctly, so we weren't sure of the levels throughout the trip.
- During our close out discussion, the host indicated that because my wife and I left the RV cleaner than we received it they were going to wave the mandatory $100 cleaning fee however, at the time of this review no credit has been appliedSome Pros:
- Their initial communication was good and they were friendly, however during and after the trip the communication has been difficult and several attempts to talk with them to try and resolve issues have gone unanswered
Respuesta de Phil
Dear Philip,We take all concerns seriously and want to clarify the issues raised during your rental.Regarding the generator, during our walkthrough, we always explain that it stops working when the fuel tank reaches 1/4 full to prevent stranding. Despite your call coming after hours, the owner promptly reached out and offered solutions, including using Roadside Assistance to provide gas so the generator could run overnight. We made six attempts to contact you with further solutions, but we did not receive any responses .Given the extreme August 100+ heat in Bakersfield, expecting a 70-degree interior temperature is beyond the capacity of most RV A/C units. When driving in extreme heat, especially on steep grades, the engine may turn off the A/C automatically, to prioritize performance. We’ve since updated our script to include it. We will continue improving based on feedback to ensure future renters have the best experience possible. Thank you.
