Borrowing our hybrid !!

Our daughter (26) hated camping as a teen. Now married and with a 3 yr old son, she has warmed up quite a bit to it and is talking about buying a pop up. I told her to meet us the next time we go out and spend the weekend. Best way to know if you really want to invest in an RV. We get their company and if something goes wrong with the Roo, I'm there.

Step kids, in laws, old friends...these can be the worst situations.
Not everyone thinks of issues beforehand that could have prevented arguments or issues after the fact, and not everyone is good at saying no.
God bless your insurance man.
My 85 year old father just bought a brand new 10k John Deere tractor as part of his bucket list. My wife and her oldest brother are no problem when it comes to using their dad's stuff; the youngest son not so much.
Just borrowed the tractor and brought it back covered in mud, brush and scratched. Not a word, just parked it and left. My father in law will stew, steam and gripe to everyone but his son, and then loan it to him again.

Good news! Keeps you from being the bad guy and keeps the RV safe.

Maybe suggest they start saving for a rig of their own now.

Excellent! Blame it on the insurance, very believable and gets you out of the middle. Now.....in the interest in making a VERY happy wife, strongly suggest you ask her to pick a place she'd love to go and it'll be a done deal. Also, suggest you volunteer to do the shopping or whatever else she'd normally have to do. Toss in how relieved you are and how happy she came up with the perfect solution and you're a Superhero. Trust me on this. Congrats....one worry off the list.

Godsey97 wrote:
He is in a loser of an position here. Stand and fight with the DW over not letting her daughter take the camper, or let them have it, knowing based on experience, he will have to get to their house and get it and it will be dirty and possibly something broken.

I figure this is the only option. Have a non-confrontational conversation with your wife, and remind her (not accusatory) about the times the old camper was loaned and how it was always dirty and you had to always go get it. If that does not seem to sway her and she is determined to let them use it, yo uhave to figure out if it is worth the strife. That or cone to some agreement of a probationary period that the first time you have to go get it, or it is dirty or something broken, then no more loaning it out. At least on that premise the DW (although she could be mad at you) has no legitimate right to be upset because you gave them another chance.

For the record, I am in the same boat. My DW opens mouth and speaks before she thinks (good intentions) and we often loan stuff that we shouldn't. I can see her loaning our Class A to her sister and that brood and not think a thing about it and when it came back nearly destroyed be complaining to me about it, but not say a word to her sister and then loan it again.

My DW already told them I'm not interested in loaning the camper.....mostly because of the insurance. I found out the hybrid is only insured if it is pulled by a vehicle on the same insurance policy, and a driver on the same insurance policy.....that should solve the problem very quickly !

He is in a loser of an position here. Stand and fight with the DW over not letting her daughter take the camper, or let them have it, knowing based on experience, he will have to get to their house and get it and it will be dirty and possibly something broken.

I figure this is the only option. Have a non-confrontational conversation with your wife, and remind her (not accusatory) about the times the old camper was loaned and how it was always dirty and you had to always go get it. If that does not seem to sway her and she is determined to let them use it, yo uhave to figure out if it is worth the strife. That or cone to some agreement of a probationary period that the first time you have to go get it, or it is dirty or something broken, then no more loaning it out. At least on that premise the DW (although she could be mad at you) has no legitimate right to be upset because you gave them another chance.

For the record, I am in the same boat. My DW opens mouth and speaks before she thinks (good intentions) and we often loan stuff that we shouldn't. I can see her loaning our Class A to her sister and that brood and not think a thing about it and when it came back nearly destroyed be complaining to me about it, but not say a word to her sister and then loan it again.

OP, you just answered your own question. IMHO, this is one of those times you remind your DW about the past history and be prepared to take a stand. Normally, I'm a strong supporter of compromise, but there is documentation here to support your position. Unless your DW is prepared to retrieve a dirty camper herself, fix or pay to have fixed all the broken stuff and have it ready for your next trip....... Absolutely not. You and the DW need a serious discussion on this and I think you need to remind these "kids" of the reasons why you will not loan it again. Right now, they are being enabled and their irresponsible behavior is being condoned. Good luck.

The only person I would consider, is my friend who has the identical camper, and the truck to pull it....heck, I'd let him take the new truck too !....but family...nope, not gonna happen

I'm the OP

They did borrow our previous camper, and it always came back with something broken (minor but still)......and both times I had to go get it at their home.....and not cleaned.
My DW still thinks it's ok to lend it to them.....Geezzzzzzzz!!!

What does your insurance company say about it? I would check.

IMHO, I would loan it to them if they have sufficient towing and camping experience. If the first time it comes back dirty or broken, well, that settles that.

Part of the reason ours is now at a seasonal site for the summer is that I am the only one who can tow it, and my wife can now use it even if I am not available. Maybe you could drop it off for them if your are worried about that part.

JIM in NH