Towing with a rental

[agesilaus]

My daughter is training to work in the claims dept of a major insurance/rental company. She told me yesterday that they spent days going over that contract that we all ignore, line by line and discussing each and every line in the contract. They are looking intensely for the slightest reason to deny a claim. And towing with a rental is high on their list.

For example they went over one case, some people towed a trailer with their rental. For some reason they pulled over on the side of the road and someone else rear-ended the trailer. This caused the trailer to snap around and strike the woman who was standing next to the truck striking her dead.

CLAIM DENIED! They were towing.

They also denied a claim for some woman who got her rental shot up ($12000 in damage) by parking in a bad neighborhood. Thus intentionally placing the vehicle at risk.

So do not imagine these people are trying to help you over the phone, they are digging for that fine print violation.

[wnjj]

2012Coleman wrote:
I went to Jetty park and we went out for dinner. Came back and the manager was at my site - told me I had to leave because I broke the rules:

1.2 Campers, tents, vehicles, minors, and pets shall not be left unattended.

That site is a riot. They should get someone who can actually write to fix up all of the poorly-written sections and inconsistencies.

The section from the PDF you posted above says that but their “rules and regulations” page says this, “Campers are responsible for their site and may not leave the camp site unattended for more than 24 hours.”

Then section 1.3 below that uses the exact same word “campers” to refer to people. Does this mean 1.2 says you cannot leave any unattended people? What about adults? In this part of the country a “camper” means truck camper so that would mean you could leave trailers, motorhomes, etc. unattended.

Then there’s a bold sentence stating, “pets are not allowed outside the campground.” Huh? I assume they mean inside the park, outside the campground but it still reads funny.

This in just 5 minutes a glancing over the site. :S

Sorry for the off-topic.

[Ralph_Cramden]

2012Coleman wrote:
I went to Jetty park and we went out for dinner. Came back and the manager was at my site - told me I had to leave because I broke the rules:

1.2 Campers, tents, vehicles, minors, and pets shall not be left unattended.

You didn't leave a dog unattended did you? That's a rule I would like to see strictly enforced. He in PA at state parks the rule says pets are not to be left unattended. A lot of people believe it does not apply for pets left inside their trailers. I've personally had enough of people leaving their barking dogs in their rigs all day.

Now a rule like you mention that you can't leave the rig or park, that's just stupid.

Did they actually evict you?

[2012Coleman]

I went to Jetty park and we went out for dinner. Came back and the manager was at my site - told me I had to leave because I broke the rules:

1.2 Campers, tents, vehicles, minors, and pets shall not be left unattended.

[harryjr]

We had an Explorer rental one time from a major rental co. that had a padlock thru the receiver. Fine print or not, guess they really didn't want us to tow.


{Yeah, I know. Hacksaw off the padlock. Tow whatever you want. Then put on a duplicate lock just to screw with them. It would probably be months before they found out their key didn't work}

[JaxDad]

JaxDad wrote:
Just because you've never run across it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Ralph Cramden wrote:
I've been to Jetty Park 4 times, the last time in 2014, and have never seen anyone refused a site.

That’s my point exactly, as of last week I’ve been there 3 times THIS YEAR, 2019, and stay there on average probably 8 times per YEAR. Airplane junkie, what can I say?

I note however you don’t dispute what the rules say either........

[agesilaus]

"Better hope your RVIA decal never peels off then.
===================================================
I have a camera, printer, Photoshop and plastic spray. You can probably find a photo of one online for that matter. I doubt there is a RVIA police group to enforce this.

[Grit_dog]

"Better hope your RVIA decal never peels off then. The only reason anywhere has such a rule is to have an enforcement tool to keep out whatever they consider riff raff. It has not one thing to do about safety standards. If that was what it was about they would not let people have tents and put LPG fired heaters in them"

^ This.
It would behoove alot of people to open their eyes, ears and minds and NOT be so literal with so many things.

[Ralph_Cramden]

JaxDad wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
Disbelief of and resentment against all sorts of regulations and requirements is rampant.

In several threads about homemade or conversion campers, including one very recently, people react strongly at the mere mention of ‘fine print’ regulations. Comments like “The LPG Police or the AC current Gestapo? Maybe the RVIA certification label which is a joke and not required to begin with?” appear very quickly.

I really think it’s just a case of anger against anything or anyone that dares to say you can’t do whatever you please.

Hey, that was my post and I stand by it. Frankly I think your claim that you have witnessed 12 people being tossed out or refused entrance to RV parks or Campgrounds, because they home-built a camper, altered the propane system, or anything else, to be a large load of BS. But that is just my personal opinion. It has/had nothing to do with anger against anyone or anything that dares say you can't do something.

LOL, so it was.

Just because you've never run across it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

As an example THIS is a link to the Port Canaveral Jetty Park Campground website. This is one of the places where my friend was refused a site. If you scroll to the bottom of the page there's a link to the rules which says "24.4 No RV campsite can be retained without a camping unit (camper with RVIA sticker) placed on the site.".

As I've said many times before, it doesn't mean anyone will catch on or even ask, but more & more the "What kind of RV do you have?" section of the registration forms are going to being enforced and scrutinized.

Google something like "RVIA sticker required" and you'll come across all sorts of threads about people with van conversions, cargo trailer conversions and bus (school and others) conversions being denied entry to both private and public parks on the basis that the units do not demonstrate compliance with life safety standards.

Better hope your RVIA decal never peels off then. The only reason anywhere has such a rule is to have an enforcement tool to keep out whatever they consider riff raff. It has not one thing to do about safety standards. If that was what it was about they would not let people have tents and put LPG fired heaters in them.

I've been to Jetty Park 4 times, the last time in 2014, and have never seen anyone refused a site. I have also seen a few homemade rigs, converted cargo trailers, and bus conversions there. If I was a betting man I would lay my money down they had no RVIA decal.

What does an RVIA decal mean anyway? It's certainly no guarantee the thing was wired correctly or the propane system does not leak. My Rockwood had an RVIA decal yet the lugs were left loose on the wall mounted shore power connection and all the heads were stripped out on the breakers and neutral bar with the conductors smashed flat from over torquing to the point that most just snapped off. An RVIA decal does a lot of good in that situation as it does when Lippert's welds break on spring hangers and frames.

[JaxDad]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
Disbelief of and resentment against all sorts of regulations and requirements is rampant.

In several threads about homemade or conversion campers, including one very recently, people react strongly at the mere mention of ‘fine print’ regulations. Comments like “The LPG Police or the AC current Gestapo? Maybe the RVIA certification label which is a joke and not required to begin with?” appear very quickly.

I really think it’s just a case of anger against anything or anyone that dares to say you can’t do whatever you please.

Hey, that was my post and I stand by it. Frankly I think your claim that you have witnessed 12 people being tossed out or refused entrance to RV parks or Campgrounds, because they home-built a camper, altered the propane system, or anything else, to be a large load of BS. But that is just my personal opinion. It has/had nothing to do with anger against anyone or anything that dares say you can't do something.

LOL, so it was.

Just because you've never run across it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

As an example THIS is a link to the Port Canaveral Jetty Park Campground website. This is one of the places where my friend was refused a site. If you scroll to the bottom of the page there's a link to the rules which says "24.4 No RV campsite can be retained without a camping unit (camper with RVIA sticker) placed on the site.".

As I've said many times before, it doesn't mean anyone will catch on or even ask, but more & more the "What kind of RV do you have?" section of the registration forms are going to being enforced and scrutinized.

Google something like "RVIA sticker required" and you'll come across all sorts of threads about people with van conversions, cargo trailer conversions and bus (school and others) conversions being denied entry to both private and public parks on the basis that the units do not demonstrate compliance with life safety standards.

[Ralph_Cramden]

JaxDad wrote:
Disbelief of and resentment against all sorts of regulations and requirements is rampant.

In several threads about homemade or conversion campers, including one very recently, people react strongly at the mere mention of ‘fine print’ regulations. Comments like “The LPG Police or the AC current Gestapo? Maybe the RVIA certification label which is a joke and not required to begin with?” appear very quickly.

I really think it’s just a case of anger against anything or anyone that dares to say you can’t do whatever you please.

Hey, that was my post and I stand by it. Frankly I think your claim that you have witnessed 12 people being tossed out or refused entrance to RV parks or Campgrounds, because they home-built a camper, altered the propane system, or anything else, to be a large load of BS. But that is just my personal opinion. It has/had nothing to do with anger against anyone or anything that dares say you can't do something.

[riven1950]

Kind of like rental companies advertising unlimited mileage then when you actually read the agreement you a restricted to certain states. Basically read your contract and remember what they tell you does not count.

Last two times I rented a car I added my GF as a driver. Both times when I picked up the rental they told me I had to pay extra. I referred them to their contract and they changed their mind. Contract says no charge for spouse or domestic partner in same household. I wonder how much extra $$ they have made from this.

[JaxDad]

Disbelief of and resentment against all sorts of regulations and requirements is rampant.

In several threads about homemade or conversion campers, including one very recently, people react strongly at the mere mention of ‘fine print’ regulations. Comments like “The LPG Police or the AC current Gestapo? Maybe the RVIA certification label which is a joke and not required to begin with?” appear very quickly.

I really think it’s just a case of anger against anything or anyone that dares to say you can’t do whatever you please.

[mich800]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
If my reading comprehension is correct, the OP's daughter is working in claims for the rental car company's insurance provider. This is the insurance you buy at the rental counter, not regular auto insurance. It would be reasonable for that insurance to not extend to usage beyond what is contractually permitted. If the rental contract says "no towing", towing is not going to be covered by any insurance the rental company sells. Also, bullet holes would be covered by their equivalent of comprehensive coverage. That is one of their added coverages you either buy or initial you don't want. And there are rental coverages that separate out collision and comprehensive into two different charges, unlike normal auto insurance where they are normally linked. Don't buy it, bullet holes are not covered.

And if people actually read the rental policy they may be surprised that one of the restrictions often is no driving on unpaved roads. Hopefully you do not live on a gravel road.

[Ductape]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
If my reading comprehension is correct, the OP's daughter is working in claims for the rental car company's insurance provider. This is the insurance you buy at the rental counter, not regular auto insurance. It would be reasonable for that insurance to not extend to usage beyond what is contractually permitted. If the rental contract says "no towing", towing is not going to be covered by any insurance the rental company sells. Also, bullet holes would be covered by their equivalent of comprehensive coverage. That is one of their added coverages you either buy or initial you don't want. And there are rental coverages that separate out collision and comprehensive into two different charges, unlike normal auto insurance where they are normally linked. Don't buy it, bullet holes are not covered.

Exactly. Furthermore, a company that size is likely self insured, and certainly has enough leverage to have the policy written precisely to their specifications. So if the policy has those exclusions, it's because Hertz or whomever made it so. Not whatever insurance company is listed as the policy provider. That will be either a captive shell company or a third party paid to be the claims administrator.

It's the rental company's property, they can exclude any use they wish.