Has anyone made RV co-ownership actually work with family or friends?

[PaulJulius]

I’m trying to understand what makes RV co-ownership workable in real life, especially between families or friends.

If you’ve shared a rig, borrowed one regularly, or considered splitting one, what were the biggest failure points?

The ones I keep hearing are scheduling, cleaning standards, towing comfort, maintenance, insurance, repairs, and “who pays when something breaks.”

Curious what rules or systems would have made it easier.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I’m trying to understand what makes RV co-ownership workable in real life, especially between families or friends.

If you’ve shared a rig, borrowed one regularly, or considered splitting one, what were the biggest failure points?

The ones I keep hearing are scheduling, cleaning standards, towing comfort, maintenance, insurance, repairs, and “who pays when something breaks.”

Curious what rules or systems would have made it easier.

Welcome aboard. I have friends that tried it. I can tell you that we are still friends with both couples but they are no longer speaking to each other. There was a multitude of issues and you listed most. In the end, they sold the Class C at a loss because they couldn't even agree on a selling price.

 

[rjshiflet49]

Thankfully our friends and family have never asked to "borrow" or co-own our RV. The answer would be an instant "No, thanks...I'm good". I don't care how good of friends you have or how close you are to your relations - investment together is pretty much a really stupid idea. But hey, don't take my word for it. If you believe you can make it work...go for it and find out yourself.

 

[TR25]

Thankfully our friends and family have never asked to "borrow" or co-own our RV. The answer would be an instant "No, thanks...I'm good". I don't care how good of friends you have or how close you are to your relations - investment together is pretty much a really stupid idea. But hey, don't take my word for it. If you believe you can make it work...go for it and find out yourself.

I knew of 2 families who shared a single wide on a lakefront campground. They had to be special as they each had a handful of kids. I don't know if it survived into when the kids went into their mid teen years though.

Partnerships in most things rarely work out, be it in a business or leisure item. The first one is money based and the second one is leisure...and a home. Who likes to share homes with others?
Partnerships with friends/relatives is a great way to not have them anymore.

I think the only doable one would be to just rent an RV.

 

[fishslayer]

Recipe for reducing your circle of friends

 

[sanda]

I don't ever do business with friends or relatives.

 

[Crazydog]

This is the exact same question you posted over on iRV2.
The overwhelming "don't do it" responses should tell you something.
If you can't afford to buy a trailer or RV on your own you'll just be asking for problems between friends or family.
DON'T DO IT!!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I wouldn't consider it.

That said, you can look into other statistics with similar results. Marriage has a less than 50% success rate, with a total satisfaction rating pushing zero.

And a very high rate of individuals thinking they can beat the odds.

Sounds like you, having posed this question on other forums, you might be one of those that likes the odds.

 

[Rosy]

I’m trying to understand what makes RV co-ownership workable in real life, especially between families or friends.

If you’ve shared a rig, borrowed one regularly, or considered splitting one, what were the biggest failure points?

The ones I keep hearing are scheduling, cleaning standards, towing comfort, maintenance, insurance, repairs, and “who pays when something breaks.”

Curious what rules or systems would have made it easier.

Apparently Air BnB has trailers you can rent and they'll even deliver them to your campsite for you and pick them up when you're done.

 

[rjshiflet49]

Recipe for reducing your circle of friends

Perfectly said.

 

[TR25]

This is the exact same question you posted over on iRV2.

How many people were warned, posts removed and/or banned then....

 

[TR25]

That said, you can look into other statistics with similar results. Marriage has a less than 50% success rate

I was thinking the same comparison.
And both are sort of alike, each somewhat of a fantasy, high, fun expectations, but sometimes it's work and sometimes just not fun.

Having done some repair work in hotels and have a relative who's managed one for decades, I just don't stay in them anymore. I think the odds are better in renting an RV and not getting any "leftover" experiences from the previous user(s), but not rented one in about 20 years, so that's before the bedbug breeding program.

Also have a hard time eating at a restaurant as having done some repair work in them, I got to see what the kitchen/food prep/storage areas look like. That is one area where the chains are better as they are more regimented in cleaning.

Some things one just can't un-experience, unsee

 

[Vint]

A few years back, a good friend of mine wanted me to co-own an 18-to 21-foot boat with him. He had three kids, a dog, and a ton of friends on the "other" side of his friend circle. I was totally surprised that he even brought up the subject. I told him straight up, "No, I value our friendship too much". He persisted with the offer, and I had to be firmer with my refusal than I wanted to, but I had to get the point across that sharing a boat with him was the last thing in the world I would do. We remained good friends until he remarried his ex-wife.