Our experience was far from good. After picking up the RV and receiving a rudimentary walkthrough and being told by the owner Dustin that the propane tanks were empty and he’d reimburse us for the cost once we provided a receipt he then hooked up the trailer to our truck and bid us a good trip.
Within an hour or so of our getting on the highway from Denver to our destination we received a warning inside our truck that there was a fault on the rear light/turn signal and then a warning about the brake control being out as well. We immediately pulled off the side of the highway and got out to check and discovered the 7-pin connector cable from the RV to our truck had been dragging on the road and had worn thru at least 5 or more of the 7 cables. The owner connected this cable and never once warned us about it being so long that there was a risk of it dragging.
We immediately called Outdoorsy to report this and request roadside assistance which resulted in no available help. We took it upon ourselves to buy a replacement cable out of our own pocket at the cost of approximately $69.99 as well as purchasing the propane for the empty tanks he provided at pickup at the cost of $50.26 plus tax for a total of $119.93.
We then purchased a wire splicing kit at Lowe’s and we spliced the new 7-pin cable to the original to repair it and continue on our way. We were in communication with the owner Dustin at this point as well.
The following morning, Sunday the 27th, when trying to exit the Airstream after going in and out several times we suddenly found ourselves stuck inside the unit, the door refusing to open at all. Turning the handle resulted in nothing but a click but no result in opening. After 15-30 minutes attempting to get it open I was forced to utilize the emergency exit window in the rear that required removing the screen and then climbing out. The door would open from the outside no problem but refused to open from the inside thus creating a safety, security and heating issue as this would prevent the door from ever being shut completely anymore.
We were then forced to call roadside assistance again and spent several hours waiting to see if any help could be provided and once again, none was available. We were told that the soonest someone could come out to take a look was the next morning and we would be called as well. Once again we wasted a half a day or more doing nothing but trying to get help due to an issue with the rental unit.
We called the owner Dustin again, explained what was going on with the door. He claimed to have never had another report of anything similar reported or happening. While I want to take him at his word we have photo evidence attached below that appears to show evidence of prying/tampering around the edge of the door to indicate someone at some time had similar issues as we did not cause these marks.
Dustin at this point offered to drive up to bring us a replacement RV (he has another) but he was unsure about our truck being able to tow it as it was heavier and so this was not an option. He also suggested we could take the RV into Colorado Springs, over an hour and half drive from our location to get looked at/repaired. We declined this offer as this would severely impact the point of our trip and enjoyment of it which he understood.
At this point I inquired about a partial refund due to the impacts on our trip do far due to the issues, especially given the door issue. Dustin balked at this even though all I was asking for was a day or a day and a half of our trip being refunded which I thought more than fair even though we’d have to deal with the door issue the entire trip. He said he’d think about it and get back to us. We’ve never gotten an answer.
The roadside assistance we were told would come never did. Never got a call and no one ever showed.
During the remaining days we had weird issues with the heater for the unit and the battery holding a charge, even with use of the generator to the point that when we finally dropped off the trailer back at the owner’s residence on the 30th we had to fire up the generator again just to lower the tongue jack. And the owner was entirely unavailable that day, knowing we would be returning that day.
The mattress in the camper was terrible. It was clearly original and had a big sag in the middle despite the memory foam topper that attempted to cover this. I can sleep anywhere, except on this mattress. Windows were cracked, and the seal on all the windows was peeling away as well.
The sink faucet was loose. When we went to raise the antenna the crank that did this literally fell from the ceiling. The battery compartment was held loosely closed by tape. The camper looks fine at first glance if not a little worn, but any time spent in it you realize how poorly maintained it is.
In addition to these major issues, multiple cabinet handles were missing screws and hanging from just one, multiple cabinet and closet doors refused to stay closed without being secured by rubber bands, the entry/exit steps were bent/broken and not very safe which the owner pointed out and told us to just step on one side when we picked it up and the fire extinguisher inside was far past expiration date, made in 2005. Another possible safety issue.
This unit had multiple serious issues and clear lack of maintenance by this owner who admitted to purchasing the unit only in the last year and was booking at 24 days out of every 30. That rate of rental would definitely support a need for maintenance and upkeep.
We let the owner know we were coming and dropping off the RV on the 30th but never once got a text message response and the owner was not in residence when we dropped it off. Thus we were forced to leave the keys inside the milk box on the front porch. Never once did the owner respond to text regarding the same and has never offered any compensation for the propane we were forced to purchase as promised nor any partial refund for issues w unit we had to contend with.
And now, we have received notice the owner is making a claim for the $1,000 security deposit which is infuriating, insulting and in no way acceptable. Any price for potential additional repair to the 7-pin cable wouldn’t come close to $1000. Any repair to the door had zero to do with us and was not caused by us. The screen on the rear emergency exit window we were forced to remove due to the malfunctioning door lock and again, not our responsibility.
We will be contesting a portion of the initial rental cost and any portion of the security deposit attempted to be taken by this owner.
I will be calling you as well.
Angela Smith and Matthew McGee
303-880-2261 or 720-810-0621