Burners: Be Careful With “Free RV Share” or RV Pickup Offers

Description

I have recently seen posts offering someone a free or discounted place in an RV in exchange for picking it up, driving it to Burning Man, and returning it afterward.

Please be extremely cautious with arrangements like this.

The person picking up the RV may be required to present their own driver’s license and credit card, potentially making them financially responsible for the rental, damage, mileage, fuel, late fees, cleaning fees, or other charges. RV cleaning fees after Burning Man can be thousands of dollars.

Major red flags include:

The person who booked the RV is not present at pickup.
You are expected to provide your own credit card.
It is unclear whose name is on the rental agreement.
You are responsible for returning or cleaning the RV.
The owner says they will reimburse you later.
The agreement exists only through texts, Facebook, or Reddit messages.
The rental company has not confirmed the arrangement directly.

Even when the original poster has good intentions, this can leave the driver assuming enormous financial and legal risk.

Before agreeing to anything, contact the RV company yourself. Confirm in writing who is authorized to pick it up, whose credit card will be charged, who is responsible for damages and cleaning, and whether the rental company permits the arrangement.

Do not hand over your credit card or accept responsibility for a stranger’s RV reservation simply because the offer sounds generous. A free ride or RV spot is not worth potentially being stuck with thousands of dollars in charges.

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