FAQ’s
What You Should Really Know About Renting an RV?
Try Before You Buy!
If you are considering the purchase of an RV and wish to rent one with the intent to confirm the model, size or type that you wish to purchase, our Sales Department will apply a percentage of the rental charges you paid, towards the price of the vehicle you purchase. There are specific terms and conditions that apply & a member of our Sales Staff will be glad to explain this great program to you.
Customer & Driver Qualifications
Customers must be at least 25 years old; possess a valid driver’s license (international is fine); provide proof of insurance coverage in writing; and present a major credit card in their own name, for payment of the rental charges. We cannot accept a credit card from a third party; over the phone; or from a photocopy. The card must be in the customer’s name and physically present.
You can have up to 3 additional drivers, at no additional cost. They must be present at the time of departure; be at least 25 years old; present their driver’s license; provide proof of insurance; and sign the rental agreement. Fax signatures or photocopies are not acceptable.
Payments
There is a $750 deposit for class A motor homes, a $500 deposit for class C motor homes and a $300 deposit for towables required when you make your reservation. This amount becomes your damage/cleaning deposit. The balance of the rental charges are due 10 days prior to departure. We accept ONLY credit cards at that time. Master Card, Visa, American Express or Discover credit cards only; we DO NOT accept: cash, checks of any type or debit/check cards at the time of vehicle pick-up.
Cancellation Policy
Customers can cancel their reservation up to 14 days prior to their departure date and receive a full refund of their down-payment less $35.00 administration fee. There is no refund for cancellations within the 14 day time period and your down payment is forfeited.
There will be no refunds for Special Events such as NASCAR, Bonnaroo or Holiday Weekends. The full rental amount will be due if you cancel and your estimated rental will be charged to the credit card provided at the time of rental.
Lightnin RV reserves the right to cancel the reservation at any time due to Acts of God; extreme unsafe weather conditions; if is determined that the vehicle will be used in unsafe conditions or for illegal purposes; or if the Customer arrives at the time of departure in a condition that is determined by Lightnin RV or it’s employees, that the Customer cannot safely operate the vehicle.
Gasoline & Propane (L.P.)
You depart with a full tank of gasoline, and return it full. We charge $1.50 over the posted retail price of the closest service station to our location for vehicles we have to refill. You depart with a full tank of propane, but return at whatever level remains.
Minimum Rental Period
In most cases, there is just a 3-night minimum rental time period...a typical weekend. However, there could be a longer minimum due to special events or a major holiday. We are not open on Sunday or major holidays for vehicle departure or return. Races are a 4 day minimum.
How & When Do I Pick-up My Vehicle?
We operate just like a hotel. You are charged for each rental night, not 24 hour time period. The only difference is that our rooms roll on wheels! We are open the following times and dates:
| Monday – Friday | Store Hours 9:00 A.M. – 5 P.M. | Pick-Ups are at 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 P.M. | |
| Saturday | Closed | ||
| Sundays | Closed | ||
All Returns are by 11:00 A.M., remember, another customer may be waiting for the vehicle you are in, to take on their vacation!
We are closed Saturdays and Sundays and major holidays.
Dumping
Please dump your holding tanks prior to returning the vehicle. Dump charge is $50.00.
Cleaning
Vehicles are to be returned in the same condition as at departure. Abused vehicles are charged at posted Service Department Labor rates for cleaning abused vehicles. As of 04/01/07, this rate is $95.00 per hour, but is subject to change.
Pet Policy
Due to cleaning and liability issues, we do not allow pets in our vehicles. See notes in the following.
Smoking
Every Lightnin RV vehicle is a non-smoking & non-pet vehicle.
Vehicles that have been smoked in (this includes campfire smoke too), or found to have pets traveling inside, are subject to additional cleaning charges to: remove odors, this includes having all fabric shampooed, flea bombs set off in vehicles having pets, and the overnight use of an odor control device. Prices start at $250.00 depending on vehicle size & condition. Loss of Use may also be an added cost.
Accidents
In the event of an accident, the very first thing a Customer should do is, call for or render medical aid to any person needing medical attention. Call the closest police/state patrol office and have an accident report taken at the time and location of the accident. A copy of this report MUST be provided to both Lightnin RV when the vehicle is returned, and to Zurich Insurance within 7 days of the date of the accident.
The accident report form in the trouble-shooting guide must be completed and returned as well. It is recommended that you complete this form at the time & location as the accident as well, while the events are fresh in your mind. Get names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses. Take photographs of all vehicles involved; all persons involved; and the general area where the accident took place. Contact our office immediately if you have any questions regarding an accident. Lightnin RV must be contacted within 24 hours after an accident.
Damage
The Customer is responsible for any/all damage to our vehicle while the RV is on rent; this includes interior and exterior damage. The Customer is responsible to pay for the damage costs whether the Customer was at fault or not; even if the damage is due to Acts of Nature (Wind, Rain, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, etc.); or if the damage was the act of another member of the Customer’s Rental Party. Additionally, the Customer will be responsible for Loss of Use and Diminished Value of the vehicle caused by that damage.
Substitutions
Lightnin RV reserves the right to substitute a vehicle of equal or higher quality. If a vehicle of lower size/style or quality is offered and accepted, our liability is the difference is the price difference between the vehicle requested and the vehicle offered.
Lightnin RV reserves the right to cancel the reservation at any time due to Acts of God; extreme unsafe weather conditions; if is determined that the vehicle will be used in unsafe conditions or for illegal purposes; or if the Customer arrives at the time of departure in a condition that is determined by Lightnin RV or it’s employees, that the Customer cannot safely operate the vehicle.
Roof Access
Denied. No one is allowed on the roof of any Lightnin RV vehicle. Roofs are not designed to hold weight and can be extremely slippery when wet or even just damp. Ladders are for Service department personnel to access the roof to service the A/C system, roof vents, TV antenna, etc. Customers are responsible for all roof damage, cleaning and liability for injury or death to any person falling off the roof. Please do not put yourself at risk for liability or civil actions.
Places Customers Cannot Take Our Vehicles
Our vehicles are not allowed in: Death Valley, CA. between May 1 and October 1 of any year; Mexico; and the five (5) boroughs that make up New York City, NY. (except to drive through on I-95). Violations void CDW, CDW+, and PAC/PPC. Please do not put yourself at risk for liability or civil actions.
Roadside Assistance
National Roadside Assistance is provided.. There is an 800-number to call for the following services: to change a flat tire; will bring five gallons of gas if you run out; lock-out service (on Class C motorhomes only); and will tow any motorhome to the closest Ford Dealer offering RV chassis service. Roadside Assistance does not apply to travel trailers.
Additionally, you will have an 800-number for Coachmen RV for “House” repairs and our company’s number for operational questions. Remember, you will also have a manufacturer’s owner’s manual as well at the trouble-shooting guide that can answer most operational questions.
Customers are authorized to spend up to $100.00 for any minor repair as needed. Simply have the repair preformed, pay and present all receipts & parts at return time for a full reimbursement. No refunds are made without receipts and replaced parts.
Insurance & Coverages
The Customer agrees to maintain automobile insurance during the entire term of the rental agreement If your own vehicle coverage extends to our vehicle, then your coverage is primary. If your own vehicle coverage does not extend to our vehicle, then Lightnin RV provides basic state required minimum liability, and collision coverage with a $5,000 deductible per accident. We offer C.D.W. for our customers to consider. In states where the law requires us to provide insurance, we will provide excess insurance only, unto the minimum limits required by the financial responsibility laws and the renter is afforded the minimum limits required by law. Our policy contains limitations, exclusions and conditions to anyone claiming coverage. The Customer agrees to cooperate with our insurer if any claim is made.
COLLISION DAMAGE WAVIER (C.D.W.): CDW is not insurance. It is a wavier of the Customer’s financial responsibility to damage to our vehicle in the event of a motor vehicle accident. It provides a $500.00 deductible. Damage to tires, wheels, glass and Loss of Use are NOT COVERED. It does not apply to interior or abusive damage to the rental vehicle. It does not apply if the Terms & Conditions of the Rental Agreement are violated. See a member of our travel staff for complete details. C.D.W. is $18.99 per day.
All Motor Home Rentals Must Purchase Rental Insurance. Or provide an Insurance Binder listing Lightnin RV as additional insured AND the VIN of the Rental coach listed in WRITING.
********** Insurance cards WILL NOT be accepted **********
Options
GENERATORS: All of our motorhomes are equipped with an electric power generator. They provide power to operate any electric appliance in the vehicle (roof A/C, color TV, microwave, coffee pot, etc.) when you are not connected to an outside power source. The generator feeds from the same gas tank as the engine and can use approximately one (1) gallon of fuel per hour of operation under load. If you are going to be dry camping, then make sure your fuel and water tanks are topped off prior to parking. Travel Trailers are not equipped with generators. There is an extra cost for using the generator. Extra hours are $3.00 each, or Unlimited Use of the Generator is an available option at $21.00 per day. This choice must be made at the time of departure.
CHILD SAFETY SEATS: The State of Georgia requires that all children 5 years old and under, or less than 50 lbs., be seated in a child safety seat, anchored by a seat belt. All of our vehicles have at least 6 seat belts, most have more. We will not allow any vehicle to departure, with any child that fits the above description, without the proper safety seat. If you are flying into Atlanta, then bring your own, the airlines will love you for it!