Smith Motor Home Rentals

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Unfair Before we returned the RV, we spent several hours cleaning the inside and out. We vacuumed and dusted everything. After I cleaned the bathroom, I personally wiped down the toilet, the sinks and the microwave with disinfectant wipes.. I swept and mopped the floor and then got down on my knees and wiped it with disinfectant wipes. They charged us an additional $30.00 to clean the inside. They specifically said we left all of these things dirty. We cleaned all of the under storage compartments. They said we left them a mess and charged us $35.00. We cleaned it better than it was when we received it. However, because they took three days to check it in, we were not present when they finally checked it in. My husband thoroughly cleaned the sewer, but because he forgot to open the valves, they charged us an additional $35.00. If they had checked it in while he was there, he could have told them that he already rinsed it out. But because i took them three days to check it in, he was not there to tell them and they did not know he rinsed it out, They assumed it was dirty and charged us. It was totally empty but they charged us as if it was full. The total additional charged was $100.00.They said we damaged the top of the RV, but the damage was in a place where it is not noticeable unless you get on top of the RV. There is no way to prove that this damage wasn't already there when we rented the RV since they do not go over the RV before you take it out.. This cost us an additional $400.00. Whenever you rent a car, they always go over the vehicle with you. Not Smith RV. The moral of the story: Either take lots of pictures before and after to prove yourself before you return your RV or return it dirty because they will charge you anyway. Do not leave it with them until they check it in because you have no guarantee they will be fair. We trusted them only to be taken advantage of.

Adventure holiday that makes a difference



We, a family of 4 from Germany, rented a large (29 feet) motorhome in Houston at Smith RV Rentals for one week. The idea was to experience the natural beauty of Big Bend National Park, Texas. The motorhome (inside) looked a bit out-dated, but in an ok condition.



The two-day trip from Houston to Big Bend was almost done when the engine broke down - in the middle of the deserted road, almost 20 miles from the nearest settlement. At the same time generator, power supply, heating, air conditioning, etc. also failed.



We started to call around trying to find phone numbers for garages and towing services in the area. Smith RV Rentals told us, that they did not really have any advice for us and could not do much to help us. We finally found the number for a towing company that could tow a 29 feet vehicle - 120 miles away from our location. Smith RV Rentals (after some negotiations) agreed to order the towing truck.



After 4-hours of waiting and a 2 ½-hour drive with the towing truck, we were dropped off at the parking lot of a closed Ford garage. It had become night with temperatures in the 30s in March. We spent the night in the RV without electricity, heating and running water.



The next morning brought the news that the engine was completely broken, repair time 6 weeks. We asked Smith RV Rentals for a replacement motorhome: Not available. Another vehicle? Also not possible. We should help ourselves and bring him the receipts for the additional costs. Luckily one of us was living the past 3 years in the US and thus had sufficient language and cultural knowledge as well as a US mobile phone with flat rate.



There was no car rental in this town, but after several hours we found a sufficiently large (camping equipment, …) rental van for a one-way trip to Houston. It was located in a town about 120 miles (again in the wrong direction) away from us at a price twice as high as the RV for 1 week (plus the Greyhound bus & taxi costs to get us there). There were also additional accommodation costs for motels.



Overall, we had lost 1 1/2 days of our short vacation. When we eventually pulled up at Smith RV Rentals in Houston to present our receipts (van rental and motels). The company owners did not show up at the previously agreed date/time. The staff told us with regard to the fine print in the contract, that Smith RV Rentals would not pay for additional transport or accommodation costs in the event of an engine failure.



Since we knew that Lufthansa would go on a strike, we climbed on the next plane to avoid another disaster, without waiting for a return of the company owners. We have not received any damage compensation nor did we get any support after the RV broke down. A larger rental company may have provided us with a replacement.



After all, we've learned for the rest of our lives: Never again a motorhome from Smith RV Rentals!

We were issued an RV in poor mechanical condition and had to spend valuable vacation time taking it in for service. The air filter was totally clogged. We had to take it in a second time for a bad catalytic converter. We were told there were seat belts for all 8 passengers but there were only 7. The seat backing the driver has a warning that it is not to be occupied while driving. There was no other seating for our 8th passenger. Windows leaked when it rained leaving us with wet bedding. They were very nice and helpful when we reserved the vehicle but it was a different story when we returned it. They refused to check in the vehicle when we returned it saying the contract states they have 48 hours to do so.

Ridiculous! We rented and when we returned the unit during the company's return day and hours, they stated that their "Check-in" crew was not there on Saturdays. They said they would Checkin in on the next day they were available and then send us a copy of the bill for the "extra" charges and they would deduct them from our deposit. First let me state that I wondered why they would think that we would have any additional charges as we pre-paid for the rental and extra mileage. Second, the Owner and Son were telling us this and we were the only people turning in a unit and these guys were doing nothing else. They were the ones who checked it out, why couldn't they check it back in? All they had to do was look at the meters and the condition of the unit. So we left and I called on the following Monday and they said they would mail the check in list and charges and I could go over it then. Then...BAM! A few days later I get the bill and they charged $65 cleaning fee which we had cleaned the unit to a pristine condition, including the windows, faucets, mirrors, etc...! The only thing I can recall which may have been dirty was the windshield! If renting, I suggest you get a turn in day when they can GUARANTEE a check-in available to do while you are present and waiting. Looks like this may be their usual tactic to run up a bill. Be Warned. Their interior detail list was so detailed and bogus.. you'd have the have a toothbrush to have it cleaned to their standard... We returned it the way we received it other than the exterior which was only slightly dirty and we had even hosed down the exterior as well.. just didn't detail it like you would find at a professional car spa. I would not use this company again.. and when i do rent again, want to go over the RV in greater detail prior to renting to show it was the same way returned.