Need Etiquette advise on how to handle this.

[DmaxDually]

I need some advise on how to handle this situation. Since we all have 5th wheels I'm sure somebody has had been in this situation before or knows someone who has. Any ideas would be helpfull.
I go camping with friends whom I've know for years. We all still work so our camping is limited to extended weekend camping not more that 50 to 70 mile radius from our homes. They own class A motorhomes and abviuosly I own a 5th wheel.

The problem is that more times than not one of them forgets something and because I have a vehicle I am asked if they can use my truck or if I would mine taking them to the store. My dually is only a couple of years old and I do not let anyone drive it so I have to drive them to the store. My truck is not there for their convience nor is it a taxi cab. Don't get me wrong I would have no problem if it was an emergency or if they forgot medication. The trips are usually just for one or two food items or to go to home depot to pick up something to do a small project while camping.

How do I get the message across,that my truck is not there to run errands, without getting them upset or having an attitude.

[davidaf]

That's a tough one and will require a bit of thick skin. There may be a gentler way but why beat around the bush:

I'd either throw them the keys and say "bring me back a pop" or say "No way man, I'll give you the shirt off my back but nobody drives my truck and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon" or something to that effect and be done with it. If they are my true friends they'll raz me a few times but get the point and we'll all go on and enjoy the weekend. If not true friends they'll hold a resentment and I won't miss spending time with them.

Mom always said "saying no and feeling guilty (or any other emotion) is a choice". I say no and choose not to feel bad about it. My mother was extremely non co-dependent. She drove this lesson home, sometimes not too gently. The other option is you give in and feel bad for giving in which would also be a choice.

[steves]

Leave your truck hooked up to the 5th wheel. Now you have an excuse.

[K0LCB]

Advise them to get a towed

[DQDick]

I would start by explaining before the adventure starts that you feel they are taking advantage of you by expecting you to clean up for their lack of a toad and that from now on you'll be making decisions based on what you want to do. That way you've warned them in advance to get their act together and it will be less of a confrontation when you tell them no.

[leemedic]

Call them a Cab.

[mlh]

To me it's just a truck. Use it. Friends are a lot more important. When the truck is gone you will still have the friends.
Lynwood

[Irlpguy]

Have to agree with mlh on this one. If these are friends you enjoy camping with other than this inconvenience, then I would just make sure the trip to the store is at your convenience and I would insist on a stop at the liquor outlet and suggest they p/u additional drinks because "happy hour" will be at their place for the next couple of days.

Friends are a lot more valuable than a few miles on your truck, besides you might be able to create an adventure out of the trip to the store.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yep ,I could care less if my Buddies want to use my truck,I got insurance they got insurance(they better) ,I know they would let me use their rigs in a heartbeat ,it is just a car or truck ,...But that's just me BUT the Monty is a different Story(I LIVE IN IT)

[halfwright]

"How do I get the message across, that my truck is not there to run errands, without getting them upset or having an attitude."

By reading that part of your post, I get the impression that letting them use the truck or you driving them is not an option. You want to know how to refuse them.

Maybe you should start camping by yourself.

[tweber502]

If it bothers you that much then the first camping outing of the year when they ask pitch them the keys and then just before turning around and walking away tell them to fill-er-up before returning. If they question it then just tell them that a tankful of fuel should cover a seasons worth of trips to the store or wherever. If you don't want to do that then each time when asked for the use of the truck then tell them it'll cost them a 12 pack of your favorite beverage. Tim

[JandC]

I'm with you Mike, I have rarely if ever allowed anyone to drive my F350. If you need to borrow my Jeep, here are the keys and have fun, if you want to borrow the DW's new Explorer, same thing....let me know what you think of it when you get back. The F350 is a whole different story. That is how my Montana gets from point A to point B. If one of your Class A buddies gets in a wreck while out buying a six pack that he forget to bring and can't live without.....now what? Who is going to produce a dually for you to pull your Montana home with after the 4 day weekend. Forget it, ain't going to happen.

I think I would just kind of put them off when they came by with a request to have you run them to the store. Say for example one stops by at 10am and needs something at the grocery store they forgot. Tell them that there are a couple things you are probably going to have to go after later and you will let him know when you are heading out. Then make sure if he wanted to go at 10am you have other stuff to do and you aren't ready to go until 4pm. Half the time by then they will have already borrowed what they thought they needed from someone else anyway.

They are kind of putting you in a tough spot. Just make it a lot less convenient and don't run into town the minute they think they "need" to go.

[oldelmer1]

I changed insurance company's, and do not have coverage for anyone but myself and DW to drive our vehicles..

Hint, hint........

[padredw]

I kinda like JandC's suggestion. It is the way we Southerners and Irishmen handle such situations. Avoid confrontations; remember how Blarny responsed to the Queen.

BTW, I am at least part Irish and 100% Southern.

And I have kissed the Blarney stone!

[1retired06]

Say no, they are thoughtless. Class A owners are well aware of the ability to tow a car behind them.

[dieselguy]

My truck is higher up on the totem pole than my first born. Sure let them drive your truck and then get a call saying uh ... I guess you'll be camping for a while ... I just wrapped your truck around an oak tree. The easiest way to loose friends is share your major possessions. I'm leaning with a previous reply about spelling it out before the next trip. Don't get used up.

[c214dick]

Sounds to me as if they have gotten to the point where they know you will let them use your truck or will take them. Maybe they need to be reminded that the cost of fuel is x amount and mpg is also x amount. Real friends should not have a problem paying for the convenience of using your truck.

[CORattler]

Ask them what they would do if you weren't there, then WAIT for the answer.

[NCFischers]

I like Jay's answer.

[DQDick]

One way or the other, friends that use you aren't really friends. Doing the occasional favor for friends is what it's all about, being the guy who always cleans up for them has another name.