Informações Gerais sobre a Locação do MH - Parte II

General Advisories

A. The Vehicle in General

1) Drive Carefully. You are responsible for any vehicle damage you cause, both wilful and by negligence. Be sure the vehicle is low enough to clear overhead obstacles and narrow enough for bridges and roads. Have a person assist you from outside when operating in reverse.
2) Test Drive. Test drive the vehicle at and near the depot; if you notice anything unusual, especially the clutch, or see any warning lights on the dashboard, notify the depot immediately.
3) Vehicle Damage. Motorhomes tend to be more expensive to repair than cars, chiefly because the pieces involved — e.g. side panels, windshield, etc — are larger. Thus even surface marks, scratches, and windshield chips cost more. As with car rentals, such damages are not considered normal wear and tear. Your security deposit will be debited for vehicle damage. However, depending on logistics and the severity of damage, a damaged rental vehicle might not be repaired for some time after the rental. In fact the vendor (rental company) is not even obligated to get the damages repaired; as owners or leasers of the vehicle, they might choose to sell the vehicle as-is and thus absorb by way of a lower sale price the cost of damages. Hence it is the industry standard that qualified mechanics employed at or by the vendor estimate the cost of damages and that the vendor charge for damages based on those estimates. Generally vendors try to let cosmetic damages accumulate to a sort of optimal point relative to aesthetic sensibilities, demand for the vehicle, the number of parts (e.g. side panels) involved, and the value of the damages. By thus bundling damages they spread the risk, resulting in increased vehicle availability and an insurance deductible/excess which is lower than it otherwise would be.
4) Problems. You must report any motor or equipment problem, however minor, to the depot immediately. The depot must have an opportunity to fix the problem and keep the vehicle safe. You cannot claim, and may be responsible for, damages resulting from unreported vehicle problems.
5) Mobile Phone. Carry a mobile phone with you in case of emergency and confirm with your service provider that you can call toll-free and over-seas phone numbers. Please give IdeaMerge the number so we or the vendor can contact you if necessary.

B. The Vehicle Details

1) Specific Model. The vendors try to provide the model requested but they cannot guarantee a certain vehicle model or layout. For the same price, the vendor reserves the right to substitute a vehicle from the same, an equivalent, or a higher-rated or larger group of vehicles (yet still appropriate to your driver's license and party), according to the vendor's system of grouping vehicles. Any higher third-party costs associated with a larger vehicle — such as campground fees, tolls, and fueling costs — are to be borne by the customer. Moreover, neither the vendor nor IdeaMerge is liable for any loss or injury resulting from a vehicle substitution or associated with the vehicle's size.
2) Vehicle Specifications. In accord with the Specific Model advisory above, all floor plans, images, and most measurements and specifications should be considered approximate, not guaranteed and subject to change at any time without prior notice. They are intended as a guide only.
3) Bed Sizes. IdeaMerge is not responsible if the beds in the vehicle are too small for the passengers. Our website presents the number of sleeping places in each vehicle and the dimensions of each bed. The bed dimensions are on the vehicle specifications page. The information we present is identical to the information we receive from the vendor. Be advised the vendors report that the dimensions of the beds should be considered approximate and might differ slightly from the actual bed size. Nevertheless, we urge you to study the bed sizes very carefully to be sure they are large enough for each passenger in the vehicle. Likewise, if we present multiple models categorized in the same vehicle group you have ordered, you should study the bed sizes of those models, because if you are given a different model than the one you ordered, if will most likely come from that same vehicle group if not from a group of larger vehicles. Please contact IdeaMerge if you have any doubts or require any kind of special sleeping arrangement.
4) Manual Transmission. If you have booked a manual transmission vehicle, you must be proficient at operating a manual transmission before you pick up. If you cannot operate the transmission correctly, the vendor might refuse to deliver the vehicle. There are no refunds in these cases. Almost all the motorhomes and campervans available for rental in Europe have a manual transmission rather than an automatic transmission.
5) Vehicle Key. There is one key for all vehicle doors. If the key is lost, or a lock damaged, you will have to pay for new locks.

C. Picking up

1) Procedure. The depot explains how the vehicle and its equipment function. The pick-up procedure takes at least one hour. Ask questions to resolve any doubts and refuse to be rushed.
2) Inspection. Carefully inspect the vehicle's surface. Point out any marks, scratches, etc., to the depot staff. Take time-stamped photos of the vehicle including the roof, or video tape the inspection, so nothing is missed. The depot records vehicle damage on a damage checklist that you will have to sign.
3) Interior. Examine the vehicle's interior to be sure it's clean, all appliances function, all cabinets and windows close properly, etc. The toilet cassette should be cleaned everyday it is used.
4) Security Deposit. You must place a security deposit with a valid credit card in the name of a person who is at the depot and travelling in the vehicle.
5) Depot Parking and storage. At some depots parking is permitted. You must ask in advance. Some depots allow you to store personal items while you are travelling.
6) Changes. All changes to the reservation must be requested in advance and approved in writing (via e-mail) by IdeaMerge.

D. Accessories and Equipment

1) Accessories. Make sure all of your requested accessories are included. Check them at the depot to be sure they are in satisfactory condition and tell the staff if you have questions or doubts.
2) Equipment. Make sure all vehicle equipment is included and in satisfactory condition such as the hose, cleaning supplies, etc.
3) Features. Ask how all features work, especially the awning (if present). You will be charged for damage to a vehicle feature. Some features, such as the awning and bike rack, are not guaranteed, because the vehicle might be delivered directly from the factory with no time for installation.
4) GPS Units. Test the GPS unit (if present) to be sure it works correctly. Some vendors rent these. However, it might be less expensive and more effective for you to buy one before your trip, load it with the appropriate software, and program it with points of interest. Special navigation software for large vehicles (motorhomes, trucks) is now on the market, from the likes of Magellan and Rand McNally.
5) Manuals. Check whether the vehicle manual is in the vehicle and in a language you can understand.
6) Maps and Guides. Please bring a road map and at least two campground guides with you, either in book or software form. Be sure they are up-to-date, as such information changes frequently. Do not rely on the vendor's maps and guides (if present), as they might not be satisfactory.
7) LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for heating and cooking (alias "camping gaz" or "propane"). Ask the depot for appropriate LPG connectors/adapters for each country you plan to visit, and make sure the motorhome's LPG heating/cooking cylinders are sufficiently full upon pick-up and upon crossing national borders. Many European, Scandinavian, British and Irish rental motorhomes employ LPG cylinders (or bottles) which are meant to be exchanged by the customers rather than refilled by customers or by retail operations, the customer paying only for the LPG. The refilling of such cylinders by retail businesses is prohibited in the UK and in many other countries because it is a dangerous process and one which can easily be performed improperly. Continental exchangeable cylinders are not typically available on the UK or Irish markets; and there is no adapter on the general market which interfaces continental heating and cooking systems to the "Calor" gas exchangeable cylinders standard in the UK and Ireland. So, you might need to bring extra, full exchangeable cylinders if you are crossing to the UK or Ireland for an extended tour. UK and Irish vendors supply the standard Calor gas exchangeable cylinders for travel in the UK and Ireland. When a client is traveling from the UK or Ireland to Europe, the vendor typically supplies the client with continental "Camping Gaz" exchangeable cylinders and/or an adapter that interfaces the Camping Gaz exchangeable cylinders to UK heating and cooking systems. Calor gas cylinders are not available outside the UK. Regardless of where you are picking up, it is indeed a good practice to ask the depot for appropriate LPG connectors/adapters for each country you plan to visit. The exchangeable cylinders tend to vary by country even within continental Europe. Therefore you might not be able to exchange the cylinders provided by the motorhome rental company. Instead you might need to buy an exchangeable cylinder locally (in which case you'd also have to place a deposit on the exchangeable cylinder, because it remains the property of the gas company.) In such situation an adapter is usually needed to fit the exchangeable cylinder to the vehicle's heating and cooking system. Moreover, you might need a different regulator as well, although this is now typically the case only with pre-year-2004 vehicle models (which are rarely rented). With respect to LPG cylinders that are meant to be refilled by customers or retail operations, various connectors might be needed to re-fill the cylinders because the LPG dispenser nozzles at fuel stations tend to vary from country to country. Three different dispenser connectors used in Europe: the Dutch Bayonet, the Claw or Italian Dish, and the ACME thread. See the following articles: Getting LPG in Europe, LPG, Propane, Camping Gaz, and Calor gas.

E. Returning

1) Time/Place. You are obliged to return the vehicle to the scheduled depot. There is an hourly charge for late return. You must return to the scheduled depot during their return hours. Contact the depot if you cannot return on time.
2) Inspection. The depot will thoroughly inspect the vehicle for any vehicle damage. If the damage is not already marked on the damage checklist you will be held responsible.
3) Condition. Return with the vehicle's interior thoroughly clean (vacuumed and swept) and the waste tanks and toilet emptied and cleaned or you will be charged a substantial fee. Cleaning at the depot is not allowed. You will also be responsible for any claim made by a subsequent client because of their pick-up delay.
4) Traffic Violations. You must report and turn in any parking, toll-road or other tickets received during your rental.

F. Travel and Camping

1) You must tell IdeaMerge in advance and the depot on pick-up day, the following:
a) All the countries you plan to visit.
b) If you plan to use the vehicle for a special purpose such as to carry supplies, on a movie set, etc.
c) If you plan to take the vehicle on a ferry. If so, you should contact the ferry company in advance to be sure you have all required vehicle documents to board.
2) Campsites. Camp at designated campsites. Camping on private property without permission is illegal and can be dangerous. Likewise, camping in public areas, on the roadside, etc., can be illegal or dangerous or both. Research campsites in advance and arrive early so you have time to set up before your neighbors go to bed.
4) Storage. Use collapsible luggage that can be stored in the motorhome easily and without taking up much space.
5) Winter Travel. Inasmuch as the ambient temperatures of the low-altitude regions near the depot are expected to be below the freezing point during your rental, the vehicle's heating system might not be capable of keeping the motorhome's water system from freezing during your rental, even if the water system features its own anti-freeze system. In such case the vendor reserves the right to deliver the vehicle to you with its water/waste system drained, meaning the sink, the shower and the toilet could not be used. If you re-hydrate the water system during the rental and return the vehicle as such, the vendor might charge a fee. In contrast, if such low temperatures will or may be encountered only at higher altitudes or otherwise sporadically during your rental duration the vehicle will be delivered to you with its water/waste system hydrated. Of course upon the pick-up occasion the vendor can provide instruction regarding the draining and rehydration of that system. Regardless, in all cases the client is responsible for any damage to the water/waste system due to freezing.
6) Snow tires. Where and when road or weather conditions, and perhaps laws or ordinances or such, dictate the wise or requisite use of specific tires or specifically embellished tires (e.g. tires fitted with snow chains or socks), it is the driver's responsibility to abstain from driving until such tires are installed on his or her vehicle. It is nevertheless the client's responsibility to return the vehicle with the initial (i.e. original) set of tires installed or co-present; otherwise the client will be billed for those initial tires. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden, for example, have laws which dictate the use of winter tires. It is the client's responsibility to research and understand such laws in relation to his or her rental and itinerary. You can study the UK Automobile Assocation website to learn more about winter tire requirements and other compulsory equipment per European country. Regarding snow chains, it is vital that you check and if necessary maintain the tension of the chains frequently, and certainly after every short journey. Also, with the chains fitted do not drive faster than about 35 miles per hour (60 km/h).

G. Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

1) In case of breakdown, accident or emergency, carefully follow the relevant instructions which the vendor has provided with the vehicle.
2) Secondarily you may contact IdeaMerge. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST), i.e. regular weekday business hours on the West Coast of the USA. If you call us outside those hours, you are welcome to leave a voicemail. We check our motorhome rental e-mails and voicemails frequently but irregularly seven days a week both during and outside of the business hours posted above. We have an associate in Barcelona, Spain, Mr. Mark Carr, who answers e-mails and checks and responds to voicemails Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Barcelona time (unless he happens to be on holiday or out of the office for some other reason). 3) For help translating Spanish or French, you can call Mark in Barcelona, Spain, at +34 93 531 0992 or +34 664 665 365 (mobile).