I'm lending our expensive new Cabanon Biscaya 440 to the mother-in-law!
We're having a weekend (Thurs to Sunday) in it, then leaving it pitched for the MIL to use untill the following Saturday when we'll return to pack it all away.
Can't see a problem with doing that and it gives the MIL a cheap holiday in an area she loves to visit but wouldn't normally get the chance to.
At the end of the day, its people that are important, possessions can be replaced.
We just borrowed my best friends old tent, we were extra careful dried it out, cleaned the ground sheet, hand washed all the pegs and folded it more neatly than it was before etc etc. But I have had bad experiences in the past and lost my first (beloved) tent to a friend who ripped it and packed it wet etc etc. So understand the caution but I think there are some people who you can lend your gear to (like me!) but you have to be choosy. Saying no is the hardest thing...
Were are buying a new tent for us now, so wont have to borrow again, it was a boit stressful.
We happily lend our (older, less complex) tents out, with a trial run in the garden so at least they know how to get the thing up and back down again, but it would depend on the newness of the tent and the perceived trustworthiness of the borrower. It sounds like you don't much trust your sister to look after it, so don't lend it! Don't tell her you'd love to lend her the tent, only you're planning a jaunt yourself that weekend; sooner or later she'll catch you out- be honest and tell her you don't lend what you can't afford to give. I think the suggested sweetener of all going off together for their first time out with their Halford's starter kit is excellent!
You will let us know how you decide to play it, won't you?
No, no-one ever looks after your stuff the way you do.
I was trying to sell a tent, so a guy loaned it to 'try it out' one April. I got it back in September after a Summer's use with a (admittedly tiny) hole in it, and minus the instructions. No-one buys a tent minus the instructions. Tent now worthless. Never again.
Thought i would update you all,,,,,, My sister again requested the use of our tent at a family meal i went with the
"why dont you get youself a starter pack from argos/tesco/halfords and we can all go together to see if you like it"
She responded with
"I dont want to look like a "chav in a s*** tent next to you in yours"!!!
I had to then say that we just dont want to lend it and if she wants a nice new tent she will just gave to buy one and maybe you are such a snob that camping is just not for you!!
She left before pudding !.......................................................
Well, if she's more bothered about what people may think of her in a cheaper tent than about her family + yours having a fantastic time away together, she's probably not spiritually cut out for camping. Well done you for not caving in to the pressure though!
omg!! My sister has just done exactly the same to me, so i know exactly the quandry you are going through. I didnt give an answer - but i am tempted to buy a cheap tent, and let her borrow that. i am not too worried about rest of the gear, as she couldnt damage it all in a weekend, so a new airbed for instance would be easy to replace, rather than the cost of a new tent!!
I am now looking to find a new sister - would willingly swap for tent heater
------------- why haven't they invented silent opening zips??!!
Yes I would and we are lending one of our tents to ths Sister in law and another to there friends so they can experience the joys of camping the weekend after next.