Tesla rental rates on Turo seem to be dropping fast

[SwampNut]

A friend just rented a 2021 Y LR with EAP for $74/day all in (total with taxes and all fees). This is in comparison to 6-10 months ago when I was considering renting ours out or buying another to mostly rent, and was seeing $100+ per day PLUS the fees and taxes. I wonder why? There are more on there for rent, so competition drives it down I guess, but that seems like a huge change. The person they rented from has 7 Teslas and 374 completed rentals, so it's not a one time thing.

MILES INCLUDED ∞ mi
TRIP PRICE $348.005 days @ $69.60/day
TRIP FEE $51.225 days @ $10.24/day
3+ DAY DISCOUNT − $34.80
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT − $17.40
UNLIMITED MILES $0.00
SALES TAX $27.07
TRIP TOTAL $374.09
YOU PAID $374.09


Also, some people are trying to profit on SC usage over the rental fee. Another car he considered had a per-mile fee that seemed ridiculous to me. I don't recall what it was exactly, just that when he told me I thought WTF! This car is dollar for dollar on SC usage.

 

[Sirfun]

Gotta be careful who you rent to. The rumor is this was a rented Model S, that some kid in LA took for a flight.

 

[SwampNut]

You can't be careful who you rent to, there's no process to vet them outside of the Turo system. And their insurance covers this. The idiots were doing it for TikTok fame (the truly destructive Chinese virus), and were busted because they posted their crimes online. Police offered $1k for info and got it fast.

 

[SwampNut]

Also, I did RV Share for a while with my travel trailer. I hated it. Too many people with zero clue on how to use a trailer. No major issues, just annoyance EVERY damn time. "What do you mean I need a brake controller?? I have a tow package!" Sigh.

I wonder if a Tesla would also be annoying since it's slightly different from a normal car. I'm considering buying a Mercedes smart (ICE or electric, unsure) and putting it on Turo. That should be normal enough to not be annoying.

 

[Crissa]

Why would a tow package not include a brake controller? Geez, talk about 'not a package'.

-Crissa

 

[SwampNut]

Why would a tow package not include a brake controller? Geez, talk about 'not a package'.

-Crissa

Why would it? Many trailers don't need one. Mine does, and I very carefully specify that in BIG LETTERS. I've seen a few trucks with OEM controllers, but more that don't include it.

Boats...nearly all surge brakes, no controller.

Uhaul...same.

Travel trailers...nearly all need controllers (unless they are tiny).

Small utility trailers...no brakes.

 

[Crissa]

That's yuck.

No wonder trailers are so unsafe.

-Crissa

 

[SwampNut]

There was the guy who didn't care if his wife drove without brakes. "She's insured." Seriously. He was driving an overloaded trailer with no brakes. 7-9k I'm sure. Just one of those absolute morons, and thought my trailer would be fine on her mini SUV with a 5k rating (and it's 3500).

So yeah, no more.

The people who've never seen a TT are a super challenge. So much to know. And then setting them up for towing...

 

[Crissa]

Brake controller is like $5 in raw parts. I don't get why it wouldn't be standard in a tow package.

-Crissa

 

[SwampNut]

So those $150-200 controllers on Amazon are all just pure profit?

"Standard" always costs more, and many people won't need it. Most, probably. Tow packages are often used for things that need no controller. Like a bike rack.

 

[Crissa]

Yes, $200 brake controllers are probably overkill. Electronics are highly variable in price. That's why you can buy $5 and $50 USB cables and have them be about the same quality.

If you're using a hitch for a bike rack, you don't need a tow package! You just need the receiver ala carte.

-Crissa

 

[Ogre]

When Teslas were uncommon, they commanded a premium on Turo. People were making their car payments renting their cars out.

Now Teslas are super common, that well has dried up.

Cybertruck will likely command a premium when it is first out. I’d consider putting mine up on Turo for enough of a premium.

 

[SwampNut]

Mine will be there immediately for sure.

 

[CyberGus]

Cybertruck will likely command a premium when it is first out. I’d consider putting mine up on Turo for enough of a premium.

I’ll be renting my CT for photo shoots. Plus, I’ll get to hang out with models

 

[SwampNut]

Plus, I’ll get to hang out with models

Former photographer here, it loses its luster quickly.