This is a great topic. You've covered all of my issues I've considered when considering my BIL's comment about borrowing it. I'm glad I'm not the only one to "just say no!!"
Mr. B
Reading, OH
2007 Jayco JayFeather 29X
Reese Dual Cam Sway, WDH, Progidy Brake Controller, McKesh Mirrors
2004 Suburban Z71
'07 Trips: 7, Nights Camping: 22, Miles Logged on TT: 2,010
'08 Trips: 8, Nights Camping: 27, Miles Logged on TT: 2,139
Here's my thought, we borrow & switch vehicles with my friend all the time. The vehicles are worth more than my trailer but yet we never give it a second thought. I trust her, she trusts me & we both know that should something happen the other will take care of it. No problems. If you have that kind of relationship with your friends i see no harm if you'd like to do this. If he doesn't have towing experience, the only thing you might want to consider is spending some time to drive it to the destination & help setup & come back for the packing up & coming home.
Tami
Tami, Daniel
Owen & Ethan
05 F150
07 Sunset Trail 30BH
Reese Dual Cam & Prodigy Brake Control
I say if you trust your neighbor and have the kind of relationship that you feel comfortable in loaning him your rig, go for it. I see everyone was worried about experience with towing, but how much experience did most of us have with our first trailer? I never hit anything, scraped a wall or backed over anything (one) simply because I took the time to use a backing guide, in fact I still do. If your neighbor is a trustworthy kind of person, I believe he will take extra care when using you rig because he would not want to break anything. Besides, one thing I've learned, just accept that something can happen and really be prepared for it when it does.
My rule is not to borrow anything that I don't have the cold hard cash to replace it if gets broken in my possession.
As far as loaning out to others, that's your decision. I personally won't loan my out. I'll let my family stay in it in our driveway while they visit ---- but they'll never haul it.
I think it would take a lot for me to loan my trailer to most people... however there are some I would do it for in a heart beat if they needed it. Those are the people closest to me who have helped me along the path.
Since your friend has not asked and your considereing offering it to him I see no reason why not to do it. You could end up with a neighbor who loves to go along on trips with you and gets their own rig.
Two of our closest neighbors have seen how much fun we have with our trailers over the years and after coming to visit the campsite purchased trailers of their own. Its fun to have people to go with.
It your comfortable with it do it. It doesn't matter what people here think either way. Trailers are just things... things can be fixed or replaced and 100 years from now it won't matter a bit anyway.
greyeyes819 wrote: Here's my thought, we borrow & switch vehicles with my friend all the time. The vehicles are worth more than my trailer but yet we never give it a second thought. I trust her, she trusts me & we both know that should something happen the other will take care of it. No problems. If you have that kind of relationship with your friends i see no harm if you'd like to do this. If he doesn't have towing experience, the only thing you might want to consider is spending some time to drive it to the destination & help setup & come back for the packing up & coming home.
Tami
Tami. Do you know what amount of liability insurance that you have? Do you know the amount of liability insurance that your friend carries?
A few years ago I served on a jury for a civil lawsuit from what at first appeared to be a simple auto accident. The kind that happens every day. The problem was the injured party suffered a permanent brain injury. We were a conservative jury but based on the evidence presented we awarded $415,000 to the injured party.
Would your insurance or your friends insurance cover this size loss? Just because you trust each other doesn't mean that either of you could afford to pay for this size loss. Many people only carry $300,000 of Bodily Injury liability coverage (sometimes even less). Could you or your friend pay the additional $115,000 out of pocket to cover this size loss?
I've got a few friends that I wouldn't hesitate to give or loan anything I have to. It sounds like your neighbor is that kind of guy.
Why not invite him out for a guys weekend at the local camping spot, let him tow it with you in the passenger seat, and show him how everything works. Let him get some hands-on experience with you there to help answer any questions. Then, turn him loose with his family to have the time of their lives. Maybe the bug will bite them, they will get their own, they you can enjoy weekend trips together.
Don't take money from your friend for sharing the camping experience. A steak grilled in the backyard, yes, but not money.
Unlike a car - which is fairly simple to operate and all cars typically work the same - a trailer is a whole 'nother creature. There is quite a learning curve when it comes to these things.
Besides, NO ONE will treat my stuff the way I treat it.
Wanting to share with a friend is admirable, but you obviously have reservations/hesitation. Trust your gut as I think you already have your own answer. If it helps, play the nightmare/movie situation out . . . . is it worth the finical investment you have in your rig much less the personal investment in your friendship? You have to live with your decisions and their ramifications at the end of the day regardless of what suggestions or opinions are offered in this forum.
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