Does this sound silly or could it work? trailer share

hufflehoof

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I usually share a lift to shows/fun rides with a friend i have. I give her petrol money etc and my mare is very good mannered loading and travels well and is a good companion for her horse. However said friend can be very funny sometimes and quite off with me and has dropped me last minute a few times (amongst other things that i won't go into) so i no longer want to ask for lifts etc, therefore am looking for another travelling buddy :)
Thing is i do drive but i really dislike it, and TBH i know i would be atrocious towing a trailer!! my OH has a 4x4 but he doesn't really have the time to take me places as he works most days and besides he wouldn't want to either.
So, i have enough money for a trailer in the bank but problem is i will have no-one to tow it or anyone to travel with.
Am thinking of buying a trailer and advertising for a *show buddy* or someone who wants to go to local shows/fun rides/hunting etc in my area with their own horse. Said person would have to be able to tow the trailer with their own vehicle but could have use of the trailer whenever they wanted too, and of course i would pay toward petrol on outings.
Does this sound like alot to ask of someone? am thinking it could work well if said person didn't want the hassle/maintenance/storage problems of having their own trailer but still wanted to get out and about?
During the summer months i would be looking to use it 2 x per month for local shows and fun rides and maybe once every month during the winter to go hunting.

Another option was to try find someone who wants someone to go with them to shows/fun rides and has their own transport but not having much luck!

Does anyone else share transport - how does it work?
 
How about saving up a wee bit more and buying a 3.5t box? Saves you having to worry about towing.


Or take a few towing lessons, you will get a real confidence boost.

Just seems alot of hassle if you have the 4x4 and funds for a trailer!
 
I've never done it myself but I guess it would work. It's just finding the perfect person that wants exactly what you don't want and vice versa. For example, a lot of people that have the vehicle and ability already have a trailer of their own.

Have you thought of a 3.5tonne lorry? Cheapy one that you can drive yourself?

And I'd watch with advertising as it may offend your current friend, maybe tell her first that you're thinking of getting your own trailer?
 
How about saving up a wee bit more and buying a 3.5t box? Saves you having to worry about towing.


Or take a few towing lessons, you will get a real confidence boost.

Just seems alot of hassle if you have the 4x4 and funds for a trailer!

I've never done it myself but I guess it would work. It's just finding the perfect person that wants exactly what you don't want and vice versa. For example, a lot of people that have the vehicle and ability already have a trailer of their own.

Have you thought of a 3.5tonne lorry? Cheapy one that you can drive yourself?

And I'd watch with advertising as it may offend your current friend, maybe tell her first that you're thinking of getting your own trailer?

I didnt even think of a 3.5 tonne thank you :) will look into it
 
Personally I think that whilst your idea is good, unfortunately the practicalities pose very real difficulties.

Firstly you have the issue of insurance: if you have your own trailer you'd be wise to insure it anyway, BUT if someone else tows it with THEIR vehicle, and something happens, then you've got quite a complicated situation, i.e. your trailer, their towing vehicle.

Also you would need to have an agreement about what would happen if there was any damage to the trailer. Regrettably people are just not careful as regards other people's property and whilst this could work out well if you had the right sharer, you could end up with a damaged trailer......... or worse.

Personally, as others have suggested, I think you need to do one of the following:

Get your trailer, love it & cherish it, and yes by all means buddy up with someone and travel together to events, but let it be YOUR trailer, full stop.

Secondly, take your courage and go and find an instructor, and do a trailer training course so you know the basics of how to hitch up, safety, etc etc, and most importantly, learn how to manoevre the thing. Especially being confident to reverse it. I'm just coming back into towing after a break of about twenty five years and whilst I've been a bit rusty re. reversing technique its actually been OK.

OR get yourself a nice nifty little 3.5 if you're worried about towing, and enjoy it!
 
I did a trailer share with someone at our yard. I owned the trailer and she owned the car with me contributing to petrol. Didn't really work out. She seemed to use the trailer all the time and I hardly used it. Her car was never available if I asked to use it, yet she thought it fine to use my trailer every second weekend to go here, there and everywhere, including moving friends furniture! I was paying for servicing, tyres, repairs etc and not getting use out of it. I ended up saving for a car that I could use to tow it myself
 
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