There are many advantages to renting a folding trailer as opposed to buying one. Please consider the following bits of information. Puchase Cost: How often do you go camping? Most people are unable to go camping often enough to make a purchase seem worthwhile. Consider the monthly payment to owning a trailer. Usually $90 - $150/month. That calculates to $1,080 to $1,800 each year. We offer the opportunity for you and your family to use a trailer only when you need it. If you go out for a three-day weekend and rent from us you will only spend $165 - $210. This price depends on the model (before adding tax). This amount is far below your yearly, lowest expected payments if you were to purchase a folding trailer. This is an even better deal if you factor in the depreciation of a purchased trailer. Additional costs addressed below include insurance, tax and licensing, warranty coverage and/or repairs. Depreciation: I have heard a lot of stories from people who have purchased a camp trailer and only use it once or twice before selling it. The loss in this investment is substantial. The dollar loss in depreciation can be $1,000 - $3,000 (depending on the model of the trailer) in the first year alone! Interest: Interest rates on a camp trailer are much higher than a new or used vehicle. The current interest rate for 2005 is between 5.75% and 6.50% depending on your credit score. Calculate the interest rate into a 60 month repayment schedule and you will be paying around $1,000 more in interest. Tax and Licensing: Expect to pay between $250 (for used) and $800 (for new) when you purchase a folding trailer. Each year you will need to update your tags which will cost you between $70 - $175. Insurance: This will be the cheapest expense, but another expense nonetheless. If you are financing your folding trailer the finance agency will reguire you to maintain insurance year-round. This cost is between $70 - $100 a year, and is in addition to your monthly payments. warranty or repair: If you opt to purchase an extended warranty in addition to your initial purchase it is a few hundred dollars more (the exact cost escapes me). This cost will also increase your monthly payment schedule. Or maybe you will assume a new trailer won't have break downs. If you know Murphy's Law, the expenditures will come after the manufacturer's warranty has run out, but while you are still making monthly payments. Or perhaps you purchase a used trailer that has no warranty. A breakdown of any sort that you cannot fix yourself will cost you the price of the material plus $75 - $90/hour toward the repair. Space: Even a collapsed folding trailer can still take up 15 - 20 feet of length in a driveway. This can block other vehicles and accessories from parking, blocks the driveway basketball hoop, creates an obstacle in the driveway that is only used a couple of weekends a year. Try it before you buy it: Ok, so let's say your mind is made up and you want a tent/folding trailer or maybe you just want to try one to see if it is right for you. We currently offer the best of folding trailers; Fleetwood. If a folding trailer is on your wish list then renting one may help you decide what to look for when you are ready to make your purchase. Please consider your options closely. We hope you will choose to do business with us. |