do you loan your trailer out

[RayCo]

I don't get all the "do it for your wife" statements. In my opinion, it doesn't matter that it's his stepdaughter as opposed to his real daughter. When you marry someone with kids, you are marrying into fatherhood, I think. It's different if the kids are grown and gone at the time, but the idea is still there. The lending should take place solely as a result of the relationship between stepfather and stepdaughter.

FWIW, I have two nephews who have wanted to borrow my truck in the past. The older of the two proved himself to be irresponsible and disrespectful of my property, and I made him aware of this. After giving him his second chance, that was the end of the borrowing for him, until he can demonstrate that he's matured. The younger nephew is the complete opposite, and I'd give him a set of keys if he wanted. (Okay, probably not literally...) Of course, the truck is sitting in my driveway crushed by a tree at the moment, so it doesn't really matter anymore... But, my feeling is that there are rules for family and there are rules for everyone else. I'd never let a friend borrow my truck or any other equipment. Family will always get the benefit of the doubt and second chances. My relationship with my family will outlast every material possession I own.

Now, to be hypocritical, no one may touch my Kubota.

 

[Rara Avis]

I do not loan stuff out...
I feel if my stuff is to be damaged...It is up to me to do it...
I will provide my stuff to assist almost anyone as long as I'm doing it...

I think the most important legal comment mentioned is if there is an accident and your step-daughter and boyfriend are found to be responsible AND if the injured party sues...His lawyer will go after the DEEP POCKETS...and that is probably you...because it's your trailer...and I hope there is ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM with your trailer, like poor brakes or such...

Please tell me, that they are NOT asking to borrow the truck as well...

 

[deere755]

I think I am going to suggest a uhaul and I will flip the bill. This will probably not go over good but I will suggest it.

Option 2 is I will help if you can do it on my schedule. The weekend before or the weekend after.

I keep my trailer inside at all times when it is not in use. I take a lot of pride in all of my equipment. It gets used this time of the year about 3 to 4 times a week so I cannot afford for it to be down. I should have mentioned I have purchased a new one since she last borrowed it. I should have kept the old one to loan out.

Selling the trailer is not an option for me I wish it were.

The other problem I am having is when she damaged the other one she just brought them home and never said anything about the damage. I found it after she left. When I confronted her about it she said yes she knew about it but did not think it was a big deal. Her attitude is what I am having the biggest problem with. Also keep in mind her real Dad will do absolutly nothing to help her move or help her with anything for that matter and I am the bad guy. Her mother and I was mowing her yard last summer while she was out running around. I finally got tired of this and bought her a lawn mower. She did not like that idea either. I think it is time she grew up a little and Mom and I quit caving in all the time. I will stop my rant. Thanks for all the replies there is always some real good advice on here.

 

[RayCo]

Sounds to me like you came up with the best plan possible, especially now after hearing some background. Help those who help themselves.

 

[john_bud]

The other problem I am having is when she damaged the other one she just brought them home and never said anything about the damage. I found it after she left. When I confronted her about it she said yes she knew about it but did not think it was a big deal. Her attitude is what I am having the biggest problem with. Also keep in mind her real Dad will do absolutly nothing to help her move or help her with anything for that matter and I am the bad guy. Her mother and I was mowing her yard last summer while she was out running around. I finally got tired of this and bought her a lawn mower. She did not like that idea either. I think it is time she grew up a little and Mom and I quit caving in all the time.

I think that her "real" dad has wised up to her ways and is no longer being her doormat. You should too. Easy to say, hard to do.


Plan #1 - She can rent from u-haul and she can pay for it. If she does it when you can help, you help --> but she pays.


Plan #2 - see plan #1

 

[bigdad]

Everyone has different situations with family. Face it, we're all different and that's what makes it interesting. (I guess) It's obvious that some fellas don't mind lending their stuff out and, there are some that prefer to stay single to avoid it. Ha!

I would say that if it bothered you that much the first time to have your hard earned equipment come back damaged, don't lend it again. Pay for the U-Haul and if that hurts her feelings..........live with it baby.

BD

 

[tlbuser]

My wife is worth more than all the trailers in Illinois to me, and all the trucks there also.

You can get your truck & trailer fixed, but it is a lot harder to fix the relationship with your wife & stepdaughter.

Nicely said. I too agree that it isn't worth the trouble. It's only sheet metal and rubber. Which parts really can't be fixed with a torch, grinder and some spray paint? Life's too short to get hung up about material goods.

IMO, you're the one that'll be missing out too. You have a lot to teach and learn from the grandkids.

 

[Eagleview]

Tell them that it's got a crook wheel bearing and that you will fix it next week and will give them a hand to move once it's fixed .

 

[SamWalton]

I would ask a trusted friend to handle your equipment in support of their move. In the worst case, I would rather pay a responsible operator than chance the liability of someone who is known to act irresponsibly. Since you are the owner of the truck any liability rest on you and your estate.

 

[RayCo]

Whatever you do, don't make excuses. If you don't want to lend it, say you don't want to. If you make an excuse, you'll just have to deal with it later, since you will have given the impression that you would have been willing if not for the excuse. And then you like even worse when you decline.