Trailer Rental
Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions for rental of any trailer, herein referred to as "Trailer", from DEF Dawg Ventures LLC, herein referred to as "Owner", to you, herein referred to as "I" or "Lessee". I certify that I am at least 25 years of age to rent Trailer. Upon taking possession of this Trailer, I understand that I will assume full responsibility for it. I understand that it is my responsibility to furnish a towing vehicle of sufficient size. The 6x12 Trailer weighs 1,510 LBS and has a GVRW 2,990 LBS, and with necessary components, including but not limited to, rated towing receiver, drop hitch, electrical wiring (4-pin), towing ball (2"), and safety chains to safely tow this trailer. I will not tow the Trailer through or under any structure without sufficient overhead or side clearance. I will not use Trailer to transport dangerous, hazardous or illegal material, or living persons. I will not allow anyone other than myself to tow or use Trailer. Owner is not responsible for any of the Lessee's contents of the Trailer. It is my responsibility to provide and properly use all tie downs necessary to safely secure contents. Trailer is equipped with E-Track, (6) Ring Tie Offs, (6) Rope Tie Offs and use of said equipment is at my own risk. Any damage to or loss of tie offs will be charged to me at retail cost to replace. All conditions apply regardless if Trailer is moving or at a standstill, attached or detached to my or any other vehicle. I understand that I must visually inspect the trailer prior to towing, including wheel and tire condition, hitch lock operation, safety chain connections, wiring connection to vehicle, all lights functioning properly, and all doors latched properly.
This is a contract of lease only and not of sale. I agree that I have leased Trailer herein described upon the express condition that it will at all times remain the property of the Owner. Owner may repossess the Trailer at my expense without notice to me, if the Trailer is abandoned or used in violation of law or this Agreement. I agree to indemnify Owner, defend Owner, and hold Owner harmless from all claims, liability, costs and attorney fees Owner incurs resulting from, or arising out of, this rental and my use of the Trailer. Owner makes no warranties, express, implied or apparent, regarding the Trailer, no warranty of merchantability and no warranty that the Trailer is fit for a particular purpose.
All sales are final. I understand that once I complete payment, services are considered rendered and I will not be refunded any amount, full or partial, even if I do not use the Trailer for any amount of time. I agree to return the Trailer to the pick up location within the amount of time I have booked and paid for. If I do not return the Trailer on time, I agree that my original payment method will be charged a late fee in the amount of $200 or in the amount of the rental booking(s) following my booking, that is/are not able to be completed due to the Trailer not being available for the next reservation(s). The only refund that will be issued is in the event the Trailer is not available to me for my reservation due to a previous lessee not returning the Trailer on time or a mechanical issue causing the Trailer to be unusable.
I have examined the Trailer and found it to be in good condition. I will return the Trailer to Owner on the date and time and within the amount of mileage specified in my booking and completion of payment, and in the same condition that I received it, except for ordinary wear. If I exceed the amount of pre-paid mileage, I agree that my original payment method will be charged for the difference in the amount paid versus the amount allowed on the current services booking page, based on the GPS data indicating the actual mileage used. If I do not complete the Trailer Check-in Form when I return the Trailer, I agree that my original payment method will be charged a late fee in the amount of $50 for a representative of DEF Dawg Ventures LLC to complete an on-site inspection of the Trailer. Service to the Trailer or replacement of parts or accessories during the rental must have Owner’s prior approval. I will not alter the Trailer by placing signs, lettering or painting on the Trailer.
I am responsible for all damages to, or loss or theft of, the Trailer and any property I place inside Trailer, including damage caused by weather, road conditions and acts of nature, whether or not I am at fault. I am responsible for the cost of repair or the actual retail cash value of the Trailer ($4,000) if it is not repairable or if Owner elects not to repair it. I am also responsible for any missing equipment, and a reasonable charge to cover any administrative expenses connected with any damage claim. I will report all accidents involving the Trailer to Owner and the police within 24 hours of occurrence.
Owner is not responsible for any injuries, accidents, or death of any persons, any animals, or any contents, while in or out of the Trailer. I release Owner, property owners, employees and contract personnel, agents and volunteers, successors or assigns, lessors and joint ventures from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of any damages, both in law and in equity, in any way resulting from personal injuries, conscious suffering, death, or property damage sustained by me or by others arising out of my use of the Trailer.
I am least 25 years of age and I have read each part of this Agreement. I understand that it is a promise not to sue and to release Owner, property owners, employees and contract personnel, agents and volunteers, successors or assigns, lessors and joint ventures from any and all liabilities, claims, lawsuits, losses, costs, causes of action and damages of any kind. I have made a free and deliberate choice to sign this Agreement as a condition to my use of the Trailer.
I agree to follow safe trailer towing tips as outlined below.
1. Know Your Limits
2. Weight Distribution
3. Understand Handling Differences
4. Keep an Eye on Your Trailer
5. Plan Your Journey
6. Use an Appropriate Driving Style
7. Use Your Transmission to Your Advantage
8. Complete a Walk-Around Safety Check
9. Understand What to do in an Emergency
10. Take Your Time
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1. Know Your Limits
Knowing the limits of your trailer and your towing vehicle are imperative to the safety of your towing experience. You can find the limits of your towing vehicle in the vehicle documentation. You should never exceed the maximum towing capacity of your weakest component. If your vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, and your towbar had a maximum towing capacity of only 2000kg, you should never exceed a towing weight of 2000kg.
Trailers come with their own maximum towing limits; these should never be exceeded. You should match your trailer to your towing vehicle as closely as possible. Larger trailers will generally have a greater impact on the handling of the vehicle, so will therefore require a larger vehicle to tow them.
2. Weight Distribution
Distributing weight appropriately on your trailer makes a massive difference when it is in tow. You should aim to have roughly 60% of the weight at the nose of your trailer and 40% at the rear. This ensures there is not too much weight on the towing equipment, while also stopping the trailer from pulling upwards on the rear of your towing vehicle.
Incorrect weight distribution can lead to your trailer beginning to sway while in tow, this is most likely to happen at higher speeds and is one of the leading causes of accidents involving trailers. Learn how to deal with trailer sway by reading our trailer sway article.
Weight should be distributed evenly forward and backwards, left and right, and vertically. When it comes to vertical weight distribution there is one simple rule - keep the weight as low as possible. Keeping weight low helps to lower the center of gravity of your trailer, which helps reduce the chance of it tipping during a turn.
All items in your trailer should be secured to stop them from moving around during transport. If items begin to move, they can impact on the weight distribution of your trailer and lead to an accident.
3. Understand Handling Differences
When you hitch a trailer to a vehicle you will instantly change the handling characteristics of that vehicle. As more weight is added to the trailer the effects of this will be exaggerated. This means you will have to change how you drive to account for these differences.
You will find reversing with a trailer is different than reversing just a vehicle. It is always handy to have someone outside of the vehicle to direct you to ensure you are maneuvering safely.
When driving you should avoid sudden turns and take caution when completing any maneuvers. Due to the increased center of gravity, taking corners at speed can cause your trailer to tip which may result in an accident.
Be aware that the increased weight of the combined vehicle and trailer will increase the momentum your vehicle has. This means it will be harder to stop, so exercising caution and braking well in advance is a ‘must’ when you have a trailer in tow.
Generally, the larger and the heavier your trailer, the greater impact it will have on all the above.
4. Keep an Eye on Your Trailer
Just Because your trailer looked okay before you left doesn't mean it will stay that way throughout the whole journey. Bumps and vibration during towing can lead to straps becoming loose or items moving around during transport. Looking behind you occasionally during the tow will help you spot any problems before they have time to develop into something serious.
Just a glance in the mirrors is usually enough to spot any problems. If you do notice anything, even if it is small, you should always take the time to pull over and inspect the trailer - these few minutes can save a lot of time and effort compared to if the problem was to develop into something serious - it could even save a life.
5. Plan Your Journey
Maneuvering a trailer can be very difficult, so why not make your journey as easy as possible! Try to plan your route and avoid narrow roads or any other tricky routes which could make your trip more difficult. Route planning is a great idea because it can help you avoid road closures, while also giving you an idea of what to expect during your trip. If you are going on a long journey, be sure to add rest stops so you can recharge your batteries before carrying on.
6. Use an Appropriate Driving Style
The general rule when it comes to towing a trailer is that everything is going to be slower and require a more planned approach. This goes for everything from changing lanes to accelerating. The additional length and weight the trailer adds to your vehicle means this should be accounted for during every maneuver.
When you change lanes on a motorway give yourself more time and make sure there is enough space to make this maneuver safely. The same goes for emerging out of a junction, this is where the extra length and weight of your vehicle will be at its most obvious. Never pull out into the road when you believe the gap is only just big enough, allow yourself as much space as possible for both turning and accelerating. Be aware you will need a larger turning space, which may mean you will have to cross the center line of the road during the turn - in this situation be patient and wait for a gap in both lanes of traffic, never emerge and expect people to stop as this puts both you and them at risk.
If you find yourself travelling on a road that could be a danger to you or others, keep your speed as low as possible, and pull over if you feel this is necessary or to allow vehicles behind you to pass if a queue is forming.
7. Use Your Transmission to Your Advantage
Using your transmission is a great way to improve your vehicle's performance in both acceleration and braking scenarios. Use a lower gear when you are travelling up hills to help reduce the stress on your vehicle's transmission and give it the best pulling potential.
Similarly, use a lower gear when going downhill as this will allow you to take full advantage of engine braking and help take the strain off of the vehicle’s or trailer’s brakes - you may find under heavy braking or after prolonged brake use (going downhill for a long time) your vehicle’s brakes may overheat, so engine braking can help avoid this.
8. Complete a Walk-Around Safety Check
Looking around your vehicle before you leave or during the journey is a good way of ensuring your vehicle and trailer are fit for the road. Look for worn tires, check for punctures, make sure any loads are tied down correctly and test your lights before taking your vehicle and trailer on the road.
This will not only improve the safety of your vehicle but could also help avoid getting a ticket from the police for driving a vehicle that is unfit for the road.
9. Understand What to do in an Emergency
You may find during towing you encounter a problem; this could be anything from a flat tire to a fully developed trailer sway. Dealing with each scenario effectively and calmly is vital to keeping your vehicle and trailer safe on the road.
Carrying equipment such as a spare wheel and the tools required to change a wheel is always advised when going on a long trip. Roadside repairs should be done safely, as far away from flowing traffic as possible and you should always try to wear high-visibility clothing while completing the repair.
You should be aware that strong winds can sometimes affect a trailer while it is in tow and could cause the trailer to sway or snake behind your vehicle. If this does occur, gently ease off the accelerator, do not apply the brake, and allow both vehicle and trailer to slow down naturally. As the speed reduces you should regain full control over the vehicle and the swaying should subside. If you experience your trailer swaying more than once you should pull over to the side of the road and consider redistributing the weight loaded on your trailer more appropriately.
10. Take Your Time
As we have mentioned multiple times, the key to safe towing always comes back to taking a slow approach. Taking time to tow safely can quite literally be a lifesaver. If you avoid rushing it will not only help you spot any mistakes or problems with your trailer or vehicle, but it will also help avoid any issues developing due to the way you are driving.