Everything You Need to Know About Boat Trailer Rental | CitizenShipper
You just bought a new vessel, and you have to transport it from the seller to your local waters and wonder where to get a trailer from? Purchasing a trailer can be very expensive, and if you don’t move your boat regularly, it might be an unnecessary investment for you. Instead, you could rent a trailer to haul your boat!
Moving a Boat on Your Own
If you want to move your boat yourself and need a trailer, you should research local rental places. It would help if you asked your local marine sales and supply or local boating sales companies for tips on where you can rent boat trailers. Before you contact the rental company of our choice, you should gather all the information about the weight and the size of your boat, because they will need it to advise you which trailer to rent. In the best case, the seller has all of your boat data from the boat manufacturer, even if it’s second hand. If not, you should ask them for detailed information.
Also, before you decide to tow your new boat by yourself, you should check in with your towing vehicle. An example: An average 21-foot boat trailer weighs 500 and 1.000 lbs. Most ships of this length weigh around 5.000 lbs. If you want to tow a trailer and a boat up to this weight, you need a car from 6.000 lbs or more in total. Your car manufacturer is providing all of the information you need on the towing capacity of your vehicle. If your car is ready to tow all of this weight, you’re ready to go! If not, you might consider working also hiring a more robust vehicle.
To be clear, this is a really important part of the process. There is no point hiring a trailer if your towing vehicle isn’t up to the task. It may even be possible to rent a vehicle and trailer combination that will save you time and money as well as the worry of knowing if your car is the right one for the job.
As with any rental contract, you will need a valid driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and a valid credit card to rent a trailer. Possibly you have to leave a deposit while you’re on the road. This can be in cash or taken off a credit card. Depending on where you are dropping the boat you may also need to show proof of your boat license.
Where to get a trailer
If you want to move your boat yourself using a hired trailer you need to find a reputable rental place. One of the best places to start is your local boat or yacht club. Even if they don’t have a formal rental system there may be individuals that have the capacity to loan out their equipment. This of course depends on the length of the hire and the type of boat. Another option is to buy a trailer with a guarantee or buyback. Many boat sale yards have excess trailers that could be willing to come to an arrangement where you essentially pay full price for the trailer with a guaranteed resale price. This is a good option if you need to have the trailer for an extended period of time. Another option is to join a boat enthusiasts club and use a communal trailer. Instead of a one-off fee, this would require a yearly membership that would give you access to specialized equipment for a certain number of days per year.
Hiring a Professional Shipper
Another possibility is to hire a professional shipper for the transport of your boat. Many transporters have a trailer themselves, and you can very specifically search for one that does. A marketplace-based provider like CitizenShipper can be an outstanding possibility to find the right transporter for your boat. You can post the details of your shipping online, and the platform asks you directly whether or not you have your trailer for the shipment. If you don’t, the marketspace connects you directly to drivers from the company company’s national network, which have the equipment you need, and they will get in contact with you within minutes with quotes. Your quote will be based on the distance of the haul and the size of your boat. You can see each driver’s profile, equipment, experiences, and previous customers’ review. With this information, you can find a shipper you can trust and rely on for a fair price.
Other shipping options
If you can’t find a shipper and doing it yourself isn’t an option it’s time to think outside of the box. Try and contact boat sale yards that are moving boats across the country and see if there is space to rent inside their cargo system. This may mean some additional preparation work for you if your boat needs to go into a container, but it can be a fast and very secure way to move your boat a long distance.
In conclusion, what’s critical when moving your boat with a hired trailer is planning! Think ahead and you will have a smooth and enjoyable experience. Good luck.
