I need some confirmation on a decision that I'm about to make:

My brother-in-law bought a used fiver that is in florida and wants to borrow my truck to go get it. We both live in Michigan. He's never driven a diesel pick-up, much less one with mods like mine, and he's never pulled a fifth wheel trailer before. As far as I know, the biggest thing that he's towed is a utility trailer behind his half-ton Chebby. He's a great guy, but I am just not comfortable lending my truck to someone who has no experience. I would be happy to go get it for him, or with him, but not lend him my truck.

What do you guys think?

DeWain

 

DeWain,
I would tell him the truth, you are not comfortable with him towing a fifth wheel with it, as he has never towed one before and then offer to go with him, as you said. I would hope that he understands.
If you just let him borrow it so as not to hurt his feelings and something happens you will be mad at him and yourself. If he got into an accident and hurt someone or worse, I'm betting you would feel pretty bad.

Just my .02c

~Rob

 

I agree with hotdram. My experience with family and situations like what you got, your not going to win either way. Someone is going to get upset. Look at it this way, Your truck is not a learning tool. Just my $.02

 

At best, I would try to go get it for him but for him to borrow it, I'd have to say no. I've had mine for six years when it had six miles on it and other than my son, the only ones to drive it were the dealer one time in and out of the shop, the Merchants guy in and out of the shop, and DavidTD running it on the dyno. I like it that way. I can do a good enough job of tearing it up myself, I don't need any help.

 

Ditto...what they said... he should be glad to have you go with him, for the company. Also then you could possibly let him get some training at your hands on more open roads...

Hondo

 

Hey!,,,,,,,,,,
I drove your truck too Joel,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,, OK,,,, so I was following you because you were pulling the GN with the 1st Gen you had,,,,,,,,,, and I never did get out of 2nd gear cause we were only going about 5mph,,,,,,, BUT I DID DRIVE IT ONCE!

So DeWain,,,,
Tell your brother-in-law he can drive your truck as long as you are right in front of him and he only goes 5mph,,,,,, oh yeah, he has to leave it in first gear!
Seriously, I would have to tell him "Sorry,,, but it is just too risky for you to try something you've never done using my truck." Those of us who have pulled big trailers know that there are a bunch of things to watch out for and learn. Not to mention, if something did happen and someone was hurt by it or worse,,,,, you would hold yourself responsible and feel guilty that you could have kept it from happening. Why not suggest to him that you both go and get it when you have the time (like Easter break or something) and that way he can learn some pointers by observing you on the way back.

 

OK since you brought it up. Dennis did drive my truck all the way from Claremont to Spring Grove.

And, he was pulling a trailer.

 

Id say its pretty risky...and if you love your truck (and it sounds like you do) it would be a good idea to say no....that is NOT unreasonable in any way, shape, or form. If he doesnt have a way of towing the trailer, why is he buying it?

Ever seen how many times people post and say I loaned my truck out and they filled it with GAS???

Also, reminds me of the number of times Ive come across and accident on the highway and both truck and fiver are laying in the ditch.

 

You know the answer.

Print of ours too...for back up.

NO!

 

But Scotty will loan him his...hes got a real nice hitch too...

 

Sounds like you already had the right answer DeWain, and was just looking for some reinforcement to your decision.

I'm right along with these guys. It just would'nt make for good family relations if something went terribley wrong.

My motto Never be a lender or borrower unless you can afford to live with the loss whether it's life or property.

 

Notice that I got to pull the whoppin-big 10' utility trailer (couldn't even see it,,) behind his silver truck,,,, Joel drove the 1st gen with the GN while we left my truck and 5er sit at the firehouse.

(I mean I pulled my 5er down there and Joel would STILL only trust me to drive HIS truck with a 10 foot trailer BEHIND him, for a whopping distance of maybe 1 1/2 miles at 5 MPH!)

 

The nerve of some people there is nothing to think about as far as I'm concerned, not only would brother in law not be driving my truck to pick up some 5th wheel, he wouldn't drive my truck to the corner 7-11

 

As soon as he ponies up enough$$$$$$ to buy you a new one why not?!?

WELL GUYS!?

It works with chainsaws and wives!

LMAO

 

The whole lending your truck to someone to make a trip like that is one thing. I think you offering to take him down there is extremely generous, since you'll be putting ~2000 miles on your truck. Plus your time and all. I'd let my brother in law use the truck for something local, but I probably would do the same as you; offer to go with him or say no.

Driving a diesel pickup truck is NO BIG DEAL! Driving a hopped up one is a little more of an issue, but if you trust that your brother-in-law isn't a moron, you can teach him the dos and don'ts. So that's not a big deal either. You all started by pulling your first heavy trailer without ever having done it before and survived.

My question would be, "what are you going to pull it with when you get home?" Does he think he'll just wander over and get your keys whenever he wants to go out with the 5er? Why can't he take his own rig to get the thing?

I'd let my brother in law use the truck for something a lot more local, but I wouldn't - in all likelihood - let him take it on a trip that long.

But, in the end, contrary to some of the previous posts, your truck is just a thing. And it's insured. By your insurance and his. It's just a THING. If he crashes it, you can get a new one. We all know crap happens. So that's not really an issue, either. To me, it's the magnitude of the trip, that's ll.