Cute, but hella expensive.
The last year was extra expensive because at the start I was paying board on Stinker, D to ride Stinker, and also lessons on farm horses. In addition to that, I had a lot of new horse purchases. Things like blankets. He destroyed his the day he left IL and I had to get him a couple for this winter. Just outfitting things was expensive, then I went a little saddle crazy. I actually ended up buying 3 saddles. Ok well, technically it was 4, but the fourth sold for more than I paid for it, so it doesn't count. I am also trying to sell the third...but it hasn't sold yet, so I guess I have to keep that in there. Finally, there was the little thing called the EPM vet bills. Yep, that took a chunk of change.
The whole point of this rambling is I buy too much stuff and still want more. Which leads into my next HUGE want. I really want wheels. Going to Florida was amazing, but it also made me realize that I want to be able to do clinics. Unfortunately, I am not sure how much hauling I can get to clinics. Especially dressage clinics, which is what we really need. The barn is large enough that we get a few clinicians in every year and S is more focused on showing, so I would have to get them to agree to haul just me. Not very likely and expensive. Most of the people I know that have trucks/trailers don't do dressage, so bumming a ride with them isn't likely. I am feeling very stranded, which leads me into my next point.
My parents have a truck (a big fancy expensive truck) that they rarely use because they have retired from ranching. My mom offered it to me (This isn't going to disappear, so I am not under a time crunch). I want to take it and I have been making lists. Lots and lots of lists.
Their truck is similar to this (Image Stolen From Google)
Pros:
- I would have a truck to haul
- I would have a truck to haul
Cons:
- I would have two vehicles (I am not ready to give up my paid for car that gets awesome gas milage to drive a truck everywhere)
- I would have to pay tags and insurance (which is costing my parents ~$600 and I think it would be more for me, because they have a farm tag)
- I don't have a place to keep it (right now it is inside and I would have to park it outside at the farm)
- I am not sure how much I would use it
- I would then want to buy a trailer (=$$$$)
- I am going to be moving again in the next 2ish years, so I should really wait until I am more settled before collecting more stuff. This also translates into I can find a place where I can have a truck and a car.
And because it is totally logical, I have already my dream trailer picked out. I am not entirely sure on the brand yet, so I would love to hear opinions on trailers. Buuuutttt, I want a two horse, straight load, gooseneck, with a dressing room. 'K thanks (santa I will be a good girl). I guess that means I need to start adding that to the savings (you know the savings I am so good at spending on my pretty saddles...)
Something like this (Image stolen from Google)
So what would you do? Be responsible and wait until you were in a more permeant location to take the truck. Or go for broke and take the truck (and try to resist buying all the pretty fancy trailers).
Logically, your list means you should take the truck! :-p
ReplyDeleteI keep two vehicles- my truck and my car. Believe it or not, it is cheaper over the course of a year to pay for my class 3 registration (is that truck more than class 3?), insurance, and pay for the registration and insurance for my car than it is to drive my truck around 24/7 (10-12mpg @ 2.199 to 3.999 per gallon).
Being able to haul yourself around is worth it. I begged for years for rides, sometimes up to the day before a show. I ended up buying a cheap used truck and borrowing a trailer from a friend. I scoured Craigslist for about a year after I bought that truck before I found a suitable and well-priced trailer (I did have to drive over 5 hours to get it). You know from my blog that my husband made significant upgrades to the trailer, and without him, I don't think I'd have been able to make the trailer work. I upgraded my truck a year ago to a 2500, and I'm quite happy with my bumper pull trailer (two horse straight load, 4' by 6' tack room). I know if I got a gooseneck I would want it to have living quarters, and I need much more truck for that ($$$$). If you're willing to hold off on the gooseneck, I've seen all-steel bumper pull trailers in good shape go for between $3,000 and $4,000 around here. That's about the price of an upscale saddle!
I also really like that my truck has a backseat. No one ever sits there, but things like suitcases and large coolers do. But beggars can't be choosers, and I'd take a truck with no backseat over no truck at all.
DeleteI can appreciate having a back seat, but you can't beat the price on this one :)
DeleteI am set on the gooseneck even if it is more $. I am a million times more comfortable pulling the gooseneck than bumper pulls. Since I don't have a backseat or a truck bed I really want the neck for storage. And the truck will easily be able to pull it, so that isn't a big deal. The living quarters would be really nice and if I find a trailer with them I wouldn't say no....see I'm really good at spending :)
So I'm hearing that you'll be trailer shopping? Haha! Nothing wrong with being set on the gooseneck- it wasn't even an option for me (and I've never driven one so I have nothing to compare to, but other people have told me they prefer hauling gooseneck to BP). Since there's no hurry, hunt through Craigslist for the trailer you want. It's no where near as shady and awful as it sounds. Yea, you'll have to sort through a bunch of crap, and nothing will be as nice as a brand new trailer, but there's deals to be had and they aren't at trailer dealer prices.
DeleteNoooo.....just browsing you know for that once in a lifetime deal....
DeleteI bought my truck over a year before I bought my trailer. I discovered that friends were usually willing to lend me their trailer if I had my own way to haul it. So I'd take the truck. As you said, you can't beat that price :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the GN. I refused to budge on the GN because I tossed a mattress up in the neck of the dressing room and stay in my trailer at events and clinics.
Gooseneck a are the best. As a kid we had a futon mattress in the neck of our stock trailer. My sister and I thought it was the best thing ever.
Deletethe circumstances that led me to buy a rig were pretty different from yours - there were zero trainers or opportunities at my farm (a lesson program has since moved in, but it isn't suitable for my purposes) and i got a very modest inheritance that allowed for an older high-mileage craigslist truck and a financed economy-model bumper pull stock trailer. that said tho, acquiring that truck and trailer literally changed my life, not even exaggerating lol. it's not fancy, it's not my dream combo. but damn does it get the job done!
ReplyDeleteYou and your adventures increase my want every time I see them. I want to have the ability to go to clinics that aren't at the farm. If I was just wanting to show it wouldn't be as big of a deal, because they go to both schooling and recognized shows. But I'm not there yet. I've been thinking and I've passed on two clinics and one saddle fitting due to not having a ride. Granted having to pay for things may shrink that clinic budget...
DeleteTwo vehicles with one staying at the farm isnt unusual! I can tell you from experience from not having my own truck and trailer until recently, that it is really nice to have one you dont need to rely on anyone else. What is wonderful for you, you arent in a rush!
ReplyDeleteLook into the farm tags staying for your own use, I am sure you possibly could keep it if its strictly used for hauling horses/livestock. I could be wrong on that...
I am rooting for you! Sounds like youre being smart and responsible :)
I try. That is a really good thought about the tags. I'll look into it. Thanks :)
DeleteOh man, I would take the truck. But good for you for thinking about it and being logical :)
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, it is really only the lack of permanence at the moment that is making me hesitate. 1,000+ mile moves aren't fun to begin with, so adding more things to move makes it even more complicated.
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