Toad or Trailer – That is the Question

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Another advantage of an enclosed trailer is that if you travel thru any snow, sand, sleet, salt, hail, or other storms or just pouring rain it keeps your car clean rather than covering it with the mess kicked up from the rear tires of the bus.  I have seen some pretty dirty cars and broken windshields as a result of towing.  Does anyone using an enclosed trailer feel this advantage is worth the extra expense and inconvenience?
 

[chessie4905]

In that kind of weather, I stay home. Yes, if you drive in those conditions, then a trailer makes sense.

[RJ]

One distinct advantage of having a trailer vs. a Toad is that you put less mileage on your car thereby not causing extra depreciation.  Has anyone ever considered this issue or don't we have any bean counters driving buses.

My toad is so old, depreciation isn't an issue anymore.  I'm sure it's the same for many others, too.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Oonrahnjay]

My toad is so old, depreciation isn't an issue anymore.  I'm sure it's the same for many others, too.

    My toad is so old, I've forgotten what depreciation is!  No, wait a minute, that's *me* that's so old ...

[DoubleEagle]

Depreciation would only apply to commercial business use, which would require CDL's and DOT inspections complicating our lives. We are better off with our old buses and toads.

[kyle4501]

Depreciation would only apply to commercial business use, which would require CDL's and DOT inspections complicating our lives. We are better off with our old buses and toads.

Not the kind of depreciation I was thinking about. I was thinking he meant that higher miles means lower resale value . . . .

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Yes, that is correct.  More miles means more wear and tear and every mile devalues your vehicle whether it is commercial or privately owned.  The last IRS value I heard was 58 cents per mile, but it is probably higher now. 

[DoubleEagle]

Our vehicles are so old that the traditional depreciation rates do not apply. The value of most running buses have bottomed out to a market value based on condition and visual appeal. The value of a well-maintained coach could remain essentially the same for years, changed only by inflation, the general condition of the economy, and the price of diesel fuel. Our buses defy the normal schedules because they last so long. It is sort like buildings that an accountant might pronounce as having a useful life of 40 years and bases the depreciation schedule on that assumption when there are many buildings that last well over 100 years. If no maintenance occurs on a bus it will lose value alright, but what about the busnuts that repower with new engines and transmissions? Their value will appreciate.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

This thread is about Toads, not buses.  Toads depreciate unless their depreciation value has run out.

[DoubleEagle]

Nope, my 4X4 toad is so old (and rare) that the value is going up.

[Oonrahnjay]

Nope, my 4X4 toad is so old (and rare) that the value is going up. 

     Yeah, my TDI wagon (399,825 miles this AM) has gone up 1000% in value in the past year!   I can prove it mathematically -- $0 X 1000% is $0!

[Lin]

Depreciation of the toad only makes some sense if you have a pretty new vehicle.  Although, since all of them probably have electronic odometers, towed mileage would not even show.  I paid 2500 for our '99 Cherokee and Kelly lists its private party value, taking into account mileage and condition, as 2500.  It only has 206,000 miles on it, but even if the towed mileage showed on the odometer, which it doesn't, I doubt it would make an real difference.  Certainly, to be fair to the potential buyer, one should disclose that it was used as a toad.  I think that that could even add value to it since it is ready to go in the same capacity.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

What if I towed it backwards half of the time? Would that zero out the depreciation? Or if I towed it backwards all of the time, would it increase in value?  Any Bean Counters out there?

[Dave5Cs]

1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ so no don't really care. Most wreaking yards and parts places have every part that breaks or you need to keep them going to include many Tubs or bodies, tops, hoods, fenders, engines, tranny's etc for any year. It holds is price and has actually gone up since I bought it last year. New cars are just for looks and make banks money. Life is good!...
Dave

[gg04]

When we pull our Ranger it's normally on a trailer, but we have used a dolly changed back tires, and pulled the drive shaft when going to venues that have limited space.. Our toad is normally much more important than the bus. rdw