Tow vehicle driver etiquette

[tech a]

Usually just trade driving turns, but, I would rather err on the side to take care of my friends, really don't think that much about it because it usually
ends up equal in one way or another. If it's a bud who is down on his luck
or can't afford it, I have paid for the whole trip including meals, motels, drinks,
and when I need his help on anything, he comes running! That's what
friends do....

 

[doors4u]

We usually don't travel more than 60 miles to ride. We usually pay $20 to the driver, more if we go on a longer trip obviously. I like to pay for the fuel used as well as some extra for wear and tear.

 

[AkHockey10]

We make sure the drivers gets paid, and all passengers pay there share to the drivers! We go by MPG.

works for everyone!

 

[Nubulin]

Usually just trade driving turns, but, I would rather err on the side to take care of my friends, really don't think that much about it because it usually
ends up equal in one way or another. If it's a bud who is down on his luck
or can't afford it, I have paid for the whole trip including meals, motels, drinks,
and when I need his help on anything, he comes running! That's what
friends do....

I 2nd this.

Do you charge your buddy to help him build a deck on a Sat? With friends it all works out in the end. I say split the gas by how many guys are in the truck, end of story.

With how much sleds, quad cab diesels, and enclosed trailers cost does anyone actually care about oil changes and tire wear? If so you are in the wrong sport!

 

[Snorider]

I 2nd this.

Do you charge your buddy to help him build a deck on a Sat? With friends it all works out in the end. I say split the gas by how many guys are in the truck, end of story.

With how much sleds, quad cab diesels, and enclosed trailers cost does anyone actually care about oil changes and tire wear? If so you are in the wrong sport!

I don't think i'm in the wrong sport, but tire wear is a big deal to me, on my trailer or my buddys trailer. one thing I hate is changing tires on the go. It happens but I don't need to get that last extra couple miles outta it. I'll just get a new one put on before a long trip and be done with it. Plus ever gone with someone who had crappy tires on their truck? I have and found out that the guys with crappy tires usually don't have chains and adds for extra headache to everyone in the group.

 

[Trenchmaster]

I'm the guy in our group that owns the diesel truck and enclosed trailer. We share the cost of fuel and take turns driving. I just want some extra cash at the end of the trip to wash my truck and trailer $20 bucks usually does it.

 

[94fordguy]

We usually don't go that far to get to the hills, only about 30-40 miles depending on where we go. With the buddy I usually go with, we will simply trade off every trip and call it even, however, with my other friend I have gone with a couple times, she is not equipped to pull, so we simply split the gas for the truck and sleds... Works great for all of us, I'm just happy to be sledding

 

[lucky13]

i gota print this whole thread and get copies for my kid, his freinds, and my freinds, i seem to be the deep pockets guy of the bunch

 

[McLovin]

i gota print this whole thread and get copies for my kid, his freinds, and my freinds, i seem to be the deep pockets guy of the bunch

Well you are the guy who brags about his XP and Nytro so you have a nice truck and trailer too huh? When can i come ride for free? haha

 

[X-rated]

I like to find a good mormon with a good rig, these guys dont drink much which leaves more for me, a crew cab with dvd is really my preferance, back seat, a little **** always shortens the trip.

 

[teeroy]

for the last few years I've been hauling the sleds with my truck and trailer, just been getting the fellas to chip in for fuel. I think next year I'm gonna tell 'em that they all can buy my meals and pay my share of the room bill as well. like a few have said, I don't mind most times putting out a little extra cash to make sure everyone can go but after 4 years of hauling the boys a couple thousand kilometers per trip they should be able to go the extra mile and take care of me a bit. the truck aint getting any newer, and I just got a new Triton enclosed trailer for hauling sleds this year....gotta be worth something.

 

[Bagger]

With us, it depends on the group. If it's the regulars, we do the whole trip on one card and when we get back, we divie up the fuel between the passengers, and everybody pays a share of the room bill.

If we have a couple new faces, we usually all pitch in to the hat and have one person pay for trip expenses (fuel/rooms) out of the kitty.

Everything else we share... oil, tools, parts, gear.

If someone's in too tight a spot to go, he's usually covered, but it hasn't happened but once or twice.

We do this year 'round with sled/bike/hunting whatever trips.

I'm one lucky man, I have some GREAT friends. B

 

[Weekday Warrior]

some serious stuff to think about here

If a dude doesn't fork out enough then he jeopardizes himself not getting invited the next time around, or perhaps someone with a bit deeper pockets will get that last spot lol


getting more important every day I'm afraid, Diesel hit $4.22 gal here today

I think it killed my riding the rest of this year, I'm getting ready to hit the search button and find that thread I've been dreadping to click on "how best to summerize my sled"


Most peeps I go with donating towards fuel costs has been the norm, but then again 100 miles is considered a long trip.



To add another twist to this thread:

What about the guy who offers you their trailer to borrow? be it a 4 place or a sled deck....how you figure that out.

A good washing of course would be the very minimum.

 

[Jaynelson]

I usually drive the tow rig and usually get the shaft....I don't really care, cause it's all in the name of fun, but gas ain't any cheaper.

 

[M-Max]

usually only short 1 hour tows. Driver pays his fuel passenger fuels the drivers sled. wear and tear part works its way out between friends.
Bottom line is I am riding and I am not going alone. If you are good friends it always works itself out.

 

[Cyle]

One group I go with driver pays no fuel. Other one we split fuel and switch off driving, 4/6 of us own atleast 3/4 tons diesels so we all drive. I think the driver paying no fuel is more then fair. If theres only 3 of us the driver pays some fuel though, because $300 fuel bill for 2 people is to big of a hit.

 

[mod03rmk800]

Our group it is usually an "argument" of sorts as to who gets to drive. Everyone wants to be the captain of the ship.
For those who don't have a way to haul there sled, pay up!
For the short trips it can get a little spendy filling up someone elses rig and using 1/8 of a tank that day. But for the most part we split the gas as we deem fair and usually alternate buying lunches etc. Nobody expects anything as we are all headed wherever anyways and can swallow our pride enough to openly admit if we will far short in the fund department before the ride.
And if you are the one falling short on funds make sure you are the first and last guy to help dig the drivers stuck sled out.
Oil changes? Tires? Car washes? Why stop there, go for insurance and possible monthly note payments. If your tired of driving speak up. People should be excited and happy from the time the sleds are loaded at home until the sleds are unloaded at home. If not change it!

 

[skibreeze]

Our trips are usually 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hour drives and different people go and drive on each trip. The last 2 weekends, I have driven and even provided 1 or 2 sleds for friends to use for the day, I didn't pay for gas. On the long trips, I usually don't drive, and really don't want to. I'd rather pitch in for the gas.

 

[sledhauler07]

Like the screen names says... I'm set up to haul. I have the enclosed and crew cab so I drive most of the time. Besides, the other guy that has a big enough truck only has an open 2 place and his driving is kinda bad... MOCO.

As for the cost, we split the fuel most of the time. They don't normally buy my drinks because we are RIDING SLEDS not sitting in a bar! And if I drank much I'd drive like the fore mentioned. haha (most of our trips are day out and back stuff)

Like the other said, its about having friends with you and in this sport, money out the door is gonna happen... sometimes alot of money (blown motors etc.) so that isn't really an issue so far. At $5 / gal for diesel, we may have to re-evaluate the whole deal.

 

[heinracing]

most of you talk about 1hr to 2 hr trip some of us are 11hour plus one way so gas adds up alittle more plus cabin/hotel and what not,