For the purposes of the ‘Terms of Hire’ the person hiring the trailer shall be referred to as the Hirer. All trailers are wholly owned by Thomas Trailer Hire, who will be referred to as the Owner.
Payment of the hire charge must be made at the time of booking by an accepted credit or debit card. Once booked, the trailer is reserved for that period and no refunds can be made.
At time of collection, the Hirer is required to provide a valid Driving Licence (both parts) together with a certificate of motor insurance for the towing vehicle. Photo copies will be taken.
For hire periods of less than 7 days a deposit will be processed on the Hirer’s debit or credit card at point of hire. With most cards this is a pre-authorisation transaction where the deposit funds are held by the Hirer's card provider for 7-10 days. The Owner will charge to this deposit any costs for minor damage / loss or late return of the trailer.
Where cards (i.e. Switch, Electron Maestro & Solo) do not allow this facility, or the hire period is longer than 7 days, a normal transaction for the deposit will be taken. The Owner will then cancel the transaction on return of the trailer as per this agreement deducting a 3% admin charge.
The Hirer agrees to drive the towing vehicle in a careful and skilful manner, in accordance with all legal requirements, tow vehicle limitations, in accordance with the User’s Handbook and Towing and The Law guide provided and with full consideration to towing the trailer with a securely restrained load.
The Hirer agrees to ensure the trailer is always left locked onto the towing vehicle or, using the provided security chain, is locked via the trailer chassis to a permanent object such as a tree or lamp post.
The Hirer shall keep the trailer at all times in his/her possession and custody.
Please ensure all contents and the remains from any loads are removed prior to return.
During a period of hire, normal levels of road dirt are expected. However if the trailer is subject to unusual levels of dirt or where animals are transported, the Owner asks the Hirer to clean (and disinfect as required) the trailer prior to return.
Cleaning charges will be at the discretion of the Owner.
The trailer must not leave the UK mainland without the written authority of the Owner.
The Hirer accepts liability for the full value of the trailer whilst on hire. It is the Hirer’s responsibility to ensure the tow vehicle insurance covers risks of theft, loss, or damage to the trailer or to take out additional insurance as required.
The Hirer agrees to pay the Owner repair / replacement costs up to the full value of the trailer within 14 days from the date of return. For each day after this the Owner has the right to charge the Hirer a full days hire charge for each day until the value of the trailer is paid in full.
Costs for repair of minor damage, such as panel damage, floor scratches that reveal the plywood beneath the resin coating, damage to tyres, broken lights etc, will be deducted from the deposit.
Accidents and thefts must be reported by the Hirer to the police and to the Owner within 8 working hours of any incident. The Hirer will return in person to Thomas Trailer Hire to report the incident with a crime reference number for thefts or an accident report number for an accident.
During the hire period the Hirer will be liable for any injuries caused to the Hirer, their agents, any third parties or to any animals transported arising out of the use of the trailer. The Hirer shall completely indemnify the Owner in respect of all claims by any person for injury to person or property caused by or in connection with, or arising out of the use of the trailer.
The Owner cannot be held liable for any consequential losses arising out of the use of the trailer during the hire period.
It is the Hirer’s responsibility to ensure loads are securely restrained, the trailer is correctly attached to the tow vehicle, and that the trailer is in a roadworthy and safe condition prior to each journey. The Hirer agrees to operate and maintain the trailer in-line with the User Handbook provided.
The Hirer agrees to return the trailer to the Owner in the same condition as when hired, not later than the return date and time as stated on this hire agreement.
Hire trailers can be collected / returned during our standard opening hours - Monday to Saturday between 8.00am and 6.00pm. Unless alternative collection and return times have been agreed with the Owner in advance, the Owner will make an additional charge of 1 full day hire fee for each 4 hour period (or part of) past the agreed time of return.
