- Do you typically keep your vehicles in good condition and change vehicles every few years? If so, you may be right for leasing. Lease providers require you to keep their vehicle maintained and repaired, with no more than normal wear and tear. If you don't, you'll be charged at end of your lease.

- How is your credit rating? If you have a history of paying your bills on time and don't have excessive debt, you are a good lease candidate. Otherwise, you may be required to make a large down payment and pay higher finance charges or, worse, be refused opportunity to lease.

Shopping for a Lease

The most important element of a good lease deal is price of vehicle. Regardless of whether you buy or lease, you should always get best possible price first. When leasing, this price becomes capital cost, or "cap cost." Prior loan balances and fees may be added. Rebates, discounts, down payments, and trade-in credit are subtracted. The lower capital cost, lower your monthly payment. This is only element of a lease deal that a dealer directly controls.

The remaining elements of a lease — money factor, residual value, and related fees — are controlled by lease provider and are not negotiable.

Since a lease is simply another form of financing, interest charges apply. These interest charges are known as "money factor." Money factor is expressed as a very small number such as .00375, which is equivalent to 9% annual interest rate. Again, a small money factor results in lower monthly lease payments.

Residual value is an estimate of a vehicle's wholesale value at end of a lease term. The longer lease, smaller residual value. Your lease payment is primarily determined by difference between cap cost and residual value, which is amount that value of vehicle depreciates during lease. The higher residual value, lower lease cost.

Sales tax may also be included in your monthly payment, depending on state you live in.

You can easily calculate car lease payments, once you know key factors, using this Lease Calculator by LeaseGuide.com.

Leasing Fees

There may be certain fees associated with your lease. The fees that lease providers charge vary both in kind and amount. One of most common is an "acquisition fee", which is an administrative charge for work in initiating a lease. Another common fee is a disposition fee, usually charged at end of your lease when you return your vehicle.

You may also be charged at end of your lease for excessive mileage, damages, and unusual wear-and-tear.

At beginning of your lease, you will be asked to pay first month's payment, a security deposit, a down payment, if any, and applicable miscellaneous fees associated with licensing a vehicle in your state. You will also be asked to show proof of insurance.

Driving Your Leased Vehicle

Your vehicle must be driven and cared for according to terms specified in your lease contract. Generally, this means keeping vehicle in good condition, using it for lawful purposes, maintaining insurance, and allowing it to be driven only by licensed drivers.

If you have to pass another vehicle by changing lanes, please anticipate much longer time needed for most vehicles when towing. Signal well in advance. Avoid passing on steep grades.You will need to start acceleration earlier and realize your tow vehicle will need much more time to pass when carrying a load. Make sure there is plenty of time to avoid oncoming traffic and leave plenty of clearance before moving back into your lane. You don't want to hit vehicle your passing with your trailer.

When traveling on roads with soft shoulders, avoid getting trailer wheels off pavement. Contacting soft shoulder can cause trailer to start to sway. If it happens, don't panic. Do not try to steer right back onto pavement or hard surface. Take your foot off gas pedal but don't hit tow vehicles brakes. Activate trailer brakes by hand and easily tap your vehicle brakes. Downshift if possible. When you have reached a much slower speed and your trailer is under control, gradually ease wheels back onto road.

When encountering steep grades you will notice different handling characteristics when towing. On a steep downhill grade trailer can actually push your vehicle. Anticipate this and downshift and let off gas a little. You may have to use your trailer brakes hand control to slow you but don't ride them. Only tap them intermittently to avoid overheating of brakes and ultimately, brake failure.. When facing a steep upgrade you should start accelerating early if possible. Again, you may have to downshift and keep increasing your gas pedal to compensate for drag on you going uphill. As you reach crest of grade start backing off pedal. A steep grade will test your tow vehicles limits.

Once you have reached your destination you have to find a place to park your "rig". It's best to avoid parking on a grade. The more level parking area better. If you have to park on a grade, it is best to chock wheels. Hopefully, you have some with you. If you have someone to help, have them guide you into spot. You can't always rely on mirrors as trailer may block your view. Once stopped, keep your foot on brake, turn your wheels toward curb (pointed in on a down hill, out on an uphill), apply parking brake and then shift into park, or with a manual, your lowest gear. This method helps avoid locking your transmission due to extra load.

If you are on even a small grade and you plan to unhitch your trailer, you must apply chocks to trailers wheels to avoid trailer from rolling away when uncoupled. Just having lift down will not make it stable. Jack stands also come in handy to level your load.I hope this article has provided you with useful information but it is not intended to be " be all and end all" of trailering safety. Read everything you can and talk to other more experienced trailer owners for tips on do's and don'ts. Contact your state governments transportation department and familiarize yourself with laws, regulations and even local ordinances regarding trailers and towing.