I started a ‘simple’ side hustle that ‘doesn’t take much time’ – I quit my 9 to 5 and make up to $8,000 monthly

SIDE hustles are a great way to earn extra cash and can even evolve into a full-time job if they generate sufficient income.

This was the case for one entrepreneur who transformed an idea into a side hustle and then grew that into a thriving business.

The U.S. Sun spoke exclusively with Justin Martin, the entrepreneur behind Trailer Hustle - a company offering consultation services for those looking to start a trailer rental business.

Martin began renting out trailers as a side hustle a little over three years ago.

"I had a trailer sitting in my backyard and I didn't want to sell it, but it also was just kind of collecting dust and rotting away," said the entrepreneur.

"So I said, 'You know, let me show it some love, and let me just see if somebody might want to use it.'"

Martin listed his trailer on Facebook Marketplace and received much interest, which led him to take on trailer rentals as a side hustle while balancing his full-time job in retail sales.

When he first started, he shared that there wasn't much content online about how to rent out trailers.

"It was kind of just trial and error," said Martin. "The few people that I did find had bigger trailers. So I said, 'Well, I wonder if there's a market for that.' So I kind of did some market research and bought bigger trailers, bought more trailers, and then the rest is history. It just kind of kept growing."

The entrepreneur has since scaled his side hustle into a consultation business and even quit his full-time job in late June to focus on trailer rentals and his other businesses.

MONEY TALK

Martin started with one trailer and scaled his side hustle to rent six trailers.

They range in size and incrementally increase in price, with the smallest 6' x 12' utility trailers renting for around $50 per day.

Martin rents a 7' x 16' trailer for around $75 daily and an even bigger 20' hauling trailer for $100 daily.

His largest, heavy-duty trailers rent at about $125 daily.

Martin shared that he profits on average $5,000 to $5,500 monthly with his rental side hustle.

"A good month - like a really great month for me - would be like $8,000 in a month," he said.

"A light month, or when I start to get a little nervous, is when I'm at like $2,500 and there's one week left. But every time I start to panic something picks up, and I end up making some good money."

Martin profits thousands each month from his side hustle, even after expenses.

In a viral TikTok video, the entrepreneur shared that he spends around $100 per month per trailer for maintenance and repairs.

The highest expense Martin has is the initial purchase of the trailers.

He noted that those interested in starting a side hustle should consider purchasing used trailers if they don't already own one.

Martin said his most popular trailer was a 20-foot car haul or equipment-style trailer.

"You can get a decent one for between $5,000 and $6,000, and brand new you can get a really good one for $6,000 to $7,000," he said.

Other trailers vary in price depending on their size and brand, and Martin shared that he owns trailers ranging from $3,000 to $13,000.

GET RENTING

Martin shared that when he first began renting out trailers, he invested around two hours per day in the side hustle.

The entrepreneur cited examples of how he'd allocate his time, such as spending 15 minutes making a Facebook Marketplace post or 10 minutes watching a video on how to install a toolbox on a trailer.

"Now that I'm established, it doesn't really take that much time," said the entrepreneur, estimating he now spends around an hour a day on the trailer rental side of his business.

"I am on the phone a lot because I'm responding to messages on Marketplace and getting phone calls so that takes up time. But it's not like it's a big, long segment of my day."

Martin advised using Towlos, a trailer rental platform.

He said you simply make an account, and customers can find you through the platform.

Side hustles and tax implications

The extra income made from side hustles may need to be reported to the IRS.

If you receive more than $600 in gross payouts from a selling platform like eBay, the site will issue you a Form 1099-K to use in your tax return.

Individuals should calculate their adjusted gross income, taxable earnings, and deductions for the year.

Once they have that, they can use the 1040-ES form to calculate estimated taxes.

"You can use that platform to run the whole business," he said. "So everything from contract integration to collecting the payment deposits. It's all very, very easy to use."

Regardless of where you market your business, Martin noted that the rental process was "fairly simple."

"Once a customer finds you, you verify that you have a trailer and that it's available for them for what their needs are and when they need it," said Martin.

"Then, you have them come pick it up, sign the contract, do an inspection, hook them up, and make sure things are on the up and up. When they bring it back, you refund the deposit if everything looks good, and then on to the next. So it's pretty simple."

EXPERT ADVICE

Martin offered two tips for those interested in renting out trailers as a side hustle.

It was kind of just trial and error. I kind of did some market research and bought bigger trailers, bought more trailers, and then the rest is history. It just kind of kept growing."

He first advised researching potential market interest, noting that a trailer rental business won't perform well in some markets but that most will likely see success.

The entrepreneur suggested posting on Facebook Marketplace advertising a trailer you don't yet own to gauge interest.

He advised joining the Trailer Hustle Facebook group and asking to use someone's photos of their trailer.

"If people message you, then you know you probably have something there," he said.

"There might be a market in your area for it, and you can try different styles of trailers before you grow and before you buy other things."

The second piece of advice Martin shared was to do your research.

"Make an informed decision and then just do it," he encouraged.

The entrepreneur suggested researching to ensure the side hustle is financially feasible and aligns with your interests.

He emphasized taking the initial steps of acquiring the trailer, gathering the required information, and listing it for rent.

"I mean, it really is that simple," he said.

"There's, of course, a handful of things like legality and insurance things that you have to get done, but that all comes with it. You learn that along the way."

Other entrepreneurs have been fortunate enough to quit full-time jobs to take on their side hustles.

One quit her job at Tesla for her vegan side hustle – she now makes $3 million a year, and it all started in her kitchen.

Plus, a Ford employee quit his full-time job for his online side hustle – he now makes $14,200 a month and is building his second home.