Car Rental Companies That Permit Towing

[hibbert6]

My son just totaled my Suburban.

While I'm awaiting the insurance settlement, I'll need to rent a tow vehicle. I've heard that some car rental companies don't allow you to tow. Does anyone know anything about this? You'll save me a lot of useless calling. Thanks!
Dave

 

[MTboatguy]

U-Haul rents pick up trucks you can tow with, but I don't know any of the regular rental companies that allow towing, if you find one, it will most likely be a small local company.

Just looked and it looks like Budget might allow towing with their SUV rentals..

You might try a google search "Towing with rental cars" like I did, could get you closer

 

[H20Rat]

U-Haul rents pick up trucks you can tow with, but I don't know any of the regular rental companies that allow towing, if you find one, it will most likely be a small local company.

Just looked and it looks like Budget might allow towing with their SUV rentals..

Budget MIGHT allow it on their rental moving truck fleet, but not on the regular rental vehicles. Per their FAQ.

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/en/customer/commonquestions/#May I use a Budget car to tow?
May I use a Budget car to tow?
Answer: No. Towing is never permitted. Doing so could irreparably damage the rental vehicle.

As far as I know, no national car rental allows towing. As you mentioned, uhaul might be it other than a local place.

 

[oldjeep]

Odd since the rental page for SUV's lists towing power as one of the benefits

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/rentals/suv-rental.html

 

[thumpar]

Hertz does it but you have to go to there equipment rental section.

 

[cptrick3]

Home Depot here rents a 3/4 ton pick up here by the hour. May be cheaper than Car rental service.

 

[Brian 26]

Odd since the rental page for SUV's lists towing power as one of the benefits

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/rentals/suv-rental.html

That is funny right there.

From what I have seen the Menards and Home depot trucks have the hitch removed. However I beleive the OP is asking about an everyday car he can rent for a few weeks. Home improvement rentals probably do not fit this.

 

[MTboatguy]

Home Depot here rents a 3/4 ton pick up here by the hour. May be cheaper than Car rental service.

Uhaul rents 3/4 ton pick ups for $19.95 a day, which is really a pretty good price.

 

[MTboatguy]

Odd since the rental page for SUV's lists towing power as one of the benefits

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/rentals/suv-rental.html

I agree, that was what I was looking at this morning, I know in our area, I see a lot of Budget SUV's with travel trailers and boats behind them.

 

[JoshOnt]

I would say that if it has a hitch you likely would be allowed to tow with it otherwise I see no need for the hitch in the first place.

 

[MTboatguy]

I would say that if it has a hitch you likely would be allowed to tow with it otherwise I see no need for the hitch in the first place.

A lot of SUV's these days come from the factory with a hitch installed as original equipment, not an option, but standard equipment.

That said, I have seen SUV's with plugs in the receiver hitch that have a keyed lock in them.

 

[Brian 26]

Toyota 4runners come standard with a tow hitch, the ones ordered for rental companies have no hitch although the trailer plug is still there. If you see a modern day 4 runner without a hitch or with an aftermarket hitch most likely it started life as a rental. I would assume this is true of most mid size SUVs.

 

[R055]

Toyota 4runners come standard with a tow hitch, the ones ordered for rental companies have no hitch although the trailer plug is still there. If you see a modern day 4 runner without a hitch or with an aftermarket hitch most likely it started life as a rental. I would assume this is true of most mid size SUVs.

We got our 2006 4runner new from the dealer, it came with the hitch+ball in a box in the trunk but we never bothered to install it and lost it somehow.

Our 2014 jeep wrangler unlimited Sahara didn't come with a trailer hitch/ball but that's because it has an embarrassing towing capacity of 3500

 

[H20Rat]

I would say that if it has a hitch you likely would be allowed to tow with it otherwise I see no need for the hitch in the first place.

Every mid/large rental SUV I've had has had a hitch, even though they explicitly forbid it. A lot of vehicles come standard with a hitch.

 

[H20Rat]

Odd since the rental page for SUV's lists towing power as one of the benefits

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/rentals/suv-rental.html

yep, has 'towing power', just not the legal ability to tow anything! About the same as listing off road capable when most rental companies get very, very jumpy about any off-road.

 

[hibbert6]

The reason I need a tow vehicle (besides not wanting to NOT use my boat for a few weeks!) is that my church's youth group is having a "Water SportsTrip" next weekend. I had signed up to take my boat and drive a bunch of kids in my Suburban. After reading all this, and calling a few companies, I figured I'd accept the car my insurance company is paying for, and then rent a U-Haul tow vehicle for the trip. So I went to Enterprise (the rental company my insurance contracts with) and they had a beautiful new Tahoe- with a receiver- waiting for me! I can put my hitch & ball right on it! ( just need an adapter for the electrics.) God is good! I haven't found anything in the rental contract about (not) towing. (But I haven't scoured it yet.). I mean, what can they do to me? I' m not using their insurance, so they can't deny me coverage. I did ask the rental guy "What can't I do with this truck? I guess I can't take it off-road." And he replied " Well, since this vehicle has four wheel drive, I guess you CAN take it off road." So since the vehicle has the tow package...

 

[littlerayray]

It's easier to ask for forgiveness then it is per mission lol

 

[smokeonthewater]

I suppose the WORST they could do to you is sue you for using the vehicle outside of contract limits..... I highly doubt you will have any issues but is they were to somehow be able to make you buy a new engine and transmission that would be the "worst" I guess.

As a CYA if you are towing and have a problem with the vehicle call a tow truck to come get your boat and THEN call the rental company....

 

[SDSeville]

Seems to me that if it isn't forbidden in the contract it shouldn't be a problem (especially when you asked the guy what not to do). It seems to be within reason -- trailer, tow package...should be OK to tow. I know they don't specifically forbid trying to jump it or see if it drives underwater either, but that is outside the normal use for that vehicle. Not that anything I just wrote holds any water... I am an accountant, not a lawyer.

 

[yhsesq]

never ever tow with a rental unless it is explicitly mentioned in the contract. if the guy says its ok to tow then get it in writing - just add a handwritten note that this vehicle is authorized to tow my boat and have the rental guy initial it.
reason being rental insurance does not cover it. if you get in an accident you will get personally nailed for it.