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Author Topic:   Rental Tow Vehicle?

Buckda posted 09-03-2002 09:56 AM ET (US)
Does anyone know of a company that will rent a vehicle with a hitch (besides a moving van)? My current vehicle just died and I am at the mercy of mass transportation for the moment, but will need to move my boat from the marina this weekend. Anyone been in this situation before?
JFM posted 09-03-2002 10:10 AM ET (US)
Dave,
I think the smallest vehicle you can get with a hitch is a full sized van.
Let the rental co. know what you need and they should fix you up.
Or.. maybe someone in Chicago could help. Where is your boat and how big is it?
Regards, Jay
tbyrne posted 09-03-2002 10:14 AM ET (US)
Try an Explorer - they have bumper hitches that are good to 3500 - you just need to buy a 2" ball and bolt it on. Of course, the trailer light issue is more difficult. Even the plug-in harness in that vehicle is a bear to install. Good luck.
ewalsh posted 09-03-2002 12:28 PM ET (US)
Home Depot rents pick-up trucks by the hour. $20 per in Boston area.
Or try u-haul.
Tom W Clark posted 09-03-2002 12:34 PM ET (US)
Most truck/tool rental places (like U-Haul) have pick up trucks with receivers on them BUT most specifically prohibit towing with these vehicles. In the past I found a place locally here in Seattle that would rent a truck for towing but the price was many, many times higher than a place like U-Haul or the Home Depot.
Many people still tow with these trucks, especially if it's just a short distance but I suppose there would be some additional liability for you if something were to go wrong in this situation.
Landlocked posted 09-03-2002 01:34 PM ET (US)
The suggestion to use the bumper hitch on the Explorer sounds like a good one to me. We towed my montauk to the beach and back last year ~800 miles and used the bumper on my wifes explorer... If your boat is much bigger than a montauk, Probably wouldn't be a good idea.
There is a rental place here in Nashville called Tennessee Car and Van rental that rents vehicles with hitches. I would think there would be a similar business in most cities.
Ll
BillD posted 09-03-2002 04:22 PM ET (US)
A friend of mine rents a Pick up every spring and fall to launch his Wellcraft 210. $19.95, and never had a problem.
LKS posted 09-03-2002 06:25 PM ET (US)
Dave --
The Menards in Crestwood, IL now rents pick-up trucks for hauling. I'm not sure if their trucks have hitches, but it might be worth checking out. There are Menards all over the Chicagoland area, so you may be able to find one close to your location. Also, try Enterprise rentals; many rent larger vehicles like Explorers; it theirs don't have hitches, they may be able to refer you to someone who does rent such vehicles. I'm surprised that U-Haul restricts towing -- I see them all over the place towing automobiles. Perhaps one of the marina guys or off-water storage places might do it for you for a small fee? Let me know where you need towing to/from, and if there's anyone in the area that I know of, I'll let you konw. (You're not south side, are you?)
-- Lor
Buckda posted 09-03-2002 08:46 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the responses guys...The boat is at a marina in St. Joseph MI (about 90 miles from Chicago), and I need to get the boat to Eau Claire MI to the barn where the boat will be stored until I can get a new vehicle. Boat is a 15' Sport GLS so is a cinch to tow...I just need to tow it the 20 or so miles from St. Joe to the barn. I can get to St. Joseph via train - will check home depot / menards in the area.
My concern with Hertz/Budget, etc is that they expressly forbid towing with their vehicles (plus no wiring)...and I don't like the legal or financial implications of having an incident...I believe I can get a large "econoline" type van but pay out of the nose.
LKS - I live in Lincoln Park...which for the purposes of this thread is a funny name, since there is really no where to park in Lincoln Park.
Looking at getting an Olds Bravada for a tow vehicle (Cheap to buy, cheap to insure). My s-10 pickup towed pulled the boat just fine but the miles were just too many and the rust was too pervasive and it could not be saved.
Jay - I hear you on the borrow a vehicle thing...and actually did - two weekends ago (I'm not without friends who have SUV's or Pickups) but would prefer not to impose if I can find another way (Plus, the boat is out of state).
Already checked with the marina to see if they could deliver for a fee - no go on that front...I'll let you know when I find out who rents tow vehicles - it may be useful information if you're ever in a cross-country trip in your sports coupe and find a great deal on a whaler that you just can't pass up.
Dave
jimh posted 09-04-2002 10:03 PM ET (US)
Practically any SUV with a hitch could tow a 15-GLS. You must have a brother-in-law with an SUV you could borrow for the day.
That's what I did when I needed to tow my 20-REVENGE (before I bought the Suburban).
Buckda posted 09-05-2002 04:39 PM ET (US)
JimH....
I DO! And he would! : )
He lives in Alabama :(
Curse this mobile society we live in!!
I managed to find a friend whose SUV has remained until tomorrow untapped...and have obtained the appropriate premissions - so no need for the rental...though I am still interested to know if this is possible.
Paladin posted 09-10-2002 11:00 AM ET (US)
Try United Rentals. They rent pickup trucks with hitches.
Gopher posted 09-01-2011 02:46 PM ET (US)
[Revived this thread after it had been dormant for nine years and recommended Dave rent a truck from a vendor that was 2,000-miles away.]
pcrussell50 posted 09-02-2011 01:49 AM ET (US)
Almost all the standard rental agencies full sized SUV's have hitches AND trailer light wiring already in place. Occasionally you find a midsize SUV with a hitch... like I had last year on an ExTerra. I had rented an econobox, but they ran out, and upgraded me for free. Too bad I didn't have anything fun to tow on that trip.
Oh yeah, there is no doubt that towing would be strictly forbidden on a standard rental from say, Avis, even though the large SUV's have hitches. You do it at your own risk and liability. I know folks who do it all the time.
-Peter
jimh posted 09-02-2011 07:36 AM ET (US)
It is sometimes interesting to refresh nine-year-old discussions, but in this case, not so much. Thread closed.

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Author	Topic: Rental Tow Vehicle?
Buckda	posted 09-03-2002 09:56 AM ET (US) Does anyone know of a company that will rent a vehicle with a hitch (besides a moving van)? My current vehicle just died and I am at the mercy of mass transportation for the moment, but will need to move my boat from the marina this weekend. Anyone been in this situation before?
JFM	posted 09-03-2002 10:10 AM ET (US) Dave, I think the smallest vehicle you can get with a hitch is a full sized van. Let the rental co. know what you need and they should fix you up. Or.. maybe someone in Chicago could help. Where is your boat and how big is it? Regards, Jay
tbyrne	posted 09-03-2002 10:14 AM ET (US) Try an Explorer - they have bumper hitches that are good to 3500 - you just need to buy a 2" ball and bolt it on. Of course, the trailer light issue is more difficult. Even the plug-in harness in that vehicle is a bear to install. Good luck.
ewalsh	posted 09-03-2002 12:28 PM ET (US) Home Depot rents pick-up trucks by the hour. $20 per in Boston area. Or try u-haul.
Tom W Clark	posted 09-03-2002 12:34 PM ET (US) Most truck/tool rental places (like U-Haul) have pick up trucks with receivers on them BUT most specifically prohibit towing with these vehicles. In the past I found a place locally here in Seattle that would rent a truck for towing but the price was many, many times higher than a place like U-Haul or the Home Depot. Many people still tow with these trucks, especially if it's just a short distance but I suppose there would be some additional liability for you if something were to go wrong in this situation.
Landlocked	posted 09-03-2002 01:34 PM ET (US) The suggestion to use the bumper hitch on the Explorer sounds like a good one to me. We towed my montauk to the beach and back last year ~800 miles and used the bumper on my wifes explorer... If your boat is much bigger than a montauk, Probably wouldn't be a good idea. There is a rental place here in Nashville called Tennessee Car and Van rental that rents vehicles with hitches. I would think there would be a similar business in most cities. Ll
BillD	posted 09-03-2002 04:22 PM ET (US) A friend of mine rents a Pick up every spring and fall to launch his Wellcraft 210. $19.95, and never had a problem.
LKS	posted 09-03-2002 06:25 PM ET (US) Dave -- The Menards in Crestwood, IL now rents pick-up trucks for hauling. I'm not sure if their trucks have hitches, but it might be worth checking out. There are Menards all over the Chicagoland area, so you may be able to find one close to your location. Also, try Enterprise rentals; many rent larger vehicles like Explorers; it theirs don't have hitches, they may be able to refer you to someone who does rent such vehicles. I'm surprised that U-Haul restricts towing -- I see them all over the place towing automobiles. Perhaps one of the marina guys or off-water storage places might do it for you for a small fee? Let me know where you need towing to/from, and if there's anyone in the area that I know of, I'll let you konw. (You're not south side, are you?) -- Lor
Buckda	posted 09-03-2002 08:46 PM ET (US) Thanks for the responses guys...The boat is at a marina in St. Joseph MI (about 90 miles from Chicago), and I need to get the boat to Eau Claire MI to the barn where the boat will be stored until I can get a new vehicle. Boat is a 15' Sport GLS so is a cinch to tow...I just need to tow it the 20 or so miles from St. Joe to the barn. I can get to St. Joseph via train - will check home depot / menards in the area. My concern with Hertz/Budget, etc is that they expressly forbid towing with their vehicles (plus no wiring)...and I don't like the legal or financial implications of having an incident...I believe I can get a large "econoline" type van but pay out of the nose. LKS - I live in Lincoln Park...which for the purposes of this thread is a funny name, since there is really no where to park in Lincoln Park. Looking at getting an Olds Bravada for a tow vehicle (Cheap to buy, cheap to insure). My s-10 pickup towed pulled the boat just fine but the miles were just too many and the rust was too pervasive and it could not be saved. Jay - I hear you on the borrow a vehicle thing...and actually did - two weekends ago (I'm not without friends who have SUV's or Pickups) but would prefer not to impose if I can find another way (Plus, the boat is out of state). Already checked with the marina to see if they could deliver for a fee - no go on that front...I'll let you know when I find out who rents tow vehicles - it may be useful information if you're ever in a cross-country trip in your sports coupe and find a great deal on a whaler that you just can't pass up. Dave
jimh	posted 09-04-2002 10:03 PM ET (US) Practically any SUV with a hitch could tow a 15-GLS. You must have a brother-in-law with an SUV you could borrow for the day. That's what I did when I needed to tow my 20-REVENGE (before I bought the Suburban).
Buckda	posted 09-05-2002 04:39 PM ET (US) JimH.... I DO! And he would! : ) He lives in Alabama :( Curse this mobile society we live in!! I managed to find a friend whose SUV has remained until tomorrow untapped...and have obtained the appropriate premissions - so no need for the rental...though I am still interested to know if this is possible.
Paladin	posted 09-10-2002 11:00 AM ET (US) Try United Rentals. They rent pickup trucks with hitches.
Gopher	posted 09-01-2011 02:46 PM ET (US) [Revived this thread after it had been dormant for nine years and recommended Dave rent a truck from a vendor that was 2,000-miles away.]
pcrussell50	posted 09-02-2011 01:49 AM ET (US) Almost all the standard rental agencies full sized SUV's have hitches AND trailer light wiring already in place. Occasionally you find a midsize SUV with a hitch... like I had last year on an ExTerra. I had rented an econobox, but they ran out, and upgraded me for free. Too bad I didn't have anything fun to tow on that trip. Oh yeah, there is no doubt that towing would be strictly forbidden on a standard rental from say, Avis, even though the large SUV's have hitches. You do it at your own risk and liability. I know folks who do it all the time. -Peter
jimh	posted 09-02-2011 07:36 AM ET (US) It is sometimes interesting to refresh nine-year-old discussions, but in this case, not so much. Thread closed.