If you’ve ever had to move or transport something heavy, you know how important it is to be able to tow it. Most people need something to be towed, but they don’t own an SUV or pickup truck that can help them do this. It might not make sense if you don’t have the right tools or vehicle to pull it.
Most rental companies will let you use their cars to pull things behind them, but each will have its own rules about whether you can use your own equipment, like a trailer, or if you have to use theirs.
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So, let’s look at some of the details of how towing works with a rental truck.
Can You Use A Rental Truck For Towing?
People often ask if they can use a rental truck to pull something.
Most of the time, yes, you can use a rental truck to pull something. But it’s important to look at a rental company’s website and see what choices they have. The vehicles they offer will depend on what you need to haul.
Depending on how much you need to move, you can rent anything from a small pickup truck to a big moving truck. They also rent out equipment that you might need while being towed.
That means you should know what kind of tools you need before you call a rental company.
Let’s look at how some of the most popular rental companies handle towing.
Can You Tow With a Hertz Rental Truck?
Hertz and Penske rental cars can be used to pull trailers. But they want the tow bar and packages to be put on at their shop.
They also make you rent their trailer instead of your own so they don’t have to pay for any damage.
Can You Tow a Trailer With a U-Haul Pickup Truck?
U-Haul is one of the few companies that gives you the option to use your own trailer or rent one from them.
On their website, they tell you what kind of gear you will need. But when you rent a truck, you have to talk to a representative to find out how much it can pull.
Can You Tow a Trailer With a Budget Rental Truck?
Except for trucks with lift gates, you can tow with a Budget rental truck. With their 16′ and 26′ moving trucks, you also have to rent equipment to pull them.
So, let’s take a closer look at the basics of towing and some helpful tips that could make it easier for you!
Factors to Consider Before Contacting a Rental Company
1. Your Expertise Level
If you’ve never towed anything before, you should know that it’s a risky thing to do. If you don’t trust yourself, you can ask someone to go with you and help you along the way.
People who have never towed before might need to know what they need and what they need to know to get from point A to point B.
It’s best to tell the rental company about this so they can help you. Once you tell them what you’re hauling and how far you’re going, they can tell you which vehicle is best and will even install your hitch if you ask.
2. The Distance You Need to Tow
What kind of truck you rent will depend on how far you need to pull. The type of vehicle you choose for a trip can also be affected by the terrain.
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If you know you’ll be driving for a long time, it’s best to find a friend to go with you so they can help you drive when you’re tired.
It’s also nice to have someone with you on these trips.
3. Equipment You Will Need
If you’ve never towed before, it’s hard to know what tools you might need. You might need help getting the right towing parts for your car.
To make sure everything is safe, you will need expert help from a towing company. They can also show you how to use the tools you will need.
4. Torque Weight
The torque weight is the amount of force that the hitch puts on your car. Most of the time, the load being towed will determine this pressure.
The torque weight is higher the more weight there is at the hitch and at the front of the trailer. How stable the car and trailer are will depend on the torque weight.
5. Payload
The payload is the total weight of the car, including the weight of the people in the car and any cargo that is not in the trailer.
A motorcycle in the back of the truck, for example, will add to the payload. It is important to keep the payload under the maximum weight of your vehicle.
Steps to Follow Before and During Towing
You need to know a few things to keep you and everyone else on the road safe. They are very important, and your rental company will usually stress this during the process.
These things are:
Make sure the tools you have are in good shape.
Learn how to hook up your trailer or have the rental company do it for you.
Try backing up with your trailer hooked up.
Make sure all of your tyres are in good shape. Tires that are worn out won’t be able to carry the weight for a long time. Make sure they have the right amount of pressure.
Make sure the trailer is attached to the hitch the right way.
Make sure all of your lights work.
Talk to experts to find out if your car can pull a trailer.
Learn how to drive with a trailer by taking a short trip.
Slow down.
Drive far enough away from other cars in case you have to stop.
One-Way Pickup Truck Rentals
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This is what happens when you rent a truck in one place and give it back to the trucking company in another. Depending on the company you rent from, this could be part of the package or cost extra.
This is different from a round trip, in which the rental car must be brought back to the same place where it was picked up. This is a big problem if you are going to the airport or on a very long trip.
Reasons for Towing
1. Moving Personal Items
You can rent a truck to move large items like a refrigerator, couch, mattress, etc., especially if you just bought them.
You can rent a truck if everything fits in the back, or you can get a tow dolly or a car carrier if you have more than one thing to move.
You can also rent a truck with a trailer instead of getting a moving truck if you don’t have a lot of things to move.
2. Home Improvement Projects
If you’re doing a big project at home that will make a lot of trash, you could rent a truck or trailer to haul it all away at once. If you need to get building materials to a construction site, you could also rent a truck.
For one-time home improvement projects, renting a truck is helpful because you don’t have to keep borrowing your friend’s truck.
You can also choose extra days or miles in case the project takes longer than expected.
3. Special Occasions and Events
To get party supplies to the party site, you need to rent trucks. You can move heavy things, fragile things, and even food supplies.
Renting a truck is the easiest thing to do if you are in charge of an event and don’t need to buy your own. You can also keep important party items from getting broken by controlling how they are handled.
You can also rent trucks to take gifts home after an event, like a wedding.
During holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, there are a lot of things that need to be moved, like Christmas trees, yard decorations, groceries, and other things.
4. Camping or Outdoor Cookouts
These are seasonal activities that need heavy equipment to be moved. You can carry everything you need at once without putting too much weight on your own vehicle.
Grills, propane tanks, tables, lawn chairs, and other large items may need the space that a rental truck offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do You Need a 4×4 for Towing?
This will depend on the kind of road you want to take. You might want to rent a 4×4 if you plan to drive on soft ground, a slippery boat ramp, a hill, or a road with loose gravel. A 4WD is a strong car that might work well for you, especially if you need to pull a heavy trailer.
Can You Rent a Truck With a Tow Hitch?
There’s no easy answer to this question, because it depends on the rental company. Even if all you need is a 2-inch hitch, some companies don’t let you use their cars to pull a trailer. Check to see if a company’s vehicles can be used to pull something.
Can You Rent a Truck to Tow a Fifth Wheel?
Yes, you can, and most companies that sell trucks that can fit a fifth wheel will also sell a hitch for a fifth wheel. If you have your own fifth wheel, make sure it will work with the hitch on the rental truck.
Conclusion
After you’ve done your research, call the rental company you feel most comfortable with. Talk to the representative and tell them exactly what you want to pull.
Don’t be afraid to ask if you have any questions!
Check out their packages and ask if they include any special tools that will help you when you’re towing. Most rental companies will not charge you for equipment.
You are just borrowing the tools you need to make your towing experience better.
Sources: https://micdot.com
Category: Car
