Problems renting a trailer!

[NJPDR]

A couple of months ago I thought I may have had a need to rent a car trailer from Uhaul. I called them up one night for an estimate and was told they would not rent a trailer to me because I have a Ford Explorer model.
It had something to do with "lawsuits" according to the rep.

I then called Budget and Penske and they would only rent a trailer to me if I used their tow vehicle.

Thankfully my need never materialized so I forgot about it.

Then last month I had a need to rent a motorcycle trailer. I called up Uhaul again and got the same song and dance about the "lawsuit" BS.

Does anyone have any idea what caused Uhaul to put this "NO Explorer" policy into effect? Is there a problem with our vehicles towing ability?

 

[GreenMando]

Does anyone have any idea what caused Uhaul to put this "NO Explorer" policy into effect? Is there a problem with our vehicles towing ability?

This goes back to the tire blowouts/explorers rollovers issue when the wrong tires were spec on Explorers.
Some drivers have changed their badges to Mercury or Lincoln to get around this.

Might be easier to buy a trailer instead.

 

[NJPDR]

This goes back to the tire blowouts/explorers rollovers issue when the wrong tires were spec on Explorers.
Some drivers have changed their badges to Mercury or Lincoln to get around this.

Might be easier to buy a trailer instead.

So your saying if I put a Lincoln badge on my Adrenalin they will rent me a trailer?
I think that would be risky as well!

I considered buying a trailer but I have no where to store it and for the limited use I would get out of it it will probably be better just to rent their tow vehicle the next time the need arrises.

 

[JoeCool6972]

Because U-haul is ran by morons, plain and simple. F--- them and their filthy POS trucks. :thumbdwn:

 

[Carguy3J]

So your saying if I put a Lincoln badge on my Adrenalin they will rent me a trailer?
I think that would be risky as well!

I considered buying a trailer but I have no where to store it and for the limited use I would get out of it it will probably be better just to rent their tow vehicle the next time the need arrises.

Try somewhere else, or try a place that just does u-haul rentals on the side, like a repair shop or hardware store or something. I think they tend be less concerned with strict adherence to corporate policy.
Of course you could just have a friend pick it up with thier non-explorer truck, and then switch off down the street, out of sight of the rental place.

Whatever you do, don't give in and justify thier stupidity by rewarding them for it and renting their truck; and make sure they know that playing that game will cost them your business. Maybe then, when enough people with Explorers walk out, telling them why their walking out, then they'll change the stupid policy.
You might also remind them that the Explorer itself, and even most of the Firestone tires, were exonerated. It was partially Ford's fault for putting too low of a recommeneded tire pressure on the door sticker, and mostly the fault of individual owners for overloading the vehicle and/or not properly inflating the tires, regardless of the door label.

 

[NJPDR]

Well, I wouldn't want a friend to be held responsible IF something bad happened.

I just feel their policy really sucks! The need for a trailer (one type or another) arises occasionally for me but think about the amount of business they know they are losing with that policy!

How many Explorers are on the road these days?

I guess to Uhaul the "No Explorer" policy out weighs the possibility of a lawsuit by a large margin.

Seriously, I doubt if every member here signed a petition that it would make a bit of difference to them

 

[my pos mounty]

This past summer, when my Mounty died about 150 miles from home... U-Haul would not rent a car trailer to my brother (Ford F-350 tow vehicle). They claimed that the Mountaineer/Explorers were "too heavy" for the car trailers. I also tried to rent a car trailer Just the front wheels on the trailer type) to tow behind my Mounty later this summer.. was denied for the same reason (lawsuit BS). So changing badges won't work. We rented the trailer the first time (went to a second rental location) and told them were were going to haul a Ford Escort. Second time, I had to use my brothers truck to pick it up. Always easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

 

[damarble]

If I absolutely must rent from U-haul, I have my friend with a Heep pick it up. But usually I try a local small business, they are OK with it, too bad most are out of the way.

I was told some BS about the shape and aerodynamics of the explorer caused the trailers to be unstable.

 

[NJPDR]

I guess I need to look for other sources in my area so I'm prepared the next time the need occurs