I got one of those when I rented a truck in Fairbanks, in the middle of winter. Not being a native, I asked how I was supposed to know which roads were paved and which were dirt (since everything but the highways was covered in compact snow and ice). The guy behind the counter just told me to get lost.

 

Not defending U-Haul, but the reason they are so dopey about what can haul their equipment is purely a CYA thing. I know a couple of people that worked at the U-haul center. People would rent trailers with a 6 cylinder 5 speed truck rated to tow 2000# from the factory try to tow a 5000# trailer and burn up clutch or trans then try to sue U-haul for the damage for their vehicle. Also if U-haul rents you a trailer combo rated for 6000# and your 5000# class III hitch breaks and injurs and kills someone then they are liable for renting it to you. I used to rent car haulers from the a few times a year to go to the track but got tired of having to run around town to pick it up and drop it off so i finally broke down and bought one of my own.

 

Three years ago, I rented a car hauler trailer from U-Haul to transport a Model A Ford from Orlando to Pensacola. There is a large U-Haul dealer about three miles from my house. I usually go in person to reserve a trailer. I have not had very good luck with the website.

I rode my motorcycle to the U-Haul place and didn't take my truck. We were doing the reservation and the lady entered 2011 F-450. Well, the F-450 was not in U-Haul's data base. I told her to enter F-350 instead. She wouldn't do that because I had already told her it was an F-450. One of their mechanics was passing through about then and overheard what was going on. He assured her that my truck would pull anything they had in their inventory. She reluctantly entered F-350 and I had my trailer reserved.

When I picked the trailer up, U-Haul did the hookups and checked the lights and the brakes, straps to secure the vehicle, ramps, etc. I was good to go.

 

I went to UHaul to rent a car hauler for a trip out west. I was going to be gone for 12 days. UHaul won't rent a trailer for that long so I would have had to do 2 one way rentals. It was cheaper to buy a new trailer for the trip so that's what I did.

 

Can you say "Liability"
Its problby there insurance company doing risk managment and placing liability on consumer. If you Lie about the situation you best have the ability to pay for damages if they should occur

 

And they aren't the only ones. These contracts happen once lawyers end up wasting time dealing with idiots refusing to take responsibility for their own stupidity. Slightly off topic but we rented jet skis while on vacation. I was the renter/operator, my two kids were the operators, one was under 18. Was handed three sets of papers, 4 pages each, both sides needed attention. Instead of having signatures on the bottom of each page indicating it was read, every single line needed to be either initialed, checked, signed or have a printed name by one person , both or all three. Under 18 made everything different than over 18 which needed a guardians approval even though we were in a state that considers the 16 yr old as a adult anyway. Basically needed a lawyer to figure out who was supposed to put what where. After we struggled through all three sets of paperwork the punk in the booth who gave me the three sets tells us he only needed one set made out. Guess I was the idiot for assuming he wanted all three done.

 

Somewhat off topic, since this isn't about towing...

My worst experience with Uhaul was when I rented a 24' box truck diesel with a 5 spd manual to move all my stuff from San Diego to Phoenix. Got about to Yuma and discovered I had no brakes. Kept going on the highway until I could get off safely at a rest stop. Popped the hood and the reservoir was completely dry. Called Uhaul and explained the situation and they told me they'd send someone. 3 hrs. later I call back to find out why I don't have a tow yet and they ask me if I moved. No, not only have I not moved, I'm the only Uhaul in the lot. I also told them I needed a tow because there clearly was a hole somewhere since all the fluid had gone out of the reservoir.

Another 3 hrs later a guy finally shows up in a pick-up with mechanic's storage boxes in the rear. He brought brake fluid. I'm wondering why they heck they hadn't sent a tow truck. He proceeds to put the fluid in and have me pump the brakes and, sure enough, there is big hole in the line running to the rear...all the fluid just spills out onto the ground. He asks me if I want a tow to Yuma or Gila Bend...well, I'm heading to Phoenix so I'd rather keep going in that direction.

An hour or so later the tow guy shows up. We tow the vehicle to Gila Bend where I can finally get some food. A couple hours later I'm finally back on the road.

Most of the rest of my experiences have just been driving around in very tired vehicles.

I did rent their flat bed trailer once to tow my 96 Jetta from Walnut Creek to San Diego. I was moving that time, too, and towing with a box truck (I think 16 or 18 foot) with the 7.4l gasser with an autobox. Going over the grapevine in the right lane with the flashers on at 15mph with the foot flat to the floor and almost certain I was going to run out of steam before I ever reached the top of the mountain. It was scary being passed by large semi trucks! Quite an adventure.

 

They insisted to my parents and I that my dads truck, a 98' Dodge Ram 2500 with the 3/4 HD suspension, all the fancy stuff, with a 24v Cummins could not pull my grandma's Hyundai Elantra because the truck wasn't heavy duty enough.. I then showed them the photo of the Dodge towing 6 round bales, each weighing about 800-900lbs each. They were fascinated.

 

well it is a dodge

 

According to their website, I'm good to tow a car with my 71 F-100. Dolly or transport.

 

To tow what is the question. Something has to be towed and what is it.

 

I put in several different small vehicles, and even a jeep. All ok to run. If I ever need to rent a trailer imma tell them it's for a bug anyway....

I can tow 7,500lbs with my pickup, and that's a big vehicle.

 

tell them its for a toyota echo, i think styrofoam cups are heavier

 

If they did that to me I would blister their *** so bad from yelling they'd give me all the money in the register and have me leave 😂
That sucks, sorry to hear

 

Haha, my mother last year was going what I estimate 85 in her little single 12ft enclosed. Blew one tire on the way down and one on the way back.
AND I had just put on new fender marker lights! Fenders were a nice find for highway clean up crew