Hi,
I just attempted to rent a trailer from U-Haul and was notified they do not allow their trailers to be used on any Ford SUVs, including Ford Expedition 4WD vehicles. U Haul states that has been their policy for over a year and it has to do with safety concerns.
Has anyone ran into this situation before? I contacted Ford and their response was that I would need to take this up with U-Haul...
Since U Haul is basically the only company in my area that rents enclosed trailers this leaves me with basically one option, rent a truck at a must higher price(I'm sure this will make U-Haul happy).
Let me know if you've run into this before and if you were able to rent a trailer from U-Haul

Thanks,

 

I have noticed a trend with U-Haul lately, as well. They wouldn't rent a trailer if you had an Explorer. I got a hard time getting a garden trailer to pull behind my Ranger a couple years ago. Last time around, tho, I was able to get an enclosed trailer, single axle, to tow behind the Ranger. Now that I have an F-250, I don't forsee any issues.

 

Just rented a two-axle open trailer two weeks ago, didn't have any problem. I drive an Expedition. They even looked at their computer to make verify my towing capacity.

Once, they questioned my bumper-mounted hitch (I have a receiver also, but didn't bring it with me).

Since it clearly states on my bumper that it is good for 4,000 lbs, the guy eventually let it slide. But when I rented two weeks ago, they didn't even question it.

 

I rented a UHaul Enclosed trailer to bring stuff from Iowa to Alabama last summer and had no problems. I can't remember the size except it was longer than I asked for. I believe it was a 5X10. I remember them saying something about explorers but gave me no problems with towing it across the country w/ my expy.

 

I just went to the Uhaul site and started a reservation with a 4X4 or RWD Expy and it said this was a recomended towing setup but was subject to vehicle inspection. I did it with a 2004 maybe it would be different with different years but I doubt it. Reserve it online and then go to pick it up. Whats the worse they can say no, and then you are stuck renting a truck

 

I was just looking into uHaul rental for Auto Transport and the only thing that comes close to the situation you ran into is the following provision on their website indicating:

- Must be equipped with a hard top if it is an SUV. U-Haul does not allow any type of sport-utility vehicle not equipped with a hard top to tow U-Haul equipment.

I haven't tried renting yet, but thats the only provision I see from their website that comes even close.

 

U-Haul was willing to rent me a small flat bed trailer for my expedition, but we could never get the lights to work right. Can't say that I was that disappointed, since I wasn't keen to drag the cargo 2000 miles anyway....

 

I used to work for Uhaul, the only Ford Vehicle that they will not rent to is either the Ford Explorer or Explorer Sport Trac, although if you have a Mercury Mountianeer or a Lincoln Aviator its alright. This goes back a few years ago when Ford had them recalls on defective tires.

 

I too worked at U haul and only the explorer and sport trac are affected. But you MUST have a IV hitch no IV hitch no go. That is a must.

 

thats true about the Hitch but it also depends on the location, if its a Center or a Franchise, so of the outside guys dont really care on the hitch class.

 

I have a 95 F150 auto trans 4x4 with the 5.8 with a tow package. Basicaly a 250 truck without the heavier springs. I needed to rent a auto transport to tow a explorer. They said my truck would not tow that set up which was about 6000 lbs. My truck is rated for 7000lbs. I point this out and they said to bad, rent our truck. So i called back 5 min later and said i was towing a pontiac sunbird (my other car). No problem i had the trailer in 10 min. Yes if it says ford on it they are very picky. They just put all there spec way under rated capacity just to be on the safe side.

 

I just recently rented a trailer from uhaul and I think I have the standard class III but am not sure. Actually I don't know what class I have. I have the 4pin and 7pin connector on the hitch but I have the 4.6L so I think it's class III. It was rented from a non-franchise place and they didn't even ask.

 

I would never rent from u-haul after a special on 60 Minutes or 20/20. They went and took a look at some of the u-haul equipment and it was scary to see what kind of stuff they were putting into service. Some of the trucks had tires that I wouldn't put on a beater and a lot of electrical problems with trucks and trailers. I wish I would have recorded it.

 

Thanks to all that replied to this message. After some more calls to U-Haul they agreed that the Expedition 4WD was okay to use. The first two people I had contacted were mis-informed. Their policy against using Ford vehicles doesn't apply to Expeditions but does apply to Explorers.
regards,

 

I rented a car trailer with my 98 Expy. No problems there. You should try another dealer.