Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Renting a truck/trailer... 1 2

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  Aug. 3, 2009 10:52 a.m. Gimp Dork

  So, long story short, my parents are getting a divorce which means I no longer have their free garage to store my Camaro project in. The good news is that a fellow racer/friend of mine can store it for me, but I have to figure out how to get it there.

  It's going from Millersville, MD to Cumberland, MD, and the car will need to be on a full trailer - not a dolly.

  uHaul wants 197.00 before taxes, insurance, etc and it means I have to tow it with a big moving truck. Enterprise doesn't rent trucks for towing unless it's for commercial use.

  Has anyone rented a truck and trailer before? Recommendations?

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  Aug. 3, 2009 11:03 a.m. jrw1621 HalfDork

  Try your local yellow pages. The national companies seem complicated for truck/trailer rental but you may find a local place that rents pick-ups and trailers.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 11:05 a.m. JFX001 Dork

  Hmmm....sorry to hear about the Parent's.

  I'm assuming that one of them is moving out? Piggy back the rental with whichever one is moving, add the trailer and split the cost?

  *EDIT.....go Penske.

  Easy like Sunday Morning

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  Aug. 3, 2009 11:07 a.m. jrw1621 HalfDork

  Try Enterprise Truck (not Enterprise Car)

  http://www.enterprisetrucks.com/truckDetailsPickup.html
  towing capable

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  Aug. 3, 2009 11:13 a.m. Gimp Dork

  In reply to jrw1621:

  First place I went to, but they won't rent private, only commercial.

  Actually, both are moving, but most of the heavy lifting will be done before the car has to move.

  uHaul charges milage after a certain amount (171 free miles, trip from the car to the drop-off is about 140, so 30 to get it to and from rental place). They also want me to bring the car by to be inspected!

  

  Sure thing... I'll be right over.

  http:www.teamziptie.com

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  Aug. 3, 2009 12:28 p.m. HeavyDuty New Reader

  Hmmm, that's interesting. I've rented the U-HAUL trailers 7 or 8 times and they never wanted to see the cars I was towing - just asked what the make and model of the car and the truck I was towing it with to make sure the weights were all good. Your U-HAUL doesn't rent pickups or vans? Or are those not set up for towing?

  Join AAA real quick? I have the premium membership which gives you a 200 mile tow.

  Current line up: 68 'maro, 71 Crown, 79 Royale, 83 S-10 Blazer, 85 AE86, 87 Yugo, 88 Volvo 740 Turbo, 90 Yugo, 2001 2500 HD Crew. Gone but not forgotten - 88 Celica All Trac, 91 s-10, 92 H22 Accord

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  Aug. 3, 2009 12:40 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  Uhaul small trucks often have hitches, they even show one towing in the lobby pics, but they will not rent you one for that purpose.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 12:40 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  Trailblazers all seem to come with a hitch from the factory so renting one will work.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 12:52 p.m. Gimp Dork

  Plenty of "normal" trucks can be rented, some with tow options, but no rental company will allow me to tow with their regular vehicle for insurance reasons. Sure, I could lie, but I don't want to get screwed.

  The statement about the inspection was from their webiste. I'll have to stop in to a uHaul place and see what they have to say.

  http:www.teamziptie.com

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  Aug. 3, 2009 1:03 p.m. donalson SuperDork

  i've never had to bring my car in to be inespected... heck the last time I rented a tow dolly I picked it up with my neon (tow truck I was using wasn't avalible till after they where closed so I asked if I could at least get it home with my neon)

  think it depends on the rental shop also... there are a ton of small uhaul rental places around here... they only do the in town stuff usualy though.

  "The speed we're allowed to drive should be based on our IQ. This way, Stephen Fry would be allowed to travel at 160 while Kerry Katona would be limited to 2mph" ~ jeremy Clarkson

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  Aug. 3, 2009 1:09 p.m. pigeon Reader

  HeavyDuty wrote: Join AAA real quick? I have the premium membership which gives you a 200 mile tow.

  +1 probably your cheapest option, and you get a year of AAA benefits to boot. Just don't wait to join; I think they have a short waiting period before you get your first tow.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 1:54 p.m. Gimp Dork

  My girlfriend and her family have had AAA for years. I thought they wouldn't tow a project car like this?

  http:www.teamziptie.com

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  Aug. 3, 2009 2:38 p.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

  You would think that someone on craigslist would either rent you a trailer or trailer your car for you. I know that when I had my F350 and enclosed car trailer, I would have loved to make a few $$ on the side. I just don't know where to look or post on CL for that service.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 4:06 p.m. grinch77 Reader

  I'm a UHaul dealer and trust me I hate them as much as you guys do.I've never inspected a car on a trailer.Tell them it's a '86 Yugo they don't give a E36 M3 they just want your money.To make it even easier go to a independent dealer not one of the big centers.Also get some quotes from other companies and UHaul will price match or beat it if you threaten to go with another company.I always hook up my customers with extra miles or a free day just because I'm sure some where they had been screwed over by a UHaul dealer before.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 4:59 p.m. HeavyDuty Reader

  grinch77 wrote: Tell them it's a '86 Yugo they don't give a E36 M3 they just want your money.

  I've rented from you before?

  I've actually had good luck. Most of the people I've rented from were ok, there's one salty lady who works at the one I used to grab stuff from but now I just avoid her and her location.

  I don't remember there being a waiting period for tows for AAA but it's been a while since I first joined.

  Current line up: 68 'maro, 71 Crown, 79 Royale, 83 S-10 Blazer, 85 AE86, 87 Yugo, 88 Volvo 740 Turbo, 90 Yugo, 2001 2500 HD Crew. Gone but not forgotten - 88 Celica All Trac, 91 s-10, 92 H22 Accord

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  Aug. 3, 2009 5:43 p.m. Nashco SuperDork

  I've rented from Enterprise rent-a-truck here for a long tow with my own (borrowed) trailer, they didn't say a word about commercial/private. I made it clear that I was towing to a race with my friend's trailer, they didn't have any issues.

  I'll spare myself some typing, read my comments in this thread:

  http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/tow-vehicle-trailer-rentals/10316/page1/

  If somebody has AAA, that should save you 10% with Penske IIRC.

  Oh yeah, and while I'm at it I should mention that I've had horrible luck with U-Haul and really good luck with Penske. By third party reports it sounds like Penske has declined a bit in quality of trucks and U-Haul has gotten even worse. The Enterprise route I took recently was great, especially if you use your own trailer and save that much more.

  Bryce

  Portland, OR | '69 Bug | '05 Saabaru | '95 Impreza | '67 122S | '07 Sky Redline | $2009 West Coast - AWD Fiero Hybrid

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  Aug. 3, 2009 5:55 p.m. grinch77 Reader

  In reply to Nashco:

  I haven't had one of the craptastic trucks in about a year or so.Everything I've had come in lately has been under 60k miles.You can pick up one of the old trucks for pretty cheap as well.I think it would be pretty cool to have a 26' truck for race support vehicle.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 6:52 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Reader

  Gimp wrote: My girlfriend and her family have had AAA for years. I thought they wouldn't tow a project car like this?

  Depends on the truck they send. If its AAA only you're screwed. If its a contractor they'll tow anything you want as long as they can charge it to AAA. You might need to slap a plate on there real quick just in case. Not to that car mind you, they just like to see one on there. Tipping well and in advance doesn't hurt one bit either
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  Aug. 3, 2009 7:20 p.m. patgizz Dork

  when does this need done?

  John Brown wrote:"Safety" is my second middle name, it's right after "Screw".

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  Aug. 3, 2009 7:57 p.m. Gimp Dork

  patgizz wrote: when does this need done?

  September 12th is d-day. I may have something lined up, but I'll keep you posted should you want to honeymoon by dragging a car behind you.

  http:www.teamziptie.com

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  Aug. 3, 2009 8:09 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Reader

  Heres what you do. DO NOT call the AAA number on you membership card! That will get you a national switchboard where you have a 50/50 shot at getting a sympathetic driver. Find the local towing company thats closest to the car AND tows for AAA. The yellow pages are great for this. For arguments sake lets call them Cooter's Garage. So you call up old Cooter and lay it on thick. Your parents are getting divorced, you lost your storage on your prized vintage Camaro, and you need to get it moved ASAP over yonder but it won't start. None of this is a lie: your Folks ARE getting divorced, you ARE losing your storage, and NO WAY will that car start without an engine! Lots of tow operators are car guys so chances are good you'll get an "I had one just like that that shot flames and did 300mph" story. Ask for a flatbed not a sling truck since its your baby and only the best will do. Get a quote and then ask if they tow for AAA. Chances are by now your best friend Cooter will show up in person and take extra special care of you and won't care one bit what state the car is in.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 9:53 p.m. Wally SuperDork

  Junkyard_Dog wrote: Heres what you do. DO NOT call the AAA number on you membership card! That will get you a national switchboard where you have a 50/50 shot at getting a sympathetic driver. Find the local towing company thats closest to the car AND tows for AAA. The yellow pages are great for this. For arguments sake lets call them Cooter's Garage. So you call up old Cooter and lay it on thick. Your parents are getting divorced, you lost your storage on your prized vintage Camaro, and you need to get it moved ASAP over yonder but it won't start. None of this is a lie: your Folks ARE getting divorced, you ARE losing your storage, and NO WAY will that car start without an engine! Lots of tow operators are car guys so chances are good you'll get an "I had one just like that that shot flames and did 300mph" story. Ask for a flatbed not a sling truck since its your baby and only the best will do. Get a quote and then ask if they tow for AAA. Chances are by now your best friend Cooter will show up in person and take extra special care of you and won't care one bit what state the car is in.

  The best advice here. You've got over a month so it shouldn't be too hard to get it done cheaper than renting a truck.

  Drunken sailors spend cash that they've already earned. If our politicians started spending like drunken sailors, it would be a big improvement.

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  Aug. 3, 2009 10:05 p.m. CarKid1989 Reader

  rent a home depot truck. They seem cheap and are F-250 trucks around here. Borrow a trailer from a friend. Ta da!

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  Aug. 3, 2009 10:09 p.m. patgizz Dork

  the HD trucks don't have hitches here

  John Brown wrote:"Safety" is my second middle name, it's right after "Screw".

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  Aug. 3, 2009 10:42 p.m. andrave Reader

  You should just call AAA and get a plus membership. gives you like 100 miles free towing IIRC.

  I have a premier membership which is 200 miles free towing.

  At any rate its less than $100 for year and will pay for itself first time you use it.

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