Topic: U-haul can kiss my.....

[Bikerjr1]

This is the reply I was sent when I inquired as to why they DO NOT rent to JEEPs or any other soft top vehicle.  After reading it you make up your own mind weather you want to support them. 

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for your communication received.

In order to ensure the protection and safety of our customers, U-Haul does not allow any type of sport-utility vehicle, not equipped with a hard top, to tow a trailer.  Even though the weight characteristics of towing a trailer with a soft top vehicle versus a hard top vehicle are the same.  In the unlikely event of an accident, vehicles not equipped with a hard top offer less crash and ejection protection than with vehicles that have a hard top.

When renting U-Haul equipment, safety has always been our number one priority.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding of our policies.

Sincerely,
Katy Arnold
U-Haul Customer Service

You are hereby on notice that this E-mail message is confidential and proprietary. THIS E-MAIL MESSAGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED FOR USE BY THE RECIPIENT FOR WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED.  AS THE DESIGNATED RECIPIENT OR UNINTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY PROHIBITED FROM ANY DISCUSSION, DISSEMINATION, DISPLAY, DISCLOSURE, REPRODUCTION OR COPYING OF THIS E-MAIL MESSAGE. ANY THIRD PARTY DISCLOSURE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.


I really like the notice at the end.  Think of it they will let a GEO Metro pull one of their trailers but not your CJ/YJ/TJ.
I'm off to buy a trailer...
later,
JR

[Jeffy]

It's nothing new.  They have had that policy for years now.  I've had friends who borrowed hard tops or else picked up the trailer with something else.

[jagular7]

There are many options for towing in your 'convertible'. However, due pay attention to the tow rating of the said vehicle, the overall operating condition, the trailer weight, length of tongue and weight distribution of the trailered items.

I use a tilt tongue 4x6 utility trailer for things. It has a 3500# axle and runs off 15" wheels. The rails are 12" or so high and I had added wood sides to provide containment. Only regret I have is the single post tongue. Get the triangulated tongue setup. Once I get tired of it, I'll fix that.
I'm also putting together a luggage trailer for my Jeep, ie motorcycle cargo trailer. I'm using a Sears cargo carrier that is one of the largest size on the market at 20 cuft. Its more square that long and skinny. I used the left over of a boat trailer for the trailer.



Harbor Freight sells 40x48" trailers that would be perfect for the same thing. They come in 8 or 12" size wheels.  You can fab some sheetmetal for a box and thus have a way of carrying with the Jeep. I may also fab a look-a-like M416 to add to the trailer. This would be great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90153

[jagular7]

Since I couldn't edit my message, comment -
Not mine, just a current setup on Ebay under motorcycle trailers. These go for $300 to $500.

Here is mine, currently waiting on wider axle to run 15" 5on4.5 wheels and 205's.


To use             

Here is one that sold on Ebay for $525!

[Bikerjr1]

The reason I needed to rent a Uhaul is I needed to move some household items from Texas to Oklahoma in an inclosed trailer.  I already have a small H-F trailer just like in the picture.  I put a 1ft stake bed on the sides.  The cargo box is not big enough for the items I need to move.  This policy of theirs does not have any logical justification.
I'll get off the soap box and go play nice.....
JR

[Jeffy]

Can you borrow someone else's vehicle to get the trailer?  Have you through about renting a truck and dolly then just towing the Jeep?

[flyingbrick]

I Have heard that U-hall will not rent a tow-dolly to someone with a 4 cylinder, even if your only pulling a Festiva with a with a 4 popper truck.

[oldjeep]

I Have heard that U-hall will not rent a tow-dolly to someone with a 4 cylinder, even if your only pulling a Festiva with a with a 4 popper truck.

They are pretty good about holding to the tow ratings of vehicles.  Their equipment is heavy and a lot of folks forget to figure in that weight.

[jcsanders79]

I have been in a U-Haul and over heard a customer being told they wouldn't rent him a trailer because he had a Ford Explorer.

[smashcoast]

This is the same company that has been sued countless times, because their trailer P.M. maintenance is so bad! I saw a huge article in the L.A. times about it and on the news. Because of trailer's and trucks ending up in different locals they dont get done!

So you can see how your saftey is their #1 priority!

[95yjman]

Why not take your wifes Cherokee in there and get it, then switch out the trailer with YJ...

[Bikerjr1]

I ended up using my small 4'x3' trailer for the outside stuff. As for the inside stuff I was amazed as to how much I was able to cram into the Wrangler, one antique oak kitchen table and 6 chairs plus some smaller antiques.  Thanks to all that offered sugestions and or help.
As for U-Haul well....they can just pucker up!
See ya'll on the trails,
JR

[dexetr30]

The wife and I had moved house several times before purchasing our own place. Each time we rented a u-haul truck.  We usually used a 14' or 17' truck and moved everything at one time. We own our the place we're in now but if for some reason we ever move again I will make sure note to go through U-Haul for a truck. The trucks were in terrible shape. The front suspension on several of the trucks was so bad that I could barely go above 35 mph. I've helped other people move and each time a U-Haul truck was used I had the same experiences. I've had nothing but bad experiences with U-Haul.

[mpyusko]

Their policy is STUPID!  A Jeep has a full roll-cage.  A car won't roll very easily.  I went there once and when then told my they wouldn't rent to me 'cause I had a soft-top I started laughing.....until he told me he was serious.  Then I started swearing! 

The wife and I (children too) just moved this past fall.  We also went camping in the Adirondacks this past summer.  For both occasions I borrowed a 880 pound 5x8 Cargo Trailer. 

The trip to Adk's is 6 hours if you take the interstates.  Being a 4cyl, I knew 65MPH was out of the question so I spent 8.5 hours taking the scenic route.  I made it fine.  I won't say that it pulled the fully loaded trailer effortlessly, but the only time I could make the speed limit was on a hill climb with a dedicated slow lane.  It was properly balanced and up near the 2k limit.

Using the trailer to move was an entirely different experience.   It's not like you can properly balance it when you are moving.  There are too many random things going in and fit is more important.  I'm not sure how much the tongue weighed for one trip (130 pounds TW empty), but I do know I needed my hydraulic floor jack to hitch it up.  It was too heavy for the tongue's crank jack.  The Jeep dropped 3" when I lowered it on the ball.

My point is..... Never with either of those experiences did the Jeep ever give me difficulty braking, handling, or plain pulling.  If I did get into an accident, the load was contained.  But even if it wasn't, what protection would a glass window give me over plastic anyway?   Canvas top?  Well I don't have a roof-rack full of gear to compromise my Center-Of-Gravity. (Isn't the hard-top fiberglass anyway?  So it'd shatter too.)  Well, all I can say is U-Haul will never see a penny from me!