Car Hauling

RobLupella · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:41 pm

Has anyone had any experience putting a car inside a U-Haul or other rental truck? Trying to find out about having the ability to haul 1 car in the truck and tow another and be able to tie the car inside the truck down

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Rob I have rented a few trucks both from U-Haul and Hertz-Penske an can't recall any provision for tying down a car so that it didn't come through the cab in a panic stop. You might call around and ask if any trucks have provision for heavy tie downs and just pretend that you are moving some heavy "equipment."
Charlie Guthrie

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:19 pm

i agree Rob. have never seen a tie down inside a box truck.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:48 pm

I've never seen a U-Haul or Penske truck with tiedowns already installed in the truck, BUT, when I used to crew for a motorcycle team we would rent one and install our own tiedowns. I know, bikes don't weigh nearly as much as a car, but I think you could rig something up. The one thing you HAVE to do is make sure you remove the tie downs before returning the truck. They get angry when they see that the truck has been modified. (They will open the truck to see if there is anything in it. They never saw the holes that we had drilled in the floor!! :lol:

)

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:06 pm

This reminds me of a totally unrelated story.

Back in "the day", our little computer company would rent minivans to load our computers and stuff in to take to NYC for Unix Expo (nevermind the fact that the rental agreement clearly said we wouldn't drive them in NYC or Mexico...at least we half complied). The second year we did that, we noticed when we went outside to take the vans back to the office from the rental place that all the seats were cable locked into the van (and I don't just mean locked together, I mean locked to the floor). We went back in and asked if they could remove those locks and they said no. We said they could keep the seats *and* the locks as we just needed empty vans. They still said no.

My boss just said "okay, no problem...we'll just leave them in." When we went back outside I said "what are we gonna do? we can't fit everything with those seats in there." He just said "I'll meet you back at the office." He showed up back at the office about ten minutes after me and gets out with a new set of bolt cutters and padlocks. We cut the locks, removed seats, and used them like we needed to.

When we got back and put the seats back and locked them I said "you gonna give them the keys?" He replied "hell no...they probably lost the keys to the ones they had on there anyway." And he promptly chucked the keys in the trash and we returned the vans. They never said a thing.

Back on topic, I can't see modding the truck to tie a car down. It'll be difficult to get a sturdy enough tie-down. Add to that you'd need some mega-ramps to get a car into the back of a truck like that anyway. Two car flatbeds do exist...see if you can find one of those to rent somewhere first. Probably won't have them at U-haul, but some other places might.

--Donnie

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:51 am

Great story Donnie!! I wonder what "little" computer company that could be?? :user:

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:54 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Back on topic, I can't see modding the truck to tie a car down. It'll be difficult to get a sturdy enough tie-down. Add to that you'd need some mega-ramps to get a car into the back of a truck like that anyway. Two car flatbeds do exist...see if you can find one of those to rent somewhere first. Probably won't have them at U-haul, but some other places might.

--Donnie

I thought about that too. I checked with the Jerr-Dan dealer where I live and he said that they used to, but because of insurance :banghead:

they don't do that anymore.

I'm just trying to avoid having to spend 11 or so hours in the Miata to go to Sebring, FL for a track event in November. (Trying to plan ahead)

My next step may be seeing if anyone rents car haulers.

I'm a bit reluctant to do the "modification" of the U-Haul too for the same reason - not sure what there is to grab on to; especially since the reason for doing it is in case of an accident. 4000lbs of stuff going forward in a panic stop with a jury rigged tie down does not sound like a good thing and I'll bet the CDW does not cover "accidents due to modification of the vehicle" :wink:

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Try the Amtrak "Auto Train" package. They carry you and your car to Florida. As I recall it is a little pricey, but probably not more than renting a U-Haul.
Charlie G

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:24 pm

RobLupella wrote:

I'm just trying to avoid having to spend 11 or so hours in the Miata to go to Sebring, FL for a track event in November. (Trying to plan ahead)

Thats weak....

You COULD....

Rent a SUV or truck from any local car rental place and then go to UHaul and rent a tow dolly.

Not gonna be cheap but it will get ya there and back.

Also, dont rent an Explorer, UHaul will not let you hook ANYTHING to an Explorer.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:53 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

RobLupella wrote:

I'm just trying to avoid having to spend 11 or so hours in the Miata to go to Sebring, FL for a track event in November. (Trying to plan ahead)

Thats weak....

You COULD....

Rent a SUV or truck from any local car rental place and then go to UHaul and rent a tow dolly.

Not gonna be cheap but it will get ya there and back.

Also, dont rent an Explorer, UHaul will not let you hook ANYTHING to an Explorer.

Thought of that too, Actually trying to fit 2 cars to it to defray some of the costs. Budget is already tight for the trip and I don't think I will be able to afford the trip, tires, event fees and a big rental fee without sharing. Hmmmm, if I put one car in and one car on the roof.... :wink:

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:40 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Rent a SUV or truck from any local car rental place and then go to UHaul and rent a tow dolly.

None of the car rental places at the airport will rent you a truck for towing. (I know, because I tried last April when I went to the ATL Pro. Ended up by borrowing a co worker's truck in exchange for the Mustang. And renting Eric Petersen's trailer.) They have all removed the hitches to prevent you from towing with their truck. I know, that's what they are supposed to be for, but I guess that the dreaded insurance companies nixed that idea also.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:12 pm

Be a man and drive your chick car to Sebring.

Hmmmmm.... something sounds wrong there..

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:27 pm

Uhaul will also install a hitch to your car/suv Rob. a 4 banger ought to be able to tow the Miata. actually, hook a tow bar to Graham's Z :roll:

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Ryan Holton wrote:

Be a man and drive your chick car (just like mine) to Sebring.

Hmmmmm.... something sounds wrong there..

Fixed that for you :wink:

He called Amtrack today and they want more than the Miata is worth to transport it down there...

I see a long drive in his future... Have a safe trip Rob let me know how it worked out :wave:

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

steve remchak wrote:

Uhaul will also install a hitch to your car/suv Rob. a 4 banger ought to be able to tow the Miata. actually, hook a tow bar to Graham's Z :roll:

Yeah Steve let's give him more ideas he might actually consider... I was thinking a tow dolly on my car pulling the Miata and the Miata pulling the HF trailer with all our tires/tools would go over really well :wink:

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