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2_many_2's avatar
2_many_2
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2015

Disabled Tow Vehicle, Alternatives?

Recently the pickup truck that I tow my TT with was put out of service due to an accident. While my truck was in the body shop I thought I would rent a pickup so I could move around my trailer around to work on it or maybe go on a short trip.

I called Enterprise, Hertz and Budget and all three told me the same thing. They said they do have pickups to rent, but do not allow towing for a non commercial rental.

I then thought of U-Haul, they rent pickups for $19.99 a day plus 59 cents a mile. I thought that would be an alternative if I just needed to move the trailer out of the way for a day or so. They said they do not allow towing for a trailer that requires electric brakes.

So, what happens if I am on vacation out of state and my tow vehicle becomes disabled? Do I just have the trailer towed to a campground until the truck is fixed?

Just wondering what others have experienced or maybe I am missing something.

Thank you and have a great holiday season!

18 Replies

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  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 22, 2015
    You have two big issues if your tow vehicle is totaled while you are away:
    1. How will you transport the your trailer or fifth wheel?
    2. If you arrange for storage for your RV, how will you get home?

    The answer to these questions depends if you are retired or whether you are still working and have limited vacation time: Since I work full time, I would most likely rent a car and check the local dealers for a possible replacement vehicle. If none was to be found, I would arrange long term storage for the RV and fly home so I could return to work and at the same time formulate a plan - Should I borrow a tow vehicle from friend or family, hire a transporter to return my RV, start shopping the local market for a replacement or wait to get some finances together and get the vehicle I really want. If I was retired, I would most likely take up residence in my RV where my tow vehicle died until found a replacement.
  • Mfan's avatar
    Mfan
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    Or check with local trailer dealer for someone to move it for you
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    Barco, United Rentals, and many other rental places rent trucks that you can actually use. Lots of Barco pickups around here running back and forth to the mines.
  • boogie_4wheel's avatar
    boogie_4wheel
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    There are many places that rent out 3/4T+ trucks, and I am not aware of them not allowing towing.
    http://www.barcorentatruck.com/

    Go rent the Home Depot truck, or it seems like any GM truck/SUV vehicle I ever got from Enterprise had a receiver on it, hint hint. Move your trailer.
    Once upon a few years ago I almost picked up a GM half ton and was going to use it to move my trailer ~300mi :B
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    I had the same question - let's say we're travelling and the TV gets totaled what are the alternatives?

    1 - let's say we are towing the TT and the TV gets totaled?
    2 - We are at a campsite and the TV gets totaled?

    I have not found any rental company which offers a TV (although a lot of then do have Class 3 hitches and a 7-pin socket)

    Love to hear others opinions and solutions.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Dec 22, 2015
    Make sure you have a credit card with a zero balance and enough head room to buy a replacement TV on short notice?

    I've dragged a TT from coast to coast a couple times, and had mechanical breakdowns 1,000+ miles from home. And what I did was exactly what you proposed; I got the trailer towed to the nearest campground and the TV towed to the repair shop, then sat on my hands until it was fixed. Took 4 days to get back on the road, and could have been longer had they not snagged the last/only part west of the Mississippi. I wound up spending those 4 days in Russell, Kansas instead of Las Vegas, but I got there in time in spite of the "layover."

    That's why the 2-2-2 RV plan* is such a good idea. Not only do you get to see things along the way, and arrived relaxed and rested, but if there is trouble, you have time to recover.

    *The 2-2-2 plan posits one should tow only 200 miles, arrive before 2 PM, and stay 2 days.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    I have seen a home depot pick up towing a pop up. But it probably didn't have brakes? <3500?
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2015
    I think you just gave a good add for GS Roadside Assistance

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