Disabled Tow Vehicle, Alternatives?

[2_many_2]

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!

[herbhyde]

Many of the rentals that have a receiver and 7 way installed do not have a BRAKE controller.

[fireman41]

Worst case is rent a car and call U ship to find some one to tow the rv home.

[Bob_Shaw]

I had my Truck catch fire on I-75 south near Miamisburg Ohio one year. Fortunately, I was able to get the fire out (Transmission fluid on the exhaust pipe), and the Chevy dealership at that exit was able to get my truck checked-out and running. But, I was prepared to have to buy another truck, and they had a nice used 3500 dually Duramax Diesel for sale at the dealership. I've often kicked myself for not letting it burn. (just kidding). But, really, when towing a large 5th wheel, you really don't have a lot of options.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

The insurance on our TT comes with roadside assistance which also covers us for any possible TV issues. If the TV gets wrecked while on a trip away somewhere, we can choose to move and store the TT locally or they will pay for a hauling service to tow it back home for us and also rent us car / buy plane tickets to get our persons home. Heck, it even reimburses us for lost money for CG reservations.

Now if the issue is only getting a camper moved a few miles near home, I'd probably call a tow truck if there's no friends / family TV's to borrow. Or use a tractor if it just being moved less than a mile.

[Grit_dog]

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
if you have fair to good credit...

when I purchased my used truck in July... dealer contacted my bank by internet.. loan was DONE in 1 minute... I was Shocked .. how Quick it was done.

no credit application... no long forms... and 1.9 interest rate "Wow"

So buy a new truck if yours breaks? Has nothing to do with the orig question...

You may find a commercial outfit to rent from for bumper pulls if you're in the city, otherwise you're pretty much screwed if you want to follow the rules of the rental outfits.
Or you could do what a dealer did for me when I had a breakdown towing a bumper pull in bfe and was on a schedule. Search out a pickup or sub with a hitch, rent it, and tow away!

[Chuck_thehammer]

if you have fair to good credit...

when I purchased my used truck in July... dealer contacted my bank by internet.. loan was DONE in 1 minute... I was Shocked .. how Quick it was done.

no credit application... no long forms... and 1.9 interest rate "Wow"

[2_many_2]

Thank you for all the great replies. This is exactly what I was looking for, lots of ideas that I had not thought of.

Hopefully I will never be in this situation away from home, but if so, now I will be more prepared.

All the best in 2016

[lbrjet]

We bring the titles to the truck and trailer with us on long trips just in case we need them for the worst case scenario.

[jerem0621]

Just think about you owing a Fiver? Then you would really be in a pickle.

[carringb]

All of the commercial outfits such as Enterprise Rent A Truck, Penske, Hertz trucks etc rent tow vehicles. So do equipment rentals like United. Even some Ford dealers allow towing, and most specialty van rentals like Bandago allow towing.

Finally, U-haul is a good emergency option simply because of availability.. The newer 14'-20' moving vans have 2" receivers, 7 way wiring, and allow towing your own trailer up to 10,000 pounds.

[Bedlam]

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]

Or check with local trailer dealer for someone to move it for you

[nevadanick]

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]

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