Well, a rental car provides flexibility for vacations, business trips, or simply moving around town. But when you need to tow a trailer, the rules change. In this case, renting a car usually comes with many questions. One common question is: “Can you tow a trailer with a rental car?” The short answer is yes, but not always.
Many people do not know that towing with a rental car needs more than just a trailer hitch. You must consider safety, rental company policies, and the car’s capabilities.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about towing with a rental car, including whether it is possible to tow a trailer with a rental car.
📜Rental Car Policies on Towing
Most major rental car companies have specific rules about towing. Some allow it, while others strictly prohibit it. It is important to check the rental agreement before making any plans related to towing. Most companies mention in the agreement whether they allow towing or not.
Different rental companies have different towing policies.
🚗 Top Rental Companies’ Towing Policies
Enterprise: Enterprise, one of the largest rental car companies, does not allow towing with their rental vehicles. According to their official policy, you cannot attach any type of trailer to their cars. However, if you rent specific pickup trucks from Enterprise Truck Rental, they may allow towing in those cases.
National: National does not say yes to attaching a hitch or towing anything with their rental cars. When you rent from National, you can not do towing in any case.
Alamo: Alamo strictly does not allow you to connect a hitch or tow anything with their rental cars. You cannot use any of their vehicles for towing purposes under any circumstances.
SIXT: SIXT also does not allow towing with their rental cars. You cannot use their vehicles to tow a trailer, another car, or any object, as towing is completely banned.
| Rental Company | Towing Allowed? | Details |
| Enterprise | ❌ No | Towing not allowed on regular rentals. Only available on Enterprise Truck Rentals. |
| National | ❌ No | No towing allowed on any rental vehicles. |
| Alamo | ❌ No | Towing is strictly prohibited. |
| SIXT | ❌ No | Towing not permitted with rental cars. |
Note
- Some rental companies allow towing only with specific truck rentals.
- Always check with the rental company before planning to tow.
What Types of Rental Cars Can Tow a Trailer?
If Some companies allow towing, you cannot use all types of cars for pulling a trailer. In most cases, larger vehicles like SUVs, pickup trucks, or specialized tow vehicles are better. These vehicles have stronger engines, higher towing capacities, and better physical quality to manage the extra load. Smaller cars, such as sedans or compact models, may not handle towing anything. So, always ask the rental agent if the car you are renting can tow. You can also visit the car’s official website to check its towing capacity. Putting too much weight on a car that is not suitable for towing can cause accidents and damage the car.
🚗 Best Vehicles for Towing
✔ Pickup Trucks: Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500.
✔ SUVs: Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia.
✔ Vans: Ford Transit, GMC Savana (if allowed).
🚫 Vehicles NOT Suitable for Towing
❌ Compact Cars: Too small and weak.
❌ Sedans: Not designed for heavy loads.
❌ Economy Cars: Can get damaged under heavy weight.
Do You Need to Buy Towing Equipment?
Even if you get permission for towing with a rental car, you must have the right equipment for towing. Most rental cars do not come with a trailer hitch already installed. If the rental company says yes to towing, you may need to rent a vehicle specifically equipped for this purpose. Rental car companies may offer a tow-ready vehicle or guide you on where to find one. For example, you can rent a tow-equipped pickup truck from certain specialized rental companies like U-Haul. These trucks often come with a hitch and the necessary wiring for trailer lights.
🛠️Key points to consider while buying towing equipment:
✔ Most rental cars do not come with a trailer hitch.
✔ You may need to rent a tow-equipped truck from a specialized rental company.
✔ Do not install towing equipment yourself! 🚫 This can violate the rental agreement.
Companies That Offer Tow-Ready Vehicles
Take a look at some other options that provide towing services to their customers.
Penske Rental: Penske Rental allows you to add tow dollies and car carriers to your reservation. This means you can safely tow your car to your destination when renting from Penske.
U-Haul: U-Haul lets you tow with their rental trucks. They provide towing equipment for your car or offer rental trucks if you prefer not to use your vehicle for towing.
| Company | Towing Services Available? |
| Penske Rental | ✅ Yes, offers tow dollies & car carriers. |
| U-Haul | ✅ Yes, provides towing equipment for rental trucks. |
Company Towing Services Available?
Penske Rental ✅ Yes, offers tow dollies & car carriers.
U-Haul ✅ Yes, provides towing equipment for rental trucks.
Insurance Tips for Towing
Insurance works differently when you tow a trailer compared to normal driving. Most common rental car insurance plans do not cover damage caused while towing. Before you think about towing, ask the rental company if they offer special insurance or protection for towing situations. If they do not provide it, you might need to buy separate insurance for both the vehicle and the trailer. Also, make sure the trailer has insurance to cover accidents, damage, or theft. Driving without proper insurance can result in expensive legal and financial problems.
Towing changes how insurance works compared to regular driving.
✔ Standard rental insurance does NOT cover towing-related damage.
✔ Ask the rental company if they offer special towing insurance.
✔ You may need to buy separate insurance for:
- The rental vehicle 🚗
- The trailer 🚚
💡 Note: Never tow without proper insurance to avoid huge repair costs.
How Do State & Local Laws Affect Towing?
Apart from rental company policies, state and local laws play a big role in the case of towing. Towing laws differ from state to state. Some regions have specific rules about trailer size, weight limits, and the type of towing equipment. For example, most states require that trailers with their own working lights and brakes. Some states have weight limits that decide what type of vehicle you can use for towing. Always check out these laws before towing with a rental car.
🚨 Towing laws vary by state. Some states have strict trailer weight limits and safety requirements.
✔ Many states require trailers to have:
- Brake lights & signals. 🚦
- Safety chains. 🔗
- Towing mirrors for better visibility. 🪞
Best Types of Trailers for Towing
Once you get permission to tow with a rental car, choose the right type of trailer. Lightweight trailers are ideal for smaller vehicles, while larger vehicles can handle bigger trailers. Some popular types of trailers for towing include:
- Utility Trailers: These are useful for moving small items like furniture or garden tools.
- Cargo Trailers: These closed trailers are perfect for transporting valuable goods that need protection from the weather.
- Boat Trailers: If you are renting a vehicle to tow a boat, make sure both the vehicle and trailer are suitable for the load.
Always remember the total weight of the trailer and what you are towing. This ensures that your rental car can handle the job safely.
🚚 Let’s understand it in short:
| Trailer Type | Best For |
| Utility Trailers | Moving furniture, small loads. 🏠 |
| Cargo Trailers | Transporting items in bad weather. 🌧️ |
| Boat Trailers | Hauling boats to the water. 🚤 |
💡 Note: Match the trailer weight to the towing capacity of the vehicle!
Tips for Safe Towing with a Rental Car
Safety should be your top priority when towing a trailer. Here are some tips that can help you to have a smooth and safe towing experience:
- 🛑Drive Slowly: Trailers add extra weight and require more time to stop. Keep your speed at or below the actual limits.
- 🔗Check the Trailer Connection: Before you start, check that the hitch and wiring are secure. Keep checking them during your trip.
- ⚖️Distribute Weight Evenly: Balance the load in the trailer properly. Too much weight on one side can make it unstable and cause accidents.
- 🛣️Be Cautious with Turns: When you are driving with a trailer, it needs more space to turn than a car does, so you should be cautious when making turns.
- 🚗➡️🚚Watch Your Stopping Distance: Towing makes it harder to stop, so leave more space between you and the car ahead.
Costs of Towing with a Rental Car
If your rental company allows you to tow, be ready to pay extra fees. You might face towing charges or need to pay more for a vehicle with towing equipment. If you buy insurance for the trailer, it can also raise your rental costs. Also, towing uses more gas, so you have to spend more on fuel. Always include these extra costs in your trip budget.
💰 Even if a rental company allows towing, expect to pay extra fees:
✔ Towing fees: Some companies charge extra for tow-ready vehicles.
✔ Insurance costs: Buying additional insurance adds to expenses.
✔ Fuel costs: Towing uses more gas, increasing fuel costs.
Conclusion
Towing a trailer with a rental car can be a bit tough. Many rental car companies do not allow towing; even when they do, you need the right vehicle, equipment, and insurance. To ensure a smooth experience, always check with the rental company first.
If towing is not an option, explore other alternatives, such as renting a tow-ready vehicle or using your own car if it is suitable for such work.
With careful planning and following all the rules, towing with a rental car can be a convenient solution for moving trailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tow a trailer with a standard rental car?
No, most rental companies do not permit towing with standard rental cars. For example, Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations do not allow towing with their standard rental vehicles.
Are there additional fees for towing with a rental vehicle?
Yes, there may be extra charges for towing. It’s important to discuss this with the rental company beforehand.
Do rental trucks come with towing equipment?
Towing equipment availability varies by model and location. Some trucks come with a receiver hitch, but you may need to provide your own towing accessories.
Can I tow my personal trailer with a rental truck?
Policies vary by company. Some companies allow towing of personal trailers, while others may have restrictions. Always confirm with the rental provider.
What types of rental vehicles are suitable for towing?
Heavy-duty pickup trucks, such as 3/4 ton and 1-ton pickups, are typically used for towing. These vehicles are designed to handle the extra weight.
