Towing with hard top vs soft top

[mgarciaknight]

I was trying to rent a trailer to tow a car behind my 2021 JLU soft top with the 3.6L e-torque. Uhaul website asks many questions. One of them is whether JLU is a hard top or soft top. I found it an odd question. Well if you put soft top it tells you it is “Not Permitted” but if you put hard top, it is ok. Does anyone know why? Is there a difference?

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[Tethmes]

There's no difference. Probably just a liability thing their lawyers made them put in there for whatever reason.

 

[2manyhobbies]

They won’t rent to you if you have a soft top. Or at least that is the policy. And the poster above is correct - some historical liability issue drives that policy.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Some douche in a softop didnt check his sh*t and blamed Uhaul for damages. Same as the ban on not letting Ford Explorers to rent for over a decade. Probably more blame an ambulance chasers that brought the lawsuits to court. Uhaul is just covering their ass. BTW. Mickey Dees coffee is hot. LOL

 

[Jim1964]

I’m mildly curious what would happen if I rented one for my hard top, with the top removed.

More seriously, what kind of car is light enough to tow behind a Wrangler? Keeping a car and trailer < 3500# is a challenge. Just curious.

 

[mgarciaknight]

But is there a reason why not? Historical, structural, safety, or otherwise?

 

[mgarciaknight]

I’m mildly curious what would happen if I rented one for my hard top, with the top removed.

More seriously, what kind of car is light enough to tow behind a Wrangler? Keeping a car and trailer < 3500# is a challenge. Just curious.

1978 Mini Cooper

 

[Jim1964]

1978 Mini Cooper

That’s a sweet little machine! No fat on that ride.

Home Depot rents trailers around here also. Although I’m guessing you need a one-way and I think they want it returned to the original store.

 

[Bill_P]

Simple. UHaul policy is that they will not rent a trailer to any vehicle that is a convertible (has a soft top).

That isn't true. They will rent to a convertible car, but not a jeep.

https://www.uhaul.com/Blog/2014/04/21/towing-with-a-convertible/

 

[Bill_P]

1978 Mini Cooper

I love those minis. I wanted to bring back a couple when I lived in the UK but didn't have the money for shipping.

 

[mgarciaknight]

That’s a sweet little machine! No fat on that ride.

Home Depot rents trailers around here also. Although I’m guessing you need a one-way and I think they want it returned to the original store.

Thanks man.
Thats a great idea with HD. Rounds trip is ok too. Mini only weighs 1380 lbs.

 

[ZCashio]

But is there a reason why not? Historical, structural, safety, or otherwise?

I rented a trailer a month ago, guy said if I had a soft top they wouldn’t allow. Something about if trailer flipped and landed on the Jeep it would be serious injuries and uHaul just doesn’t allow it. I have a hardtop so didn’t have to worry. But was good to know for future.

 

[dsgrey]

Yes, UHaul has had that policy forever. No issue renting a trailer from Home Depot for hauling items. I found a few less common rental places that have enclosed trailers and they will rent without issue though they are more expensive than UHual.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Pick up the trailer with another vehicle.

 

[MRH512]

I have the One-Touch roof and tried to rent a from U-Haul last year. There's no option for my roof so I entered "hard top." I got to the final step of the booking process and it told me I had to schedule time with my local U-Haul spot so they could inspect my Jeep before allowing me to complete the reservation. I get liability/insurance issues, but DAMN...

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