Towing with a soft top

[Tj4me123]

So I went to rent a small flatbed trailer to pick up a sofa from the store the person at U-Haul told me I was unable to rent a trailer with a soft top I have the TJ anyone else run into this problem

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I'd ask why they sell hitches for a Wrangler then...

 

[IAmTodd]

I've heard that before. They also wouldn't rent to Ford Explorers for the longest time.

 

[1Salty Dawg]

Looks like website says only a hardtop can rent it.

 

[rasband]

Yes, when I rented one that was a requirement from U-Haul. They couldn't tell me why, but my guess is that maybe the payload rating is based off the fully equipped wrangler's weight.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

I've seen this, too. It's safe to say that someone did something stupid and tried blaming U-Haul for their ineptitude.

Found this on another site regarding Ford Explorers:

U-Haul has chosen not to rent behind this tow vehicle based on our history of excessive costs in defending lawsuits involving Ford Explorer towing combinations. This policy is not related to safety issues. This is an unusual circumstance for U-Haul — we have built our success for over 60 years by saying ‘yes’ to our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are committed to working with our customers to find alternative options to help with their move.

I've learned a lot about towing ever since I started looking to haul my TJ instead of driving it. I was surprised how much there was to learn.

I've seen professional services with really shitty tow practices; all the gear as far to the front as possible, front wheels of the truck looking like they're about to launch into the sky, etc. I can't imagine the kind of crap U-Haul's lawyers get calls about, especially when they hand keys over to people who have no idea what they're doing.

I'd ask why they sell hitches for a Wrangler then...

Because it becomes your problem, not theirs.

 

[JKP]

Just tell them it's a convertible: https://www.uhaul.com/Blog/2014/04/21/towing-with-a-convertible/

 

[1Salty Dawg]

Yes, when I rented one that was a requirement from U-Haul. They couldn't tell me why, but my guess is that maybe the payload rating is based off the fully equipped wrangler's weight.

I'd wager a guess that it's because if you rollover while towing with a soft top you have a better chance of dying where with a hard top you MIGHT stand a chance.

 

[CharlesHS]

So I went to rent a small flatbed trailer to pick up a sofa from the store the person at U-Haul told me I was unable to rent a trailer with a soft top I have the TJ anyone else run into this problem

When I lived in Commifornia I ran into the same problem so I went down with a friends pickup, rented the trailer and proceeded to drive from CA to FL without a problem. You just need to be mindful of the Jeeps tow capacity and load the trailer paying attention to placing weight over the trailer axle and loaded tongue weight.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

I'd wager a guess that it's because if you rollover while towing with a soft top you have a better chance of dying where with a hard top you MIGHT stand a chance.

But they allow rag top sedans...

Maybe we should file a class action against them for unfair treatment...

 

[JKP]

There's no logic in it.

At least the Jeep has a rollbar, the convertible cars have nothing to protect in a rollover.

As previously stated, somebody in a ST Jeep won a lawsuit, so prohibited.