Rant on rental equipment and towing

I just got back from Handyman TrueValue hardware, where I had reserved a boom lift to get some work done on my house. I wanted to get it done last week, but it was out for 3 days, and I had a reservation for yesterday. Well, first, the previous renter got it back late, so I had to push it back to today. I went in, paid deposit and rental, and when I went to get it hooked up, one of the guys said my truck was a 1/4 ton, and they wouldn't rent it to me. I told him the Tacoma was a 1/2 ton, and showed him in the owner's manual where it rates the capacity at 1100 lbs. He said that their system shows the Tacoma as a 1/4 ton and I either needed to get an F-150 or Chevy from someone if I wanted to tow it. I only live 2 miles from them, also. Still, he would not budge and I got my money back. I will have to try Home Depot. Grr......
Sorry, first world problem. Have any of you ever had similar issues? I had rented a boom from them about 15 or more years ago, and there was no problem.

 

Will the rental place deliver??

 

Had similar issues with a equipment rental place and a boom lift that wanted a 3/4 ton to tow, and a Uhaul that would only let me rent the trailer if my Tacoma was a V6.

It wasn’t, and it wasn’t a big trailer. Told them it was and off I went.

 

No, they would not. otherwise, I would be in the bucket now fixing my gable vent.

 

Was trying to help a buddy move a small skid steer a year or two back. Realized his trailer was just a few inches too narrow around the wheel wells. Called up u-haul to see if he could rent a car hauler for the day. They told him that my truck would not pull it, but his Honda Pilot would. I had a real good laugh at that one (unfortunately so did he...)

Im not sure how big companies figure that stuff out, but Im sure it has more to do with liability than anything else

 

You are correct. Liability. The guy told me that if they hooked it up, they are liable for anything that happens.

 

I had to wrangle with the guy a bit, and he had to double check the uhaul computer, but they let me take it.

Did they say how heavy the lift was? Seems like those shouldn't be very heavy at all.

 

They said it was about 3800 lb. , which is actually over the 3500 lb tow capacity.

 

Oh ok. Yeah, that makes sense then why they wouldn't let you. A v6 would be ok though I think.

 

It was not about towing capacity, it was about their system saying the Tacoma was a 1/4 ton truck, not 1/2 ton truck. The V-6 doesn't increase the towing capacity, AFAIK. Brakes are the limfac on towing capacity.

 

Yeah their system is stupid. 1/2, 1/4 whatever-ton ratings are useless.

That said, from my manual:

 

Its all about liability !!

Even U haul will now not rent 5×8 ft trailers that are used by cars competing in Rocky mtn race week or Hot rod race week all due to liability reasons

 

I work in equipment rental. We are very careful, but a towable boom is perfectly safe behind a tacoma. Now if you were trailering it, on your trailer the lightest man lift and trailer combo would need a larger truck, next size up requires brake control.

Lawyers hold us responsible for what ever stupid crap people do. And we don't get paid while the machine is broke, and waiting thru the courts.
I gotta err on the side of caution, in addition IF something feels off, I can just say no, and do.

 

I still think the bounty on Lawyers should be reinstated!

Far to many Lawyers sit around with nothing to do in most all legal actions the lawyers get paid first.

 

In the early 90's drove an 18 wheeler in all 48 states. The number of times I saw overloaded U-haul trailers jack-knifed at the bottom of a hill, end of a curve, tipped over from over loading top-heavy was common. Saturday mornings were busy. Of course this was all viewed on the interstates. In town driving at slower speeds not so much so I'd guess. Not to be driven over 45 ? 55 ? mph is a sticker on the back end of those trailers today as I recall. Makes sense if you are a first time mover. ... now don't get me started on blow outs from dry rotted tires on seasonal boat trailers. ... ever see a shredded fiberglass boat bottom ,and all, from the rippin' effect of dragging at interstate speeds ?? BOOM, blow-out, rear trailer corner drops down, cheap-o rim gives out, outboard gets it next till friction wins, rear trailer corner drags on the road again, spark show, ... mangled up outboard with mangled up stainless steel prop on a vintage Merc tore off the transom is sad. Then more friction pulls/drags boat off and boat turns into a high speed asphalt spin show. Eventually owner standing on the side of the interstate, hands on his hips as he views down the shoulder 1/2 mile lookin' at splinters of his pride & joy ? Talk about a spoiled weekend. Forget about a broom, bring in the street sweeper ... Proper GVW rating , U-haul or not , folks , remember the "tire-check".