Soft-Top Jeeps: Towing Troubles

U-Haul has a policy that prevents customers from renting a trailer with a Jeep Wrangler that has a soft top. This policy has been in place for many years, and while U-Haul has not provided an official explanation, it is speculated that it is due to safety concerns, specifically the increased risk of rollover accidents and ejections during crashes. Some customers have found ways to get around this restriction by borrowing a hard top or renting from a non-corporate U-Haul location, but this comes with the risk of voiding insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

U-Haul's policy on soft-top Jeep Wranglers is not new

U-Haul's policy on not allowing soft-top Jeep Wranglers to tow its trailers is not new. The policy has been in place for many years, with some sources stating that it has been around for two decades.

U-Haul's official stance on this matter is that soft-top Jeeps do not provide adequate protection for occupants in the event of a rollover. The company claims that the soft top increases the risk of ejection from the vehicle. However, some customers have speculated that the policy is a result of U-Haul's history of defending lawsuits involving Jeep Wrangler towing combinations. Others believe it is related to the vehicle's short wheelbase, which can make towing a large trailer unstable.

While the policy is not new, it has caused frustration among Wrangler owners looking to rent U-Haul trailers. Some have found workarounds, such as renting the trailer with a different vehicle and then swapping it to their Jeep, or simply not disclosing the true nature of their vehicle. However, these workarounds may void insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

Some Wrangler owners have even started petitions to get U-Haul to review and update its policy, citing the redesigned Wrangler's improved safety features and towing capabilities. Despite these efforts, U-Haul has not made any recent changes to the policy, leaving soft-top Jeep Wrangler owners with limited options for renting trailers from the company.

U-Haul's policy applies to all SUVs with soft tops

U-Haul has a policy that applies to all SUVs with soft tops, not just Jeep Wranglers. This policy has been in place for many years, and while U-Haul may not broadcast it on their website, it is a well-known issue. The policy states that SUVs with soft tops are not permitted to rent U-Haul trailers. This restriction is due to safety concerns and liability issues.

U-Haul's official stance is that a soft-top SUV does not provide adequate protection for occupants in the event of a rollover accident. In such an accident, the trailer could hit the soft top and go right through it, causing serious injury or death. There is also the possibility of cargo flying forward and injuring people in the vehicle. Additionally, a soft-top SUV has a higher chance of rolling over due to the instability caused by the soft top.

Some people have found ways around this policy, such as renting from a non-corporate U-Haul location, borrowing a hard-top vehicle to pick up the trailer, or simply lying about the type of vehicle they have. However, these workarounds come with their own risks, including voiding insurance coverage and incurring liability in the event of an accident.

U-Haul's policy on soft-top SUVs highlights the company's concern for safety and its desire to avoid lawsuits and legal issues. While this policy may be inconvenient for some customers, U-Haul prioritizes these factors in its decision-making.

U-Haul's policy is due to safety concerns in the event of a crash or rollover

U-Haul's policy of not allowing soft-top jeeps to tow their trailers is due to safety concerns in the event of a crash or rollover. This policy has been in place for many years, and while the exact reasoning behind it is not publicly known, several sources speculate that it is due to the increased likelihood of rollover for soft-top jeeps when towing a trailer, combined with the decreased safety offered by a soft top in the event of an accident.

One source states that U-Haul denied them a trailer for their soft-top jeep because "if the jeep flips, the trailer could then hit the soft top and go right through it". Another source claims that U-Haul told them their soft-top Wrangler did not provide adequate protection from the trailer "decapitating" the occupants in the event of a rollover.

U-Haul's policy is not limited to Jeep Wranglers but extends to other SUVs with soft tops as well. Additionally, U-Haul has a similar policy for Ford Explorers, refusing to rent trailers to Explorer owners due to the company's history of excessive costs in defending lawsuits involving Ford Explorer towing combinations.

While some people have found ways around U-Haul's policy by borrowing a hard-top or renting from a non-corporate U-Haul location, it is important to note that doing so may void insurance coverage in the event of an accident.

U-Haul's policy is not based on safety issues but on the cost of defending lawsuits

U-Haul's policy of not allowing soft-top Jeep Wranglers to tow their trailers is not based on safety issues but on the cost of defending lawsuits. This policy has been in place for many years, and it is not unique to Jeep Wranglers—Ford Explorers and other SUVs with soft tops are subject to the same restriction.

The policy stems from U-Haul's history of excessive costs in defending lawsuits involving Ford Explorer towing combinations. According to a spokesperson for U-Haul, every time they need to hire an attorney to defend a lawsuit, as soon as they mention "Ford Explorer," the fees increase. This issue can be traced back to the Firestone tire debacle in the late 1990s, which tarnished the Explorer's reputation.

While the original lawsuit has long been settled, and the current Explorer shares nothing with the old model implicated in the lawsuit, the name "Explorer" still incites panic and increased legal fees for U-Haul. As a result, they have chosen to implement this unusual policy, which they emphasise is not related to safety concerns.

U-Haul apologises for any inconvenience caused by this policy and is committed to working with customers to find alternative options for their moves.

U-Haul's policy can be circumvented by renting from third-party locations or lying about vehicle type

U-Haul's policy of not allowing soft-top Jeep Wranglers to tow their trailers can be circumvented by renting from third-party locations or lying about your vehicle type.

Renting from third-party locations:

U-Haul trailers can be rented from third-party locations such as storage units, apartment complexes, and hardware stores that are authorized U-Haul dealers. These locations may have more relaxed policies and may not enforce the soft-top restriction.

Lying about your vehicle type:

When making a reservation online or over the phone, provide false information about your vehicle by stating that you have a hard-top Jeep Wrangler. This deception may allow you to pick up the trailer without issues, but keep in mind the potential risks involved.

It is important to note that attempting to circumvent U-Haul's policy comes with certain risks. If you get into an accident or encounter other issues, U-Haul may void your coverage, and your insurance company may deny any claims if they become aware of the deception. Additionally, returning the trailer with a soft-top Jeep may attract unwanted attention or lectures from U-Haul staff.

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