Stuck in L.A.

KS750 · 03-06-2006, 04:31 AM

Hi,

it might be a bit strange to post a thing like this here, but maybe someone can help.

My Dad is on a business trip to the States (he is building exhibit booths) and his car (wich he has been provided with by a friend) has broken down entirely (defektive motor) in Los Angeles and Ford says it wonÃ?Â´t be repaired until two weeks.
You might say no problem - rent a new one and ride - but someone told him that it is impossible to rent a car like that in the whole country!

The issue is the trailer coupling which has to be a special "heavy duty" model with a bigger than standard ball on it (there must be 2" and 2 5/16" couplings) and that the car goes from L.A. to Florida.

Now every car rental office says that the problem is the insurance or so.

IÃ?Â´m completely uninformed about legal restriction in the USA but "USA" and "impossible" donÃ?Â´t quite fit to my vocabulary.

Has anyone got an idea how to get hands on a car like that - really quick?

An Adress or any hint would help.

Regards, Christoph.

SteveM · 03-06-2006, 08:20 AM

Maybe something like this:

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/?equipment=cargovan

KS750 · 03-06-2006, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just phoned my dad (kicked him right out of bed - nine hours back...my fault).
He already had contact to U-Haul and they told him there was no possibility to find such a car somewhere in the States.
But it was a local office so IÃ?Â´ll try to phone the Main office in L.A.

Thanks so far - if there are any alternatives IÃ?Â´d be glad if you let me know!

Lugerdoc · 03-06-2006, 10:47 AM

If he tells the rental agency that he is willing to rent a car or van for two weeks if they will install the proper tow ball (purchased from local auto parts store) I bet that they will install it for him, although he may have to pay extra for it. If so, I would be sure to keep the ball assy, when I return the car. TH

Edward Tinker · 03-06-2006, 10:59 AM

I agree with tom, not sure the big deal? Any of the larger U-Haul trucks have tow assemblies. What is needed that is "extra" or special? I think there is a langauge issue involved? No offense, but the wrong words is making it appear more difficult to the U-Haul guy. If it is just a size differnce in a ball, then it could be welded on or simply go to a auto parts store and buy one. My feeling is that the assemblly itself must be brokena nd they are ordering the new part?

Then another u-haul truck should work?

Unless this is a special size that your friend has? But then you could reweld the correct US size on the trailer itself?

Ed

KS750 · 03-06-2006, 01:02 PM

Wow, thank you guys for helping me out!

About exchanging the ball/ hitch they say it is not possible because the balls are already welded on and rewelding it yourself could make you end up picking up the litter on the side of a road somewhere in Nevada.
As I can see on the U-Haul Website they offer the proper ballsize for sale with assembly-service! So I donÃ?Â´t have a clue why there is such a problem to this!

Well, to get to the point: IÃ?Â´ve sorted out about 12 rental offices between L.A. and Vandenberg, mailed them to my aunt in Lompoc and she is going to call them one by one (reducing the phone bill for me..).

If there is not one that can take care of the Problem, it would kind of destroy my "American Dream" (man, you get free refills and a guy at the supermarket fills your shoppingbags - a car canÃ?Â´t be the big deal...).

Thanks again, Christoph.

P.S.: DidnÃ?Â´t wanted to sound too sarcastic - IÃ?Â´m just envyous (about the refills...)

Herb · 03-06-2006, 01:25 PM

Rent a Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon, both come with a trailer tow package installed but he will have to get the hitch insert and the correct ball for it, that should be about $40-50 or so. I have a Yukon and the hitch assembly so I know it works to tow my travel trailer. Should be no problem.

KS750 · 03-07-2006, 12:02 PM

Hi again,

it seems the problem is solved!
My Dad just called and told me that one of the dealers on the list was able to provide him with a car to fit his needs.
He still had to call about half a dozen to get where he is now but it all worked out fine in the end.

Thank you all so much for your help!

Regards,

Christoph.

03-06-2006, 04:31 AM	#1
KS750 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stuck in L.A. Hi, it might be a bit strange to post a thing like this here, but maybe someone can help. My Dad is on a business trip to the States (he is building exhibit booths) and his car (wich he has been provided with by a friend) has broken down entirely (defektive motor) in Los Angeles and Ford says it wonÃ?Â´t be repaired until two weeks. You might say no problem - rent a new one and ride - but someone told him that it is impossible to rent a car like that in the whole country! The issue is the trailer coupling which has to be a special "heavy duty" model with a bigger than standard ball on it (there must be 2" and 2 5/16" couplings) and that the car goes from L.A. to Florida. Now every car rental office says that the problem is the insurance or so. IÃ?Â´m completely uninformed about legal restriction in the USA but "USA" and "impossible" donÃ?Â´t quite fit to my vocabulary. Has anyone got an idea how to get hands on a car like that - really quick? An Adress or any hint would help. Regards, Christoph.

03-06-2006, 10:47 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	If he tells the rental agency that he is willing to rent a car or van for two weeks if they will install the proper tow ball (purchased from local auto parts store) I bet that they will install it for him, although he may have to pay extra for it. If so, I would be sure to keep the ball assy, when I return the car. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-06-2006, 10:59 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	I agree with tom, not sure the big deal? Any of the larger U-Haul trucks have tow assemblies. What is needed that is "extra" or special? I think there is a langauge issue involved? No offense, but the wrong words is making it appear more difficult to the U-Haul guy. If it is just a size differnce in a ball, then it could be welded on or simply go to a auto parts store and buy one. My feeling is that the assemblly itself must be brokena nd they are ordering the new part? Then another u-haul truck should work? Unless this is a special size that your friend has? But then you could reweld the correct US size on the trailer itself? Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-06-2006, 01:25 PM	#7
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Rent a Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon, both come with a trailer tow package installed but he will have to get the hitch insert and the correct ball for it, that should be about $40-50 or so. I have a Yukon and the hitch assembly so I know it works to tow my travel trailer. Should be no problem. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

03-06-2006, 08:20 AM	#2
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Maybe something like this: http://www.uhaul.com/guide/?equipment=cargovan

03-06-2006, 10:37 AM	#3
KS750 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the quick reply! Just phoned my dad (kicked him right out of bed - nine hours back...my fault). He already had contact to U-Haul and they told him there was no possibility to find such a car somewhere in the States. But it was a local office so IÃ?Â´ll try to phone the Main office in L.A. Thanks so far - if there are any alternatives IÃ?Â´d be glad if you let me know!

03-06-2006, 01:02 PM	#6
KS750 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow, thank you guys for helping me out! About exchanging the ball/ hitch they say it is not possible because the balls are already welded on and rewelding it yourself could make you end up picking up the litter on the side of a road somewhere in Nevada. As I can see on the U-Haul Website they offer the proper ballsize for sale with assembly-service! So I donÃ?Â´t have a clue why there is such a problem to this! Well, to get to the point: IÃ?Â´ve sorted out about 12 rental offices between L.A. and Vandenberg, mailed them to my aunt in Lompoc and she is going to call them one by one (reducing the phone bill for me..). If there is not one that can take care of the Problem, it would kind of destroy my "American Dream" (man, you get free refills and a guy at the supermarket fills your shoppingbags - a car canÃ?Â´t be the big deal...). Thanks again, Christoph. P.S.: DidnÃ?Â´t wanted to sound too sarcastic - IÃ?Â´m just envyous (about the refills...)

03-07-2006, 12:02 PM	#8
KS750 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi again, it seems the problem is solved! My Dad just called and told me that one of the dealers on the list was able to provide him with a car to fit his needs. He still had to call about half a dozen to get where he is now but it all worked out fine in the end. Thank you all so much for your help! Regards, Christoph.