SUV's and trailer hitches
 

As a general rule, do SUV's have trailer hitches installed?

Your rental agreement prohibits using the vehicle to tow anything.

As Tummy said, the rental agreement prohibits such activities ...

Some SUV's with hitches actually have padlocks on them now even I've heard.

That being said, if you were planning on towing, I think that the Excursion is your best bet for making sure you have a trailer hitch, I don't think all of the standard SUV's have them.

A hitch in your plans?
 

(Sorry for the title, just couldn't avoid it. :D )

Keep in mind that even if there is a hitch (and there's no padlock when you return the vehicle), you need a working wiring harness. I only looked once (out of curiousity) but didn't find a connector on the Ford SUV that I had a whle back. If it's not there it's easy to add, but at a cost. And that's if you can find someone to do it. "Is this your car, sir? We'll have to call Hertz for authorization."


Given the cost and potential hassle, you might be consider (gasp) small a U-Haul truck. They come with towing packages.

Well okay..I guess towing is out on a rental. All I wanted to tow was a bedroom suite. Think it will fit in an SUV? lol

Thanks

Who said it was out ... it's just against the rental contract ;)

I know folks who have towed and 8,000 lb offshore race boat with a Ford Explorer from Hertz ... though like I said, the Excursions work better ;)

If they towed 8000 lbs with an Explorer or Expedition they probably severely damaged those vehicles. In standard form I think the Explorer is good for 5000 lbs (maybe) and the Expedition is good for 7,000-7,500 lbs.

Obviously this is the reason they dont want people towing. :)

Back to what someone else said about having the wiring. To my knowledge any Ford with a factory tow package has the wiring connector next to the hitch, which isn't an issue. I've seen a couple of Hertz cars around here (Explorers and a Trailblazer) with tow packages. If I could consistently get an SUV with a hitch to tow my car to races I'd be a happy camper.