Towing Policy and Guidelines:

5 Questions

When qualifying a trailer rental or trailer and equipment rental, always ask these five questions:

  1. What are you hauling?

  2. How much does it weigh? (If customer is renting our equipment, we must calculate the equipment and trailer weights)

  3. Where are you going?

  4. What kind and size of vehicle will you tow this trailer-equipment with?

  5. What style and size of hitch will you tow this trailer-equipment with?

Verify Customer Can Haul

  1. The combined GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) must exceed the actual weight of the trailer plus the load (GVW). GVWR for a vehicle can be found on the inside door jam on the driver’s side door. (Please note that the pounds are shown in parenthesis)

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  1. All heavy equipment rentals will require a frame receiver hitch not a ball mounted on a bumper.

    1. We can send small towable rental items on a step bumper hitch as long as the bumper and hitch ball are rated to haul the weight of the trailer plus a maximum weight loan in the trailer.

    2. The bumper, hitch and ball need to be inspected - making sure they are not damaged or worn.

    3. Inspect the coupler height and configuration in comparison to the hitch and bumper to verify that the trailer coupler and/or tongue will not hit parts of the bumper if tight turns are made. Longer trailer tongues might present a problem. Consequently, a majority of our small, single axle trailers that can’t be sent out on a bumper hitch due to the configuration and not the GVWR.

    4. Inspect all hitches, balls, ball mount receivers, nuts, & bolts for hidden rust, correct capacities and integrity.

  2. The following can be hauled on a full size ½ ton (Full size means that it has a GVWR of 6,400lb +) with frame receiver hitch as long as the GVWR of towing vehicle exceeds the weight of the trailer plus the load!

    1. Tandem axle trailers-verify weight of load for GVWR compliance!

    2. Concrete mixer trailers with up to 1 yard in barrel.

    3. Tow dollies verify weight of vehicle being towed for GVWR compliance!

  3. A 2- 5/16” ball mount and a “solid” receiver hitch must be used anytime the GVWR rating of the trailer is 5,000lbs or greater. The proper pintle hitch and solid receiver hitch is also acceptable to this rule.

  4. Lights must be hooked up. Always check that the lights on vehicle are working prior to beginning the hook up process.

    1. No one can leave the yard without brake lights operating. No exceptions.

    2. They can leave without turning signals but must be told to use hand signals.

    3. They can leave without tail lights but must be told not to drive at night.

    4. Tell the renter they are still fully responsible for any violations and related tickets for the lights not fully working.

  5. If they indicate that they will be disconnecting the trailer during the rental do your best to persuade them not to. If they insist then train them on the following.

    1. The trailer and load can only be hooked up to the vehicle we approve.

    2. Unload the trailer prior to loosening the hitch coupler.

    3. Block the tires even if on flat ground.

    4. Review with them how to re-attach the trailer-hitch coupler, safety chains and lights.

  6. Review the notes on the rental contract with each rental customer.

  7. In all cases please use good judgment. We would rather work out a reasonable or free delivery charge with the rental customer then send someone on the road with an unsafe load.

    1. Leave exceptions, where allowed with the store manager.

Dirt/Topsoil (if saturated)

2,000 lbs. – 3,000 lbs. / Yard

Sand

3,000 lbs. / Yard

Concrete (Wet)

4,000 lbs. / Yard

Drain Rock

2,900 lbs. / Yard

Gravel (21aa)

2,700 lbs. / Yard

Sod one roll(about 50 rolls per pallet)

40 lbs. per roll (Estimate depending on moisture)