Rental truck/van/SUV with hitch at BMST.

[gschuld]

So one of my logistical concerns in going to BMST is salt corrosion on my tow vehicle.  I?d be coming from NJ (34 hours each way).  I have a nice enclosed trailer perfect for the purpose, and a modern high powered SUV that makes distance runs towing a mid sized trailer a breeze.

However, I?d be EXTREMELY reluctant to take that particular SUV out on the salt.  I plan on owning that thing for a long while, it?s garage kept and well cared for.  The trailer I?m not so worried about, the bike can?t be helped.  Prep and super thorough cleaning afterward for both.  But the SUV, that?s an issue.

So, I?d like to find out a bit about the options for driving out in my setup, and renting a vehicle for the week with a trailer hitch so I can keep my SUV off the salt.

I don?t need anything fancy, a tired old van would do.  The loaded trailer would be around 3000lbs.  2 inch ball coupler.

UHaul van, SUV with hitch, heck pretty much any full sized car with a hitch can pull 3000lbs.

I know rental outfits vary greatly with their restrictions on the salt.  I?d be coming from the East, so something in the Salt Lake City area would be ideal I guess, Wendover is fine too.  I?m totally fine with giving the vehicle a thorough cleaning and undercarriage before returning it.

I have a v10 2000 Ford Excursion with 130,000 on it I could use.  But that?s a long ride out there and back and she is getting tired.  I?m not sure I?d be willing to risk having a mechanical breakdown and missing the event.  The underside is rust eaten anyway?.   If I lived more locally I do that for sure.  But not inclined to do so for a 70hr round trip.

So what?s the latest on rentable tow vehicles for BMST?

George

[Old Scrambler]

George............I used a U-HAUL pick-up with a hitch. Their vans do not have hitches. Local rentals at the Car Quest store (mayor of Wendover)

[gschuld]

Hey Dennis.

I didn?t see any mention of a hitch on the UHaul vans, but they did on the pickup truck. I just figured a cargo van would be more useful?.but a truck will do.

They appear to run about $19 a day, plus around 80c per mile, and a few other fees.  I haven?t checked  if there are specific restrictions about running on the salt.  So you haven?t had any issues?

George

[Old Scrambler]

I told then where I was going and they had no problem or restrictions...........I did wash the truck before I returned it. No questions and I got a refund for being early and under my mileage estimate.

[gschuld]

That?s great news?  So for 5 days it came to around $200 or so including mileage?

George

[Old Scrambler]

A little under $500 from Pocatello for me. You will travel 200 miles or more just getting around town and getting to the starting line. Plan on Friday to Thursday so you can be in-line to set up your pit and get through tech on Saturday.

[gschuld]

Pocatello Idaho to Bonneville Salt Flats is 270 miles each way or 540 miles round trip.  Even at just 50 cents a mile that $325 in get there and back surcharge.  Wendover UHaul is about 11 miles away.

George

[gschuld]

I think perhaps I didn?t explain my situation correctly.

I would have every intention to travel to Bonneville with my nice SUV and 3000lb loaded single axle trailer with bikes.

What I am interested in is once there, renting a truck or van that I can hitch my trailer to for actually going out onto the salt itself.

A van would be preferable, but a truck would do. 

George