Currently U-haul will not allow ANY Jeep Wranglers (2dr and 4dr) with soft tops to tow any trailer, this is a policy that needs updated. This petition cites 2007 and newer Wranglers due to the model redesign, and because U-haul only recenlty began letting Ford Explorers (2011+) begin towing again shows that policies CAN be updated. We believe there is no compelling reason that any variant of the Jeep Wrangler should be denied the opportunity to rent a trailer from U-Haul if properly equipped regardless of the soft or hard top.

For instance, related to Jeeps, they are designed to tow and have trailer stability control, hill assist, trailer sway assist, and more safety features. However, U-haul has a policy preventing such rentals that very well could be out of date. U-Haul lists the official position is because the soft top makes people more prone to eject from the car. In data pertaining to ejections the 2003 NCSA study did not find increased ejections through a soft top versus a hard top when proper seat belt usage was in place. In addition, it should be noted in the event of a roll over Jeep Wranglers are equipped with a "safety cage" that offers ample protection regardless of the top the driver selects to use. The existing U-Haul policy should continue to apply to other convertible cars that lack this safety feature because of roll over concerns, not ejection related concerns.

* it should be noted the 2003 NCSA study is 4 years proir to improvements made to the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. 

 

U-haul policy:

http://www.uhaul.com/Articles/Tips/122/Trailer-User-Instructions

* No open or soft-top sport utility vehicle is allowed to tow a trailer, because in the event of a crash, these vehicles offer less collision and ejection protection.

 

Here is information related to the redesigned Jeep's towing ability:

 

Jeep 2007-Present:

http://www.jeep.com/en/wrangler-unlimited/capability/

Wrangler Unlimited offers you the ability to tow up to an astonishing 3,500 pounds. Plus, Trailer Sway Control (TSC)+ is an available safety and security feature packaged in the Trailer Tow Class III Group that does not require driver input and automatically kicks in whenever it senses you need it.

Wrangler Unlimited offers you the ability to tow up to an astonishing 3,500 pounds. Plus, Trailer Sway Control (TSC)+ is an available safety and security feature packaged in the Trailer Tow Class III Group that does not require driver input and automatically kicks in whenever it senses you need it.

 

We are only seeking that U-haul officially review the practicality behind their decision (as cars change over the years and more safety features are added) and if data still supports a valid reason for keeping the policy against soft top Jeep Wranglers. If there is no evidence to the contrary, since the 2007 redesign of the Jeep Wrangler, U-haul should allow Jeep Wranglers to tow based on the manufacturer's rating for the vehicle regardless of soft or hard top. However, towing without a top at all may be something U-Haul should consider as a guidline.

Currently if you own, for example, a 4 door Honda Accord 4cyl car you can tow a 6x12 trailer. This trailer is 3.95ft longer than the length of the Honda Accord and the Honda has no towing stability control or features that makes it tow worthy. However, a Jeep Wrangler (soft top) that can tow 3,500 lb and has built in safety features is denied even the ability to tow a much smaller trailer.

U-haul should review their policy because it is outdated. We believe there shouldn't be a policy that prohibits renting a trailer when the manufacturer rates the vehicle with and without a hard top for the same ability.

The Jeep is of similar occupant safety from 'ejection' with or without a hard top given proper use of seat belts, as with any vehicle. Light trucks and passenger cars in a 2003 study by NCSA showed occupants were both ejected at 7% rates when not using a seatbelt. This shows that no matter if a hard top is present (as in a car) or not the possibility of ejection is the same. If the concern to not rent is specific to ejection rates, U-haul should revise all car and trailer rental guidelines.