U Haul under fire by the LA Times

[Zeke]

The Times published what they say is the results of a year long investigation of U Haul and their practices. W/o going into detail, suffice to say their have been many nasty accidents involving people who towed a UH trailer. The sensationalism focuses on such cases as two young girls (the one most severely injured was 19) on their way to college when the trailer started to whip and pushed their light duty SUV off the road causing it to flip. Going downhill, loaded incorrectly, and with the intended passenger taking a stint at the wheel. It was discovered that the trailer's brakes were not operating properly, but surge brakes don't help much (if at all) in an overspeed swaying of the trailer.

OK, I feel sorry for these girls and any others who have been hurt in an accident involving a towed trailer, U Haul or otherwise. But, what are we supposed to do about this?

Today it seems every young person got most of their knowledge at the end of a joystick. How far does society have to go to protect people from their ignorance? Oh, U Haul is not blameless in this situation, or in scores of others. Stuff happens when you have the largest rental company in the US, taking in 1.5 billion from independents alone in one year not to mention the receipts from their company owned facilities). The percentage of accidents per mile for U Haul equipment remains acceptably low, IMHO.

But, have we become so unaware of common sense that we just hop in a car with a trailer behind loaded wrongly and then speed downhill? Seams to me that even though U Haul has been under investigation many times for various negligent occurrences, that some should just direct their mouse over to a moving company's site.

I guess now U Haul will be forced to conduct business differently. Already they have denied me a car trailer to be towed by my 1/2 T pick up. They won't rent a trailer of any kind to Explorer owners. I guess we'll all have to have a class 2 license and a 1 ton truck to get a trailer.

All because some novices don't get it.

OK, here's the last of my rant: yesterday I was criticized for the outcome of some doors I was refinishing in a clear finish. That was until I pointed out to this young and stupid homeowner that what she was looking at was the steel wooled (and spot sanded) door ready to be finished, not the completed job. I mean the sanding marks were so evident that I can't fathom she didn't know what she was looking at.

If she rents a trailer, stay off the streets.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
... I don't want to sound sexist here, but I would find it unlikely that two college-age girls would know one thing about towing and trailers. Come to think of it, probably two college-aged guys wouldn't really know what they were doing either. Might even be more dangerous, as they might *think* they actually knew what they were doing.

-Wayne

I think that was my point. But, what are we supposed to do now? Because there is a likelihood that some don't know what they are getting themselves into that all of society should punished by inconvenient restrictions? How far must we go to protect ourselves from ourselves?

I don't want any part of it.

[Brian 162]

They have been under the microscope up here for renting trucks that have been lax in maintenance. It would be so bad that on every long weekend last year U-Haul mechanics would wait at rest stops and repair their vehicles that the police pulled over in spot checks.

[Dottore]

We rented a largish U-haul truck earlier in the year in order to move a large table. The truck was an absolute disaster. It could never have passed even the most basic safety inspection. A complete bucket of bolts. Once underway, it was virtually impossible to stop, and taking corners was very similar to sailing: you sort of tacked from left to right and hoped the thing would go approximately in the direction you intended.

A remarkable experience.

[Zeke]

Well, if this is as bad as it seems beyond the surface, then the company deserves this negative publicity. AFA I know, U Haul is privately held, so you know I have no interest in this company. I certainly don't want to put anyone at undue risk.

But, another example of tragedy in the article had to do with a father and son that got into the swaying and the combo spun out in WY on ice. No damage, so they pressed on. A few miles later, again going downhill, the combo got out of control again this time flipping and killing the father. Brakes or no brakes, ice is ice. The son was an adult and I think he should have known better than to let the same thing happen twice in that close of a time period in the same dangerous conditions. I'm sure he thinks that too, now.

All articles are written for a purpose and have a slant. This time it's apparently to expose some serious shortcomings in the U Haul company. Still, people cause accidents. I didn't read anything about a wheel falling off, just driver error.

There are 2 more sequels to be published tomorrow and Tues. I'll keep an eye on this.

[svandamme]

so, how big and heavy are these trucks and trailers
and what drivers licence is required to drive em


i have a european B licence

which means i can drive anything up to 3.5 ton

or drive a car, and tow a trailer up to 750 kg

to tow anything heavier, i need a B+E licence, which i'm doing this summer so i can go pickup car projects and such

to drive anything above 3.5 ton, i need a C truck licence...

hows that work in the US?

[legion]

I rented a U-haul truck to drive from Nashville to Bloomington. It was a Ford E350 chassis. It has 80 miles on it when I pulled of the lot. It was great to drive, even with 8,000 lbs. in the back. I really liked the tow/haul mode, that would downshift under braking. Made it very easy to stop.

I also rented a two axle trailer--the largest one without surge brakes--on another Nashville/Bloomington trip. It weight around 3,000 lbs. and I towed it with my F150. My 4.2L V6 was grossly underpowered for the hills in Kentucky/Northern Tennessee. I also really wish that trailer had brakes. It was a royal b**** to stop...

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by svandamme
so, how big and heavy are these trucks and trailers
and what drivers licence is required to drive em


i have a european B licence

which means i can drive anything up to 3.5 ton

or drive a car, and tow a trailer up to 750 kg

to tow anything heavier, i need a B+E licence, which i'm doing this summer so i can go pickup car projects and such

to drive anything above 3.5 ton, i need a C truck licence...

hows that work in the US?

If you can stand up and sign your name...err, scratch that. If you can sign your name, you can drive/tow most anything short of an 18-wheeler. Unfortunately, we do not have as strict licensing requirements as Europeans. (On the other hand...why are all our Eastern Bloc driver's so bad?)

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Danny_Ocean
On the other hand...why are all our Eastern Bloc driver's so bad?)[/i]

well, the Eastern Block, for a long time wasn't part of the EU...or it's drivers licence regulation...

[chapo]

That article was the biggest bunch of crap I've read in a while. States a Toyota Land Cruiser is not a large vehicle and couldn't handle the sigle axle trailer. Felt sorry for tyhe girl,19 who got seriously hurt,but drive large SUV at 60mph (Uhaul states not to exceed 45) downhill and it starts swaying. No kidding. Practice, get some experience. Should be a licenses required to tow a trailer. LA Times blows anyway. Should be called the migrant times. Plus, they shrunk the comics down so small you can't even read them.

[slodave]

I read the article too and don't really know what to think. Even the chairman Mr. Shoen acknowledged that the brakes were not working in the accident with the two girls, but denied the company was responsible. He alluded to this several times in the article. It also seems that most of the cases were settled out of court and the payouts are secret. Why?

Anyway, I agree that most people (including myself) don't know how to tow anything correctly. If I was going on a long journey, I would read up on what to do with a trailer and take it slow.

Here's a link to the California DMV license classes:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs03thru06.htm (scroll about halfway down).

Dave

[slodave]

Originally posted by chapo
...but drive large SUV at 60mph (Uhaul states not to exceed 45) downhill and it starts swaying.

U Haul said that the 45 MPH was a guideline to try and keep people from speeding, but, that 60 MPH was fine. U Haul also decided to stick to the 45 MPH guideline when taken to court.

Dave

P.S. It also seems that U Haul does not properly inspect their vehicles/trailers like they should.

[on-ramp]

Rented a U-haul once to help someone move their furniture. Picked it up in Boston. started driving up INT 93. It was an old rickety truck, brakes barely worked, wobbled from side to side.. this was even before anything was loaded. so on 93, driving out of Boston, there was a loud BANG and a loud sound of air rushing in... there was no place to stop so I had to keep driving until there was an emergency lane to pull over.

5 miles later, I pull over and get out of the truck. the back door was completely open.

They hadn't latched it properly before they gave me the keys to the truck.

to makes things worse, there was a wheel dolly on the floor near the door. It could have easily rolled out the back and killed somebody.

Lesson learned. before you drive away, check the back door to ensure it is properly latched!

[svandamme]

i think there is a massive difference in mentality between US and EU

here, we are restricted , and when we do get the licence, we are taught that, in any case, whoever tows a big trailer
is responsible for it's condition eg
we can rent a double axle trailer, but if the cops stop the driver, and the brakes don't work, lights don't work, emergency disconnect, it's overloaded, the load isn't properly secured
or whatever

the driver will get a ticket for each problem found
whoever rented this thing out, pretty much is not liable, the driver is responsible to make sure he has the right licence, skill and equipment...

if it's not, he has to complain , get it fixed, or rent somewhere else where he can get the right gear

[jhc]

Originally posted by svandamme
so, how big and heavy are these trucks and trailers
and what drivers licence is required to drive em


i have a european B licence

which means i can drive anything up to 3.5 ton

or drive a car, and tow a trailer up to 750 kg

to tow anything heavier, i need a B+E licence, which i'm doing this summer so i can go pickup car projects and such

to drive anything above 3.5 ton, i need a C truck licence...

hows that work in the US?

In the US you need a CDL (commercial driving license) for anything over 23500 lbs combined truck alone or with trailer. CDL requirements are very strict. Still 12 tons is a lot to haul with just a regular license and no special training.

[mattdavis11]

I rented a 26 footer many years ago from U Haul. This thing was a total heap, the speedometer operated like it was the tach, tires were bald. It did have 4 on the floor though! By the time I reached my destination I was way over my mileage. I had driven it 280 miles one way, the odo was saying I drove 400. When I turned the thing in the guy waved anything that could be reported as different (I hit some overhanging trees on the back roads) compared to when I rented the truck, and relaxed on the mileage when I showed him the speedo racked up miles in neutral at a stop. From what he told me it was an in-town only truck, and never should have been rented. Since he was a mom and pop shop in a small town, he had no idea how he was going to get that thing out there. Probably still has it.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by svandamme
i think there is a massive difference in mentality between US and EU

here, we are restricted , and when we do get the licence, we are taught that, in any case, whoever tows a big trailer
is responsible for it's condition eg
we can rent a double axle trailer, but if the cops stop the driver, and the brakes don't work, lights don't work, emergency disconnect, it's overloaded, the load isn't properly secured
or whatever

the driver will get a ticket for each problem found
whoever rented this thing out, pretty much is not liable, the driver is responsible to make sure he has the right licence, skill and equipment...

if it's not, he has to complain , get it fixed, or rent somewhere else where he can get the right gear

Technically, we hold the same responsibility. When you get in a rental truck, you should walk completely around it noting damage and things like an unlatched door. (If one owned an airplane, would they hop in and fly it w/o doing a visual??)

Several years ago I planned my "retirement" plan to include owning or managing a hardware store that possibly rented tools. Since I know a lot about tools and can repair them, I thought this would be a good adjunct to the HW biz.

Well, first of all, the Home Defect has run all the hardware stores out of business just as Wal Mart has done to so many other small businesses. Secondly, I wouldn't rent a pair of tweezers to the general public today. So, I'm back to thinking that one out.

I think if I were U Haul, I'd handle it the same way. Just like Ford/Firestone did with the Explorer. Pay off the problems. Of course, percentage wise, it looks like UH has deeper pockets than Ford.

So, 2 reporters go out and dig up every accident they can find and then interview the folks involved. What did they think, that the people who had an accident with a U Haul product were going to sing praise for the company? Lesse here, accident plus victim = incrimination. Jeezus, if that's all it takes to draw a salary, maybe I don't have to worry about retirement.

[CarreraDan]

We rented a U-Haul once to move the girlfriend and that was the last time I ever gave them any business. The truck was a mess with junk in the cab, tires were near the end of their life. Of course it had to boil up a thunderstorm and I found the wipers didn't function. We were going 45 mph down a four lane hwy and the brakes decided to go--that was fun since the traffic light was red. I went to blow the horn and well that didn't work either, next tried the emergency brake which was inoperable. Finally I ended up down shifting the trans and we slowed enough to get through the light without hitting anyone. Then as we coasted to a stop I realized we had a very strong gas smell--you guessed it, we were leaking.

Needless to say we were refunded all of our money and a few weeks later the local news did a story on the U-Haul where we had rented the truck since someone was in a serious accident with one of there trucks. The owner swore up and down his trucks were in perfect working order. Penske here has some nice trucks you can rent. I also have a trailer now. I rented a car trailer a few weeks ago from a different U Haul and it was a POS but I only had to go 22 miles.

[HardDrive]

Why is anyone renting ANYTHNG from U-haul? They are the scum of the truck rental business. Hell. you make a reservation months in advance, your lucky if they even have a running truck for you when you show up.

I only rent Penske.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by svandamme
...whoever tows a big trailer
is responsible for it's condition eg
we can rent a double axle trailer, but if the cops stop the driver, and the brakes don't work, lights don't work, emergency disconnect, it's overloaded, the load isn't properly secured
or whatever the driver will get a ticket for each problem found
whoever rented this thing out, pretty much is not liable, the driver is responsible to make sure he has the right licence, skill and equipment...

Well...here in America, we're taught it's always somone else's fault. Taking responsibility is a sign of weakness and subject to shame.