CM's Guide to Vehicle Rentals
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Brian Chalmers-Hunt surveys the trailer hire firms and anatomizes e costs and terms of the business
"IF ONLY I had read the small print" — that's what many transport managers and small operators have said after having a mishap with a vehicle or trailer rental.
Obviously the owner of the vehicle or trailer has a contract which safeguards his interests — but the hirer has not exactly understood its terms.
For example the operator assumes that the vehicle or trailer has been in a good serviceable condition, but after a short journey a mechanical failure has occurred because of lack of service.
But it is the duty of every prospective customer to ensure that the vehicle or trailer is in a roadworthy condition and that it will withstand the reasonable demands made upon it. A check will take time before the vehicle or trailer leaves the hirer's premises but it is well worth while.
Take for instance a tyre. If it has been damaged by a previous user and suffers a blow-out, the current user, in the majority of cases, is liable because he has signed an agreement whereby he has to pay the cost of replacing the damaged tyre over and above normal tyre wear. This can be expensive.
The subject of insurance must be taken seriously as, in some contracts, if the user is involved in an accident and the equipment is off the road for a period of time for repair, he is liable for immediate loss of use by the owner — although there could be part or full reimbursement by the insurance company at some time in the future.
Standard rental policies usually cover the vehicle or trailer under a third-party insurance basis. The prospective hirer must seriously consider full comprehensive insurance although the cost is higher. Some rental companies require immediate comprehensive cover.
The majority of rental companies stipulate the age and driving experience of vehicle drivers. It is up to the hirer to ensure these are complied with as it could be considered a breach of the contract by insurance companies.
All rental companies have rigid terms for payment — as should all vehicle operators. If you don't have an account, most require cash in advance for the estimated period of time and the mileage covered where applicable. Nobody should take offence at these requirements.
Vehicle rental is usually necessary to cover periods when the operator's own vehicle is off the road for repairs or to assist during peak seasonal periods. In many cases special rates may be negotiated in retrospect if definite periods are not predictable.
This is not to say that all rental companies are suspect but that a contract is business. They make their profits in renting equipment so both parties must understand the terms they are committing themselves to.
Most rental companies are able to offer a large range of vehicles and trailers. Ensure that the equipment to be supplied meets with the requirements to be made of it. If in doubt, seek an alternative before signing any thing.
From the following survey of 15 national companies and their rates, it has been assumed that the rental period is for a short term only. Rates and conditions vary and it is up to the prospective client to ensure that he is obtaining the best terms for his needs. Estimated mileage will have to be calculated and in some cases running hours of refrigeration equipment estimated because of surcharges involved.
The cheapest or the most expensive is not always the best. Other criteria such as breakdown facilities and replacement vehicle availability must be considered. Remember, at the end of the day, one's 0-licence could be at risk or a customer lost due to late delivery.
All rental companies have salesmen or a rental manager. Ensure that you make good use of them — they want your repeat business.
Daily and weekly rates have been quoted for a similar range of vehicles or trailers, though rates may be lower for monthly or longer periods.
Operators requiring to use vehicles or trailers for international journeys must obtain written permission first and ensure that the equipment is acceptable by the countries being visited. In many cases surcharges of up to 25 per cent of base rates are involved. Others do not allow journeys outside the UK.
Avis Truck Rental, Trident House, Station Road, Hayes, Middlesex. Tel: 01-848 8765.
AVIS OPERATES 29 truck rental stations nationally and offers a range of vehicles from 10cwt vans to 32-ton tractive units. Included are vans, Luton vans, dropsides, and refrigerated vehicles, some fitted with taillifts.
35cwt diesel Luton or dropside, £14.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 6.5p per mile surcharge.
3/4-ton box £19.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 7.5p per mile surcharge.
10-ton box £30.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 9.5p per mile surcharge. 10-ton refrigerated £49.00 per day, 1-5 days, plus 9.5p per mile surcharge.
32-ton tractive unit £43.00 per day, 1-5 days, plus 10p per mile surcharge.
Sleeper cab £50.55 per day, 1-5 days, plus 10.5p per mile surcharge.
Rates include all maintenance but exclude fuel. VAT is not included and is charged on time and mileage. Continental surcharge, delivery and collection and insurance waiver.
Payment, estimated total cost in cash, or cheque plus bankers card, or prior credit facilities.
Continental rental up to 25 per cent surcharge. TIR vehicles available.
Special insurance rates including unlimited cover of public passenger liability or property damage. Tractive unit and refrigerated vehicle to be comprehensively insured by renter and cove,' note produced on collection.
British Road Services Group, Northway House, High Road, Whetstone, London, N20 9ND. Tel: 01-446 1360.
BRS TRUCK RENTAL has over 1500 vehicles operating from 60 ational depots in addition to 90 other BRS depots by prior arr. ngements. A range is offere. from 18-20cwt vans to 32 on tractive units. Included are vans, Luton vans, dropsides, ref gerated units and trailers. 351 wt diesel Luton or dropside £1 .50 per day, 1-6 days, plus 7. p per mile surcharge.
4-t• n box or dropside £21.50 per day, 1-6 days, plus 8p per mil. surcharge.
10on box or dropside £35.50 per day, 1-6 days, plus 10p per mil. surcharge.
8-t• n refrigerated £48.00 per day 1-6 days, plus 10.5p per mil surcharge.
32on tractive unit £48.00 per day 1-6 days, plus 10.5p per mil. surcharge.
40' t flat tandem-axle trailer £9.1 0 per day or £45.00 per we : k.
40' van tandem-axle trailer £1 .00 per day or £65.00 per we: k.
401 curtain-sided van tandemaxle trailer £17.00 per day or Uto .00 per week.
ates include maintenance but exclude fuel. VAT not inlu• ed and charged on complebon of rental. Drivers must be Jnd r 65 unless customer's in31.1r nce cover is provided.
Driver to have held licence for at least one year. Vehicles may only be used outside mainland with prior written approval and liable to surcharge.
Insurance includes passenger liability under Road Traffic Acts. Customers to provide own comprehensive cover for tractor units and trailers. Breakdown service through BRS Rescue. Rates for trailers include unlimited mileage. Under-21 driver scheme available. Payment prior to rental unless credit facilities previously arranged.
Budget Rent-a-Car Ltd, 85 Great North Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, A19 5EF. Tel: Hatfield 68266.
BUDGET has 145 offices throughout UK offering a range from 7cwt to 32-ton tractive units.
35cwt diesel Luton or dropside £17.10 per day, 1-6 days, unlimited mileage.
4-ton box dropside £22.00 per day, 1-6 days, 100 free miles per day then 6p per mile surcharge.
32-ton tractive unit £50.00 per day, 1-6 days, 100 free miles per day then 8.5p per mile surcharge.
All rates except tractive unit include comprehensive insurance, but exclude VAT. Operator's own insurance may be used subject to approval. Drivers on Budget's insurance must be 21-65. Special rates for long-term rental. International use subject to company approval in writing and surcharge.
Central Trailers Ltd, Atcost Industrial Estate, River Road, Barking, Essex. Tel: 01-591 3111.
CENTRAL has depots in Manchester, London and Ipswich. Range of trailers include skeletal, box, tipper, boxvan, curtain-sided and TIR tilt, Tipper (241t 6in) tandem-axle £20.00 per day or £76.00 per week.
Skeletal (24ft 6in) tandem-axle (for one 20ft ISO) £9.00 per day or £36.00 per week.
Skeletal (40ft) tandem-axle (for one 40ft or two 20ft ISO) £10.00 per day or £42.00 per week.
Freight van (34ft) single-axle £12.00 per day or £48.00 per week.
Freight van (34ft) tandem-axle £14.00 per day or £55.00 per week.
Freight van (40ft) tandem-axle £16.00 per day or £68.00 per week.
Curtain-sided (40ft) tandemaxle £17.00 per day or £80 per week.
TIR tilt (12m) tandem-axle £16.00 per day or £68.00 per week.
TIR supercube (12m) tandemaxle £20.00 per day or £83.00 per week.
The hirer must get comprehensive insurance cover. Surcharges for trailers travelling to Middle East. Terms of payment for short-term rental, cash in advance or by approved account within one month. Hire trailer delivery service, Rates quoted exlusive of VAT.
Godfrey Davis (Car Hire) Ltd, Crown House, North Circular Road, London NW10 7U0.. Tel: 01-950 4080.
GODFREY DAVIS UK operates 53 truck depots nationally and offers a range of vehicles from 9cwt to 3-ton vans and dropsides. The first 50 miles each day are free, thereafter liable to surcharge.
35 cwt Luton or dropside £16.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 6.5p per mile surcharge.
3-ton boxvan or dropside £23.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 7.5p per mile surcharge.
Rates include third-party insurance, AA membership and maintenance but exclude fuel. VAT not included and chargeable on time and mileage. Continental surcharge of 20 per cent. Additional insurance arranged at customer's request. Drivers under 21 or over 70 must get comprehensive insurance.
Eurofleet Rental Ltd, Thorn Street, Woodville, Burtonon-Trent DE11 7DR. Tel: 0283 213424.
EUROFLEET rents trailers from depots in West Thurrock and Woodville. Range includes skeletal, PSK conventional and step-frame van, tilt and stepframe tilt, curtain-side, refrigerated, tipper and beaver-tail lowloader, all rates quoted for 40ft tandem axle trailer.
PSK £10.00 per day or £46.00 per week.
Van £13.00 per day or £50.00 per week.
Stepframe van £16.00 per day or £80.00 per week.
Curtain-side £17.00 per day or £66.00 per week.
Refrigerated £42.00 per day or £200.00 per week.
40 cuyd tipper with donkey engine £30.00 per day or £90.00 per week.
All rates are inclusive but exclude VAT. There are no mileage charges and customer to insure comprehensively. Tailor-made schemes available for medium and long-term rentals.
Rentco Nationwide Ltd (Crane Fruehauf Ltd), Hayes Gate House, 27 Uxbridge Road, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 OJB. Tel: 01-561 0078.
TRAILERS may be rented from 17 depots located throughout the UK. Range includes flat, skeletal, van, curtain-side, 12m tilt and refrigerated.
All rates are quoted for 40ft tandem-axle trailer unless stated otherwise.
Flat plus twist locks, £10.00 per day or £48.00 per seven-day week.
Box £15.00 per day or £68.00 per seven-day week.
Curtain-side £17.00 per day or £82.00 per seven-day week_ Skeletal (one 20ft ISO) £8.00 per day or £36.00 per sevenday week.
Tilt 12m £16.00 per day or £70.00 per seven-day week. Refrigerated £40.00 per day or £190.00 per seven-day week plus 30p per hour refrigerated unit running time. No mileage surcharge and written permission necessary for international work. Rates quoted exclusive of VAT. Breakdown service available through Crane Fruehauf depots.
Ryder Truck Rental Ltd, CP House, 97-107 Uxbridge Road, Ealing London, W5 5TL. Tel: 01-579 9251.
RYDER operates 19 truck stations nationally t. nd offers a range of vehicles from one-ton vans to 32-ton tractive units. Included are vans, Luton vans and drop-sides. Vehicles may be hired by the hour as well as the day and week. Some vehicles are fitted with tail-lifts (£2.50 extra per day).
35cwt petrol Luton or dropside £14.50 per day plus 6p per mile surcharge.
3-ton box or dropside £22.00 per day, plus 7.5p per mile surcharge.
10-ton Luton £38.00 per day plus 9.5p per mile surcharge. 10-ton dropside £35.00 per day plus 9.5p per mile surcharge. 32-ton tractive unit £48.00 per day plus 10p per mile surcharge.
Rates exclusive of VAT. Special rates for weekly, medium or long-term hire. Economic Triple Insurance Protection covering vehicle damage, goods in transit and personal accident insurance is available.
Trailer International Rentals Ltd, Richmer Road, Slade Green, Erith, Kent, DAB 2HN. Tel:03224 35749.
RANGE of trailers includes skeletals, platforms, PSK, vans and TIR tilts.
All rates quoted for 40ft tandem-axle trailer unless stated otherwise. Daily rates are quoted on request.
Skeletal £38.00 per week. Platform £38.00 per week. PSK £45.00 per week.
Van (optional Jo Loader Trucks) £60.00 per week.
Van (supercube step-frame) £68.00 per week.
12.20m supercube step-frame £74.00 per week.
12.20m TIR tilt £64.00 per week.
12m kangaroo (with crane-lift points) £65.00 per week.
All rates are exclusive of VAT but include the supply of TIR carnet de passage for European Countries. Additional surcharges and terms and con ditions apply to Middle East. Customer to arrange own insurance.
Trailerent Ltd, Hailen House, London Road, Staines, Middlesex, TVV18 4H8. Tel: 0784 57640.
A YOUNG company but with over 900 trailers that are available from depots in Slough, Rainham, Bletchley and Birmingham-Warrington and Ipswich to open shortly.
Range of trailers includes skeletal, platform skeletal, box, refrigerated, step-frame box, curtain-side, 12m TIR and 12m TIR step-frame tilt.
All rates quoted are for standard 40ft tandem axle trailers unless stated otherwise. Special three-, and sixand 12month rates available.
Skeletal £8.00 per day or £43.00 per week.
Platform skeletal £9.00 per day or £45.00 per week.
Box £13.00 per day or £62.00 per week.
Refrigerated £36.00 per day or £180.00 per week, plus 30p per hour refrigeration unit. Step-frame box £20.00 per day or £85.00 per week.
Curtain-side £15.00 per day or £75.00 per week. TIR 12m £15.00 per week.
TIR step-frame 12m, £20.00 per day or £85.00 per week.
VAT not included in rates. No mileage charges. Customer to insure although Trailerent can arrange. Hire trailer delivery service available. International journeys require prior written permission. Middle East must have route approved and liable to surcharge. Carnets available without additional charge. Fleet claimed to be one of the newest in the business.
Transport International Pool Ltd, Stan House, 69-71 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts. Tel: Watford 48311.
TIP operates 18 depots in the UK and offers a wide range of standard and specialised trailers for rental. These include skeletal, platform. PSK, van, TIR tilt, refrigerated, coil carrier, curtain-side and low-loaders. All rates quoted are for standard 40ft tandem-axle trailers unless stated otherwise.
Skeletal £12.65 per day or £59.95 per week.
Platform £12.65 per day or £63.25 per week.
PSK £12.65 per day or £62.25 per week. Van £17.30 per day or £81.95 peweek.
TIR tilt 12m £23.10 per day or £115.50 per week.
Refrigerated £52.50 per day or £262.50 per week plus 40p per hom: refrigeration unit.
Curtain-side £20.90 per day or £101.75 per week.
Rental of trailers is to approved customers. First 161km free, thereafter lp per kilometre as recorded on the hu counter. Customer to arr nge insurance although TIP car offer cover and special collisioi damage plan.
pecial rates for Middle East. Rates exclusive of VAT.
Toierhire Ltd, Lothian Road, London SW9 6UH, Tel: 01735 2414.
TOLERH IRE Ltd operates a fleet of vans, drop-side trucks and tippers from 7cwt to 4-ton.
35cwt van or tipper £15.00 pe day, 1-6 days, plus 6.5p per mile surcharge.
.2/3-ton van or tipper £20.50 per day, 1-6 days, plus 7p per ml e surcharge.
4-ton van or dropside £22.00 per days, 1-6 days.
Hire charge includes comprehensive insurance with a £20.00 accidental excess, but includes VAT. Drivers must be between 22 and 60, held a full licence for at least one year and had no serious convictions. Tricentrol Truck & Van Rental, Skimpot Road, Dunstable, LU5 4JX. Tel: 0582505222.
TRICENTROL offers a range of vehicles from 35cwt to 32-ton tractive units including 12, 15 and 17-seat minibuses up to psv standard. Some of the vehicles are fitted with tail-lifts. All rates quoted are for unlimited mileage, 35cwt tipper £19.50 per day, 1-6 days.
35cwt diesel Luton or dropside £18.50 per day, 1-6 days. 3/4-ton boxvan £28.00 per day, 1-6 days.
10-ton bon/an £42.00 per day, 1-6 days.
10-ton refrigerated van £54.00 per day, 1-6 days.
32-ton tractive unit £55.00 per day, 1-6 days.
Minibus (12 seat) £19.50 per day, 1-6 days.
Rates exclusive of VAT. Drivers under 21 to arrange own comprehensive insurance. Willhire Ltd, The Maltings, Barton Mills, Maidenhall, Suffolk, Tel: 0638 712080. WILLH IRE operates 12 depots throughout the UK and offers a range of vehicles from 8cwt vans to 32-ton tractive units and trailers. Vehicles include: van, Luton, dropside, tipper, refrigerated and recovery and trailers: flat, skeletal, box, curtain-side, TIR tilt, dump and car transporter.
35cwt petrol Luton or dropside £14.50 per day, 1-6 days, plus 6p per mile surcharge. First 50 miles per day free.
3-ton box £19.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 7.5p per mile surcharge.
10-ton box £31.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 9.5p per mile surcharge.
8-ton refrigerated £48.00 per day, 1-6 days, plus 10.5p per mile surcharge.
32-ton tractive unit (standard cab) £39.48 per day, plus 9-10 per mile surcharge.
All rates quoted are for 40ft tandem axle trailer unless otherwise specified. The daily rental rate is 1/5 weekly rent.
Flat (without twistlocks) £45.00 per week.
PSK £49.00 per week Box £75.00 per week Curtain £84.00 per week Skeletal £37.00 per week Tilt 12m £59.00 per week refrigerated £190.00 plus 30p per hour refrigeration unit running time. Dump trailer £95.00 per week Rates exclusive of VAT.
York Rental Ltd, St Marks Road, Corby, Northants. NN18 8AH. Tel: 03566 3561.
TRAILERS may be rented through 14 depots throughout the UK. Range includes flat, PSK, van, curtain-side, skeletal, TIR tilt and refrigerated.
All rates quoted for 40ft tandem axle trailer unless stated otherwise.
Flat £8.50 per day or £49.00 per 7 seven day week.
PSK £8.50 per day or £49.00 per seven day week.
Box £11.00 per day or £56.00 per seven day week.
Curtain-side £13.00 per day or £78.00 per seven day week. Skeletal £7.00 per day or £43.00 per seven day week. Tilt 12m £12.00 per day or £72.00 per seven day week. Refrigerated £30.00 per day or £180.00 per seven day week.
No mileage or refrigeration unit surcharge. Customer may use own insurance company or arrange through York Rentals Ltd. Written permission necessary for international work. Rates exclusive of VAT.