4x4 hire in California

[drmcw]

Hi, I'm taking a trip to California and I'd like to hire a 4x4 - any type just capable on the unsurfaced national park trails in California so mostly desert and rock I expect.

The big names like Avis and Budget don't actually guarantee the model you get and you could end up with an SUV that isn't 4x4.

Anyone got any advice. And yes I know that in the dry many of the unsurfaced roads are driveable in a regular car with care.

Thanks

Mike

[David Beer]

I mostly use Hertz and they have groups of car, so for a convertible is a convertible . I guess a 4x4 is a 4x4.

[drmcw]

Sadly they say SUV which includes at least one 2WD SUV and I want a 4WD - which is included in the group but you cannot specify a model just a group. Ideally a Jeep Cherokee but a RAV would be OK too which Avis used to do but don't seem to now.

[Chucklehead]

The rental companies tend not to allow you to drive on unmade roads, so be careful mentioning what you plan to do with it, and be prepared to bail yourself out if the worst happens.

[Rollin]

Rental company 4x4s will most likely have tyres that will be totally unsuitable for what you plan to do.

I've done it before and got punctures in areas where, luckily, I was able to change wheels, albeit in 120 degrees.
In many National Parks, you won't have phone reception and there's the possibility that you won't see anyone passing to rescue you. $1000 recovery fee in Death Valley.

There's companies that rent specifically offroad Jeeps for this purpose. One such company is Farabee's in Death Valley and other locations.

Which parks are you planning to visit?

Edited by Rollin on Sunday 20th January 20:24

[drmcw]

Thanks for that, I admit I hadn't thought much about tyres as I wasn't planning anything too demanding just some unsurfaced roads in Joshua Tree Park and one or two others nearby.

I shall investigate that company. Avis for example seem to accept that unsurfaced roads are OK provided they are marked as such and I looked at getting some extra excess cover as well and they seem to suggest much the same.

It's not essential but I would like the option if it's possible.

Mike

[Rollin]

Probably best to get advice from locals when you are there on the suitability of your vehicle for what you plan to do.
I'm off to similar areas in April on a motorbike but hope to rent something else for some off road stuff too.

[Dave Brand]

drmcw said:

I shall investigate that company. Avis for example seem to accept that unsurfaced roads are OK provided they are marked as such and I looked at getting some extra excess cover as well and they seem to suggest much the same.

Avis' US terms & conditions specifically state that their vehicles may not be driven on unsurfaced roads. You don't need to buy excess cover as, with the possible exception of some very specialised vehicles, as a UK renter you'll get CDW & ALI/LIS with zero excess.

[drmcw]

Thank you - I must have mis-read the T&C I thought the National Parks trails were OK, clearly wrong.