Why Don’t Most Car Rental Companies Rent Pickup Trucks?
When most consumers think of car rental companies, they imagine sedans, SUVs, or minivans lining the lots of airport terminals. But one noticeable absence often surprises customers: pickup trucks. While these vehicles are a staple of American roadways and essential tools in many industries, they remain notably scarce in the fleets of national car rental companies. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a result of several layered operational and economic decisions.
Reasons Most National Car Rental Companies Avoid Pickup Truck Rentals
Most national car rental companies don’t rent pickup trucks because the risks, costs, and logistics don’t align with their business models. Trucks are harder to insure, more expensive to maintain, and not well-matched to the needs of the average traveler. Here are some more details about why national rental companies typically avoid pickup truck rentals.
1. Insurance Risk and Liability Concerns
Pickup trucks are frequently used for hauling, towing, and off-road activities—uses that inherently carry more risk than commuting in a compact car or transporting luggage in an SUV. From the standpoint of an insurer, a truck rental is more likely to lead to claims for damage, third-party property loss, or injuries.
Most major car rental companies cater to travelers and casual drivers. They prefer vehicles with predictable driving behavior and minimal risk exposure. Pickup trucks, on the other hand, invite a wider range of use cases—some of which may be outside the bounds of a standard rental agreement (even if you find a national company with a pickup truck rental, it will typically prohibit off-road driving and have specific hauling restrictions). Unless a company has specialized insurance coverage for work-related or commercial truck rentals, the liabilities involved can outweigh the potential revenue.
2. High Cost of Maintenance and Depreciation
Trucks are durable but not indestructible. When used for heavy-duty work or rugged terrain, pickup trucks can quickly rack up costly repairs. National rental companies depend on a consistent rotation of fleet vehicles, typically retiring cars after a few years or 30,000–50,000 miles. Trucks, especially if used improperly, may reach that condition far earlier.
Even routine maintenance—oil changes, suspension alignments, tire replacements—can be more expensive and frequent with trucks. Add to that the higher fuel consumption of full-size pickups, and the total cost of ownership becomes less appealing to a rental fleet operator focused on ROI.
3. Limited Demand Among Core Customer Base
National rental brands like Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz largely serve a market of leisure travelers and business clients who need short-term, low-capacity transportation. The average customer renting a car for a vacation or business trip isn’t looking to haul lumber or tow a trailer. Pickup trucks simply aren’t in high demand among this demographic.
Rental fleet managers analyze utilization rates carefully. If pickup trucks sit idle more often than they’re rented, it’s a poor investment—especially considering the higher acquisition and maintenance costs. Instead, these companies double down on sedans, crossovers, and compact SUVs, which cater to a wider audience and offer better fuel economy and logistical efficiency.
4. Fleet Management Logistics Are Complicated
Pickup trucks, especially those with towing capabilities, are not universally allowed on all roads or within all city parking structures. Their larger size makes them more difficult to store, manage, and transport between locations.
Fleet logistics are critical in the rental industry, where vehicle availability and efficient turnarounds are the difference between profit and loss. A vehicle that’s too large to be easily moved, cleaned, and turned around in small lots or urban depots creates bottlenecks. Most traditional car rental branches simply aren’t set up to accommodate larger vehicles at scale.
An Opportunity for Local Fleet Providers
This gap has opened the door for local and independent fleet rental companies that specialize in work trucks. These businesses are better equipped to handle the insurance nuances, customer vetting, and heavy-duty maintenance that come with pickup rentals. They often provide longer-term rentals to contractors, field crews, and commercial clients—offering a viable alternative to both national car rental chains and moving truck companies.
From an economic perspective, the shift toward local providers reflects the growing need for flexibility, reliability, and vehicles with real utility. For businesses needing to rent a pickup truck for a week or a month—especially those operating in construction, mining, or energy—local fleet providers are often the only realistic option.
So Where Can You Rent a Pickup Truck? Alternatives to National Car Rental Chains for Pickup Truck Rentals
If you're looking to rent a pickup truck, national car rental brands like Avis or Hertz may not be your best bet. Fortunately, several viable alternatives exist—each with distinct advantages depending on your needs. Here’s a look at four primary options for renting a pickup truck and how they compare:
1. Local Fleet Rental Companies (e.g., Rangefront Wheels)
Local and regional companies like Rangefront Wheels specialize in work-ready trucks designed for industries such as construction, exploration, and utility services. These companies offer trucks with upgraded features like 10-ply tires, tow packages, four-wheel drive, and mine-readiness—often unavailable from consumer-facing chains.
Pros:
Built specifically for rugged jobs and fieldwork
Trucks come equipped with features national chains don’t offer
More flexible rental durations (daily, weekly, monthly)
Often locally owned, with knowledgeable customer support
Cons:
May not be available in every city or near airports
Usually not intended for one-way trips or light-duty use
Best for:
Businesses, contractors, field crews, and outdoor professionals who need durable, high-performance trucks for real work—not just transportation.
2. Moving Truck Brands (e.g., U-Haul, Penske, Budget Truck Rental)
While known for box trucks and cargo vans, companies like U-Haul also rent pickup trucks—typically for moving-related tasks or short-term, in-town use.
Pros:
Wide network of rental locations
Affordable rates for local pickups
Ideal for DIY moves or home improvement projects
Cons:
Trucks are usually base models with minimal features
Mileage charges can add up quickly for longer trips
Reservations can be hit or miss in high-demand areas
Off-road or rugged terrain is typically prohibited
Often don’t include a hitch for towing or have strict restrictions on hauling
Best for:
Homeowners, renters, or DIY movers needing a light-duty truck for a short haul, furniture pickup, or yard project.
3. Retail-Based Rentals (e.g., Home Depot, Lowe’s)
Big-box hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s rent pickup trucks by the hour or day to customers making purchases at their stores. These trucks are ideal for quick, local use—especially when transporting bulky materials.
Pros:
Convenient if you're already shopping at the store
Hourly pricing is budget-friendly for short trips
Easy online reservations and minimal paperwork
Cons:
Limited to local use (usually can't cross state lines)
Mileage charges can add up quickly
Trucks may be heavily used and basic in features
Availability tied to store hours and local demand
Off-road or rugged terrain is typically prohibited
Often don’t include a hitch for towing or have strict restrictions on hauling
Best for:
Shoppers transporting lumber, appliances, soil, or landscaping materials within city limits.
4. Peer-to-Peer Truck Sharing (e.g., Turo, Getaround)
Turo and Getaround allow you to rent trucks directly from individuals, like the Airbnb of vehicles. These rentals vary greatly in price, quality, and condition.
Pros:
Large variety of trucks, from compact to lifted off-road models
Often more flexible in pickup/drop-off locations
Competitive pricing for light or personal use
Cons:
Insurance coverage and vehicle condition vary by host
Less reliable for last-minute or heavy-duty work
Not ideal for hauling or commercial use
Rules and limitations vary drastically; it takes a significantly longer time to find the truck that fits your use case, and even then, it takes individual negotiation tot figure out the exact terms and may put yourself at risk if these guidelines aren’t precisely followed
Best for:
Personal errands, road trips, or one-off lifestyle experiences (like camping or off-roading with a Tacoma).
Why Choose Rangefront Wheels for Your Pickup Truck Rental?
When you need a truck that works as hard as you do Rangefront Wheels delivers. Unlike national rental chains that shy away from utility vehicles, we specialize in rugged, high-performance pickups built for demanding industries like construction, mining, field operations, and remote access projects.
Whether you’re hauling equipment, towing gear, or tackling tough terrain, our trucks come ready with:
10-ply load range E tires
4WD and tow packages
Mine site-ready and field-tested configurations
Flexible rental terms (daily, weekly, monthly)
We’re not your average rental company—we’re your local fleet partner, dedicated to keeping your crews moving, your projects on schedule, and your operations efficient.
Need a truck that’s built to handle real work?
Reach out to Rangefront Wheels today and rent a pickup that’s ready for anything.