Hiring a small van

[gertrud]

I have recently inherited a few items of furniture. I want to bring them back from Germany in a self drive small van.
Any ideas where I can hire such a van?

[123everton]

You'd have to ask them, usually they don't like their vehicles going onto mainland Europe and they won't insure you for it.
It may be better to hire a trailer and do it that way.
You will need special cover for Europe if you have'nt got it on fully comp already.

[gertrud]

Thanks for that, but I need to a trailer needs to be hoocked to what.
What about a caravan, would tht be easier to hire?

[123everton]

Well you'd hook it onto your car (otherwise it'd be a really big wheelbarrow! and a hell of a walk) if your car can tow a caravan it can tow a trailer.
A caravan would be an awful alternative to a trailer as it has a small door or windows for access.
You need to assess the size and weight of your bequeathment to determine what size trailer you'll need and as to whether your car can pull it.
Trailers are very easy to hire, try a camp shop (I mean a shop that sells goods for camping, not a shop for flamboyant people) you'll be able to get insurance for a trailer abroad included onto any etxra cover quite cheaply (if at any cost to you at all) get one with a "jockey" wheel in the middle to make manoeuvering it easier. If you've never reversed a trailer before then you'll find it faster and easier to unhitch it and push it round. Either that or drive forwards the whole time, Germany's a long way to go only forwards. You'll need to inform the ferry company that you have a trailer as they'll charge slightly more for it due to the fact that it takes up more deck space.

[markysngc]

123everton

Quote

try a camp shop (I mean a shop that sells goods for camping, not a shop for flamboyant people)

unquote

You just nearly made me spit my drink over my laptop!!

LMAO

:)

[weggiewabbit]

It�s probably not possible to hire a car or van and take it to Europe. I tried to do this once and found no takers.

I suspect one of the reasons is that you could try to bring back a large amount of booze and cigarettes or other (prohibited!) things, in which case the vehicle could be seized, which might give the hiring company one or two problems.

Much easier to buy a van in the UK. You could re-sell it after doing the trip ... might break even on it! It needs to be legal (taxed and insured with a current MoT). Your insurance policy will cover you on the same terms in Europe, I think, or at least Third Party. Ring your insurance company and they�ll tell you exactly what cover you have.

The �camp shop� will try to hitch a lift, but I�d advise against it. LOL.

[123everton]

Well I'm either profound or profane, the reason they don't like sending cars abroad is that a few years ago people we're going to firms like Hertz, driving to Paris and leaving at a Hertz depot there.
The practice was legal and within the terms of their contracts. So they stopped it.