Car Carrier Equipment Instructions
There are a few things to note before renting a Penske car carrier:
- Vehicles with a low front end or air dams may not have enough ground
clearance to drive up the car carrier ramps.
- Car carrier must be attached to your Penske rental truck before loading your vehicle onto the car carrier.
- Your vehicle must be centered with its front end on the car carrier facing forward. Never back a vehicle onto a car carrier.
- Do not load possessions, people or pets in your towed vehicle.
- Do not attempt to back up your rental truck with the car carrier attached. Severe damage to your vehicle and the car carrier could result. If backing up is necessary, remove your vehicle from the car carrier, then unhitch the car carrier from the truck and move separately.
The car carrier may only be used with a Penske rental truck. When used properly, the car carrier provides a safe and effective way to transport your vehicle. Contact your local Penske rep if you have any questions.
Take a moment to view our instructional video to see how Penske towing equipment can make your move easier.
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Load Limitations
| Towed vehicle at widest point: |
79 inches |
| Minimum width: |
42" between inside of tires |
| Maximum weight: |
4,055 pounds |
| Maximum wheel base: |
125 inches |
Refer to the
tire size chart for more details. If you are unsure of your tire size, it is noted on the side of the tire, or just ask a Penske rep for assistance.
Hookup of Your Car Carrier to Your Truck
Your Penske rep will hook up the car carrier to your truck at the time of rental. However, if it is necessary for you to disconnect the car carrier to load your truck, follow these instructions to reattach the car carrier.
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The coupler-locking device must be in the full open position. Place the coupler of the car carrier over the hitchball on your rental truck. Be sure the coupler is fully seated down over the hitchball.
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Completely lock the coupler. If the car carrier is equipped with a lever-type coupler, the lever must be in the down position and the locking pin inserted. If equipped with a handwheel-type coupler, completely tighten the handwheel. The tongue jack must be fully cranked to the up position before moving the car carrier.
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If your car carrier is equipped with color-coded wires, connect them to the corresponding color-coded posts on the truck’s electrical box. If your car carrier is equipped with a single flat electrical plug, insert plug into the receptacle in the truck’s electrical box. Check for proper operation.
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Crisscross the safety chains/cables from the tongue of the car carrier. If you have safety chains, then pass them through the eyelets on your rental truck and attach the hook back onto the safety chain. If you have safety cables, attach them directly to the eyelets on your truck. Allow slack in both the chains and cables for movement during turns.
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Secure the emergency brake actuator cable to the right side eyelet marked on the truck bumper (A) and allow enough slack for turning. Ensure the emergency brake lever is in the OFF position (B), which is indicated with a green sticker.
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Loading Your Vehicle onto the Car Carrier
You are responsible for loading your vehicle to the car carrier. Penske is not responsible for any damage to a transported vehicle. Consult your insurance carrier before towing a vehicle, or talk to your Penske rep about the Penske Towing Insurance protection plan available with any towing equipment rental.
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Be sure your rental truck and car carrier are lined up straight on level ground.
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Remove safety pin on ratchet assembly and unroll straps. Place ratchet handle in the down position.
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Lay the tire straps along the fender side of the car carrier, off the tire platform.
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Push down on the ramp release latch at the back end of the loading ramps and pull ramps out completely using the ramp handles. Lower the ramps to the ground.
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With someone safely guiding you, slowly drive the front end of your vehicle onto the car carrier until the front tires are resting against the wheel stops. Make certain your vehicle is centered on the car carrier platform. NEVER BACK UP A TRANSPORTED VEHICLE ONTO A CAR CARRIER.
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Once your vehicle is in the proper position on the platform, place it in park or low gear and engage the parking brake.
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Center the tie-down ratchets in front of the transported vehicle’s tires and pull the tire straps forward over the tires. Tighten each tire strap securely by pulling up and down on the car carrier ratchet handle as many times as necessary, arranging for a secure fit.
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Be sure the strap on the inside of the tire does not come in contact with any brake or suspension parts. Insert the safety pin and attach the safety clip with the ratchet handle in the down position.
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Hook up the safety chains from the car carrier to the frame of your vehicle directly above the area where chains are mounted on the car carrier. Safety chains must not attach or go over steering or brake parts of the transported vehicle. Allow slight slack in the chains to provide for suspension movement on the transported vehicle while traveling.
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Return the ramps to the storage position using the ramp handles. Be sure the ramp latch lock snaps in place.
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Remove the keys from the ignition and lock your vehicle. Be sure to keep the emergency brake on and the vehicle in park or a low gear.
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Check the towing system after hookup and tow about 100 feet, then stop and perform a safety check. Check the bolts, safety chains/cables, coupler, ramps, tire straps and other items to make sure they are in the right position and secure. Repeat the safety check after the first five miles and then every 50 miles thereafter.
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Your vehicle is now safely connected and ready for travel.
CHECK THE CAR CARRIER BOLTS, COUPLER , SAFETY CHAINS, ELECTRICAL HOOKUP, AND TIRE STRAPS AFTER THE FIRST
FIVE MILES OF TRAVEL AND THEN EVERY
50 MILES THEREAFTER.
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Unloading Your Vehicle From the Car Carrier
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Do not unhook the car carrier from your rental truck until your vehicle is removed from the car carrier.
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Park your truck and car carrier straight and on level ground.
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Fully apply the parking brakes on both the Penske rental truck and your vehicle.
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Remove the tire straps from your vehicle, placing the ratchet handle in the down position.
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Push down on the ramp release latch and pull ramps out completely using the ramp handle. Lower the ramps to the ground.
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Release the parking brake on your vehicle and prepare for unloading.
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With someone guiding you, slowly back your vehicle off the car carrier to prevent the bottom of your vehicle from contacting ramps.
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Return the car carrier ramps to the storage position and make sure ramps are locked in place.
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Take up excess slack of the tire straps in the ratchet assembly and replace safety chains in the proper storage position.
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