Car Rental with Tow Bar: Where to Find It and What to Know

A tow bar is one of the few things rental companies almost never include in their standard fleet. If you need to tow a trailer, a caravan or a boat during a trip, finding a rental car equipped for it is genuinely difficult. Here is why, and what your options are.

Why tow bars are rare in rental fleets

Rental companies build their fleets around simplicity and interchangeability. A vehicle with a tow bar introduces several complications:

• Liability exposure: if an accident happens while towing, questions arise about whether the towing was authorised, whether the load was within limits and whether the driver had experience. This creates insurance complexity the supplier would rather avoid.
• Mechanical wear: towing puts additional load on the gearbox, cooling system, brakes and rear suspension. Rental companies rotate vehicles frequently and do not want increased wear from towing operations.
• Customer misuse risk: drivers who are not experienced with towing a trailer or caravan can cause damage to both the rental vehicle and third parties. Most rental contracts specifically prohibit towing unless the vehicle is fitted with an approved tow bar and the supplier has given written authorisation.

The result: most rental contracts include a clause that prohibits towing without explicit written permission, regardless of whether a tow bar is physically fitted.

Where you might find rental cars with a tow bar

Availability is limited and location-specific. The best chance is at large commercial stations in countries with high private trailer usage:

Germany and the Netherlands have the highest density of rental vehicles with tow bars, partly because private trailer use is more common there and partly because fleet suppliers in those markets have historically responded to demand.

Even in these markets, call the specific station directly before booking. Online booking systems rarely allow tow bar filtering, and availability is not confirmed until pickup.

What to ask before you book

If you find a supplier that claims to offer a tow bar, confirm these points before paying:

1. Is the tow bar certified and fitted to the vehicle? Not retrofitted after factory, and not loose.
2. What is the maximum towing capacity? This must match or exceed your trailer’s laden weight.
3. Is towing explicitly permitted in the rental contract? Get written confirmation.
4. Does the insurance cover damage caused while towing? Standard CDW may not.
5. Does the supplier require a specific trailer connector type? European standard is 7-pin; older trailers may differ.

Commercial van hire as the practical alternative

If you need to move equipment, a trailer, a boat or a caravan, van hire is a more reliable path than searching for a car with a tow bar. Reasons:

• Commercial vans are more commonly fitted with tow bars as standard
• Towing capacity is higher (up to 2,500 kg on larger models)
• Load capacity within the van itself may already solve the problem without needing a trailer
• Insurance cover is more likely to include towing in commercial hire contracts

Major van hire suppliers include Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise and local operators. Search specifically for vans with tow bar rather than passenger cars — you will find more options.

If you own a tow bar and need it fitted temporarily

In some European countries you can rent a tow bar coupling separately and have it fitted by a garage. This is only practical for longer rentals where you control where the car goes, and it depends on the rental contract not prohibiting modifications.

Before attempting this: confirm in writing with the rental supplier that temporary fitment is permitted. Most contracts treat vehicle modifications as a breach of terms.

In short

Rental cars with tow bars exist, but they are rare outside Germany and the Netherlands, and even there you must request them at specific stations with no guarantee of availability. Towing is prohibited in most standard rental contracts without written permission. If you need to tow something, van hire is the more practical and available option. Always confirm towing capacity, insurance cover and written authorisation before pickup.