1 day van rental for border crossing

[sis649]

I'd like to drive from Toronto to Buffalo to get a 50" TV and other stuff, what's the best deal for renting a van for 1 day? (actually I can return in same day, but maybe the office is closed after 6pm) I have no experience of renting, and doubt if allowed to go US.

PS: I need it on weekend, will this be cheaper?

[bylo]

if allowed to go US.

That's going to be a big issue, at least it is for cars. Make sure the vehicle is licensed, insured and otherwise documented for cross-border travel.

Another option might be a small trailer, but Google on "U-Haul safety" first.

Your best bet is probably to find a cooperative friend with a van or pick-up etc.

[JWL]

I rented a truck from Ryder to go down to NY a short while ago and it required an extra $55 license to drive the rental truck to NY. Probably only applies to commercial vehicles.

Rent an SUV if that will fit your stuff but call the different rental companies to see if driving it to the US is a problem, then go from there.

[HighFlyer]

I think all you might need is a minivan, especially one with 'stow and go' type seating. The minivans at hertz, avis, national, (and maybe a few others) are allowed to go across the border, though confirm first. Airport locations operate 24/7, so you can do a same day return.

[mudd_stuffin]

I think all you might need is a minivan, especially one with 'stow and go' type seating. The minivans at hertz, avis, national, (and maybe a few others) are allowed to go across the border, though confirm first. Airport locations operate 24/7, so you can do a same day return.

+1

Generally, Budget does not permit its vehicles to cross the border and Thrifty limits the number of km's (to 200/day I think) if it is taken out of the country. Best bets are those HighFlyer mentioned and Alamo. Another advantage with these locations is that you can almost always return to another location in Toronto without having to pay a one-way dropoff fee.

In some cases with these 4 companies, minivans have a 200kms/day limit anyway but airports offer the best bets for unlimited kms (because it is presumed that those travelling into Toronto may have a ways to drive before getting to the ultimate destination).

I recently picked up a 40" Bravia (KDS40V4100) and it fit into the back of a Chrysler PT Cruiser (which may just be an intermediate car) after the back seats are removed. It may be difficult to specifically ask for this car because car rental companies do not generally accomodate a specific model. If it helps you, I rented the PT Cruiser from National/Alamo at Union Station. I guess your 50" might not fit anyway into a PT Cruiser unless you let it lie flat.

One last thing to keep in mind is that minivan reservations may require a 24-hour advance cancellation if your plans do not pan out.

[death_hawk]

Last time I rented with Enterprise in Vancouver I had unlimited miles in BC and Washington.

[sis649]

Thanks for your input.

The 50" TV fits in my Hyundai Elantra 5-door hatchback if fold down the back seats, however, many people on AVS say it should be up-straight while shipping, it's very easy to damage the screen if lie down.

Another reason I need a van (yes, a minivan) is my 2 friends may go with me, they also are interested to buy something there and I am happy as they can give me a hand to put the TV into the minivan, it's heavy (about 90lb).

+1

Generally, Budget does not permit its vehicles to cross the border and Thrifty limits the number of km's (to 200/day I think) if it is taken out of the country. Best bets are those HighFlyer mentioned and Alamo. Another advantage with these locations is that you can almost always return to another location in Toronto without having to pay a one-way dropoff fee.

In some cases with these 4 companies, minivans have a 200kms/day limit anyway but airports offer the best bets for unlimited kms (because it is presumed that those travelling into Toronto may have a ways to drive before getting to the ultimate destination).

I recently picked up a 40" Bravia (KDS40V4100) and it fit into the back of a Chrysler PT Cruiser (which may just be an intermediate car) after the back seats are removed. It may be difficult to specifically ask for this car because car rental companies do not generally accomodate a specific model. If it helps you, I rented the PT Cruiser from National/Alamo at Union Station. I guess your 50" might not fit anyway into a PT Cruiser unless you let it lie flat.

One last thing to keep in mind is that minivan reservations may require a 24-hour advance cancellation if your plans do not pan out.

[mudd_stuffin]

Thanks for your input.

The 50" TV fits in my Hyundai Elantra 5-door hatchback if fold down the back seats, however, many people on AVS say it should be up-straight while shipping, it's very easy to damage the screen if lie down.

Another reason I need a van (yes, a minivan) is my 2 friends may go with me, they also are interested to buy something there and I am happy as they can give me a hand to put the TV into the minivan, it's heavy (about 90lb).

You are welcome. Yes, the TV should "stand" on its bottom. Mine had that piece of instructions on the box. If it needed to lie flat, the screen should face the sky.

[whampoa]

It also depend on what kinds of flat screen monitor you have.

Plasma should be place upright, however, I have my plasma lie flat, cause the car roof is not high enough for the monitor to stand upright.

For LCD it doesn't matter if it's up or flat.

[Ashtangi]

I was just going to post something similar .. I'm looking to grab a Panasonic 50", but no way it'd fit in my car. My sister has an RX 350 SUV, but I think it's still too big for that.