Do Hawaii Car Rentals have Roof Racks?

Information on Roof Racks for Carrying Surfboards, Kayaks and Boogie Boards
Do rental cars have roof racks | Can I reserve a roof rack | Private rentals | Bring your own |Damage to rental car | Bike Racks
Avis | Budget | Dollar | Thrifty | Enterprise

Do Rental Cars in Hawaii have Roof Racks?

Well, yes and no. If you're looking for vehicles that have roof racks for Surfboards, Paddle Boards, Boogie Boards, Kayaks and Windsurfing Equipment, only some of the Hawaii car rental companies have vehicles with integral "roof racks" that are attached to the vehicle. Some are SUV's and fewer to no minivans. However, these integral roof racks only have the linear side bars, but not the crossbars that go between the side bars. Some of the Hawaii rental car companies have add-on racks that you can rent or purchase. But sometimes they are sold out. We suggest you purchase and bring your own padded portable surfboard racks.

Can I reserve a roof rack?
Yes, you can request a vehicle from the rental car company with a roof rack or request to rent or purchase the add on kind if the company you're renting from even offers them. Just like car models, child safety seats, the same goes for roof racks - they say they will do their best to accommodate, but they will not guarantee it. We suggest you bring your own padded portable surfboard racks.

Can I rent a roof rack from the surfboard rental places?

There are Surfboard, Paddle Board, Boogie Board, Kayak and Windsurfing Equipment rental companies that will rent you what you need. Some include it in the cost of the rental and some don't. Please check with these companies to see what they have and what the cost is. Some companies will deliver the equipment to you. Some equipment rental places rent roof racks for $10 for the first 2-day minimum and $5 each additional day. Others charge from $6/day, $34/week, $80/month. You are responsible for any scratches or damage to the car.

Can I bring my own?
The car rental companies I spoke to said it was okay to strap your own to their cars, but you are responsible for any damage and even scratches. 

What if I damage the rental car?
Should I get extra insurance if I use my own attachment equipment, one from a equipment rental company or even the car company? Please note if there are scratches or roof damage to any vehicle, you will be charged for that and/or any other damage to the vehicle, no matter who you got the equipment from. The automobile hire companies suggest you purchase LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) Insurance. It can be purchased for around $17 to $27 per day, depending on the company and size of the vehicle. Please see the various Insurance Coverage, Protection Plans and Rates. If you have any specific questions, please phone the rental location.

Do car rental companies offer bike racks?
No. There are lots of places to bike on all the Hawaiian islands. Mountain biking is a popular outdoor activity. So much so there are bike and mountain bike rental companies who have established themselves in Hawaii. Some of them offer downhill mountain bike tours. But none of the car rental companies offer bike rack rentals. If you don't bring your own bike and attachment device to Hawaii with you, we suggest renting a bike and rack from one of the private companies. As always, be careful to not scuff, scratch or mar the rental car with a bike rack. You are responsible for any damage.

Avis and Budget do have so-called "roof racks" on some of their cars in Hawaii. But only on some models of their SUV and some of their Minivans. You may request a vehicle with this equipment and have it noted on your reservation. They say they will do their best to get you one, but cannot guarantee you will get it. 

Please Note:
On January 17, 2009 I spoke directly to an agent at the Avis car lot at the Honolulu Airport. She said of the few vehicles that do have "roof racks," the only have the two outside linear bars attached to the roof. They DO NOT have the cross-bars that are usually attached to the two outside linear bars. Again, there are no crossbars. You should bring your own surfboard attachment equipment.

If you have any specific questions, please phone the location.

The Dollar and Thrifty companies in Hawaii DO NOT have roof racks at all on any of their vehicles, not even for surf boards. You may have been told that some vehicles do have a system you can strap your surfboard to. You may also have been told that you may put in a request but with no guarantee that you will actually get one. 

Here's the Scoop:
Regarding Thrifty: On January 17, 2009 I spoke directly to an agent at the Thrifty car lot at the Honolulu Airport. She said that NONE of their vehicles have roof racks. I asked if she was sure about that because I was told by Thrifty representative that some of the SUV's and some of the Minivans did have them and these could cars could be requested (with no guarantee you'd get one though). She said she was absolutely sure because she not only knew that none of the Thrifty cars had them, she was also looking right at all their cars in the lot as we spoke. She said none had roof racks - SUV's, minivans, none! 

The Solution:
I asked her what someone could do if they absolutely needed a roof rack. She said people arrive from all over the world for surfing contests with surfboards that need to be transported. They all bring their own attachment devices that they strap on the vehicles. I said, "So bringing your own equipment and installing it on your vehicles is okay with you guys?" She said yes, it's okay, lots of people do it. But if you cause and roof damage the vehicle, you would be charged for the damage. She suggested people purchase LDW Insurance. You should bring your own surfboard attachment equipment.

Thrifty says in their Terms & Conditions:
Soft Surf Racks for surfboards for the roof of the vehicle can be used on all sedans and Laredo's not for Vans, Aspens, Commanders, Jeep Wranglers or Convertibles. If you have any specific questions, please phone the location.

Enterprise Hawaii can place a request on your reservation for SUVs with rook racks and they will try their best to find one for you. There is no guarantee you will get a vehicle with a roof rack. They only have 2 models of the SUVs that come with roof racks. They do NOT have any Minivans with "roof racks." You may request a vehicle with a "roof rack" and have it noted on your reservation. They say they will do their best to get you one, but cannot guarantee you will get it. 

Of those few vehicles that do have "roof racks," they only have the two outside linear bars, but these racks DO NOT have the cross-bars that are usually attached to the two outside linear bars. Again, there are no crossbars. 

Please Note:
On January 17, 2009 I spoke directly to an Honolulu Enterprise agent at car lot. He confirmed that only some models of their SUV had "roof racks" but no Minivans do. He said of the few SUV's that do have "roof racks," these only have the two outside linear bars attached to the roof. They DO NOT have the cross-bars that are usually attached to the two outside linear bars. Again, there are no crossbars. You should bring your own surfboard attachment system.