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Well, yes and no. But if you want to strap surfboards or kayaks to the top of your rental vehicle,
I would strongly suggest you purchase
padded portable surfboard racks and bring them with you to Hawaii.
Only some of the Hawaii car rental companies have vehicles with integral
"roof racks" that are attached to the vehicle - some SUV's, and
fewer 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.
You can request a car with a roof rack or
request to rent or purchase the add on kind if the company you're renting
from even offers them. Juts like vehicle types, child safety seats, the
same goes for roof racks - they say they will do their
best to accommodate, but they will not guarantee it.
The car rental companies I spoke to said it was okay to strap a roof rack
to their cars, but if you scratch the roof or damage
the vehicle, you will be charged for the damage. They suggest you
purchase LDL Insurance.
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Dollar and Thrifty car rental 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 roof racks you can strap your surfboard to. You may also
have been told that you may put in a request for a rental car with a roof
rack but with no guarantee that you will actually get one.
Here's the Scoop:
Regarding Thrifty car rental roof racks: 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 roof racks 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 roof racks, she was also looking right at all their cars
in the rental lot as we spoke. None had roof racks - SUV's, minivans, none!
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 put on the roof. They all bring their own roof racks that they strap on the vehicles. I said, "So bringing your own roof rack 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 LDL Insurance. You should bring your own surfboard roof rack.
Thrifty
says in their Terms & Conditions:
Soft Surf Racks for surfboards for the roof of the vehicle can be used on all sedans and Laredos not for Vans, Aspens, Commanders, Jeep Wranglers or Convertibles.
If
you have any specific questions, please phone the rental
location.
Avis and Budget Hawaii do have so-called "roof racks." But only on some
models of their SUV and some of their Minivans. 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.
Please Note:
On January 17, 2009 I spoke directly to an agent at the Avis car rental
lot at the Honolulu Airport. She said of the few vehicles that
do have "roof racks," these roof racks only have the two outside linear
bars attached to the roof. These racks 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 roof rack.
If you have any specific questions, please phone the rental
location.
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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 rental lot. He confirmed that only some
models of their SUV had "roof racks" but no Minivans have roof
racks. He said of the few SUV's that
do have "roof racks," these roof racks only have the two outside linear
bars attached to the roof. These racks 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 roof rack.
If you have any specific
questions, please phone the rental location.
Damage:
Please note that if there are scratches or roof damage to any rental vehicle, you will be charged for that
or any other damage to the vehicle.
Insurance:
The rental car companies suggest you purchase LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) Insurance.
It can be purchased for around $25 to $28 per day.
Have fun in Hawaii!
www.HawaiiCarRentals.net
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