Penske truck rental question------

[Maddog 521]

I have to help my sister-in-law move. I will be driving a Penske rental truck from Wisconsin back to Texas. I have looked on the web and Penske's brochures and I can't find the answer to my question. So I'm going to ask here. My question's is.
Is it legal to carry concealed while driving their rental truck? Do any of the laws for commercial drivers carry over to rental trucks?
The only info that I can find is about the commercial, over the road truckers.
My CCL covers every state except Illinois and I will do what is necessary while passing through. Your help will be appreciated.

 

[diamonback68]

I would think it would be the same as if you were driving your own car. You don't have a CDL license. I would would check with Penske and see if they have any liability restrictions on their renters carrying a gun in their truck.

 

[The Big D]

No idea why there would be any restrictions. They don't require a CDL.

Be safe.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

If you ask them they will automatically say you cannot.

 

[NYlakesider]

I drove CDL for a few years, mostly in NY State. I carried any time I was staying in the state. I had no trouble from Penske

Penske has/had a habit of marking their trucks with a height number for going in places like under bridges. I found those to be marked much lower than the actual height of the bridges.
Any time my company rented a truck for me I ALWAYS did my own measurements. The difference between real and their numbers allowed me to get under many bridges that they said were too low for the truck. FWIW I always took four measurements with the truck empty and on level ground. They were both sides of the front and rear of the cargo box.

 

[NYlakesider]

No idea why there would be any restrictions. They don't require a CDL.

Be safe.

The yard we rented our trucks from had both normal and trucks rated heavy enough to require CDLs. Some had air brakes and at that time (retired in 03) you need a minimum of CDL B with air endorsement to rent those trucks.

 

[Fishinfool]

Penske has no say in what is legal or not legal when it comes to carrying your handgun. As long as you are legal under the laws of the states you are traveling thru, you are legal. They MAY have a policy about carrying a handgun while operating one of their trucks. If you ask, they may say "No" just on general principals. My opinion, if it is not stated or noted in the rental contract you sign, then you are good to go.

Larry

 

[Doug M.]

1) Don't ask. It's none of their business, and you gain nothing by flagging yourself to some employee who doesn't know beans about the issue. Most people in positions like that know only what they need to in order to fill out the paperwork. It's like the irritating stories we see on a regular basis about trying to lawfully ship a gun with a common carrier.

2) While there are companies that DO rent trucks that require CDLs (there are no exemptions for rental), unless someone REALLY screws up, you will never end up with one. If you do, the cost will bring tears to your eyes.

3) The thing about firearms being prohibited in commercial vehicles is an old wives' tale. I first heard it about 30 years ago (I worked in the industry during and after law school for several years). I have poked around in the FMCRs (49 CFR about 380 - 397 or so) and a lot of other places, and NEVER found anything in statute or regulation to support the position. It is just so much folklore and fertilizer that likely comes from company rules or other inanities that have no meaning outside of the employment context.
Considering the rules that do exist (if you wear contacts, you need to have spare corrective lenses with you, or you can be out of service; insulin dependent diabetics can't pass the MC physical; you have to wear sturdy shoes - no sandals etc), if there was a rule like this, it would be easy to find.

 

[Maddog 521]

Well , I can't find anything written about it. So I guess I will treat it as my vehicle and do what I would normally do. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Franklin]

Load and Go

 

[truckemup97]

3) The thing about firearms being prohibited in commercial vehicles is an old wives' tale. I first heard it about 30 years ago (I worked in the industry during and after law school for several years). I have poked around in the FMCRs (49 CFR about 380 - 397 or so) and a lot of other places, and NEVER found anything in statute or regulation to support the position. It is just so much folklore and fertilizer that likely comes from company rules or other inanities that have no meaning outside of the employment context.

This. Trust me, I know.

Be sure and follow all state laws, though. You need to check reciprocity and will have to unload and properly store your weapon BEFORE entering a state without reciprocity.

Oh, and check with your car insurance company. Some policies cover rental trucks and some don't. Mine covers rental cars, but nothing over 9,999 GVW. You can save some $$$ on your rental if you don't have to buy Penske's insurance.

 

[GaryS]

A thought about truck rentals. My daughter is moving to Texas (yay) and originally I looked in to renting a Penske truck. After thinking about how that would make our road trip longer because she's taking her car, I looked into PODS. After getting their cost for a 16 foot box, I found Pack Rats. It's much cheaper. They drop the box off, you load it, and they will drive it to Texas for you. Depending on where you are going, they can either drop it at your new location or at their depot.

Pack Rats came out cheaper than PODS and about the same as renting a truck.

The big advantage we can go in one vehicle and switch off driving. That will allow us to cover more distance in one day, not have to worry about low bridges, and I'll have time to talk to her on the way down.

I don't know if that's an option for you, but it's something to look into.

 

[Papa32129]

Penske rental in Florida does not require a CDL.
But you are required to stop at all truck and trailer weigh stations. Those
PODS and pack rats containers are convenient, make sure you get insurance, those boxes leak like crazy.

And purchase a lock for the cargo door. I believe it's required to have one on the truck.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Doug M.]

The requirement to stop at scales will vary from state to state based on the weight of the truck. I would have a lock on the door anyway.