Are you planning a trip in the snow, driving off-road, or in harsh terrain? You might want to consider getting a 4x4 hire car! We explain what a 4x4 hire can master and what to look out for.
When you’re hiring a car for unusual terrain or you know you’ll be facing extreme conditions, it pays to know more about certain car types and accessories. For example, you may be gearing up for a ski trip, so you may need a four-wheel or all-wheel drive hire car, a ski rack, and even winter tyres and snow chains. Hiring a car for a ski trip or any winter road trip that requires special planning doesn’t have to be complicated as long as you know the basics.
When to get an all-wheel drive or 4x4 car hire
The first car you might think of for a trip like this is a rugged SUV, pickup truck, or estate car with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). After all, you want to be as prepared as possible for the elements, and your worst-case scenario is being stuck on the side of the road in the cold. These vehicles can handle deep snow and off-pavement scenarios so you can drive comfortably in all conditions.
If you’re committed to getting a 4x4 hire car, book well in advance and prepare to pay more than you would for a comparable front-wheel drive car. Start by searching for standard or full-size SUVs and trucks because many car hire companies and search engines won’t have a 4WD or AWD filter. It’s also best to look for a car from an airport location that serves a ski resort in the winter because the demand is highest there, and the fleet is likely to have multiple Jeeps or Audis, which are known for their 4WD and AWD cars.
Taking a front-wheel drive car in the snow
Although your first instinct may be to hire a rugged 4x4, you’ll be fine with a front-wheel drive car (FWD) with all-season tyres for most trips. Untreated ice and snow on the road will make conditions dangerous, but most busy ski holiday destinations have well-maintained roads that make it safe for as many cars as possible.
Car hire companies generally don’t offer 4WD or AWD cars outside of special markets, like areas near ski resorts, and prefer to hire out smaller cars with all-season tyres because they have more of these cars available. Hiring one of these cars is straightforward, and you won’t have any trouble booking last minute.
Do 4x4 hire cars have snow tyres?
Most car hire companies offer ski racks at locations near major ski resorts around the country for prices typically between £10 and £20 per day. Adding winter tyres, or Mud & Snow (M&S) tyres, is more difficult. Most car hire companies do not offer these tyres or snow chains, although some will fit them for a fee. You shouldn’t attach your own chains to a hire car either, as they can cause damage to tyres, rims, wheel covers, and fenders if they break or aren’t attached properly.
There are areas in the US like Yosemite in California where snow chains or cables are required during certain times of the year. Rental cars are not exempt from this requirement, even if they have all-season tires, and rental car companies don’t offer chains. Trips with these constraints require extra planning so keep that in mind.
Rules for car hire with snow tyres in other countries
All of the rules for a snow car hire mentioned above apply for hiring in the UK, but the rules are significantly different in other parts of the world. Many countries actually require hire cars with snow tyres by law, with pre-defined winter months where the law applies, and rules on whether the cars come pre-equipped with winter tyres. In some countries, you have to request the tyres and pay for them yourself, while in others it depends on the car hire company. Sometimes, it can also depend on the region of the country you’re in.
In France, for example, winter tyres or snow chains are required on all cars during the winter months, which stretch from early November to the end of March in mountainous regions, and they are provided by most car hire companies for a fee.
Getting 4x4 hire cars – other rough terrains
Snow is only one of the climates you can encounter on your trip. So what about rocky mountain roads and sand dunes? It is not only in countries like Australia or Canada where hiring a 4x4 is a must when you plan a road trip. There are also have plenty of harsh terrains in the UK that will require you to hire an off-road vehicle.
Check beforehand if you are actually allowed to take your car hire off-road though. Sometimes, you will need to get special insurance, while in other cases it is simply prohibited. Nevertheless, it can still be more comfortable to drive a 4x4 hire car when it comes to rough conditions on the road.
