In short
- Not with a Rentzy car. At the time of writing, our terms don't allow towing, carrying more people or load than permitted, carrying goods for hire or reward, or modifying the car.
- Breaking those rules means the usual cap on what you pay for damage, the A$2,500 excess, no longer applies.
- For a move, a car is fine for boxes, bags and small items that fit inside the boot and cabin. Furniture and white goods need a removalist or a vehicle built for loads.
- Queensland law makes the driver responsible for a load that can't shift or fall, doesn't overhang dangerously, stays within mass limits and doesn't cover lights or plates.[1]
Can I tow a trailer with a rental car?
Not in a Rentzy car. At the time of writing, Rentzy's terms list towing among the things you must not do with the car (clause 7.2). We don't list tow bars, and you can't fit one: modifying the car, or removing or disabling any part of it, is also ruled out under the same clause.
There are practical reasons too. Every vehicle has its own towing limit, and the Queensland Government says the owner's manual usually gives the maximum trailer weight and features suited to the vehicle, and that you shouldn't exceed those limits.[3]
What can I carry when I'm moving house?
A car is useful on moving day for the things you don't want on a truck: documents, a laptop, medicines, plants, the kettle and the first night's bedding. It's the wrong tool for anything big.
| Usually fine | Not in a rental car |
|---|---|
| Boxes and bags that fit in the boot and on the folded or empty back seat | Furniture, mattresses and white goods |
| Small appliances, packed securely | Anything sticking out of a window or the boot |
| Plants in a tray, wedged so they can't tip | Loads tied to the roof |
| Several trips spread over the rental | Moving other people's goods for payment |
Carrying goods for hire or reward is another thing clause 7.2 rules out, and Rentzy cars are for personal use only, so being paid to deliver someone else's furniture or parcels in the car isn't allowed.
The car's own limits for people and load are in its owner's manual. If you can't find the manual in the glovebox, ask us before you load up. Don't put more people in the car than it has seatbelts for.
What does Queensland law say about loads in a car?
For light vehicles under 4.5 tonnes, the Queensland Government says a load must be properly restrained, mustn't overhang dangerously, mustn't exceed mass limits, and mustn't cover lights, indicators, reflectors or the number plate. The driver is responsible for making sure the load doesn't make the vehicle unstable and can't fall or be dislodged.[1] Its detailed guidance points to the National Transport Commission's Load Restraint Guide 2018 for Light Vehicles.[1]
- Inside the car: carry loose items in the boot so they can't hurt passengers in a sudden stop, and don't rely on passengers to hold a load in place.[1]
- Your view: check that you can still see clearly in the rear-vision mirrors; a badly placed load can block your view of the road.[1]
- Your vehicle: overloading puts extra stress on the engine, suspension and brakes, and passenger vehicles generally aren't designed for large or heavy loads. Badly packed loads can also damage interior fittings.[1]
- Insurance: the government notes that breaching transport laws can void vehicle insurance after a crash.[1]
Rules for loads that stick out apply to any vehicle, including a car with something poking out of the boot. A load mustn't project more than 150 mm beyond either side, or more than 1.2 m in front of the headlights, and a rear projection of more than 1.2 m needs a warning flag by day, or a red light or reflectors at night.[2] With a rental car, the simple answer is not to carry anything that doesn't fit inside with the boot shut.
Can I put a roof rack or roof pod on the car?
Rentzy doesn't list roof racks or other extras. Fitting your own rack, pod or straps through the door frames could damage the paint, seals and roof lining, and attaching equipment to the car can amount to modifying it, which clause 7.2 rules out. If you're thinking of carrying anything on the roof, a kayak for example, contact us before you book rather than assuming it's fine.
Roof loads are also covered by the projecting load rules: small boats, kayaks and canoes carried on roof racks must stay within the projection limits and carry warning flags or lights where required.[1]
What are the alternatives for a bigger move?
The Queensland Government's own advice is: if in doubt, don't carry the load, and consider hiring a vehicle designed to move loads or paying for professional delivery, which in the long run may cost less than a crash, injury or repairs.[1]
- A removalist for furniture, mattresses and white goods.
- Truck or van hire from a company that hires vehicles for moving, with its own load and towing rules.
- Trailer hire, towed by a vehicle you own or one hired with a tow bar for that purpose.
- Delivery from the shop: if you're buying a new bed or fridge, ask the store to deliver it to the new address.
Then use the rental car for the trips around the move: inspections, the hardware shop, the tip run with bagged rubbish, and the first weeks of errands while you settle in.
What should I check before handing the car back after a move?
- Look for marks on the boot sill, the back of the rear seats and the door trims, where boxes rub.
- Clean it out. Our terms ask for the car back clean (clause 6.2), and cleaning beyond normal use can be charged (clause 10.3). Packing tape, cardboard and dust add up.
- Re-fit the parcel shelf and seats exactly as they were at pickup.
- Refuel to the pickup level. Below it, fuel is charged at A$15 per eighth of a tank.
The full return steps are in returning a rental car. If you're new to the city, new to Brisbane: getting a car covers the weeks after the move.
Sources
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): How to transport loads (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Projecting loads (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Towing vehicles and trailers (read 23 October 2026)
Written by the Rentzy team at Rentzy Car Rentals. Rentzy prices, fees and rules in this guide come from our published terms and update with them; rules set by others (roads, tolls, licences, transport) are from the official pages above, as read on the dates shown. Something out of date? Tell us.
