An inspection is a photo record of a unit's condition at a moment in time. You take one at pickup (pre-rental) and another at return (post-return) so you have a clear before-and-after for every rental. If something gets damaged, those photos are your proof — see photo evidence and disputes.
The two inspections
- Pre-rental — captured before the trailer leaves, documenting how it looked at pickup.
- Post-return — captured when it comes back, so you can compare against the pre-rental photos.
Each inspection walks through a standard set of photos: both front corners, both sides, the tires on each side, the axle, and the rear. Those eight are required on every unit and can't be turned off. A ninth photo, the Toolbox Interior, is included by default. You can also add your own custom inspection items on a unit's template: checkboxes, text fields, or extra photos.
Turn off the Toolbox Interior photo for a trailer
Not every trailer has a toolbox, and a renter often can't open yours before the inspection (for example, when you hold access codes until the inspection is done). If that's the case for a trailer, switch off Include Toolbox Interior photo in inspections. You can do it in two places, and both change the same setting:
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Inspections settings. In the dashboard, go to Inspections, then the Settings tab. In the mobile app, go to Settings, then Inspection Settings. You'll see each of your trailers once, with its own switch.
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The unit's edit screen, in the dashboard or the mobile app.
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The setting is per unit, so it only affects that one trailer. Every unit starts with it on.
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When it's off, the toolbox photo is dropped from both the pre-rental and the post-return inspection, and the renter isn't asked for it.
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It only changes future inspections. Photos already captured stay on the booking.
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Turn it back on any time. The eight standard photos stay required either way.
Show included items as a read-only list
By default, a renter checks each included item (hitch pin, straps, spare, and so on) as present, missing, or broken. If you'd rather they just see the list and prices and leave one note, turn on Show included items as a read-only list. It applies to all your pre and post inspections. Find it in Inspections, then the Settings tab (mobile app: Settings, then Inspection Settings), or under Workflows in the dashboard. Both spots change the same setting.
Two ways to run an inspection
1. From your dashboard. Open the booking and go to the Inspections tab. Tap Pre-Rental Inspection to start, take each photo, add any condition notes, agree to the acknowledgment, and submit. After pickup is done, the same tab offers the Post-Return Inspection.
2. Send the renter a no-login link. On the booking you'll find Renter Links (no login) with Copy Pre-trip inspection link and Copy Return inspection link. Send either by text or any platform — the renter completes the inspection and uploads photos without needing an account, and everything comes straight back to you.
Tip: Have the renter do the walkaround with the link, or do it yourself from the dashboard — whichever fits your pickup style. Either way the photos land on the same booking.
What happens on submit
Every photo shown on the inspection is required before an inspection can be submitted. If a shot comes out wrong, tap Retake on that photo to replace it; you can do this any time before you submit. The person submitting also agrees to a short acknowledgment confirming the condition is accurately documented. When an inspection comes in, you're notified, and the photos appear on the booking's Inspection Photos view.
When the post-return inspection is submitted, Patriot Hauls also closes out the rental for you — any tracked add-on units are marked returned, and a short review-request nudge campaign is scheduled to the renter over the next few business days.
Good to know: Inspection photos are stored privately. They're shown to you and the renter on the booking through secure, signed links — they aren't public.
Why it's worth doing every time
Skipping the pre-rental inspection means you have nothing to compare against if a unit comes back damaged. Two minutes of photos at pickup is what turns a "he said / she said" into a documented case.
Still need help? Tap the Support button inside your dashboard.