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: all four tires (driver/passenger, front/rear), the exterior from all four sides, and the axle. If the unit has a toolbox, that's added too. You can also add your own custom inspection items on a unit's template — checkboxes, text fields, or extra photos.
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 is required before an inspection can be submitted, and the person submitting 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.