The additional cost associated with the lift gate on a 20 m³ is not limited to the price difference displayed in the showcase. At Leclerc Location, the difference is about €4 per day between the simple 20 m³ and the 20 m³ with lift gate (€73 versus €77 per day, 100 km included).
Comparing these rates to those of competing networks requires looking beyond just the daily price to include the complete pricing structure: additional kilometers, deductible, blocked deposit, and optional insurance.
Price per additional kilometer: the item that pricing grids obscure
The daily rate grabs attention, but it’s the cost per kilometer beyond the included package that can significantly increase the bill for a long-distance move. Leclerc charges €0.27 per additional km on the 20 m³, with or without lift gate. This uniformity is a specificity: the lift gate does not alter the per-kilometer pricing.
With several national competitors (Ucar, Rent A Car, France Cars), the logic differs. Some adjust both the daily rate and the per-kilometer price based on the equipment included. A lift gate or a dumpster then incurs a distinct additional cost per kilometer, sometimes unclear in the general conditions.
On a journey of several hundred kilometers, this difference in pricing structure can represent several tens of euros in discrepancy. To evaluate each offer, it is advisable to simulate the total cost by adding the rental price for a 20m³ truck with lift gate, the estimated kilometers beyond the package, and the fuel.
Deductible and deposit on a 20m³ truck with lift gate: the differences between Leclerc and the market
The default deductible at Leclerc Location ranges from €1,200 to €1,500, depending on the vehicle. For a 20 m³ with lift gate, the blocked deposit can reach €1,500 or more, an amount held on the credit card for the entire duration of the rental.
The major networks have comparable deductible levels, but the reduction mechanisms differ. Leclerc offers a paid option to lower the deductible. Other rental companies include a partial reduction in a more comprehensive insurance package, complicating the understanding of the net price.
- Check if your credit card already covers part of the utility rental deductible (some Visa Premier or Gold Mastercard cards offer additional coverage, but rarely for vehicles over 3.5 tons of GVW).
- Compare the amount of the blocked deposit, not just the deductible: with some competitors, the deposit exceeds the deductible and blocks a higher amount in your account.
- Ask about the time frame for the return of the deposit after the vehicle is returned. This time frame varies from a few days to over two weeks depending on the brand.
Leclerc Location versus national rental companies: actual pricing position of the 20 m³ lift gate
The average price observed for a 20 m³ with lift gate ranges from €79 to €109 per day among the major national networks. The €77 displayed by Leclerc places the brand at the lower end of this range, excluding promotions and insurance options.
This pricing position is partly explained by the economic model. Leclerc ties utility rentals to its stores, with structural costs different from those of a dedicated agency network. The downside: the availability of the 20 m³ lift gate varies greatly from one store to another, and not all points of sale offer this size.
What the Leclerc rate does not include
Unlimited mileage is not the norm at Leclerc for this category. The 100 km included per day is sufficient for a local move but becomes inadequate once you exceed the urban area. A competing rental company with a higher daily rate but a generous mileage package (300 km or unlimited) may turn out to be cheaper for an intercity trip.
The relevant comparison is made on the total cost of the project, not on the isolated daily price. A Paris-Lyon move in a 20 m³ lift gate with a return to the same point generates a volume of kilometers that radically changes the pricing ranking between brands.
One-way and return to a different agency: a often decisive criterion
Most Leclerc rentals operate as round trips to the same store. For a long-distance move, this constraint requires paying for the return fuel and counting double the mileage in the budget.
Competitors like Rent and Drop or France Cars offer one-way options with return to another agency. The additional cost of this option (varying based on distance and demand) is often lower than the combined cost of additional kilometers and return fuel with a round-trip rental company.
On a journey of several hundred kilometers, a one-way trip can halve the mileage budget. This is the parameter that most frequently reverses the price ranking between Leclerc and its competitors in the 20 m³ lift gate segment.
Additional insurances: compare the coverage, not the displayed prices
The optional insurances offered by Leclerc mainly cover the reduction of the deductible. The price of this option varies according to the vehicle category. For a 20 m³ with lift gate, the cost of the option should be compared to the amount of deductible saved.
With competitors, insurance packages sometimes combine breakdown assistance, driver protection, and deductible reduction into a single offer. The displayed price may seem higher, but the coverage is broader. Comparing insurance rates without reading the details of the coverage skews the analysis of the actual cost.
The final choice between Leclerc and a competitor for a 20 m³ with lift gate depends less on the daily rate than on three variables: the total mileage of the project, the possibility of a one-way trip, and the acceptable level of deductible. A summary table incorporating these parameters for each quote received remains the most reliable way to decide.
