<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-10-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001067701</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED RENTALS INC /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>URI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001754488</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Limoges Andrew B.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNITED RENTALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 FIRST STAMFORD PLACE, SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STAMFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06902</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>950</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The total reported is comprised of: (i) 95 shares of common stock; (ii) an award of restricted stock units granted to the reporting person on May 1, 2017, of which 138 shares are scheduled to vest on each of May 1, 2019, and May 1, 2020; (ii) an award of restricted stock units granted to the reporting person on December 7, 2017, of which 103 units are scheduled to vest on December 7, 2018, 102 units are scheduled to vest on December 7, 2019, and 103 units are scheduled to vest on December 7, 2020; and (iv) an award of restricted stock units granted to the reporting person on March 6, 2018, of which 91 units are scheduled to vest on March 6, 2019, and 90 units are scheduled to vest on each of March 6, 2020 and March 6, 2021.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted stock units are settled with common shares on a one-for-one basis upon vesting and are subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit List Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Alison M. Walsh, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-10-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
