Tips for Pulling a Uhaul transport trailer?

So, I will be attempting to pull a Ford Fiesta from CO to NY (1,800 miles) on an auto transport trailer. If my math is correct, the final weight should be around 5,000 lbs, within the limits of my towing capacity. I have a 22 TRD OR automatic, so I'm just hoping to see if anyone has done anything similar or has some tips for the trip.

 

I’d get quotes from a vehicle transport company, excluding your time, if you factor in rental, fuel, hotels, early fluid changes, etc etc- the hauling may look much more attractive.
If you tow it, I’d get an OBDII reader and the app to monitor transmission temperatures. Stick it in S4, turn your hazards on, and enjoy the country side.

 

Take the scenic route. Don't exceed 65 MPH. Keep it in S4 and take your time.

 

I’ve done around the same weight before a few times (Honda S2000 on a U-Haul trailer) although my truck is a manual and it’s only a round trip to the race track (500 miles). The truck did fine just need to get onto the higher RPMs when needing more power because this truck makes most of its power up top. Otherwise take your time, I do 60-65 MPH on flat ground and leave ample time to brake.

 

I've done similar tows many times with many uhauls. With an automatic use the ect button as recommended in the owners manual and you'll be fine. If it's hot outside use premium gas. Otherwise the surge brakes are usually not very powerful so brake in advance to save your truck's brakes

 

I think I paid around $600 to have a corolla shipped via transport from Mississippi to Phoenix. Considering the rental fee on
the Uhaul thing, extra gas, worry, vehicle wear, pita-factor it was a bargain at twice the price. No idea what rates are now.

 

I'm looking at shipping a car from MA to CA. And not having much luck with deals.

- It seems shipping prices have also inflated lately...

Still - shipping must be cheaper than uhaul + fuel...

 

Great car.

 

The truck will pull more weight than it's ability to stop with it.
Be careful not to overload. Braking distance decreases drastically.

 

Great idea….

 

What did they quote you? I looked in February for a short trip transport San Antonio to eastern Oklahoma 8 hours in a car and I received $210 which was at the time cheaper. That’s a short distance though, now I’m looking Ohio to here and worry it will be much much more. Diesel prices be crazy.

 

Take a minute of your time to buy one of these today.




It doesn't have to be super fancy with laboratory grade calibrations, any 20 dollar temperature gun will do. Keep it in your door pocket. The reason why is that you never know what you get with rental trailers. Some have had regular maintenance, some haven't. Some trailers have been beat to hell by absolute nightmares of human beings, and others merely abused.

Every time you stop for fuel, instead of standing there at the pump, take two minutes to do a walk around, kick each tire and take a temperature read of each hub. Many times a hot wheel is your early warning system that something is about to go sideways.

When you pick up the trailer, take some extra steps on the hitch up inspection. Bring a tire pressure gauge and take readings with the Uhaul guy standing there. Reject trailers that have worn or cracked tires, or if they have been obviously sitting on under-inflated tires. Grab the rail just above the axle and give the trailer a good side-to-side shake. You're watching the wheels, looking for wobble that indicates loose bearings. You're going long distance. You want their cleanest trailer. You don't want the one that would be sketchy for even a 1 hour rental.

Also, with a rental on surge brakes, 65mph is your absolute max, 60 should be your cruising speed. Now, on my personal trailer 65 might be my cruising speed, and I'll occasionally punch it up to 70 to pass. But I know the age and speed rating of my tires, and I know when I last rebuilt the brakes and bearings. I don't go that fast with rentals. I slow it down a bit because even with a walk around I don't know how loose or dry the bearings are; I don't know the condition of the brake system. That's why I kick tires and check hubs every time Im at the gas pumps.

As others say, take the back roads, enjoy the scenic route. Good luck.

 

It was 2k+... I'll give it a few more hoping fuel prices will ease

 

Front wheel drive? Use a dolly instead of a trailer...about 2000lbs less weight to haul. Only problem is you can't really back up, which isn't much of a problem if you plan ahead. Cheaper to rent, cheaper on fuel, win win.

 

That’s a crazy quote.. I got quoted $1200 for a one way trip from Houston, TX to Seattle, WA (2200 miles).. But this is scheduled for May 2024

 

You’ll be fine it’s an aerodynamic haul vs a wind sail like my 5,000lb TT. Biggest thing is the Tongue weight without a weight distribution hitch. Maybe stick some sumo springs on.

Keep it in S5 and shift accordingly. I cruise at 65mph in 5th all the time and have averaged 11.4mpg on the current trip I’m on which has been 2,800miles in the past 3 weeks.

Get OBD fusion to monitor the torque converter lock up status. If you’re monitoring the lock up you won’t have any issues with temperatures. The red circle on the screen shot below turns green when locked. When locked no heat is produced.

you can also pin the thermostat open too, you don’t have a dedicated transmission radiator but it’ll help regulate the temps. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KB3Xbx97Emw

 

Will this trip be during the winter? If so that is another thing to consider. Your route takes you right across the snowbelt. I've towed a car dolly through snow storms and across black ice, not fun

 

A good thing I forgot was mentioned above.
For sure check the trailer. Especially tire condition and pressures... i've never had a uhaul with proper tire pressures in them. Remember to set them cold

 

Get a trailer TPMS kit (many are sold on Amazon) to monitor the tire pressure of the dolly- they are inexpensive and simply screw onto the valve stem like a cap.

Here’s a very inexpensive one with fairly good ratings -caveat emptor- : Tire Pressure Monitoring System Wireless Solar TPMS

$30 Tire Pressure Monitoring System Wireless Solar TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitor Installed on Windowshield with 4 External Sensors Real-time Display Temperature Pressure 22-87 PSI for Car RV SUV MPV Sedan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LK3MDC3


Also check the wheels of the dolly very carefully- Jack it up and see if the bearings feel right and if the tires look good. They don’t come with spares so you have to check very carefully. The yard monkeys at UHah often overlook stuff like that and I’ve seen several trailers come in on flatbeds with upset renters following behind (I used to work there in high school). Have a fun trip!

 

Definitely check the trailer thoroughly, even down to the lug nuts being tight. Uhaul maintenance is spotty at best.