Tips for Pulling a Uhaul transport trailer?

Sure will be. It will be mid December so definitely gonna be glued to weather apps for the trip.

 

I should mention; This price was for enclosed transport (It is a classic car with perfect paint ). - It is still crazy high... so I'll give it a few.

Also I am going from MA to CA. (3,150 miles). - Can't get much further apart in the cont USA without getting wet...

 

Shipping costs are tied to the price of die$$$el.

Trucks coming into California need to meet all sorts of emissions regulations, so shippers upcharge for that too.

Is NY like CA?

 

Maybe I should price for a dropoff in NV or AZ...

 

This time of year, you’re going to need to do enclosed transport unless you want salt all over your car.

 

Agreed...
I may wait until spring at this rate...

 

Thought the exact same thing. That was right after thinking it would be cheaper to sell the car and buy another at the destination. . . . . I mean, its a Fiesta.

 

5000 lbs is near the realistic max you can tow with a Tacoma. You should be able to handle it as long as you don't overload the truck. That 5000 lbs assumes basically an empty tow vehicle with not much more than a driver. If you are planning on hauling 2-3 passengers and/or several hundred pounds in the bed you're going to go over your payload.

You also lose about 3% of your engines power for every 1000' above sea level. If you're going to have to cross some of the high passes in Colorado your engine is going to be working HARD. A lot of those passes are 10,000'+. That's a 30% reduction in power while towing near max. You're going to be running in 3rd and even 2nd gear and running near 4000-4500 rpm to get over those mountains.

Doing it in cooler weather will help. During the summer you have a greater risk of overheating.

 

Salt X
Salt Terminator
These are only two of the mini brands I know that wash with the salt and neutralize the corrosive properties

 

I'd rent a Ford V8 to haul that Ford

 

Contrary to popular opinion, I know of no scientific reason to use s-mode for anything other than engine braking.

I’ve never rented a trailer from u-haul, but my experience with trailers kept in backyards leads me to think the lights are the most common thing to fail. Check them.

Make sure the trailer has functioning brakes and be aware that your stopping distance is likely much longer.

Check the tie downs at each stop. The payload might shift around and cause them to loosen.

Be very aware of the trailer’s arc when turning. It’s really easy to cut a corner too sharp and have the trailer hit a curb or other hazard.

Drive conservatively and be extra aware of the cars around you. Always use your turn signals.

Backing up a trailer takes practice. If you are not proficient, avoid situations where it is required and if you cannot have someone spot you. Truck stops are the best places to get gas. Avoid small urban gas stations.

 

Are you picking up the trailer in CO and driving it one way? If so check out the cost of towing the trailer empty from NY and returning it to where you rented it. I had to move items from California to New Hampshire 4 years ago and the trailer was one-third the cost round trip from home than the one-way from California.

 

Contrary to popular opinion, you know very little about automatic, transmissions, overdrive, and towing trailers. And you clearly don’t read the Toyota owners manual; it clearly states to tow in 4th gear with ECT on.

A fried overdrive can an easy to diagnose with a transmission failure. The dealer will know the truck was used to tow with the overdrive and they will refuse your warranty claim upon a trans failure.

The overdraft packs on these transmissions are very small. Using the sport mode of the transmission allows the driver to put the transmission in fourth gear, keeping it out of overdrive. Thus helping to allow the transmission to survive.

Please don’t give out extremely poor advice.

 

Those canvas tarps, going down the road will destroy the paint on that drive.

Who gives a shit about salt spray. Thousands of vehicles are driven and salts spray, and washed off.

It’s not like he’s pulling a Ferrari

 

Didn’t think of that - any flapping that did happen would damage it…. Never mind the suggestion OP! I have seen RV tow vehicle shields but they are solid. I’ve use those tarps on a utility trailer and on my bike carrier and they do well, but you are right about not using one on a car. I’d be worried about the exposed edges, they completely cover my bike so there is no issue. Thanks.

 

Sorry, that actually came out a little harsh, I edited it.

my point being, he really doesn’t need any kind of protection for that car whatsoever. There are products that wash Salisbury off and leave no corrosive residue.

 

If you’re worried about the weight get the tow dolly.

 

Read the owners manual more carefully. It says to use s-mode when engine braking, not all the time. You are free to do so, but it is not recommended by the owners manual. If you’ve only read an older version, read a newer one as they have clarified the statement.

I don’t understand why there is this almost religious believe that you shouldn’t use gears above 1-1 when towing.

 

Agreed. My dad and I tried so many different configurations of tarp and it’s so difficult to find one that doesn’t billow out or flap all over and beat the paint up.

We landed on no tarp for the vehicle and then a rock guard on the front of the trailer, then just wash it when you get there.

 

Get a trailer brake controller. Don't plan on going over 60-65 MPH. You might even have to go slower if the trailer tires aren't rated for higher speeds. Find that out before you tow it. Take a couple gas cans with you, as you're fuel economy is going to be complete crap due to the added wind resistance. Put some extra air in the rear tires to support the tongue weight. The lower speeds and fuel economy mean you will likely need to set aside about twice as much time for the trip as you are thinking.

Fuel up in smaller towns and truck stops outside of big cities along the route. It's much less stressful when you can just stick to the right lane on the interstate through the cities and let everyone pass you.

Stop and check your straps on the car in the first 50 miles and at every fuel stop.