Uhaul 5' x 8' Cargo Trailer

I am going to be renting a Uhaul 5' x 8' Cargo Trailer for a one way trip from VA to OH. I will be loading the trailer with about 1600 pounds of server room equipment. The max for the trailer is 1800 pounds. Would it make more sense to get a larger trailer with another axle? My other question is... with the uhaul trailers I do not see a tongue jack. I will need to disconnect the trailer from the truck while it is fully loaded. It is possible to do?

Thanks!

 

If you're within Uhaul's stated max for the trailer you'll be fine unless you physically need more room. The tandem axles do tow fairly well if you go up to a 5x10 but are obviously wider and catch more wind.

The Uhauls do NOT have a tongue jack because they do not want you to disconnect it when full loaded. If you do need to do this, chock both wheels and use a standard jack (preferably one with a V shape so the tongue can't slip off. This is not recommended, I'm just trying to tell you the safest way to do it and I wouldn't tell Uhaul you intend to do this either. Be careful when the trailer is disconnected from the truck, if you step on the back of the trailer, it can tip back because you no longer have the truck's hitch to hold the front down. I would not even try to load or unload the trailer unless it was connected to the truck.

EDIT: Also, if you're going to disconnect the trailer from the truck when fully loaded, you'd better make sure you have it loaded correctly (60% of the weight in front of the axle). If you're heavy in the back of the trailer, once you disconnect it from the hitch, the trailer will just sit on the back and the tongue will be up in the air. The tandem axle trailers are more stable when unhooked from the truck in this regard.