My husband and I are moving from texas to iowa in a few weeks. We are trying to decide between my husband driving the uhaul and me the car, or towing the car behind the uhaul. We towed a uhaul trailer behind our jeep last time we moved, but that is the extent of our experience towing things. Our car is new and I do not really want to put the extra miles on it, but we are inexperienced with both driving a uhaul and towing a trailer. Anyone with experience doing this have advise for us?
2006-11-22 00:55:34 · 10 answers · asked by Katie G 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
If you plan on towing your car behind a U-Haul you may want to ensure you get a "full" trailer. That means that the whole car is on a trailer, not just a trailer dolly that would have the front wheels off the ground and the back wheels would be rolling on the ground.
As long as you are careful and not trying to make record time to you destination you should be fine. I have seen too many people get over confident with what they are driving. You will have a lot of vehicle to stop if in an emergency situation. The slower the speed, the less room you are going to need to stop, and the safer you will be.
This time of year can get nasty in Iowa, so just take it easy and if the roads get that bad then shut down for a day if you need to. Better safe than sorry.
2006-11-22 01:05:26 · answer #1 · answered by wilbur_v2 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You do not say what size car you have to be towed. There are limits on the size and type of car that can be put on a trailer to be towed behind a Uhaul truck.
It is best to go speak with your local Uhaul Moving Center reprenstative not a local rental independant dealer. They will have a video for you to watch and be able to assist you in making an educated decision.
Remeber too, the people you speak to are there to rent you equipment. If you do not feel comfortable with towing your car on a trailer then DON'T do it. Drive the car.
Weather is another concern. This time of year can be very treachereous on the roads north of Kansas. Black ice can be a problem as can large storms which will make towing a a trailer very dangereous.
The website below is more information on towing from Uhaul
http://www.uhaul.com/towing/
My best on you trip.
2006-11-22 11:23:53 · answer #2 · answered by .*. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have your answer as long as you can agree to all three of the following statments, then go ahead and rent the Uhaul and full trailer for your move. #1 The most important thing to do is get the insurance on everything you are hauling, including the Uhaul, contents and your car. #2 The experience you will gain hauling a trailer can only help your comfort level. #3 Not to make light of things, but can you live with knowing inexperience is the cause of many fatal accidents.
2006-11-27 03:18:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jerry H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UHaul has towing dollies and flat bed type trailers designed for hauling a car. I would recommend the latter. You simply use the ramps supplied and drive the car onto it and then secure it, so it can't move using the restraints supplied. The trailer will have automatic brakes on it and you won't have to worry much about it getting away from you.
2006-11-28 18:56:52 · answer #4 · answered by oldgrump 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, the joys of moving. In towing your car, it would be advisable to contact U-Haul, and arrange for a carrier for your vehicle. You would need to be instructed on the proper way to secure the trailer to the U-Haul vehicle, and then drive your car onto the carrier. The vehicle would need to be properly parked, and secured to the U-Haul car carrier. This would alleviate the need for two separate drivers, and would prevent the additional mileage on your new car. You will need to take the additional weight of the car on the carrier, and lateral movement of the carrier while on the roadway into consideration while driving, i.e. clearance required while changing lanes, acceleration and the additional stopping distance required due to the additional weight. Personnel at U-Haul should be able to provide you with the information and the equipment you need. I strongly recommend that you utilize the car carrier that allows you to completely drive your car onto it, and NOT the carrier that only supports the front wheels. Even though most new cars are front wheel drive requiring the front wheels be "carried", the full carrier should provide you with more stability and safety while making the long drive. I hope that all works well for you in Iowa (Hey, look...more corn!!) BSAFE!!
2006-11-22 09:36:22 · answer #5 · answered by Douglas C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep us posted so we know what highway you'll have shut down when you wreck. I advise to drive the car. Being a truck driver I see alot of wrecks caused by uhauls towing things
2006-11-22 09:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by loomis127 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u-haul should rent a towbar if its a front wheel drive car the front wheels need to be off the ground if its rear wheel drive the drive shaft should be removed to prevent damage to transmission thats probably about it but you should check with the dealer to make sure that there is nothing else if your lack of experience scares you mabe u=haul has some imformation on it it probably wouldnt be much different on highway and in restaurants and motels you would likley park as semis do
2006-11-28 19:19:49 · answer #7 · answered by marwinstonboro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its easy tow it so you can be together. or do a little of both. on mts roads drive it othe3r times tow mayb?
2006-11-30 06:04:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
front tires on your tow dolly wont rack up miles on your car if its front wheel drive
2006-11-26 12:25:13 · answer #9 · answered by dave v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
disconnect the odometer....then be real intelligent and have it shipped
2006-11-29 15:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋