U-Haul or Ryder trailers? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

TNScrambler · 09-10-2002, 12:33 AM

Just wondering if anyone has had any sucsess with towing a off road rig on a rent-a-trailer? My origonal plan was to rent one to haul my scrambler out to WY then rent another one to haul it back, but a buddy of mine says that even if I can get it to fit, these trailers are junk and I won't be able to drive normal hwy speeds with it. His experience with them was towing a '72 2wd c10 longbed behind a 2wd shortbed 454SS chevrolet. I will be towing a Scrambler with full width axles and 42's in the ~85 in. total width area. I'll be towing with an extra cab long bed 4x4 '96 Silverado 1500. What are yalls thoughts?

Thanks,
Justin

smurfsdad · 09-10-2002, 05:49 AM

Your buddy didnt know what he was doing.

nobody20 · 09-10-2002, 06:04 AM

Twice towed a CJ-5 on Uhaul once from CA to TX and TX to AZ behind my F-350. Towed just fine at 80mph.

My advice buy a trailer it costs to much to rent them IMO.

chumly2071 · 09-10-2002, 10:14 AM

I'm not sure of current policy, but Ryder in the past wouldn't rent you a car toter unless you rent a truck to pull it with. There was a problem with people trying to pull with too light of a tow rig, and there were some accidents. Got that info from my uncle, who runs a Ryder rental outlet (although I got this information a few years ago, so it may not be current or even applicable).

RE:Todd · 09-10-2002, 10:47 AM

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a rental with the deck width that you need.

TJpwr · 09-10-2002, 03:03 PM

a couple of years ago Uhaul told me that they would not rent to a person towing a soft top vehical. Now I was dumb enough to say that I WAS towing my Jeep but I found a better deal elswhere. Just dont tell them...

Phil

Dustball · 09-10-2002, 05:53 PM

Check to see if there's a Hertz Equipment Rental near you. Me and a buddy rented two trailers from them for $175/week each.

Left one is the 6 ton model, 104" deck, 20 foot bed.
Right one (mine) is the 5 ton model, 80" between fenders, 16 foot bed. Fenders are strong enough to drive over if necessary.

The 6 ton had electric brakes which is why he had that trailer, 5 ton had surge brakes. Both uses pintle hitches.

Middle one is a rental too but from some other place. $55/day I think it was.

Paul Gagnon · 09-10-2002, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJpwr
a couple of years ago Uhaul told me that they would not rent to a person towing a soft top vehical. Now I was dumb enough to say that I WAS towing my Jeep but I found a better deal elswhere. Just dont tell them...

Phil

I think either you or the U-haul dude were confused. The policy is that you can't tow with a soft topped vehicle, it's got nothing to do with the vehicle that is on the trailer. As far as the size, there are two different widths available from U-Haul and the max wheelbase is 133". I've towed a few times with U-Haul trailers and never had any problems. They are actually well built and nicely designed. The catch is that at $60 a day it doesn't take long to add up to the cost of a used trailer.

Travis Waldher · 09-11-2002, 08:57 AM

I've towed a uhaul trailer before with surge brakes and on a 1/2 ton truck.

IT SUCKED ASS!

The U-haul trailer is VERY tongue heavy once a vehicle is loaded. Surge brakes suck.

Go to a commercial place and get a good trailer with electric brakes.

TJpwr · 09-11-2002, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon

I think either you or the U-haul dude were confused. The policy is that you can't tow with a soft topped vehicle, it's got nothing to do with the vehicle that is on the trailer.

Yeah that could be what happened. What do you think their reasoning is for that? Either way it does not really make sense to me.

Thanks, Phil

TNScrambler · 09-11-2002, 09:53 PM

I'm probably going to buy a used trailer, I'm going to call Hertz tomarrow just incase they have a great deal or something, but more than likely going to buy one. I got a price from uhaul for one way Knoxville, TN to Laramie, WY for $399.....so then next year when I bring it home....$399, so after tax I've spend over $800 and have nothing of my own.

Justin

Oxjockey · 09-12-2002, 05:57 AM

I, personally, liked the Uhaul trailers.

The surge brakes work, and work easily, the trailer is a little noisy over bumps, but all in all it's a good deal for $50/day. I've since bought my own, but when I didn't have the dinero, etc...

EDIT: FW axles will probably not fit.

These are stock with 38s:

Bryan

Travis Waldher · 09-12-2002, 09:15 AM

When I towed the u-haul trailer empty, I knew it was back there, I could feel it just trying to accelerate. It bounced a lot, it was noisy, etc. Loading my fiat on it, using THEIR tire straps, caused a tongue weight probably near 1,000lbs. It towed like shit.

Now I have a 8x16 flatbed trailer, that may weigh as much as a 3,000lbs, empty. It tows like it isn't back there. With a 4800lb jeep on it, I can tell its back there during acceleration and on anything resembling a hill, but other than that it tows like it isn't there.

Paul Gagnon · 09-12-2002, 11:57 PM

I've towed two fullsize trucks on the old style narrow U-Hauls. No problems fitting the width with either but they were stock tires. Backing up up-hill in gravel is a bitch with the surge brakes though.

slider · 09-15-2002, 08:21 PM

U-Haul:

an aquaintence recently said:
"they wouldn't let me rent the auto-transport without renting one of thier trucks"

...this was in person at the desk...

next day he reserves it on-line but at the same place!

...he goes and gets it early the following morning...sees a different clerk, tows it home with his truck!!!

TNScrambler · 09-18-2002, 09:38 PM

I solved my delima by buying a trailer today. I shoped around and found the best deal on one that suited my needs. Its a ridgeline 18'x7'.....16' flat 2' dove, and a true 7' wide inbetween the fenders. The fenders are diamondplate, and fairly stout, I think they should hold up with the 42's driving over them. And two 3500 pound axles, should be fine for my ~5000 (estimate) pound rig.

10-4,
Justin

Oxjockey · 09-18-2002, 11:52 PM

I know you already bought the trailer, but you should weigh your rig & the trailer to make sure they're not over 7k lb combined.

Bryan

Motornoggin · 09-22-2002, 09:32 PM

I know I'm a little late here (just started reading this forum). I rented a Ryder car hauler & truck to move from Seattle to PDX. On the trailer was a 72 Blazer 3/4 ton (D44, Eaton) with 39.5 Swampers. Fit no problem. Thought I would post in case anyone else wanted to know.

TNScrambler · 09-26-2002, 01:12 PM

Well, I just arived in Laramie last night after driving 1500 miles in 32 hours....the trailer pulled excellent! I luckily had no problems and just cruised along....I didn't even know the trailer was there when I got up to speed and it handled great in the speeds of up to 93 (open flat roads in Nebraska).

Thanks to all for their stories and opinions.

Justin Ray

gunracer1 · 09-26-2002, 01:50 PM

i am just glad you bought your own trailer, for the money they charge to rent. it doesn't take long to make it pay for it self. mike

09-10-2002, 12:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
TNScrambler Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10818 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 842	U-Haul or Ryder trailers? Just wondering if anyone has had any sucsess with towing a off road rig on a rent-a-trailer? My origonal plan was to rent one to haul my scrambler out to WY then rent another one to haul it back, but a buddy of mine says that even if I can get it to fit, these trailers are junk and I won't be able to drive normal hwy speeds with it. His experience with them was towing a '72 2wd c10 longbed behind a 2wd shortbed 454SS chevrolet. I will be towing a Scrambler with full width axles and 42's in the ~85 in. total width area. I'll be towing with an extra cab long bed 4x4 '96 Silverado 1500. What are yalls thoughts? Thanks, Justin __________________ random parts stashed in various locations that might someday become part of a Jeep ;)

09-10-2002, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	Your buddy didnt know what he was doing. __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

09-10-2002, 06:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
nobody20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12393 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,051	Twice towed a CJ-5 on Uhaul once from CA to TX and TX to AZ behind my F-350. Towed just fine at 80mph. My advice buy a trailer it costs to much to rent them IMO. __________________ 79 CJ-5 a bunch of stuff but no chrome, no Bestop, no Genuine Steel and no Steel Horse. 383 LT-4. D60, D44, D300 4:1, SM420, SOA, 4-link w/double shackles, etc. 88 YJ, 350TPI, 700R4, D300 4:1, rear SOA D44 w/Warn floating axles, coil front D44 w/Warn Axles

09-10-2002, 10:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
chumly2071 Granite Guru Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8293 Location: Lexington, IL Posts: 740	I'm not sure of current policy, but Ryder in the past wouldn't rent you a car toter unless you rent a truck to pull it with. There was a problem with people trying to pull with too light of a tow rig, and there were some accidents. Got that info from my uncle, who runs a Ryder rental outlet (although I got this information a few years ago, so it may not be current or even applicable). __________________ I'm an Engineer. Why leave it alone, when I can REALLY screw it up? ***** There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it can't be solved by brute strength and ignorance.

09-10-2002, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
RE:Todd Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 422 Location: Roswell NM Posts: 6,374	I think you'd be hard pressed to find a rental with the deck width that you need. __________________ Todd Steele TINBENDERS Formula Toy #006; Thanks to Deaver Spring, High Angle Driveline, Longfields, Rock Buggy Supply, PRP Seats, Marlin Crawler, Coast Motor Supply and RockStomper. [url=http://www.tinbenders.org]TinBenders.org[/url]

09-10-2002, 03:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
TJpwr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3432 Location: Los Gatos, CA USA Posts: 709	a couple of years ago Uhaul told me that they would not rent to a person towing a soft top vehical. Now I was dumb enough to say that I WAS towing my Jeep but I found a better deal elswhere. Just dont tell them... Phil __________________ "How's the view from sugar heaven bitch?!" Quote from where?

09-10-2002, 05:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dustball Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4073 Location: St. Paul, MN, USA Posts: 988	Check to see if there's a Hertz Equipment Rental near you. Me and a buddy rented two trailers from them for $175/week each. Left one is the 6 ton model, 104" deck, 20 foot bed. Right one (mine) is the 5 ton model, 80" between fenders, 16 foot bed. Fenders are strong enough to drive over if necessary. The 6 ton had electric brakes which is why he had that trailer, 5 ton had surge brakes. Both uses pintle hitches. Middle one is a rental too but from some other place. $55/day I think it was. __________________ Dustin S. I had a brain-eating disease that died of starvation.

09-11-2002, 08:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,530	I've towed a uhaul trailer before with surge brakes and on a 1/2 ton truck. IT SUCKED ASS! The U-haul trailer is VERY tongue heavy once a vehicle is loaded. Surge brakes suck. Go to a commercial place and get a good trailer with electric brakes.

09-11-2002, 09:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
TNScrambler Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10818 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 842	I'm probably going to buy a used trailer, I'm going to call Hertz tomarrow just incase they have a great deal or something, but more than likely going to buy one. I got a price from uhaul for one way Knoxville, TN to Laramie, WY for $399.....so then next year when I bring it home....$399, so after tax I've spend over $800 and have nothing of my own. Justin __________________ random parts stashed in various locations that might someday become part of a Jeep ;)

09-12-2002, 05:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
Oxjockey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7163 Location: PA Posts: 1,863	I, personally, liked the Uhaul trailers. The surge brakes work, and work easily, the trailer is a little noisy over bumps, but all in all it's a good deal for $50/day. I've since bought my own, but when I didn't have the dinero, etc... EDIT: FW axles will probably not fit. These are stock with 38s: Bryan Last edited by Oxjockey; 09-12-2002 at 05:58 AM.

09-12-2002, 09:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,530	When I towed the u-haul trailer empty, I knew it was back there, I could feel it just trying to accelerate. It bounced a lot, it was noisy, etc. Loading my fiat on it, using THEIR tire straps, caused a tongue weight probably near 1,000lbs. It towed like shit. Now I have a 8x16 flatbed trailer, that may weigh as much as a 3,000lbs, empty. It tows like it isn't back there. With a 4800lb jeep on it, I can tell its back there during acceleration and on anything resembling a hill, but other than that it tows like it isn't there.

09-12-2002, 11:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
Paul Gagnon Poseur SUV Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 610 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? Posts: 9,950 Blog Entries: 6	I've towed two fullsize trucks on the old style narrow U-Hauls. No problems fitting the width with either but they were stock tires. Backing up up-hill in gravel is a bitch with the surge brakes though. __________________ Paul Gagnon Sherwood Park, Alberta eh? "No Brain, No Pain"

09-15-2002, 08:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
slider Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11184 Location: central CT Posts: 254	U-Haul: an aquaintence recently said: "they wouldn't let me rent the auto-transport without renting one of thier trucks" ...this was in person at the desk... next day he reserves it on-line but at the same place! ...he goes and gets it early the following morning...sees a different clerk, tows it home with his truck!!! __________________ ...save the cows...eat the elephant...

09-18-2002, 09:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
TNScrambler Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10818 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 842	problem solved I solved my delima by buying a trailer today. I shoped around and found the best deal on one that suited my needs. Its a ridgeline 18'x7'.....16' flat 2' dove, and a true 7' wide inbetween the fenders. The fenders are diamondplate, and fairly stout, I think they should hold up with the 42's driving over them. And two 3500 pound axles, should be fine for my ~5000 (estimate) pound rig. 10-4, Justin __________________ random parts stashed in various locations that might someday become part of a Jeep ;)

09-18-2002, 11:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
Oxjockey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7163 Location: PA Posts: 1,863	I know you already bought the trailer, but you should weigh your rig & the trailer to make sure they're not over 7k lb combined. Bryan

09-22-2002, 09:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
Motornoggin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13268 Location: Hillsbororegon Posts: 1,502	I know I'm a little late here (just started reading this forum). I rented a Ryder car hauler & truck to move from Seattle to PDX. On the trailer was a 72 Blazer 3/4 ton (D44, Eaton) with 39.5 Swampers. Fit no problem. Thought I would post in case anyone else wanted to know. __________________ 16543, 16593, 16676, 16736, 16858, 16940, 16987, 17091, 17157, 17298 I did...did you?

09-26-2002, 01:12 PM	#19 (permalink)
TNScrambler Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10818 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 842	Update Well, I just arived in Laramie last night after driving 1500 miles in 32 hours....the trailer pulled excellent! I luckily had no problems and just cruised along....I didn't even know the trailer was there when I got up to speed and it handled great in the speeds of up to 93 (open flat roads in Nebraska). Thanks to all for their stories and opinions. Justin Ray __________________ random parts stashed in various locations that might someday become part of a Jeep ;)

09-26-2002, 01:50 PM	#20 (permalink)
gunracer1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7412 Location: ft worth texas, aguilar colorado Posts: 3,574	i am just glad you bought your own trailer, for the money they charge to rent. it doesn't take long to make it pay for it self. mike __________________ i would rather be spanking the monkey offroad 99 Durango sitting on tons and fortys

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