u haul experience

[razorback]

I am getting ready to move back home for the summer and I am thinkin i need a u haul trailer or something like that to move all my crap and my roommate's a few hours down the highway. the uhaul people keep saying, though, that the max speed is 45-55 mph, and i really dont want to only go 55 mph down the highway. ive towed stuff faster than that before, and they say that anything above that could be dangerous for if the load were to shift or it could handle improperly.

my gut reaction says i can do 70 something in my tundra and not have any issues as long as i make sure my load is secured and properly distributed, which i always do. i think they just say that so that if u mess up and hurt urself or someone else or damage stuff they can say they told you so about going over 55 mph.

ive towed tractors and boats on our utility trailer at speeds like that (granted, they were for shorter periods of time, but still) without incident.

advice?

[2008_CrewMax]

id say keep it around 60

[Codiac]

I have have towed U-Haul trailers down the road at 75 before with no issues. It's an insurance thing for them. Double check their tires though, they are usually crap. Secure the load and distribute it properly and you shouldn't have any issues.

However.....do this at your own risk!!! I am not responsible if you have a crack-up because you were towing a U-Haul trailer to fast.

[jpnca]

Rember the smaller the tire the faster it turns. Centrifical force (spelling?)

[Kingkrs]

I just made a 2600 mile trip towing my wifes car with a uhaul auto transport trailer and there is a backwards sticker on the fender that says speed limit 45 so I can read it in my side mirror. I however went 70 - 75 mph regularly with high cross winds and had zero issues. I even reached 80 once while not paying attention to the speedo and going with the flow of traffic. That is not to say that I didn't have my mind on that trailer at all times though.

I would say not to worry about it. Just do like others said and make sure your load is well distributed and not likely to shift.

[Larry]

I think the reason they state a lower speed limit is that for most people who rent a trailer, this is the first time they have ever towed anything. If you know what you are doing, I wouldn't worry about it.

A guy who I used to work with rented a u-Haul trailer. It was his first towing experience. The problem was that the person at the dealership knew less about trailers than he did! The u-Haul personel forgot to latch the coupler to the ball. When this guy hit a bump in the road, the trailer unhooked!!! Luckly the safety chains controlled the trailer so no one got hurt. It did activate the emergency brakes on the trailer and he did not know how to turn them off.

Recommendations: verify that the coupler is securely attached. Lift up on the hitch, even if you need to use a jack to do it. Make sure the safety chains are attached so if the trailer unhooks it will still follow your vehicle. If the trailer has brakes, make sure you connect the break-a-way cable. This activates the emergency brakes if the trailer unhooks. Make sure the trailer is level. I have seen people use a ball on the bumper, which made the trailer tilt up at the front. When that happens, the trailer will tend to wander back and forth. This is the reason they make ball mounts that have different amounts of drop or lift. Pick one that will make the trailer level.

[br6983]

I have no problem towing my trailers at 75 miles per hour. I maintain my trailers and know what condition the bearings and tires are in. Rented trailers I would be concerned about because who knows what type of maintenance they have had. Tires, bearings, and breaks go bad quickly without proper maintenance.

[ponyuk]

I would be wary of the quality of tires on that trailer.
I have driven from TX to CA twice to get my stuff out here (in 2 months I make the trip back to TX). I drove a 26' UHUAL and the largest UHAUL trailer they offer. I was 800 miles in to my trip (and STILL in TX) doing 70 down a hill on the interstate. I had a blow out and nearly pooped my pants The tire was a remold piece of junk. My wife was following in her car and said the truck and trailer violently swerved and bounced around - I don't remember as I was too busy watching my life flash before my eyes...
When using others kit I would air on the side of caution. When I am hauling my horse trailer (without horses) I will do 70 where legal - mainly because I take care of the trailer and know its history. If I were to use a UHUAL trailer again I would not go over 60 for sure.

I have an easier return to TX this time. I booked a 28 foot semi trailer to be dropped at the house. A rig drives it straight to TX for us - total cost $2800. UHUAL one way from Los Angeles to DFW with a TRUCK and TRAILER was $3,200! (yet the trip out only cost $1,100, and still does according to the web site). We also save the cost of gas to drive the UHUAL vehicle, and the return flight to CA to collect my Tundra and horse trailer. Maybe consider UPACK or other companies - or buy your own trailer.

Originally Posted by razorback

I am getting ready to move back home for the summer and I am thinkin i need a u haul trailer or something like that to move all my crap and my roommate's a few hours down the highway. the uhaul people keep saying, though, that the max speed is 45-55 mph, and i really dont want to only go 55 mph down the highway. ive towed stuff faster than that before, and they say that anything above that could be dangerous for if the load were to shift or it could handle improperly.

my gut reaction says i can do 70 something in my tundra and not have any issues as long as i make sure my load is secured and properly distributed, which i always do. i think they just say that so that if u mess up and hurt urself or someone else or damage stuff they can say they told you so about going over 55 mph.

ive towed tractors and boats on our utility trailer at speeds like that (granted, they were for shorter periods of time, but still) without incident.

advice?