Imlooking to buy a55 ford in texas it will be a 2500 mile trip.Would a u-haul trailer be ok.thanks,any advice?
The last time I looked at a U-Haul trailer to pickup a project that was about 600 miles away one way. I couldn't find a trailer out of six I would leave town with. Some had loose wheel bearings and the others had bald tires on them so I barrowed a trailer to pick the car up and then bought a trailer about a month later so I won't be in that situation again.
Thats a good idea for there is lots of trailers and trailer manufactures in Texas. They have lots of good welders
That's a long trip. I'd buy a trailer. Keep it if you can. If not, sell it at a loss. You'll take a loss of less than the cost of the rental?
Not sure what the cost of this is; but it might be something to look into? http://www.alliedautomotive.com/request-a-quotation-us/ Dan.
I have a Diamond C split dovetail and wouldn't be without it. But, I did have an occasion to transport an Audi A4 from Texas to OKC and due to the lack of anything to hook straps to, I had to use an U-Haul trailer with its wheel strap design. Agree, it's not as pretty as mine but IMHO it's a solid little trailer. They have been crisscrossing the U.S. for many years. I modified my Diamond C trailer to include the wheel ratcheting system for cars like the Audi and my Corvair. I would buy a U-Haul if they would ever sell one.
Like some of the previous posters have said, there are so many trailer manufacturers in Texas, you can get a great price on one, and sometimes sell it for a profit once home. U-Haul mainly has narrow trailers fit for modern cars, and it has gotten hard to find ones to fit a fifties car onto there. Also be sure your tow rig is capable, using too light of duty could be a recipe for disaster. ---John
I've used uhaul trailers to haul all sorts of vehicles...30's cars, 40's trucks, 50's cars, 60's Vettes, 70's Vettes......I've never had an issue with a uhaul trailer. That said, buying one isn't a bad idea....but you need to have it registered at the DMV and insured, etc. So dial in that hassle, time and cost too.
I've used U Haul trailers for all sorts of cars and trucks. The ones here in California all seem to be pretty new, like they replaced the fleet. The biggest thing with them is the get confused with old cars when they ask what you are towing, and make sure you have a truck big enough to haul what you want to tow as they are picky about that as well.
++1.....U-Haul can be a pain with this.... I would buy a trailer down there, haul your car, then sell the trailer....car trailers on Craigs last about 10 min in my area...been looking for a good used one for about 6 mos... Tom
Here in San Antonio on craigslist you can find new 16' tandem axle utility trailer's that you can haul a car on for $1500. Check craigslist in the city where the car is.
I've never had a problem with their car trailers, their trucks, different story unless just around town.......I have seen a few Penske rental car trailers and their eguipment is much better than Uhauls.
If you are set in using U-haul do the following: 1) Rent a gray trailer, not the red trailer. Red ones are smaller. 2) Rent at a big city near the car you are picking up, usually less money. 3) Tell them you are hauling a Honda or something like that. 4) Make sure that the towing vehicle will tow the vehicle per their computer. 5) Make sure the license plate on the trailer is on good and is currently registered. 6) Keep your towing vehicle out of overdrive if automatic.
I would buy a trailer in the state you are going to, and sell it when you get back like mentioned. It Will save you gas $ on the way there hauling an empty trailer too. or if you have a few buddies, maybe you can all go in on one, and one guy keep it, if you don't have the space. that way when a deal pops up you are ready to go!
^ for item #3......If you buy their insurance to cover damage to the vehicle that you are towing, don't lie about the car you are towing.
Don't try it with a 1/2 ton truck unless it's all flat ground. You can put serious were and tear on an automatic in a 1/2 ton going over mountains. Stay out of overdrive except on the flats. Make sure whatever trailer you use it has good brakes and a good controller. It can save your life.
It still comes down to cost of renting a trailer vs the cost of buying a trailer. I'd get a quote on rental and then start thinking about other options Depending on your route down, there might be someone who can hook you up with a manufacture and help you get a wholesale or near wholesale deal on a new one. A lot of car trailers that end up North, East and West seem to be built in Texas or Oklahoma.
Dont forget to factor in the "Ultra super duper heavy duty AAA membership", the one that will tow your trailer as well.......just sayin....
I bought mine from here.. Put lots of good safe miles on it. Bear in mind however that your $1800 to $2400 trailer will come with no ratchet straps or axle straps ($200), no spare tire or mount for a spare ($200), no tool box ($400), no hitch lock ($35), etc. etc. http://www.texastrailersupply.com/car_hauler_trailers/car_hauler_trailers.htm
Check a local rental yard that is not U Haul. They may have a better Trailer than U Haul. I have seen and used U haul trailers all over with no safety concerns. They are adamant about keeping within the posted speed on the fenders, in relation to insurance claims especially. Your Auto insurance Policy may cover anything you are towing. If you buy a trailer, beware. It makes it so much easier to bring home projects that you may find more than you want. I bought one after I got my Studebaker. Seventeen more followed me home, as well as 30 Chevy trucks, 8 Chevelles,4 Gto's, and the list goes on and on and on and on.
Studebaker Eric just hit the prime downside. That, and "Hey, BRO..." On the other hand, I love my trailer. The uses are innumerable. Its one of the best investments I've ever made. $1400 8 years ago.
Dealing with those miles I would consider a commercial transport company. I had a car transported from the north east (Upstate NY), to the south east (GA) for less, ($750.00), than I would have spent on gas.
We used to rent Uhaul trailers in Golden Colorado and put our rental car on the trailer as balast to do pickup truck engine calibration up the hill to the Eisenhower tunnel in the early 90's. One night we came down after dark. In the morning during our pre trip check we found that the A frame in front of the Uhaul trailer deck had broken clear off on one side, and the other side was severely cracked. Lucky we didn't launch that Buick over the side of the mountain, or worse yet, into the other lane of traffic. Needless to say, we bought our own trailer for the department after that experience.
Check the craigslist in the area of Texas whee you are going to pick up the car. I would imagine you could a decent used trailer, buy it right and then sell it at home. You might ven be able to get Texas Temporary registration and plate for a one way trip home, then register/title it permanently or sell it with the Manufacturers Cert of Origin, to another party.
i dont think you would lose that much money on buying the trailer in texas and selling it in nj. that a pretty long trip ,high rental cost.
I love that civic! U Haul is goofy with their reliance on the computer to tell them what can haul what.
I've rented a U-Haul once, wasn't impressed. Drove down to Phoenix to pick up a car I bought ("sure, it would drive to Albuquerque" he said, we made it to El Polackos shop is all). Pulled said car back on a U-haul trailer with my Dodge Mega-cab duelly. Anything over 50 mph was a white knuckle ride it would sway so bad, couldn't imagine if I was using a smaller truck. I'm use to running at least 75/80 with my 24' box trailer without even knowing it's behind my truck. Miserable trip home thanks to U-Haul.
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