Anyone Tow a Car With a U-Haul Trailer?

[ryeguy2006a]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be renting a U-Haul trailer and was curious if anyone had any experience with them? My truck is a 2015 F150 with the 5.0 and it's rated for 9100 towing capacity, but for some reason when I did the quote online they said that my truck isn't recommended to tow my wife's 4500 lb Highlander? I realize that the trailer weights something, but certainly not another 4500 lbs!

Thanks,
Ryan

[roadking77]

Renting a car trailer from Uhaul can be tricky. They have the formulas in the computer and if everything doesnt align they wont rent to you. I had problems a few years ago when I had to pick up a cavalier. At the time I had a heavy duty f150 (yes, there was a commercial duty f150 that was basically setup like a 250) and their computer refused the rental. Fortunately I knew the store and the girl that ran the rental desk. I explained that I regularly pulled a skid loader with the truck and that it had a beefier suspension, brakes, hitch , etc. she had no problem overriding and renting to me. Good Luck.

[skisix38off]

I recently had to rent a Uhaul trailer to get my TA home after the clutch slave failed.  I didn't have any problems renting or towing.  Their car haulers are ugly but robust!  The only challenge was they don't have the Ford Raptor, my friends, as a choice for tow vehicle.

[firebirdparts]

They offer a nice trailer.  It's light.  Uses basket straps on the front.

I'm not sure what to tell you about their rules.  Wouldn't make much sense for me to give an opinion on that.  Your truck is obviously okay, and if you drove by and said "look here on this door placard" they might listen.  I don't know.

[pancho400cid]

I pulled my Brown 78 T/A home from Killeen TX to Austin TX (about 70 miles) with one.  I used my Chey Silverado 1500 to do it.  Worked really good!

I've also used them on a couple of other cars for similar distances.  I'm very happy with them. 

I'd call UH and verify they will allow the set-up you want to use (tow car, car being towed, etc.).  They type the info into the computer and an algorithm says "yes" or "no" as mentioned.

User Note - on the driver's-side trailer fender will fold down so you can open the car door on the towed vehicle.

...

[FormTA]

I rented one and I had my S10 Blazer. Obviously their computer said no but I told the guy come out and look at it. It was in solid axles, 4:10s and 33s. He took one look and ya, you're fine. It pulled great and I had no problems.

[roadking77]

Ryan, I dont think you will have any problem towing the car with your truck. And yes those u haul trailers are just about perfect when it comes to a car trailer. Good Luck with the move.

[chief poncho]

Had the same problem years ago.  They use a standard algorithm that is very conservative with regard to towing estimates.  In my case the rental outfit had one of their own trailers and allowed me to rent that.  U-haul sucks IMO!

[tajoe]

How 'bout a tow dolly. Could you use that?

[ryeguy2006a]

When I typed in a Corolla, it allowed me to rent the trailer so I just did that. They only have to inspect my truck prior to the tow, so I'm hoping that they don't give me any grief.

TAjoe, I don't think I can use a tow dolly because her Highlander is AWD. Maybe there is a way to do it, but I don't want to risk messing that up.

[gm muscle]

I once tried renting a car hauler from U Haul. I have a '97 Chevy K1500 regular cab with a 5.7. They said the weight differential was unacceptable...even though the car I was wanting to haul was a '95 Camaro with no engine or transmission. They said they couldn't take that into consideration. I then went to a flatbed outfit on the outskirts of town. They quickly got the paperwork going and I was on my way. I had no issues hauling the Camaro. I even hauled my step-father's '88 Ford Ranger. Again, no issues.

[tajoe]

TAjoe, I don't think I can use a tow dolly because her Highlander is AWD. Maybe there is a way to do it, but I don't want to risk messing that up.

Hey, I never knew this, till recently. (Concerning an AWD Mercedes). You could pull one of the driveshafts, but on a Merc., you might as well pull the crank-shaft. "Nightmare", these modern vehicles. What-ever happened to unlocking the frt hubs?

[mrbandit]

Ryan, I've pulled a 99 firebird, and a g6 with them using my 03' suburban.  It has a 9klbs tow weight as well and I couldn't even tell it was back there.  Last time I rented one it was $75 a day, which I consider to be very cheap.  Just make sure you have the correct ball size and a plug to hook up the lights.

[Maryland Bandit]

When I used to tow the 79 bird to the Nats I had to fudge the car being towed as a Fiero.  The Tacoma was rated to tow 6500 lbs, Car and trailer were close at 5500. On paper it didn't work, but I never had any issues for the 5 years I did it. Maryland to Ohio and back.

[ryeguy2006a]

Truck towed the car without any issues.