Uhaul Car Trailer

[Norm B.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

If I'm serious about a car, I rent the trailer locally and take it with me in case I buy it. That way there's no last minute scrambling and being held hostage by the rental place. If I don't buy the car, I'm only out $50.[/QUOTE]

That's what we did. It was 600 miles round trip but those trailers are light when empty and don't really represent any wind resistance so the extra mileage is not really a big deal. We were also pretty sure we would be bringing the car home with us. We told the seller we were bringing cash and a trailer but we were only going to Petawawa once so he had better be ready to deal.

[Phil D.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Like Don said, $50 a day is the price IF you return it to the same place you rent it from. 1 way rental prices are ridiculous and that applies to cars as well. If I'm serious about a car, I rent the trailer locally and take it with me in case I buy it. That way there's no last minute scrambling and being held hostage by the rental place. If I don't buy the car, I'm only out $50.

I can sympathize. I did that once when I went to Houston with the potential to retrieve a parts car. I reserved the trailer online from U-haul but when I got there and decided to go ahead and buy the car, the trailer was not available. They called around and sent me 75 miles away to another U-haul place to pick up a trailer. They did give me a discount for my trouble but still was a mess. I had not used U-haul since and I don't think I'd trust their online reservations again. For $60 a day I'd just chance it and take the empty trailer with me. My immediate need however is just local. Thanks everyone for all the input.

[William F.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Do you have to supply your own rear tie downs?

[Norm B.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

If you feel you will need rear tie downs then bring your own. Better to have them and not need them than the other way around. If I remember correctly the rear chain and hook is more of a secondary safety device than a tie down. There may have been one for the front too. When we brought back my son in laws '78 we used the front wheel straps that come with the trailer to secure it. The car did not budge in the 300 mile trip over both secondary roads and divided highways, and yes we checked it every so often. I was quite surprised and impressed at how well the trailer performed overall given some of my past experiences with other types of U-Haul equipment.

[Phil D.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Now that I've used it, there are things now that I like and don't like about the Uhaul trailers. I liked that the ramps are very long and flat, not the short ladder type. The c3 chassis loaded easily. There is even a convenient point to attach a come-a-long winch. The tie-down strap system is very easy to use, but it is in a fixed position relative to the axles so you don't have any opportunity to balance your load. And the hydraulic brake system adds perhaps a couple hundred pounds to the tongue weight plus at least three extra feet I could have done without trying to back up from my narrow street into my narrow driveway.

As to bringing your own rear straps, definitely don't rely entirely on those front straps. I once rented a different trailer to haul a Corvette a long distance and even though I had it cinched down tight all four corners, I could swear when I arrived at my destination that the back end was sitting a few inches closer to one side than it was when I started the journey. I can only imagine how it might bounce around without being tied at the back. These trailers ride more like a roadeo bull than a Rolls Royce.

[John D.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Tip from a friend who just bought a Chevelle- If you rent a trailer to travel long distance to buy a car leave it at the local shopping center when you go look at the car. Otherwise you're whats know as a motivated buyer and it will be harder to bargain.

[Richard L.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Tip from a friend who just bought a Chevelle- If you rent a trailer to travel long distance to buy a car leave it at the local shopping center when you go look at the car. Otherwise you're whats know as a motivated buyer and it will be harder to bargain.

Agree...

Your leverage just went out the window when you show up with a trailer if the deal has not been consummated in advance...

[Mark E.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

Tip from a friend who just bought a Chevelle- If you rent a trailer to travel long distance to buy a car leave it at the local shopping center when you go look at the car. Otherwise you're whats know as a motivated buyer and it will be harder to bargain.

What are the chances the trailer will still be there when you return?

[Jim D.]

Re: Uhaul Car Trailer

What are the chances the trailer will still be there when you return?

Exactly. It doesn't make any sense to leave it just because you think it will make a difference in the selling price. It won't. If the seller doesn't agree to your offer, simply leave. If you really believe bringing a trailer affects the selling price, park down the street so they can't see it.