Towing a car without a trailer: If you've ever driven long distances on one of America's highways, you've probably seen an RV pulling a Jeep , dinghy style. Generally speaking, you can attach a tow bar to a rear-wheel-drive, manual-transmission vehicle and pull it with the towed vehicle in neutral. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with a two-speed transfer case can also be towed this way, in neutral. Check your vehicle's owners manual to see if it's able to be towed with all four wheels flat on the road, or if you may need something like a drag-behind single-axle tow dolly.
Travel trailers: If you want to take your home on the road, a conventional travel trailer, or camper, might be your jam. These can be tiny little things weighing 2, pounds or foot Airstream trailers tipping the scales at 10, pounds or more. These are attached to a standard hitch. You may also want a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer see the next section for more information , which is more substantial, but its unique hitch setup means it's a bit easier to tow.
There are five different classes of conventional hitches, able to tow different levels of weight:. Most cars and crossovers come with Class 1, 2 or 3 hitches, while larger trucks and SUVs can be equipped with Class 3, 4 or 5 hitches.
Each conventional hitch has a different sized receiver tube. This is where the ball and ball mount go. The important thing is making sure your trailer sits level, front to back, and ball mounts can be purchased that lower or raise the ball as needed. Ball sizes are determined by the weight of the trailer. Many manufacturers label the ball size right on the coupler. Always use a ball with a weight capacity that exceeds that of your loaded trailer. Should you need to tow more than 12, pounds, you'll likely need a heavy-duty truck with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch.
The hitch and ball are placed in the bed of the pickup truck, just over or in front of the rear axle. If you're a first-time tower, it's perfectly normal to go through this checklist a couple of times before getting it right. Follow these steps to safely connect a trailer to your tow vehicle. Once the trailer is attached, you'll want to secure safety chains from the trailer to the vehicle in a criss-cross pattern, and be sure the chains don't touch the ground.
You will also need to plug the trailer's electrical connector into the vehicle. Always check the trailer's brake lights and turn signals before driving away.
The key thing to remember when loading a trailer is weight distribution. Use plenty of tie-downs to keep the cargo from shifting while you travel. Watch this short video to see the impact of mis-loaded cargo. Some loads appear small but are dense and heavy. Items such as boxes of books, food products, building materials and firewood are much heavier than regular household furnishings.
Sand and gravel are even heavier. Do not overload the allowed weight indicated on your contract. Your hitch quote includes the cost of the hitch. Some additional costs include the installation, purchase of proper wiring and other modifications found during the time of the install. For Canada: Yes, you are permitted to cross the U.
You will be subject to any laws and regulations governing the border. For the latest information call one of the numbers below. To find your hitch system rating, start by examining the three trailer hitch components:.
Each component is rated for the amount of weight it can haul. The lowest rating of the three components determines the overall rating of your total hitch system. For example, if you have a 3, lb. To see a diagram and video about this subject, please click here. U-Haul Cargo enclosed trailers are weather and water resistant.
If you are moving during inclement weather, it is possible to track moisture into the trailer while loading or unloading. We always recommend packing your important items in waterproof containers. When moving mattresses, use mattress bags to protect your valuable mattresses from moisture and dust that can occur during a move. Loading a trailer correctly is crucial for safe hauling and trailer functionality. These are some tips for loading your U-Haul trailer the right way during your move:.
U-Haul does rent Horse Trailers in a few select markets. The locations listed below are currently as of April the only locations with a horse trailer for rent. Please call them direct to check availability, obtain rates, and to make a reservation. Apple Valley, CA. Palo Cedro, CA. Temecula, CA. Las Cruces, NM. Edgewood, NM. Please review this alternative tie-down method instruction sheet for proper attachment points. Loading your vehicle onto a tow dolly or auto transport is easy and can take less than 15 minutes!
Tongue weight for trailers over 2, pounds should be percent of the trailer's loaded weight. Take care of tires: It's wise to periodically check tires for wear, cuts or other damage and replace as needed. Above all, maintain the tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer, located on the tire sidewall. Improperly inflated tires will cause them to wear out quicker and reduce fuel mileage.
Keep bearings greased: Wheel bearings are the heart of trailers. They need to remain airtight and packed with fresh grease. Poorly greased bearings will overheat and deteriorate, creating serious problems if they fail.
They should be inspected and repacked at least once a year, depending upon the amount of use. Lay your hand on your wheel hubs after traveling. If they feel unusually warm, you may have a problem. But why wait? Routine maintenance is good prevention.
Go wide on turns: Be careful making sharp turns or sudden moves when trailering. The trailer tends to cut corners more sharply than the tow vehicle, which can be dangerous when cutting corners close to curbs, other vehicles and roadside obstructions. Striking solid objects at an angle can cause tire damage, and more importantly, cause you to lose control momentarily.
Be a weight watcher: When loading, balance the cargo with 60 percent of the weight near the front. Secure the trailer: Keep the safety chains provided on most trailers fastened securely to the tow vehicle in case the hitch fails. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning. For additional security, padlock the trailer hitch to the tow vehicle. That will also prevent someone from stealing the trailer while you're away from the vehicle.
Keep the lights working: The trailer's electrical components are subjected to a great deal of adverse conditions, so check them periodically. Ask someone to step behind the trailer to make sure the taillights, brake lights and turn signals are working properly. If signals are dim, perhaps there is a bad connection or you need a more powerful flasher unit on the tow vehicle.
An occasional shot of WD into the pigtail wiring connector will reduce corrosion.
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