loading a ranchero into a uhaul
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Senior User
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From: ca
loading a ranchero into a uhaul
my 1977 ranchero has a dead transmission and I have to get home to california from idaho, and I can't seem to find a cheap towbar, 160 was the cheapest. So I am wondering is it possible for me to just put the truck in the uhual? its the big 29 footer. if not what kind of places would have a cheap tow bar?
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a loading dock would be required at both ends of the trip...a measuring tape will answer the fit question....wood blocks would need to be nailed to the u-haul floor under the tires...to keep ranchero from sliding around.....tieing the ranchero down is a question I dont have an answer for....
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From: Wichita, KS
I don't think "cheap" and "safe" go together when you're talking about towing/hauling vehicles. That's a long way to pull something on a towbar....and I wouldn't feel real comfortable having it inside a truck that was designed to haul furniture, not a car. Safest way is a trailer.
I have a towbar, and I've used it quite a bit. It's great for those late-night emergencies close to home. It works for pulling a small car behind a big car. It sucks pulling something heavy behind something that is not much heavier, unless you have some route where you can crawl home at 15-20 MPH max.
I have a towbar, and I've used it quite a bit. It's great for those late-night emergencies close to home. It works for pulling a small car behind a big car. It sucks pulling something heavy behind something that is not much heavier, unless you have some route where you can crawl home at 15-20 MPH max.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: near pittsburgh pa
I used a uhaual trailer to tow a 79 150 home. Worked great and cost app $100.
The c6 or c4 you havr in there should not be to bad to rebuild by a local shop. I think I would try that route, cry some blues on being stranded and broke!
Might also want to check out chero,FTE, car clubs in area. Most would be willing to help you repair or junkyard replacement. Give it a shot here, give your area and see if anybody can help!
Anybody near Pittsburgh Pa ever get stranded, dont be afraid to holler for me, I'll do what I can.
The c6 or c4 you havr in there should not be to bad to rebuild by a local shop. I think I would try that route, cry some blues on being stranded and broke!
Might also want to check out chero,FTE, car clubs in area. Most would be willing to help you repair or junkyard replacement. Give it a shot here, give your area and see if anybody can help!
Anybody near Pittsburgh Pa ever get stranded, dont be afraid to holler for me, I'll do what I can.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
$160 might be cheap compared to the cost of fixing or repairing a UHaul truck if your Ranchero rolls or slides around and damages the walls?
When I hauled my '50 F1 halfway across the country, I had the largest UHaul truck loaded with all our stuff and pulled a trailer that my F1 road upon. It wasn't cheap but it was safe. You might want to look into using a two wheel dolly. That would get the rear of the ranchero up off the pavement and you would have to lock the steering wheel straight. But it may be more affordable than using a full auto trailer?
What dkstuck recommended sounded like a good idea too. It might be less expensive to repair or replace the transmission than renting a truck/trailer to haul it.
When I hauled my '50 F1 halfway across the country, I had the largest UHaul truck loaded with all our stuff and pulled a trailer that my F1 road upon. It wasn't cheap but it was safe. You might want to look into using a two wheel dolly. That would get the rear of the ranchero up off the pavement and you would have to lock the steering wheel straight. But it may be more affordable than using a full auto trailer?
What dkstuck recommended sounded like a good idea too. It might be less expensive to repair or replace the transmission than renting a truck/trailer to haul it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
I have seen U-Haul car haulers that are basically a truck with a ramp and you load the car/small truck onto the ramp over where the bed goes. Considering your miles to drive you might want to buy a trailer and then sell it when you get home. If you do not have the money, renting a tow dolly might be the cheapest option. I would drop the driveshaft and put the front wheels on the tow dolly. Try finding one with brakes.
I have seen people put cars into straight trucks. The ones question is what happens in a bad accident where the truck stops and the cargo wants to keep going. I am fairly certain the 4000 pound Ranchero would punch a hole right through the aluminum box and cab and kill you.
I have seen people put cars into straight trucks. The ones question is what happens in a bad accident where the truck stops and the cargo wants to keep going. I am fairly certain the 4000 pound Ranchero would punch a hole right through the aluminum box and cab and kill you.
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Just curious, does the 77 Ranchero not have a locking steering wheel column? I was just wondering why you guys suggest dropping the shaft and rolling on the rear wheels instead of the front wheels? I would think less wear and tear would happen if the front wheels were rolling on the pavement instead? Or is it the weight distribution you all are considering for the tow dolly?
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From: Orange County, CA
Right now is a good time of year to rent a U-Haul. I towed my '70 Mustang home from Phoenix AZ to Orange County, Ca (just south of L.A.) for about $160 total. That was for the U-Haul truck (a 15') and a trailer. This was right at the end of Jan last year. Prices vary depending on time of year, winter months are best times.
Drop the driveshaft to A)not record the miles on the odometer B)to keep the trans from spinning. Although the trans would be in neutral, with the driveshaft still connected the shaft inside the trans still spins, and with no lube being pumped through the trans.
Drop the driveshaft to A)not record the miles on the odometer B)to keep the trans from spinning. Although the trans would be in neutral, with the driveshaft still connected the shaft inside the trans still spins, and with no lube being pumped through the trans.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> Or is it the weight distribution you all are considering for the tow dolly?
Mainly that because you are putting all the weight on the weakest axle, more weight on the worse worn tires, and taking a chance of subjecting the now much lower front end (if towed backwards) to getting damaged from road bumps. It puts much more stress on the suspension. I doubt it has a locking column, if it does, it was not designed to endure that kind of punishment.
Then the tires and everything else is spinning and bouncing backwards in a way it was not meant to for 1,000 miles. Not good, especially if the tires have never been rotated or have only been rotated front to back. If you blow a tire with the car in that position (with reduced clearance) you are likely to badly damage the car.
Mainly that because you are putting all the weight on the weakest axle, more weight on the worse worn tires, and taking a chance of subjecting the now much lower front end (if towed backwards) to getting damaged from road bumps. It puts much more stress on the suspension. I doubt it has a locking column, if it does, it was not designed to endure that kind of punishment.
Then the tires and everything else is spinning and bouncing backwards in a way it was not meant to for 1,000 miles. Not good, especially if the tires have never been rotated or have only been rotated front to back. If you blow a tire with the car in that position (with reduced clearance) you are likely to badly damage the car.
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From: Hudson Florida.
I've had bad experiences with tow dollies, so I'd feel safer towing the truck on a flatbed type trailer. plus on the flat trailer, you're not making anything in the truck move, or risking damage to the drivetrain, or steering system.
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Don`t know all the circumstances but it would almost seem that a used tranmission could be obtained if you had a means of installing it yourself for the price of the rental/tow home. Also check to see what labour costs are to have it replaced. If towed when you do get it home it still needs repairing. Check around to see what it would cost first. Used transmissions of the vintage are not that expensive, the labour maybe.
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My parents just had to have my brothers car brought back on a trailer and they just had a friend of a friend rent a trailer from uhaul. This guy worked at a dealership. So he goes to load the car on the trailer and he cant open the door because it hits the inside of the fenderwell on the car trailer. The windows dont roll down. So he breaks a window (only $93 to fix it so still saving some money) The guy drops the tralier off at our house and i go outside to look at the damage. Well after standing beside the trailer for 30 seconds i notice there are 2 large bolts on the front and back edge of the fender along with a rubber strap on towards the inside of the trailer. So i pop the 2 rubber straps off and the fender drops out of the way... it took me 30 secs to figure that one out. It scares me that this guy works @ a dealership. and it even had a big warning side on the inside of the fender that it was not a step lol.