Towing noob, help!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Towing noob, help!
hello, my summer is coming to a close, today was my last day of work, and for the next 2 weeks i get to play! However, towards the end of next week i do need to move back to school. This year im moving out of the dorms. I got a house, and this means im going to be taking alot of furniture and extra crap that you dont take to a dormroom. So im going to rent a trailer and pull it with my truck. heres the goods : super rusty 83 F-250 with a fairly to partly healthy 300, fairly to partly junked NP435 (the amount of metal that came out when i drained the fluid was unbeleivable...), and 3.55s with 32 inch tires (its 2wd).
I am simply here to see what i need to pull a rented uhaul. I do not have a trailer hitch, just 3 holes drilled out of my bumper. Im assuming thats strong enough to haul a dinky loaner from uhaul. Right? So all i need to buy is a ball?
Also, what about wiring for the brake lights?
Thanks in advance
I am simply here to see what i need to pull a rented uhaul. I do not have a trailer hitch, just 3 holes drilled out of my bumper. Im assuming thats strong enough to haul a dinky loaner from uhaul. Right? So all i need to buy is a ball?
Also, what about wiring for the brake lights?
Thanks in advance
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,911
Likes: 7
From: Crowville Louisiana
The bumper should hold the trailer. Be sure to use safety chains and not to load the trailer too heavy on the tounge. You dont want the trailer to start swaying. It would be a good idea to pull the trailer around empty for a while if you have never pulled one before. I would even recomend having someone with experience pull it for you. Towing a trailer can be dangerous if you donot know what you are doing.
I lost my mom in an accident because someones trailer came unhooked from their truck. They didnt have safety chains installed and had a faulty hitch on the trailer.
So please make sure that every thing is safe.
I lost my mom in an accident because someones trailer came unhooked from their truck. They didnt have safety chains installed and had a faulty hitch on the trailer.
So please make sure that every thing is safe.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: SouthWest Ga.
Uhaul sells a small plug in harness to use on vehicles that aren't wired for trailers. It's not expensive and easy to hook up the Uhaul dealer can show you how. Towing a trailer is dangerous especially a long distance. There's a lot more to towing than just hooking up and driving off, there's things such as backing up, which is no easy feat with a short trailer, making turns and not running over something or hitting a sign, If you overload the tongue it can cause problems but so can overloading the tail of the trailer. Be sure and distribute the load. If possible maybe even consider renting a small box mover, a lot less chance of problems than trailer. What ever u decide to do remember"SAFETY". Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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thanks for the replies. i kinda figured my truck wasnt wired for trailer lights, but its good to hear that uhaul has me covered...
bloodhound, i cant even imagine....
I will definitely be safe. i have pulled before, just not with this truck. I towed a pretty heavy trailer with my moms 4.6 Exped from chicago to st louis. I had a good time towing, but the first semi-panic stop was a real eye opener. Fortunately i just redid my F250s brakes, and they feel quite strong. I feel confident enough for what i intend to do. I will drive slowly, take my time, and use those chains! Id rather rip the back end off my truck than kill someone.
bloodhound, i cant even imagine....
I will definitely be safe. i have pulled before, just not with this truck. I towed a pretty heavy trailer with my moms 4.6 Exped from chicago to st louis. I had a good time towing, but the first semi-panic stop was a real eye opener. Fortunately i just redid my F250s brakes, and they feel quite strong. I feel confident enough for what i intend to do. I will drive slowly, take my time, and use those chains! Id rather rip the back end off my truck than kill someone.
