full trailer -vs- dolly towing
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CA
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
Some of you may remember my earlier dilema of how to move my truck from Seattle to San Francisco. I was just on U haul's website, and they've got the full trailers (which I would prefer) and the dolly. I am wondering, if I disconnect the driveshaft, can I put the front wheels on the dolly and be okay? Also, what do you do for tail lights when you're towing with a dolly? If I don't need auxilary tailights with the dolly then that means I would just need to mount a hitch which would be easy. Anybody have any imput?
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full trailer -vs- dolly towing
The only problem with a dolly is you don't have the extra braking power so your gonna have tobe extra carefull when it come to the hills. The benefit is you not pulling the extra 1200 pounds for the trailer which could make or break the trucks GCRW but I doubt the DOT would hassel ya. You will have to pull the driveshaft which is no biggy and choke the steering wheel with 3/8s rope and put it between the door and door jam and tie a knot on the outside.
I would talk to U haul first and see if their dollies are rated to carry the weight I feel it will be the easiest way togo.
I would talk to U haul first and see if their dollies are rated to carry the weight I feel it will be the easiest way togo.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Southern California
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
Also the dolly will have tail lights on the fenders. U-Haul will probably splice into your truck's tail light wires to power the lights on the dolly.
If you don't want them messing with your wiring, best to wire up a plug receptecle yourself. Then take a plug and make just make a pigtail out of it with a foot or two of each wire coming out. Then U-Haul can splice into that without disturbing your trucks wiring. It will make it easier when you have to disconnect the dolly or you have to tow another piece of rental equipment.
If you don't want them messing with your wiring, best to wire up a plug receptecle yourself. Then take a plug and make just make a pigtail out of it with a foot or two of each wire coming out. Then U-Haul can splice into that without disturbing your trucks wiring. It will make it easier when you have to disconnect the dolly or you have to tow another piece of rental equipment.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CA
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
>The only problem with a dolly is you don't have the extra
>braking power so your gonna have tobe extra carefull when it
>come to the hills. The benefit is you not pulling the extra
>1200 pounds for the trailer which could make or break the
>trucks GCRW but I doubt the DOT would hassel ya. You will
>have to pull the driveshaft which is no biggy and choke the
>steering wheel with 3/8s rope and put it between the door
>and door jam and tie a knot on the outside.
>
>I would talk to U haul first and see if their dollies are
>rated to carry the weight I feel it will be the easiest way
>togo.
My thoughts exactly. Thanks guys!
>braking power so your gonna have tobe extra carefull when it
>come to the hills. The benefit is you not pulling the extra
>1200 pounds for the trailer which could make or break the
>trucks GCRW but I doubt the DOT would hassel ya. You will
>have to pull the driveshaft which is no biggy and choke the
>steering wheel with 3/8s rope and put it between the door
>and door jam and tie a knot on the outside.
>
>I would talk to U haul first and see if their dollies are
>rated to carry the weight I feel it will be the easiest way
>togo.
My thoughts exactly. Thanks guys!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Colorado
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
I tried to rent a dolly this past summer from U-Haul. I was told they wouldn't rent a dolly without a truck rental. This was for a local one day rental, to tow a donor Bronco to the house. I suggest you check with them regarding their policies.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CA
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
really. okay thank you I will check with them. out of curiosity, what kind of truck did they want you to rent?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,146
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From: Colorado
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
Never got that far. Once they stated the dolly rental was only with a truck, I went elsewhere. I was told this by 2 different U-Haul places here in Denver. I suspect they are concerned with any potential liability issues. Sorry I can't give you more information.
One other consideration is the track width of your vehicle. Wide tire/wheel combination, or wheels with a lot of offset might cause some problems.
I would tend to agree with the others on using a trailer with brakes. I only towed this donor Bronco across town, never above about 40mph. I did tow an 86 Toyota P.U. with a dolly using a 24 ft. rental truck about 200 miles, and had no problems. Of course, the rental truck was well equipped to handle that small load.
One other consideration is the track width of your vehicle. Wide tire/wheel combination, or wheels with a lot of offset might cause some problems.
I would tend to agree with the others on using a trailer with brakes. I only towed this donor Bronco across town, never above about 40mph. I did tow an 86 Toyota P.U. with a dolly using a 24 ft. rental truck about 200 miles, and had no problems. Of course, the rental truck was well equipped to handle that small load.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: pa
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
i rented a u-haul trailer when i went to pick up my 78 bronco in ny.the bronco with small tires will fit the trailer.tight but fits ok.just tell them its a chassis,no body.
my 95 f-150 towed it pretty well,the extra braking if the trailer is a help.light wiring is a 4 pole plug,the trailer is grounded through the ball.
ive had over 3300 lbs of coal on my 95 f-150.i think the bronco,the trailer,the 7 ft plow and tool box was about the max on this one.
my 95 f-150 towed it pretty well,the extra braking if the trailer is a help.light wiring is a 4 pole plug,the trailer is grounded through the ball.
ive had over 3300 lbs of coal on my 95 f-150.i think the bronco,the trailer,the 7 ft plow and tool box was about the max on this one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CA
full trailer -vs- dolly towing
Interesting. Yeah, my F-100 is quite narrow as trucks go. I really don't expect it to weigh over 4000 lbs. I've pushed it around some and it feels light compared to my F-250 which weighs what, 4600-4800 at the most?. But we will see.