Speed of a U-Haul Auto Transport?

[TrikHed]

Ummmmm... went to check out the auto transport I'll be picking up tomorrow. Big'ole sticker reads "45 MPH" on the outside of wheel wells. Is that really the max speed for that thing?!?!

I estimated my speed around 60 MPH for a trip time of roughly 16 hours. Doing 45 will put it over 20 hours!

Please advise on realistic speed expectations for this.

Thanks!

[PSDfreak]

I have run those things probably a dozen times and I keep it at 55-60 on the freeway...never had a problem...Those things are really tore up sometimes though so make sure you give it a good one over safety check (tires, wheels, LUG NUTS!)

[shuck]

I echo was PSDfreak says about checking them out. I'd work up to speed slowly and see how it does. I've used those 4 or 5 times and sometimes it's interstate driving which is 70mph. As long as the trailer isn't bent, I think the U-haul car trailers actually tow pretty easily. They just can't handle larger vehicles like a full size truck. I think the biggest I've put on one is a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[Leader]

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!! Don't even think about going faster then 45MPH.
What if you get into an accident? Your insurance won't cover you & you'll be arrested and charged with MURDER.
And all the other terrible things the weight police here say about the GVW & GCVW ratings issued by manufacturers.
You also better not run it on the Interstates here in MI. because the minimum speed limit has been raised to 50MPH.

[Dr.Evil]

I've rented one ONCE. Never again. Pulled like it was tied to a tree...and I only put 2000-3000# in it...one wheel bearing got so hot due to lack of maintenance I'm surprised It survived the trip.

Call a local trailer sales place and ask them if they rent trailers or know anyone who does. You'll get a better, newer trailer and places I've rented from before also have chains, straps, load binders, etc. etc for sale or rent. Make sure You ask for a spare tire & wheel if towing a long distance.

[PSDfreak]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Evil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've rented one ONCE. Never again. Pulled like it was tied to a tree...and I only put 2000-3000# in it...one wheel bearing got so hot due to lack of maintenance I'm surprised It survived the trip.

Call a local trailer sales place and ask them if they rent trailers or know anyone who does. You'll get a better, newer trailer and places I've rented from before also have chains, straps, load binders, etc. etc for sale or rent. Make sure You ask for a spare tire & wheel if towing a long distance. </div></div>

I can agree with that....Like I said, sometimes those things come to you just ALL tore up. Sometimes you luck out and get a nice newer one. With ALL of the different ones I have had I must admit they have towed VERY easily behind my truck...Very level and even weight distribution I have found.

[parkers30]

Rented one previously to move a few vehicles around. I ran 70-75 down the interstate with it empty first, then loaded without problems. I'm sure I exposed myself to some kind of liability by doing so but 45 isn't even interstate speed anymore.

[TrikHed]

Good to know. I did do a preliminary check to see it and review height. They're providing a newer one that does look well kept. They opted for it as they knew I was driving just over 1000 miles. I will do a maintenance check on tires, lugs, and lights when I go to pick it up tonight. Good call on the spare tire.

I'm going to shoot for 55 - 60 MPH. Less than that and the added drive time itself will start wearing on me.

I did try looking into other trailer options from equipment companies, but the cost went up... and I'd still have to drive it back empty. Too bad really, I'm not yet ready to buy my own car hauler and now is when I could really use one.

[reba]

Tighten lug nuts.

Check air pressure in tires.

Grab hold of tires and shake to check for end play in bearings.

Test drive up to speed, coast to a stop and check hubs to see if hot. If you apply the trailer brakes the hubs will get hot.

Check the brakes before loading on the same test drive as above.

[FairfaxF350]

I know two guys who rent them two to three times per year to take their cars to the race track. They regularly tow them 75 to 80 mph without issue. One guy has a 6.0 Superduty, and the other has a V-8 F-150 that's about 4 years old.

[TrikHed]

Well, picked up the trailer. No vibrations that I can tell and no excessive heat from the wheels. Although, it's also cool and raining.

Will loading up soon and running over to Flying J for fuel and air... then on the road.

[TrikHed]

Well, I'm back from my trip. I averaged 60 - 65 MPH with the trailer. That's with a 3500 lbs. car on it. Now I will admit there were varying times which I did 75, but it wasn't for long. And in two instances of passing... 82. I didn't even know I was going that fast until the GPS flashed (I set speed alerts).

I made more stops than usual (first long haul w/load) and the trailer checked out fine each time.

I'd venture to say that the trailer is actually quite capable/usable at posted highway speeds. Given these two observations (read: my opinions)..

1. The trailer is over-engineered for its max load rating (4k lbs.); this probably due to the nature of its high-utilization.
2. The speed rating (45 MPH) is likely due to the nature of the vehicle doing the towing; average tow vehicle doesn't weigh equal or more than the auto transport GVW (6k lbs.) itself.

There were a lot of times I forgot it was back there. I did keep the Tow/Haul mode engaged a lot... mainly in conjunction with cruise control. It made getting through kansas and oklahoma (long rolling hills) a breeze.

Averaged 13.8 MPG over 920 miles.

[Cool_Canuck]

Thanks for the update.

[Minnesota]

Just picked one up today, going to be hauling a 3k lb. car 2k miles. (MN. -&gt; CA.). I put the car on it and test drove it around town, seems like a really nice trailer to tell the truth. Well balanced, (not much tongue weight), and pretty stable w/ a really long draw neck(?) that makes maneuvering it and turning tight corners a breeze.

I plan on cruising @ 60-65 most of the way, my big question is whether I can use my O/D towing only ~5k lbs. My truck is a '99 F-250 4x4 7.3 automatic, pretty much bone stock w/ good "E" tires and no extra gauges. What do you guys think?

[MOUNTAINMAN444]

Yes, use the OD. If you get in hilly country where it starts to downshift/upshift more often than you like, you can lock out the OD for a while. Otherwise use the OD.
Joe