uhaul "sport" trailer

[joaks]

Does anyone have any experience with the uhaul "sport" trailer? It is the smallest they offer.

The sport is the same price as the next size up (4'x8') and I could put a lot more stuff in the 4x8 but since I will be pulling with my Subaru I am little concerned about the drag from the larger trailer. My car is a NA 4 cylinder with auto.

I will be using the trailer to move in the spring. I don't need to take furniture with me (it's all cheap particle board from my childhood) but would like as much space as I can muster, just in case.

Stuff I will be bringing includes clothes, weights (for exercise), weight bench, a pair of Rhino ramps and various small automotive stuff. Oh and basic kitchen supplies.

 

[Donald]

How far are you going? What is the towing capacity of your vehicle? You have a trailer hitch now, class II I assume?

 

[joaks]

I will be going about 650 miles.

I will need to have the hitch installed, I would be class II if I remember correctly.

My towing capacity is 2000lbs. My back-of-the-napkin calculation puts me at 1000lbs for the stuff I plan to take to 1500lbs if I take some items that are less important.

I will be given $750 for moving expenses. A truck will be much more due to mileage. Either trailer + gas + hitch should put me pretty close to $750.

 

[earlyre]

how far are you moving? answered while i was typing..

I know when my brother moved from here in NW buckyeleland, to The "Big D" aka Dallas, back in the Early 90's, he packed up his dodge omni('85 model, w/ the Puegot/Simca 1.6L Four, w/4 speed Manual rated @62 hp & 82 lb-ft) Clampett style, no trailer used.

only issues he had mechanical or otherwise, was blowing a tire or 2 by the time he got down there...(had to unpack the car on the side of the highway to get down to the spare.)

just out of curiosity, have you price checked professional movers, or even one of the POD type storage places- some will drop the pod of @ your current place, and transport it to your new place. not sure what they charge though..

 

[joaks]

earlyre: I have thought about just stuffing the car. I pretty sure not everything would fit and maybe not even in two trips. Back when I had my escort (which was a hatchback) it might have been possible. The Legacy has surprisingly little room and I have a cat to transport as well (she will take up at least one seat).

I did also look into the PODS-type systems. They put me in the $1000+ range which is too bad because that would be the easiest method by far. Just drive me and cat. No trailer or junk.

 

[earlyre]

could have sworn there was a hatch version of the legacy.. was hoping....

sorry..for not having anything further...

that $1000+range, puts you into renting a driveable uhaul...dang..

 

[scurvy]

The sport trailer is really tiny - forget putting a weight bench, weights, clothes & Rhino Ramps in it.

FWIW, I pulled the U-Haul 4x8' trailer behind my Golf from Baltimore to Chicago with about 1500 lbs of all this stuff in it. Didn't exceed 65 mph most of the way and going into a headwind it knocked my fuel economy down to about 30 mpg for the entire trip, but it sure beat having a truck!

But for the cost of renting the trailer for a one-way move, you could outright buy and plate one of the HF 4x8' flatbed trailers. Toss on a sheet of 3/4" plywood and invest in some big rubbermaid totes and a hojillion ratcheting straps, you'd still have change left over... and your own trailer. I've bought one since I made this move and I use it frequently.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
could have sworn there was a hatch version of the legacy.. was hoping....




They had the wagon 1990-2008. Now it lives on as sedan only and Outback covers off the Legacy wagon. The Outback is poo for handling since they raise the suspension to avoid CAFE requirements and make it a "truck". The Legacy had wonderful handling.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: scurvy

But for the cost of renting the trailer for a one-way move, you could outright buy and plate one of the HF 4x8' flatbed trailers. Toss on a sheet of 3/4" plywood and invest in some big rubbermaid totes and a hojillion ratcheting straps, you'd still have change left over... and your own trailer. I've bought one since I made this move and I use it frequently.


This Trailer
(5) 4x8 Sheets of Plywood(Floor,Side Walls,Roof, 1 cut in half(4x4) For Front & Rear.)
(8) 4' Sections of 2x4, some fasteners, couple hinges and couple latches. you have your own 4X8 "Sport trailer"
if you wanna get fancy, 28' of angled steel to reinforce the seams on the box.
and it would be reconfigurable
just off the top of my head...

 

[Jarlaxle]

What about renting a VAN from Enterprise? Unlimited miles, <$150 for a weekend.

 

[Bob Woods]

Reminds me of

 

[Donald]

How about shipping some of the stuff via UPS. Then fill the car. Cat goes under the seat.

I do like the idea of the HF trailer. They fold up for storage I think. You could just get the trailer, a sheet of plywood, some tubs and a tarp, ratchet straps.

I could lend you my trailer. Might be overkill at 12K GVW. You do have the setup for electric brakes?

 

[joaks]

Thanks for the offer Donald but I do not have the electric brake setup.

I have thought about sending my stuff via greyhound. It's usually more cost effective than the more mainstream shippers. Have not decided one way or the other on that yet!

 

[stockrex]

just buy the stuff again during summer garage sales, will be cheaper th an pulling that crazy uhaul curd around

 

[HM12460]

I think you would be better off renting a van/small truck and a tow dolly to tow the car.

 

[01rangerxl]

Rent a van and tow the car, or have someone go with you and fly back.

Since you don't have that much stuff, rent a cargo van and not the mini box van IF it will fit everything. I recently rented a mini box van from Budget for a move of about 400 miles. It was the loudest thing I have ever driven and was only a 2004. The van body sounded/felt like it would rip off. It had the exhaust note of a toilet too. My dad helped me with the move and we were practically fighting for the keys to my truck, but the van did make it and with room to spare. A regular cargo van would have been much less brutal and loud, but is more difficult to load and has less space. Either could easily tow your car.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Car cannot be towed on a dolly!

 

[eljefino]

+2 on the harbor freight trailer. Sell it when you get where you're going.

If you're "lucky" you'll go somewhere that doesn't have HF stores, or the registration process for "homemade trailers" is onerous and you'll be a leg up having already registered out-of-state.