Towing Uhaul trailer advice

[8pack]

I am going to rent a trailer for an upcoming move. I am driving from NJ to Pittsburgh. Somewhat mountainous roads but not like Colorado.

Uhaul has a 5x10 and a 6x12. Advice and recommendations? 400 miles each way. One way empty, one way loaded.

Thanks!

[hoonk]

Uhaul has a 5x10 and a 6x12. Advice and recommendations?

A trailer may cost $100 for a few days rental, A truck $400.

A replacement transmission for your 10 year old XC70 ~ $5000.

Rent a truck -

(I towed a 5x10 a couple of times with a 04 xc90 t-6, transmission was replaced at 22,000 miles, under warranty)

[Antherzoll]

XC90 T6 is a completely different transmission and was know for a high failure rate.

How much will you be hauling? If you're going to load it to the max then I'd keep the stress off of the XC rent a truck.

[Astro14]

Even if it's a lightly loaded trailer (and no way I would put that larger one behind your XC), please add a transmission oil cooler to your XC before towing.

[hoonk]

XC90 T6 is a completely different transmission and was know for a high failure rate.

Yes it was (and still is) but a trans for a 07 xc70 still costs about $5000 and a truck rental is about $400 :D

[8pack]

OK...you talked me out of it....Now I need to figure out how to get back to NJ........

[Antherzoll]

You can return the truck, may be cheaper than oneway, but I don't know, never rented one.

[8pack]

You can return the truck, may be cheaper than oneway, but I don't know, never rented one.

99 cents a mile = $800
Plus rental = 100
Gas $200

Total $1,100 ish

Pods Rental and delivery - $1,300

I could go one way and fly back = $1,000ish

I will probably take multiple trips in the car with it loaded up between now and Aug Problem is I need to move a bed and mattress.....

Far more complicated than it started out....

[hoonk]

A trailer may cost $100 for a few days rental, A truck $400.



This is what the ~$400 Truck estimate is based on- courtesy of uhaul

7852

[8pack]

Thanks. That is weird. I pulled mine straight off the uhaul site as well...going back to look now....=

[8pack]

AH! It is because you pulled the Van and not a truck. Trucks all have an additional mileage charge.....

[8pack]

UPDATE: I can rent a 5x8 or 4x8 which are small single axle trailers. I have seen them being towed by much smaller cars. I am thinking that is the way to go. Still a bad idea?

[Antherzoll]

If you take it easy you should be fine. Size isn't the issue, weight is. How much do you think you'll be hauling? 2000lbs would be safe, anything more I wouldn't feel safe without a cooler.

[8pack]

Ok, great. It won't be more than 2,000lbs. Sounds like I should be good then.

Going up hills is it better to have it in manual and in a lower gear so the transmission isn't lugging or constantly hunting? Keeping the rpms just a little higher?

[Antherzoll]

Yes sir, better for both transmission and engine. I would use manual mode the whole trip to be safe, it what I do whenever I'm towing.

[8pack]

Roger. Thanks!

[8pack]

Well I did the trip with the 5x8 trailer. Did not seem to have any issues other than horrible gas mileage LOL! Would have loved to be able to see the trans temp but my OBDII reader doesn't have that data available.

Kept it in 4th gear around 2600-3000 RPM most of the time due to the hilly (gradual) nature of the drive. Thanks for all the advice. I guess I will know in a few months if I shortened the life of my transmission. Will do a drain and fill in September when the move is done.

Thanks again!

[MacNoob]

We seem to be panicky about tow vehicles here in North America. Got back from a trip to Europe where I saw plenty of tiny cars towing relatively huge trailers ("caravans"). The XC would be considered a heavy duty tow vehicle there and could be seen hauling 20'+ trailers. Can't talk about any mods they might have made to support that though.

[Leto Atreides II]

I'd bet most of those cars had manual transmissions.

[MacNoob]

Good call, I think you're likely correct.