I am renting an auto transport from Uhaul and bought 4 heavy duty ratcheting straps to hold each corner. I will towing it with my buddiy's 2004 Chevy X-cab 4x4. Any tips on what to look out for when tying it down or loading/unloading?

Should I strap it through the rims, somewhere on the frame, or what? Thanks

The actual attaching points will depend on what kind of straps and fasteners they have.

You will want to tie down the frame to the trailer or tie down points. Some U-Haul trailers have their own style of straps that go around the tires. That's good too. Just check them after a few miles and get used to the load and how it affects braking.

The U-haul auto transports I have rented in the past all have the web straps that go over the top of the front two tires. They also have a safety chain for the front and back. One word of advise, check the straps often. If you use the straps you bought in addition to the ones that are on the transport, put them in a position to pull the car forward towards the wheel stops. The rear safety chain will keep it from rolling off the trailer.

Serg. When I trailer mine. I hook the front straps into the holes on the underside of the frame at the firewall body mounts, Cross them left to right in an X.
On the rear, I hook them to the lower control arm mounts at the rear. X them as well. Towed this way many times without ever having a problem.
Also, When you load the car on the trailer, (If the trailer is big enough) pull your car forward untill the back of the truck drops about 2-3 inches. You want most of the weight on the trailer with just enough on the truck to keep everything stabel.

Whatever you do, DO NOT load the car backwards. I would use your 4 straps in addition to the over-the-tire ones on the Uhaul trailer. Just me personally, I don't trust those ones that go over the tires. I put the axle straps over the front lower control arm forward mount and X the straps. IN the rear, I put 2 axle straps over the axle and X them.

Sounds good. BTW, Are there any other places to rent a trailer?

No

Sounds good. BTW, Are there any other places to rent a trailer?

Most tool/equipment rental places have better trailers to rent than UHaul IMO. The local place here has tilt bed aluminum trailers to rent and are much nicer than the Uhaul. They were cheaper than UHaul too. Do a Business search for rentals in your phone book (US west Dex?) or check Google.

OK Sergio, sounds like your going for broke on the Drag Strip, take no prisoners............

I rented the auto transport trailer from Uhaul when I got my Camino. It had the webbed straps that loop on top of the front tires and the front and rear safety chains. Chained the front crossmember and the rear axle. Drove over 400 miles. The straps you bought sound like a good idea too, I would X them at the front and rear like they say.

Before loading your car on the trailer, check to make sure the trailer is really hooked down tight on the hitch ball. Don't trust the Uhaul guy, they say they have to hook it up to your truck, but double check it after they do it. Don't ask how I found out how.

everything about uhaul sucks in my opinion.

Sergio i was thinking about going to route you are for the track this saturday. Looks like you got your trans problems taken care of?

I only have a 2005 4x4 Ford Explorer V8 so i can't handle an enclosed trailer, im looking for a flatbed.

This might interest you since you've got a decent tow rig available.

http://www.californiatrailerrentals.com/

I'm still looking for a flatbed, but it looks like time is going to run out for me. Goodluck see you there.

Be sure to leave the car in neutral with the e-brake on. Most people leave them in gear and it is not good on the rearend or trans!

and dont tighten the straps around any steering mechanisms like the tie rods....they bend...

as well as the dual exhaust...

:yes:

UHaul is funny about the weight of the tow vehicle and vehicle being towed. Run their online configurator. If the Chevelle is too heavy tell them you are towing an Escort or something.

UHaul is funny about the weight of the tow vehicle and vehicle being towed. Run their online configurator. If the Chevelle is too heavy tell them you are towing an Escort or something.

yep or playground equipment

Before loading your car on the trailer, check to make sure the trailer is really hooked down tight on the hitch ball. Don't trust the Uhaul guy, they say they have to hook it up to your truck, but double check it after they do it. Don't ask how I found out how.

Yeah, the guy that met me halfway with my Chevelle, drove 500 miles with the ball loose enough that when he backed the car off the trailer, it came completely off the hitch and the trailer slammed to the ground. ALWAYS CHECK FOR YOURSELF.

Yeah, the guy that met me halfway with my Chevelle, drove 500 miles with the ball loose enough that when he backed the car off the trailer, it came completely off the hitch and the trailer slammed to the ground. ALWAYS CHECK FOR YOURSELF.

Yep. We drove 200 miles with the trailer to go pick up my car, when I went to load the car onto the trailer I drove it up the ramps and the front of the trailer came off the hitch and went flying up in the air and slammed into my bro-in-laws tailgate. :o

Yep. ... when I went to load the car onto the trailer I drove it up the ramps and the front of the trailer came off the hitch and went flying up in the air and slammed into my bro-in-laws tailgate. :o


That reminds me of a story...

One night I was driving along the freeway, on I-580, coming down the Altamont Pass into Livermore... At the bottom of the grade, there is a bridge thats notorious for being like a roller coaster...

Anyway, as we approach the bridge, there is a bobtail truck with an empty car trailer on the back... It starts hitting these whoop-de-doos, and the trailer pops off the ball (sparks flying everywhere)... As the truck cleared the bridge (and the guardrail), the trailer veered right and disappeared into the darkness off the side of the road...

I watched the truck driver as he continued on for another mile, and finally I flagged him down... He had no clue that he lost the trailer... :D I guess there were no safety chains... Luckily no one got hurt.

The uhaul I go to is completely self serv - they don't do squat for you. Yesterday I rented a car dolly and was told to go back behind the trucks and hook up to one. OK. Then when I got to the office I was given a pad and a pen and told to go write down the trailer number and my license plate number.

I was the only customer in that place.

Well it looks Uhaul may rented all of their transports so I may be driving my Chevelle to the track. Would be nice to get mileage on the trans anyways. I guess I'll call and up my emergency tow mileage on my muscle car insurance. Ha. Good idea right? I doubt I will break anything, but........

UNBELIEVABLE! My insurance says it takes 48hours to update the new insurance mileage! I guess I'm not going this weekend! Oh well, everything happens for a reason right.

Ok, what about a tow-dolly? Is that safe? Ergh!

Disconnect the driveshaft before you pull. Also, will UHaul let a Chevelle go on one? May be to wide.

I feel your pain. I bought an open car trailer after going through this mess several times.

Dammit, there are too many obstacles. I think I'm forcing it and we all know what happens when you force it! I guess I'll just go to Infineon Wednesday night. Thanks for the help guys........

The uhaul I go to is completely self serv - they don't do squat for you. Yesterday I rented a car dolly and was told to go back behind the trucks and hook up to one. OK. Then when I got to the office I was given a pad and a pen and told to go write down the trailer number and my license plate number.

I was the only customer in that place.

Better you hooked it all up yourself and made sure everything was right. You know what they say if you want something done right.:)

Uhaul required my camino went on a 2axle trailer, not a dolly.

use a dolley :thumbsup:

Uhaul required my camino went on a 2axle trailer, not a dolly.

thats probably cause they dont have the wide dollys :sad: i have an extra wide dolly and can put full size trucks on it also