Transporting a vehicle can be a necessity for various reasons, whether you’re moving across the country, taking your prized possession to a car show, or dealing with a vehicle breakdown. For many, renting a Transport Trailer from U-Haul is a readily available and seemingly straightforward option. Having considerable experience towing cars with my own open trailer, I recently opted for a U-Haul Auto Transport to move my Porsche 911 (Project 964) and wanted to share my firsthand experience, offering insights into the process and what you should expect when using a U-Haul transport trailer.
My personal trailer, a steel open model, has served me well for over 25 years and 100,000 miles of towing to various events. However, with it unavailable, U-Haul’s Auto Transport became my go-to solution. I was towing a 1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 4, maintaining its factory ride height, using a 2002 Suburban 1500 as my tow vehicle. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective, highlighting both the advantages and potential considerations when using a U-Haul transport trailer for your vehicle.
Booking Your Transport Trailer and Initial Considerations
The initial step involves navigating the U-Haul website and selecting the Auto Transport option. The website’s interface is user-friendly, guiding you through a series of questions about the vehicle you intend to tow and your tow vehicle. This is a crucial step as U-Haul’s system is designed to prevent unsafe pairings. If your tow vehicle is deemed inadequate or the vehicle you wish to transport is not approved for their transport trailer, the system will alert you and prevent you from proceeding. It is imperative to heed these warnings. Do not attempt to circumvent the system by providing false information. U-Haul has conducted extensive research to ensure safe towing practices, and attempting to bypass their recommendations could lead to serious consequences, for which you would be held liable.
For those new to towing, it’s highly recommended to thoroughly research the process. Numerous online resources and videos can provide valuable information. If possible, seek guidance from someone with prior towing experience. Understanding factors like tongue weight, sway control, and safe loading practices are essential for a successful and safe towing experience. Remember, towing significantly increases your vehicle’s braking distance, especially in wet conditions.
Reserving the Trailer:
Securing your transport trailer in advance is advisable, particularly during peak seasons. I attempted to reserve my trailer several weeks prior to my intended rental date. Initially, the website limited reservations to a maximum of five days, while I required a ten-day rental period. Contacting U-Haul’s customer service line became necessary. While the website is user-friendly for basic bookings, reaching a live representative proved challenging. Multiple calls resulted in extended hold times, often exceeding 30 minutes. If your rental location is conveniently located, visiting them in person to manage reservation modifications might be a more efficient approach than relying on the 1-800 number.
On the day of my scheduled pickup, U-Haul contacted me to inform me that my originally selected location did not have a transport trailer available. They redirected me to an alternative location, fortunately, less than 10 miles away. In retrospect, this change of location turned out to be a positive shift in my rental experience.
Location Variability and Trailer Condition
It’s important to acknowledge that service quality and trailer condition can vary significantly between U-Haul locations. My personal experiences across different U-Haul rental sites have highlighted inconsistencies. Online review platforms like Yelp can offer insights, but exercise caution as reviews can be subjective. Dedicated U-Haul facilities, as opposed to those integrated with storage facilities or other businesses, generally seem to maintain a larger inventory of transport trailers and appear better equipped to handle rentals.
One recurring issue I’ve encountered, with the exception of a single rental, is tire condition. Almost every transport trailer I’ve rented has had either flat tires or tires with low pressure. A practical tip is to carry a tire pressure gauge capable of reading up to at least 60 psi. While U-Haul employees typically handle the trailer hook-up to your tow vehicle, their demeanor and service levels can vary. Some employees are helpful and pleasant, while others may express dissatisfaction with their work environment.
Transport Trailer Quality and Design
U-Haul transport trailers are constructed from galvanized steel. They are noticeably shorter in length compared to many privately owned trailers, which can be advantageous for maneuverability, especially in tighter spaces. A key difference from my personal steel trailer is the vehicle securing system. My trailer uses straps attached to four points on the car’s chassis, whereas the U-Haul transport trailer primarily secures the vehicle via straps over the front tires only.
Loading Process and Securing Your Vehicle
Loading a Porsche 911 onto a U-Haul transport trailer
For my Porsche 911 with stock ride height, loading onto the U-Haul transport trailer was straightforward, requiring no additional ramps or wood planks for clearance. However, for vehicles with lowered suspensions or sport-tuned setups, using 2×8 wooden planks to extend the ramps and reduce the approach angle is likely necessary to avoid damaging the vehicle’s undercarriage. The loading procedure involves driving the car forward onto the trailer until it reaches the front stop. Unlike conventional trailers where straps are positioned around the wheels, with the U-Haul transport trailer, you drive directly over the integrated tire straps.
U-Haul transport trailer strap and securing mechanism
The U-Haul tire straps are designed to effectively secure the vehicle by encompassing the front tires. In addition to the straps, safety chains are provided and should be connected to your vehicle’s tow hooks as a secondary safety measure in case of strap failure. While some Porsche owners prefer to load their 911s in reverse, positioning the heavier engine end closer to the trailer tongue, this is generally considered unnecessary with the shorter wheelbase of the U-Haul transport trailer. The electrical connection utilizes a standard four-prong connector.
Four-prong trailer light connector for transport trailers
For newer vehicles equipped with two-prong connectors, adapters are readily available at U-Haul locations or online retailers. The transport trailer brakes are surge brakes, not electric brakes, meaning they are hydraulically activated by the momentum of the trailer pushing against the tow hitch. My tow vehicle is equipped with an electric brake controller for my personal trailer, but this was not utilized or needed with the U-Haul surge brake system. The surge brakes on the U-Haul transport trailer performed admirably, providing confident and stable stopping power, even during simulated emergency braking situations.
Driving Experience and Handling
Throughout my towing experience with the U-Haul transport trailer, the overall driving experience was consistently positive and uneventful. I encountered no trailer sway or unnerving “white-knuckle” moments, even while driving in rainy conditions. In fact, the towing experience was so smooth and stable that I found myself frequently checking my rearview mirror to ensure the trailer and car were still attached, as it often felt as though I wasn’t towing anything at all. This speaks to the well-designed nature of the U-Haul transport trailer and its balanced handling characteristics.
Essential Checks and Maintenance During Your Tow
.jpg)
Inspecting tire tread and sidewall condition on a U-Haul auto transport trailer before towing to ensure safety.
Before embarking on your journey, and periodically during your trip, it’s crucial to perform several safety checks on the transport trailer. Tire condition is paramount. Ensure tires are properly inflated to the recommended pressure and possess adequate tread depth. Pay particular attention to the inner sidewall for signs of wear or damage. After driving for approximately an hour, pull over to a safe location and carefully check the wheel hubs by touching the center hub with the back of your fingers. Excessive heat emanating from the hub is a strong indicator of potential wheel bearing issues, suggesting overheating and possible imminent failure. At each refueling stop, conduct a walk-around inspection of the transport trailer. Look for any unusual signs, such as grease accumulation on the wheels, which is another telltale sign of deteriorating wheel bearings. Also, inspect the tire straps for any loosening or stretching; they may require tightening a notch or two on the ratchet mechanism.
Addressing Potential Issues and Roadside Assistance
Despite preventative measures, unforeseen issues can arise during your towing journey. U-Haul provides roadside assistance services to address potential transport trailer malfunctions. In a previous experience, I encountered a wheel bearing failure while towing a U-Haul trailer. U-Haul’s roadside assistance proved to be responsive and helpful. They located a U-Haul facility a short distance away that agreed to remain open until I arrived to facilitate a trailer swap. Initially, they dispatched a repair service truck; however, due to the proprietary nature of U-Haul trailers and components, the contracted repair technician lacked the specific parts needed to repair the bearing on-site. The technician would have been equipped to handle simpler issues like tire changes.
Final Verdict: U-Haul Auto Transport for Vehicle Towing
This account is based on my personal experiences and is not intended as an advertisement or unqualified endorsement of U-Haul or their transport trailers. It simply reflects my real-world usage of U-Haul car carriers for transporting Porsche vehicles. While my preference remains driving my Porsche whenever feasible, there are situations where towing becomes necessary or more practical. Knowing that a viable and readily accessible alternative like the U-Haul Auto Transport exists provides valuable peace of mind. For those needing to transport a vehicle, particularly for shorter distances or occasional use, the U-Haul transport trailer offers a convenient and generally reliable solution.
Helpful Resources:
Loading your vehicle with stock height onto a U-Haul Auto Transport
Unloading your vehicle from a U-Haul Auto Transport
Related Articles:
Projekt 964 is going to auction in March
These tablets make modern infotainment in older cars easy
So you want to buy a new ICE Macan. Here are your options
911 GT1, 935, GT3R Rennsport: In the Studio with Grant Larson & Tony Hatter | Tech Tactics
My Porsche Experience at the Autobahn Country Club
