Which Uhaul trailer should I get?

9049 Views 4 Replies 2 Participants Last post by TRDSport, Mar 26, 2007

TRDSport

Discussion Starter · Mar 25, 2007

I could really use some help on this one and I apologize for the long post. There is a good chance I will be helping my brother move to Texas from Arizona in the next few weeks and I can't figure out which Uhaul trailer to rent. I am looking at either the 4x8 (8'1" x 4'1" x 4') or the 5x8 (8' x 4'8" x 5'4") enclosed trailer. The dimensions in parenthesis are the interior dimensions of the trailers. I have attached a few pictures to give you an idea of what will be moved.

All of the clothes plus both the wood and white plastic dressers/TV will be moved. I doubt anything above the clothes will be moved. There is also some misc. stuff that will be moved.

This desk. It would fit in the 4x8 trailer height wise.

These books

Both pieces of black furniture along with the computer

This is the biggy. This is a waterbed. We are thinking about (most likely will) taking the frame (plus the drawers underneath) minus the water bladder and replacing it with a regular mattress. The frame is 83"x51"....too wide to stand on-end in the 4x8 trailer unless we take it apart. We may get the mattress here or there, don't know yet so that could be an extra item that has to be fit into the trailer.

I am guessing there will be 7-8 boxes of misc. stuff.

Which one should I get? Also, I will be bringing the trailer back because it is cheaper. Has anyone towed either trailer empty at highway speeds? I ask because I towed Uhaul's 5'x9' open ramp trailer and I couldn't get above 55mph without the trailer swaying alot. Should I put some weight in the trailer on the return trip to help reduce sway? If yes, how much?

Let me know if you want me to measure anything.

Thank you for the help. TS is a great site.

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rambrush

· #2 · Mar 25, 2007

I would suggest the RV I beleive its the biggest inclosed trailer. It has surge brakes dual axle.

I have pulled the 5x8 from Az to Montana at speeds pushing 80 or so and no problems.
The RT ramp trailer we used in Montana we bounced that sucker on multiple 16 mile round trips on very rough dirt roads then the trip over to Butte to the dump or recycler.
on one trip I had the weight distribution screwed up and it tried to pass me, not good....
The other trips I had it dialed in and it pulled at 80 or so as well.

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TRDSport

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 25, 2007

rambrush said:
I would suggest the RV I beleive its the biggest inclosed trailer. It has surge brakes dual axle.

I have pulled the 5x8 from Az to Montana at speeds pushing 80 or so and no problems.
The RT ramp trailer we used in Montana we bounced that sucker on multiple 16 mile round trips on very rough dirt roads then the trip over to Butte to the dump or recycler.
on one trip I had the weight distribution screwed up and it tried to pass me, not good....
The other trips I had it dialed in and it pulled at 80 or so as well.

Thanks for the advice but what does RV mean? Also, when you pulled the 5x8 was it loaded or empty?

Just out of curiosity, what kind of MPG did you get pulling the 5x8?

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rambrush

· #4 · Mar 25, 2007

Rv is the nomenclature on the trailer. you will see the smallest is a lv the 5x8 is av and so on.
Anyway the Rv is a 6 x 12 you might get everything in the next size down but would be tight.

I suggest the trailer you get would have the surge brake on it for the extra assist on braking. Just check the surge brake on the tounge cause some go from lot to lot and never make it into the shop for service. (I used to work for AMFORM which is the repair end of things) There is a huge nut on the cap for the brake fluid, look in there for fluid. make sure the arms for surge unit are not all rusted and froze up looking. That is about all you can check until you get on the road and apply your brakes and that will cause the trailer to move forward to activate the surge brakes.

The 5x8 I pulled was packed. I clocked 10 -11.76 mpg

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TRDSport

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 26, 2007

Maybe I'll consider the 5x10 but I know the 6x12 would be overkill. I guess the pictures are alittle deceiving but there isn't that much stuff.

I just remembered the waterbed frame has to be about 50% disassembled to simply get it out of the room. I think we will go ahead and completely take it apart. Least now it won't be as bulky.

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