Towing question

MountaineerTom · November 8, 2001

Has anyone ever rented one of these vehicle trailers from U-Haul?

If so, do those trailers have brakes on them?

Thanks.

96 Vortec · November 8, 2001

Yes

The drivers side fender even tilted out to open the drivers door of the car on the trailer.

MountaineerTom · November 8, 2001

Thanks for the info.

I've never used a trailer that had brakes before, so I'm assuming you have to have an electronic brake controler to operate them?

96 Vortec · November 8, 2001

To tell you the truth, beats the crap out of me.

I had 24 hours to travel 200 miles one way, pick up my 70 Camaro, my two best friends, go to a bar, pass out, wake up, drive 200 miles home, unload the car, and travel 30 miles during holday rush hour traffic with an empty trailer at 80 mph before my 24 hours was up.

I made it with 15 minutes to spare.

MountaineerTom · November 8, 2001

LOL.

Sounds like a Smokey and the Bandit movie!

Thanks.

ScottS · November 8, 2001

Hey MountaineerTom

Yes, most states/provinces require trailer brakes over a certain weight, and most car trailers (loaded) are over that weight. I havn't rented one of the U-Hauls in question, but on a more general basis, yes you will require a brake controller unless the trailer is equipped with self activating trailer brakes. These utilize a unit on the trailer hitch that detects the slowing of the truck trailer via this sensor, and applies the brakes on the trailer. I wouldn't be supprised is U-Hual had this set up, as it would be the most adaptable for thier renters.

Let me know what they say, and if you wish I have a chart around here somewhere for the trailering requirements for US States and I could look up anything for where you will be towing.

Scott

MountaineerTom · November 8, 2001

Thanks Scott. I did see where it says it has a surge brake, which i think is what you described. The munitions trailers that are used to in my job in the Air Force has surge brakes that operate like that.

It would make sense for U-Haul to use something like that because not everyone has a brake controller.

Thanks for the info.

Jpshostr · November 8, 2001

Watch out for those U-Haul trailers. They have some sort of screwy hitch on them that requires a different setup than most people have. My uncle looked into renting one, but it would have cost as much to modify his trailer hitch as the rental cost.

doverarjim · November 8, 2001

I haven't rented that trailer but I did use one of their tow dollys once and the trailer does have surge brakes on it, which is great because of not needing a brake controller in you truck. The tow dolly did not have any brakes on it and no one could tell me why, it would be easier to over load your towing truck with the dolly than with the trailer. To put in my two cents worth I have a 16 foot Stock trailer for hauling cows and horses and it has surge brakes on it, I have records to show pulling it over 100,000 miles and it always stops the same loaded or entempy, when I replace it the new trailer will have surge brakes on it. Even some goose neck trailer have hydrolic assisted brakes that does not use a electric controller.