Towing Novice Needs Help and Advice

Robert57 · May 20, 2019

I am planning on towing a Uhaul 6' x 12' cargo trailer from SC to MD in the near future. I have only pulled trailers for short periods of time over short distances and have never trailered anything for a long range haul. I will be moving furniture and other household items due to a personal move of residence. I am seeking some advice on trailer hitches and general long haul trailering advice.

I have a Ram 1500 Hemi 5.7 crew cab lifted on a Zone 4 inch kit and running 35 inch tires. I have not trailed anything since I lifted my truck and only own a basic trailer hitch with a 2inch drop. I believe I need to buy a new trailer hitch with a much larger drop for this long range haul and would like some recommendations on what I should look at. How much drop do you think I will need? Should I get an adjustable hitch? I am just looking for some overall advice on what trailer hitches I should look at and hopefully something affordable.

I also had some general questions about towing trailers for long ranges. The uhaul website advises that the trailer has a maximum speed limit of 55 mph. Is this speed limit something I should actually follow or can I push my speed over this advised limit? Do I need to adjust my tire pressure at all? I am moving furniture and personal items with a large volume but do not believe I will be close to the max load capacity of the trailer (2,480 lbs). I usually run my 35x12.5R20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers at 45psi.

Thank you for any other input or advice on any other topics I may have overlooked!

fivestar · May 20, 2019

I can't offer much, but I'm in a 2018 Big Horn....factory wheels, tires, and height. I tow an enclosed 6x10. I have a 6" drop, and the trailer sets darn near level. Lifted, I'd say you'll need more drop than that.

OC455 · May 20, 2019

You should be all right with a drop hitch.

https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/D900.html

Something like this won't be too much out of pocket. If you aren't running more than 3k-4k lbs., bumper pull, you should be ok. With those UHaul trailers I think they put the 55MPH max speed on the trailer for liability reasons. Pretty sure the trailers tires are rated for at least 65MPH.

Just load the trailer so you won't be rear/front heavy and it should be ok for a long haul tow.

crash68 · May 20, 2019

A U-Haul 6X12 trail hitch is about 18.5" to the middle of the ball. Depending on your lift and how much tongue weight, you might squat close to 2"
Take some measurements and size up the hitch bar to make the ball to be slightly on the high side.

lpennock · May 20, 2019

OC455 said:
Pretty sure the trailers tires are rated for at least 65MPH.

Trailer tires are normally only rated at 65mph; however, some of the Chinese brands have been putting speed ratings on them. Unless a trailer tire has an explicit speed rating it is only rated for 65.

You can play the load tables and run over 65. 65-75 requires increasing cold pressure by 10psi. 75-85 requires derating tire capacity by 10% in addition to the the increased pressure.

Running at 55 increases load capacity by 10%.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Robert57 · May 20, 2019

crash68 said:
A U-Haul 6X12 trail hitch is about 18.5" to the middle of the ball. Depending on your lift and how much tongue weight, you might squat close to 2"
Take some measurements and size up the hitch bar to make the ball to be slightly on the high side. View attachment 166774

I was able to measure from the ground to the top of my trailer hitch. It measured 25.5 inches. If the Uhual sits at 18.5 inches level, the difference would be 7 inches. Should I look for an adjustable drop hitch up to 7 inches then? Thanks for your help.

TigreST · May 21, 2019

One other item to be aware of, hitch tongue weight.

If tongue weight is low (low down force at the hitch) you run the risk of trailer sway at speed and possible steering/control issues. If tongue weight is high ( high down force at the hitch you reduce braking effectiveness of the tow vehicle. To alter tongue weight load the trailer contents in front of or behind the trailer axle to effect a tongue weight change. Ball park calc for tongue weights are approx 6 to 10% of the load equals the weight needed on the hitch connection.

As stated a level hitch height is prefered, but a trailer nose down attitude is ok rather then trailer nose up if possible.

video links:

T.

406shark · May 21, 2019

Robert57 said:
I was able to measure from the ground to the top of my trailer hitch. It measured 25.5 inches. If the Uhual sits at 18.5 inches level, the difference would be 7 inches. Should I look for an adjustable drop hitch up to 7 inches then? Thanks for your help.

You're probably going to end up needing about an 8" drop. The back of your truck will probably drop about 1" or so with the loaded trailer on it... if not a little more.

Years ago I rented a u-haul car trailer a couple of times to haul my race truck 900+ miles each way. I always picked out the newest looking trailer with newest tires they had. I put the trailer tires 10 psi over the sidewall rating, and ran my rear tires on my old Silverado 5 psi over and never had a problem running 70 - 74 mph.

Speed and heat are hard on any tires. As someone earlier mentioned... watch how you load the trailer. Keep the heavier stuff in the front.

Jeff

KSH · May 22, 2019

lpennock said:
Trailer tires are normally only rated at 65mph; however, some of the Chinese brands have been putting speed ratings on them. Unless a trailer tire has an explicit speed rating it is only rated for 65.

You can play the load tables and run over 65. 65-75 requires increasing cold pressure by 10psi. 75-85 requires derating tire capacity by 10% in addition to the the increased pressure.

Running at 55 increases load capacity by 10%.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

All that depends on the tire. Putting more air in a tire not rated for a higher load will hurt the situation not help it.

The tires are you limiting factor on speed and weight. Make sure they are filled to their max capacity listed on the sidewall.

68PowerWagon · May 23, 2019

U-Haul trailer hitches are a shaped a little funky cause they know people are going to be pulling them with all sorts of vehicles. I personally would get an adjustable hitch that has a 6-8" drop/rise. Or go onto a U-Haul lot & measure one up next to your truck. It would suck to buy one, think you are all ready for your trip, only to find out you don't have the correct hitch. Also as mentioned... loading your trailer correctly makes a huge difference in it's safety & how it travels. I think the general rule is 60% in front of the axle & 40% behind. This can get kind of challenging when your loading household items that are all different shapes, sizes, & weights.

lpennock · May 23, 2019

KSH said:
All that depends on the tire. Putting more air in a tire not rated for a higher load will hurt the situation not help it.

The tires are you limiting factor on speed and weight. Make sure they are filled to their max capacity listed on the sidewall.

Actually the info I posted on adjusting load and pressure is straight from Goodyear tire manual.

Speed heats the tire so running slower (55) generates the same heat as less load at higher speed (65).

Personally I stay at or below max speed and load rating. Just isn't worth the risk to run off the tables IMO.

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TigreST · May 23, 2019

About that speed thing: Couple of war story comments if I may.

1) How many times have you been blown off the road by some idiot going mach 9. You watch them disappear into the sunset and over the horizon in front of you. Then you catch up with them at the same off ramp that your exiting on anyway. They never really made any time on you at all.
I tend to set the cruise control, a bit above the posted limit keeping with the flow of traffic, and sit back and relax and listen to the tunes.

2) While riding my CBR1100xx Super Blackbird in Vermont with a buddy on his Beemer 1200 we came upon a Ford F-250 pulling a 30ft cabin cruiser on a tandem axle trailer up a hill. It was a pretty big boat. We passed him no trouble doing 65mph. He then catches us on the down grade and we continue opening the throttle to stay ahead of him. In short order we're over 75mph and pushing to 80 in a 55 zone. He's still coming. He tailgates me going down hill at 85..and I let him pass and get way ahead of me. Granted, we're running up and down hills so I guess he's using the down grade to carry momentum for the next hill climb. But holy crap...he would never have gotten that thing hauled down if he needed to in a emergency situation. I think the boat would have ended up in the back seat of the cab, or coming out the front of his skull! We decided to let him go and we sat back waiting for the accident to happen (it never did).

3)Coworker pulls a big 28' RV trailer....at 75mph and above. On one tour he blows 3 of the four trailer tires. He's clueless as to why this might happen and blames the tires as being junk. I mention speed and load ratings and he's like "What are you talkin' about?"

Don't be that guy!

T.

fivestar · May 24, 2019

Haven't seen a Blackbird around here for quite awhile sadly. Always liked them, but never owned one.

TigreST · May 24, 2019

fivestar said:
Haven't seen a Blackbird around here for quite awhile sadly. Always liked them, but never owned one.

fivestar · May 24, 2019

Very nice!

JSMITH8505 · May 27, 2019

Some good advice already, but to add a thought..
Ive rented Uhauls with a variety of vehicles, and have found that the best places to go for advice are the Uhaul locations that are true Uhaul buildings, (As opposed to the gas stations that rent/return Uhauls as a side gig).

The "factory owned store" employees seem much better trained, the stores have loads of drop hitches and other towing accessories, and they take the time to answer questions.

Just drive into one before you need to, and ask. They are more than happy to tell you what you need, how high their trailers sit, etc.

Frankwhoa · May 27, 2019

I ran a loaded 6x12 cargo for work for years in a 08 GMC 1500 4.8L. You'll be fine. No need to speed but if you look down and see you are, no need to worry. Uhaul is pretty good about keeping there equipment in good working order so no dry rotted tires or ungreased bearings. Other than that, maybe a storm/strong cross wind would get your attention.
Tongue a little up is ok, level is a smoother ride. Distribute the weight evenly, heavy stuff over axles.

sandawilliams · May 27, 2019

TigreST said:
About that speed thing: Couple of war story comments if I may.

1) How many times have you been blown off the road by some idiot going mach 9. You watch them disappear into the sunset and over the horizon in front of you. Then you catch up with them at the same off ramp that your exiting on anyway. They never really made any time on you at all.
I tend to set the cruise control, a bit above the posted limit keeping with the flow of traffic, and sit back and relax and listen to the tunes.

2) While riding my CBR1100xx Super Blackbird in Vermont with a buddy on his Beemer 1200 we came upon a Ford F-250 pulling a 30ft cabin cruiser on a tandem axle trailer up a hill. It was a pretty big boat. We passed him no trouble doing 65mph. He then catches us on the down grade and we continue opening the throttle to stay ahead of him. In short order we're over 75mph and pushing to 80 in a 55 zone. He's still coming. He tailgates me going down hill at 85..and I let him pass and get way ahead of me. Granted, we're running up and down hills so I guess he's using the down grade to carry momentum for the next hill climb. But holy crap...he would never have gotten that thing hauled down if he needed to in a emergency situation. I think the boat would have ended up in the back seat of the cab, or coming out the front of his skull! We decided to let him go and we sat back waiting for the accident to happen (it never did).

3)Coworker pulls a big 28' RV trailer....at 75mph and above. On one tour he blows 3 of the four trailer tires. He's clueless as to why this might happen and blames the tires as being junk. I mention speed and load ratings and he's like "What are you talkin' about?"

Don't be that guy!

T.

Just another example of we cant fix stupid.

Elkman · May 27, 2019

Go to etrailer.com as they have great prices and an extensive selection and on the phone they are very helpful and can provide excellent advice.

Consider renting tow mirrors from U-haul as well as the trailer. Nice to be able to see behind you when towing and merging with traffic or making lane changes.

John B · May 27, 2019

I would go to a U haul location that has the trailer that you want to use. Level the trailer and measure to the inside top of the coupler. This will give you the approximate ball height for the trailer when attached to your truck. When loaded, you will want the tongue weight to be equal to 10% or greater for towing. U haul should be able to give you the tongue weight of the empty trailer. If you can estimate what your load will be, you will want to make sure 60 percent of the load will be in front of the axle. Get a couple of buddies to stand on the bumper and measure the distance from your current ball to the height of the trailer coupler. This should be the drop amount you will need.

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