Best way to tow a car

[7FA]

Hello all. I have an upcoming move and need to figure out the best way to tow my wife's Honda Odyssey Mini van 2k miles. I think it's curb weight is right around 4,000 #. I'm leaning towards renting a car trailer from U-haul, mainly for the brakes, but wonder if this will raise the center of gravity too much. Maybe a tow dolly is the way to go? This will be a one time tow, so whatever way I go will be a rental. Thanks in advance.

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93 D-250 club cab. Auto 3. 54 gears. 77k. 3. 5" exhaust, Westach gauges.

 

[pcorssmit]

I'd go for the trailer. The extra width of the car trailer will more than make up for the gain in height, as far as stability is concerned. I'm assuming your truck has trailer brakes. If not, you may be able to find a rental trailer with surge brakes.

Pete

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'97 2500 CC 4X4 5spd Sport
'83 K5 Blazer 350 TBI (ex 6. 2), 39. 5 TSLs, 3" lift, Dana 60/GM 14 blt, Detroits

 

[Ski Bum]

Get the full auto-transport trailer with surge brakes from U-Haul. Much more stable than the dolly. Need to be careful in positioning the van on the trailer so that about 15% of total trailer weight is on the hitch - then no problems. Secure van to the trailer with strong staps and/or chains. If you've got extra stuff to carry, put it in the back of the truck, not in the van.

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2001. 5 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but cab lights), White over Silver, Tan leather. 4-wheel disk brakes. Delivered 8/31/00.

 

[BV]

I would go with the car trailer because I just don't like not being able to backup with a dolly.
BTW - Most rentals have surge brakes so anyone (with or without brake controller) can use them.

 

[RAPID RICK]

Ditto on using a trailer. Only way to go.

 

[LarryB]

Trailer, trailer, trailer and trailer #ad


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1972 Chinook class C with 96/215 5spd, 4/5" exh, 4"BD, MagHytec, 85gal fuel, K&N RE0880, AutoMeter, 370's, BD gov kit, BD afc kit, 16cm, 16%btdc, yada-yada-yada
www.fostertruck.com/cummins

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Definately use a trailer! The higher center of gravity isn't of any concern as opposed to the instability of a dolly with no tongue weight! I wouldn't think twice about that decision!!

 

[Wiredawg]

I'd go with a Ryder car hauler vice the U-Hawl. The Ryder has the surge brakes alos, but has a wider track and is longer. I towed a Lincoln Town Car on it with a Toyota 4WD.

Happy Towing

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

My brother needed his CJ5 moved recently. I wanted to get a little tow time on the new Ram, so volunteered. It was a fairly short move, about 200 miles. Anyway, we rented a U-Haul, worked good. Ryder told him that w/o a tow rig rental (one of their trucks) they would not rent a trailer??? One bad thing about the U-haul, is that it is not very flexible, one size is supposed to fit all thing. I had to let almost all of the air out of the front tires, to get the Jeep kneeled down enough to use the tire straps. Made for tires that aren't too big. Also, the only place to park the load is all the way forward on the trailer, otherwise the tire tie downs won't work at all. No way to adjust the tongue weight, other than maybe backing on. This was a brand new U-Haul, LED lights, etc.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH, DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 1749 miles as of 11-25-00. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[7FA]

Thanks for all the tips guys, I'll check into renting a car trailer. Have a safe new year.

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93 D-250 club cab. Auto 3. 54 gears. 77k. 3. 5" exhaust, Westach gauges.