I am looking to rent this U-Haul Trailer:
CLICK HERE

It is a Tandem Axle with Automatic hydraulic surge brakes. I have a 2006 Ram 2500.

1 - Has anyone rented this trailer before? If so, what are your comments?
2 - Also, my truck should easily handle this trailer, correct?
3 - Lastly, U-Haul states that 55MPH is MAX speed for this trailer. I am going on highways that are 65-75MPH. Will I be OK at 70MPH?

 

Yes I have rented one. Overall I found it heavy for its size. Also, not alot of space on the inside so it depends on what you are putting in it. Your truck will pull it no problem. 55 MPH, well honestly I've pulled at 65 MPH. However, I had a buddy that rented one that was so bad (or he loaded it wrong), that it swung back and forth behind the truck. Just need to gauge how the trailer is, test it out, load it properly, and maybe check the air pressure in the tire. I picked on up once that had about 15 PSI in the tire once (had a nail in it).

 

Anytime I get a trailer from UHaul, that is usually the one I pick up. As snoyes said, it is a little heavier than it looks or you would expect. I've never had any trouble pulling one. I've done 65-70 on the highway without any issues.

It's usually pretty easy to load as well so that it tracks properly when towing.

 

That was probably "whipping", which is caused by IMPROPERLY loading the trailer. A minimum of 60% of the weight needs to be in front of the trailer, on the hitch. If the weight is in back, then it will WHIP. Whipping is VERY DANGEROUS and I seen a truck on the highway doing that. It can cause your truck to lose control and crash...

 

a lot of times it is cheaper to buy one than rent it if you are using it for more than 2 weeks.

out here a 6x12 2003 interstate enclosed goes for about $1500. Some people will buy it and then sell it at a loss and still be ahead of rental fees.

 

Truck will pull it with no problem. I pulled one at 75 to 80 MPH. Does not hold as much as you would think. Not very tall. Check & recheck the coupling.

 

I am mostly taking boxes of books and supplies.

Do you mean to check the coupling every so many miles?

 

I just need it for 2 days. The rental costs is $210 for a 4 day one-way rental.

 

look on craigslist.. enclosed trailers come up all the time.

if you have time to fool with it... always best to buy.. use.. then resell.
if you buy right, could make $$ after using trailer.

 

Agreed, if you think you are going to use it more than this one time, buying is a very good option. I've alway found the little cargo trailers are great for running to Home Depot of moving washer/dryers, etc. And with a ramp way easier than trying to lift stuff up into the bed of the truck!! If I remember correctly U Haul has some weird lighting convention that doesn't plug into the round or blade that every manufacture uses, and sometimes they charge for you to "rent" their lighting adapter. Also, make sure you lights work, some states can impound the trailer if your lights don't work...

 

I towed one from Utah to Houston, TX loaded with my Bro in Law's junk. It pulled great anywhere from 60-75 MPH. I think they weigh 1800 unloaded and supposedly max gross just under 5000.

 

I've used one before, They're okay for their purpose, but as stated they are not the greatest built, specially with the coupler. With the adjustable coupler so it'll fit trailer ***** from 1 7/8-2 1/8, there's a lot of play and they slowly loosen up as you drive so it's very smart to check the coupler after every hour or so of driving, or everytime you stop. I don't think it pulled too bad, but it's the only enclosed i've pulled with exception of our steel horse trailer which is like towing a brick, so i don't really have anything to compare too. Also they don't hold near what you would think with the low roof height, which also makes it very hard to load and unload, specially with heavier objects like large furniture/appliances, because you have to be hunkered over constantly to load the trailer. However for when i moved home last year for the summer it worked it's purpose and they gave me a great rental deal on it, so i can't complain too much.

 

We rented one and towed it behind the biggest truck UHaul had. We had two problems with it. Backing it was a nightmare. The surge brakes locked up during backing. We ended up skidding it backwards a couple of times.

It had no tongue jack. Mind you, we had a rental truck to back up to a dock in order to load and unload. They knew that and let the trailer go out anyway. I was too tired and missed it. We ended up having to jack the tongue with my truck jack. It was a royal pain.

The trailers are rated at 45, not 55, which could increase your liability. If something happens, and you are over 45, it gives someone leverage over you, including UHaul, because you are exceeding the recommended speed limit. Never mind that it is insanely low.

Right after that episode, I bought my own cargo trailer.

 

Who else rents them besides U-Haul?

 

If you are renting one way, here is something to consider.

I used to rent these trailers all the time before I just went out and bought aa cargo trailer of my own.

I found that renting a U-Haul as a local rental instead of a one way was a lot cheaper. You get the trailer for 2 days anyways for whatever the price is plus a daily charge afterwards. Yes it means you have to haul it both ways but it's still worked out cheaper.

U-haul has a wicked drop charge on one way rentals.

Just my .02 cents

Jeff