I have an upcoming haul planned for my 2001 Dodge 2500 CTD with automatic. It's completely stock except for a BHAF. Totally stock otherwise with 3:55 rear. Stock size wheels and just a tad larger tires.

I'm towing a 2001 Corvette weighing about 3200 pounds. I'm renting a U-Haul trailer. I have to check but I think they have a lighter weight aluminum trailers so I'll shoot for that one if they do. I will be carrying some personal belongings in the bed of my truck as well. Let's estimate no more that 750 pounds. It's more volume than weight.

The route is from Arizona to Pennsylvania using mostly Interstate 40 to Interstate 81. Not too many mountains to climb and not very high.
Total mileage will be about 2400

I just changed the oil, just added the BHAF, tires airred up to 55 pounds.

What would be a good tranny fluid to use?? I want to change that before the trip. I'm also changing out the serpentine belt. I've been adding 2 cycle motor oil to the fuel. I've been getting between 20-22 miles per gallon just normal driving.

I used the truck last summer to tow a 1970 GTO from Georgia to Pennsylvania but the car was on a tow dolly and I never really knew it was back there as far as it's impact on the trucks performance. Yes the mileage went down but I averaged @ 17-18 on that trip.

I have 225,000 on my truck. It runs well, really has no issues. I plan on taking my time on the cross country trip. I just want to know what else I may be missing.

Thanks.

 

fuel filter check.

 

you might want to check and make sure the car will be able to get up on the trailer without bottoming out. This was an issue i was going to have using a u-haul trailer to tow my srt-4 (stock height).

 

Becareful of Uhaul. Check with local tire place but i run a lot more pressure in my tires when im hauling/towing could also be tire thing to i honestly dont know much about it i just have Schwabies do it.

 

Good point, I forgot I did just change that out. Thanks

 

I'm a member on the Corvette Forum and it can be done. It's most difficult to get the car up and on the trailer. Finding the right spot where the trailer is lower than the car and then use the decline to actually drive the car level right onto the trailer. Some have used large 2 X10s to get it up on the trailer as well. Thanks for that heads up. It's not always fun owning a Corvette, it does have it's drawbacks at speed bumps, trailering, and water crossings when you have it in four wheel drive.

 

This is from past experience. U-Haul has company stores, and they have dealers. Unless you have personal knowledge/experience regarding a dealer you will be using, avoid them like the plague. Deal only with a company store. The equipment will be in better shape, and if there is an issue, they will be equipped and authorized to deal with it.

The U-Haul locater on the web sucks big time. It will direct you to a dealer or company store based on some bizarre algorithm, which may not put you at the closest location to your starting point or destination. At least this was the case six years ago.

My $.02.

 

Point well taken and thank you.! I will go directly to the U-Haul Dealer in Tucson. Funny how now that you mention it, I ended up knowing more on how the tow dolly worked and hooked up last year than the guy the store sent out to "HELP ME". I think I actually HELPED HIM!

 

If you do use a U Haul trailer, make sure you check the trailer over VERY carefully.
Last summer, I rented one from a place in Denver. Hooked up and shortly discovered the right rear suspension was broken.
Returned to the rental site and went through three other trailers before I found one that wasnt in need of repair.
In hooking up the trailer, they caused a electrical prob with the truck.
They sent the on road repair guy out and he found they had the hot wires grounded.
My advise is watch them like a hawk when they connect the trailer.

 

Take at least 2 extra fuel filters with you cause you never know when you'll get bad fuel. Don't forget tools, jumper cables, make sure you're spare is aired up, etc., you know, just the normal stuff.

 

You cant ignore the grade out of Phoenix or the hills in TN to PA. Just be carefull. I guess you arent considering the uphill to be much of a problem. GOOD LUCK on the move. 30 CC

 

I'm taking most of my tools with me, and I have one extra fuel filter but you are right, you never can tell when you're going to get bad fuel. Thansk again for the post.

 

I've driven the route many times and compared to the mountains out west, the Allegheny Mountains don't seem like much but I never take a hill for granted.
I won't have the long grade out of Phoenix, I go I-10 over to Rte 40 from Tucson. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Rember that U-Haul trailers have max speed 45mph stamped on the fenders.

 

When was the last time you saw any thing from uhaul going 45mph?