Towing a trailer - first timer

[reddoak]

Originally Posted by vasuvius

How do you get the tongue weight in a certain range?

If the trailer has axles you can move, you can do that. A U-Haul won't.

If you need more weight on the tongue, move your cargo forward, if you need less, move it back.

[subiesailor]

The 5x10 uhaul is nose heavy to start with! Two couches wont impact the balance enough to be a worry.

Number one warning is Uhaul trailer brakes. Have them do a plug check ie light test before you exit the yard. Tip! take a second person with you who can either do the lights check with the uhaul guy or allow you to do it. Their trailer wiring gets screwed up all the time and mor often than not will blow your fuseon you brake lights. Your shift lock will then prevent you from shifting out of park. Have fuses and if you blow one do not hook up the trailer lights. Get another trailer or run during the day and sstay off tge main drag

[Startiger]

Since you say that you don't have a brake controller, see if you can rent a trailer that has a self contained brake system, usually a hydraulic cylinder in the hitch assembly. That way you don't need to worry about getting a controller installed just for this one time.

Beyond that, take the drive easy. Keep you acceleration slow and leave plenty of following room between you and the car in front of you. Trailer brakes help, but don't count on them being able to save you.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Startiger

Since you say that you don't have a brake controller, see if you can rent a trailer that has a self contained brake system, usually a hydraulic cylinder in the hitch assembly. That way you don't need to worry about getting a controller installed just for this one time.

Beyond that, take the drive easy. Keep you acceleration slow and leave plenty of following room between you and the car in front of you. Trailer brakes help, but don't count on them being able to save you.

Sorry for the typo's above smart phones make terrible key boards.

No brake controller needed for the 5x10 Uhaul they have a basic pressure hitch system self contained to the trailer.

My comment above was regarding the brake lights and faulty wiring on the rental trailer. The last three Uhaul trailers I've rented all blew the fuse in two different vehicles being used. For local day time trips and not having any other option I simply left them unplugged. For longer highway trips I had Uhaul track down a trailer that worked or fix their faulty wiring on the trailer they were trying to give me.

Couches weigh so little the 5x10 trailer will not be a weight issue for the OB or a brake issue regarding stopping. If its an open trailer your biggest risk is having the cushins blowing out and all over the road like most people I see hauling couches they fail to put the pads some place where they won't exit the vehicle when they are going down the road.

[OutbackUFO]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

with a scale or eduicated guess. Move couches forward once you think the weight is right and lash them down...

^this.

[vasuvius]

I just realized that the door opening on the 5 x 10 trailer will make it difficult to get 2 couches into the trailer. Would it be safe to tow a 6 x 12 uHaul trailer with the OB ? the empty trailer weight difference between the 5x10 and 6x12 is 700 lbs (1250 vs 1920)

[mikelipke]

You won't hurt the car. Be careful driving, and remember the trailer is back there when stopping, cornering, changing lanes.

[vtmecheng]

Originally Posted by vasuvius

I just realized that the door opening on the 5 x 10 trailer will make it difficult to get 2 couches into the trailer. Would it be safe to tow a 6 x 12 uHaul trailer with the OB ? the empty trailer weight difference between the 5x10 and 6x12 is 700 lbs (1250 vs 1920)

The 6x12 is a whole new level of trailering. Going up to that size means two axles and trailer brakes, part of the reason for the added weight. I would say away from the 6x12, especially on the outback. You will be pushing the vehicle's limits by the time you put the couches in there. Also, I have never had good experiences with the trailer brakes on those things and I don't know many who have. They either don't work at all, work at random times during a stop, won't release following a stop, or only one side will seem to stop while the other rolls free. None of these situations are safe especially when near the limit with the tow vehicle. I was lucky to be towing with a vehicle that would handle 5,000 lbs. so it was usually manageable over shorter to moderate distances.

[reddoak]

Originally Posted by vasuvius

I just realized that the door opening on the 5 x 10 trailer will make it difficult to get 2 couches into the trailer. Would it be safe to tow a 6 x 12 uHaul trailer with the OB ? the empty trailer weight difference between the 5x10 and 6x12 is 700 lbs (1250 vs 1920)

Wrap plastic around the couches and rent an open trailer. Problem solved.

[statueim]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

My comment above was regarding the brake lights and faulty wiring on the rental trailer. The last three Uhaul trailers I've rented all blew the fuse in two different vehicles being used. For local day time trips and not having any other option I simply left them unplugged. For longer highway trips I had Uhaul track down a trailer that worked or fix their faulty wiring on the trailer they were trying to give me.

I presume you were using a utility trailer where your vehicle's brake lights were very easily visible over your trailer's load. Either way, this sounds like a bad idea (and a big insurance liability) even in a pinch.