Towing a trailer - first timer

[vasuvius]

I need to transport a couple of couches and am thinking of renting a UHaul trailer
U-Haul: Equipment specs
5 x 10 ft so I can fit the 2 couches.

I imagine that with the couches, the trailer weight will be under 2000 lbs.
The empty weight of the trailer is 1250 lbs and GVW 2800lbs

I have a hidden hitch with 2" receiver on the car - a 2011 OB 3.6
I have the standard wiring harness with the 4 pin connector for lighting

Is there anything I need to watch out for? Is this within safe limits for the car? Do I need any hook ups for trailer braking ?

I have never trailered anything before and the hitch has only been used for a bike rack. Any suggestion and advice appreciated
Thanks in advance

[mikelipke]

Just be more careful and use good defensive driving techniques. Increase following distance, as you are stopping half again as much weight as the car itself. You will be fine.

[reddoak]

If there is snow or ice... don't do it. Trailers are more likely to jackknife in slippery conditions.

I know they're probably heavy, but tie the couches to the sides of the trailers, or block them in so they don't move around. Shifting weight can really screw up a trailer.

Take it easy, brake early, leave lots of room in front of yourself. You know, all the things you're supposed to do anyway, just more so.

It'll be fine.

[grossgary]

it'll easily tow it, you just have to drive smarter. don't expect the same handling or braking performance.

if it's flat it'll seem like the trailer is hardly there. if you're in the mountains you'll notice it.

good call - be very careful if there's any snow.

the limiting factor with the older H6 engines is cooling capacity, the cooling system is the weak link. but it only comes into play if it's humid, 90 degrees, running A/C, and pulling really steep highway mountain grades. none of which you'll be doing. the older H6's will overheat if you do those things with 2,500 - 3,000 pounds.

[vasuvius]

thanks everyone. I will definitely be driving at a safe speed and don't have to drive over any mountains.

[fun2drive]

Key absolute key is to be sure to get adequate tongue weight or the trailer will sway all over the road. Make sure you have sufficient weight forward to do this. Other advice covers the rest but no one mentioned this requirement...

[grossgary]

what he said - load over the trailer axles, you want the trailer carrying the weight, not the hitch. loading far forward puts more weight on the hitch/car.

[OutbackUFO]

Your 3.6 will do just fine. I tow with regularity and have had no issues at all so far. The one thing I recommend is that you check the tire pressures on bith your OB and the trailer. Look on the tires of the trailer and see what the Max pressure is and inflate the tires to that pressure. Most trailer tires need 50 PSI btw. Try to get the tongue weight to between 100-150 # depending on trailer weight.
Some common sense and you'll do fine. The 3.6 will not overheat and in the ROW is allowed to tow 4400 #...We are limited in the US to 3000 # by lawyers...

[vasuvius]

Originally Posted by OutbackUFO

Try to get the tongue weight to between 100-150 # depending on trailer weight.

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

[fun2drive]

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