Quick ? on sway with U haul style trailer

[deshet]

I have a similar trailer to the type used for auto transport by Penske and u Haul.
I need to load and transport a Hmmwv roughly 1000 miles.
Hauling it home with this trailer will allow me to take the more comfortable vehicle on my trip. (Sprinter RV)
I am concerned with sway and having to slow down to a crawl 45-50 mph using the uhaul style trailer.
I have seen a few of you guys use these types of trailers for moving your vehicles and just want your feedback.
I am hoping that the configuration of the hmmwv won't sway because a lot of the weight is over the axles.

I have a 10ton flatbed trailer and a base model 6.7 diesel F350 dually that could be used but it is not the most comfortable vehicle for long trips.

I am trying to make a vacation out of the hmmwv pickup and my Sprinter has the Roadtrek RV conversion.

The sprinter is also significantly less expensive to operate.

I appreciate the help and recommendations.

Thanks

 

[Jinx]

Is your trailer wide enough? I've found that all U-Haul trailers and tow dollies are too narrow to tow a HMMWV.

 

[deshet]

I have seen plenty pictures of Hmmwv on U-Haul trailers over time. I have also seen them on this site

 

[biscuitwhistler37]

Roughly how much does your sprinter rig weigh?

Looks like a couple in the pics drove over the fenders to be loaded, not a big deal if you own the trailer, but I don't think a rental company's going to like that idea much. Could just be an optical illusion.

 

[Coug]

Depends on the actual trailer ratings, but if it's loaded with good weight distribution, sway shouldn't be an issue.

For u-haul trailers, it would depend on the trailer weight rating for how safe it is. A lot of them used in the rental industry are underrated compared to their component ratings, so it's a matter of figuring out if your suspension is up to the task.
For a basic early HMMWV you're talking around 5500 lbs, a 4 speed 6k lbs, and ECV/REV trucks can be 6500-7500 lbs or even more depending on how they are set up.

If you really want to take the sprinter, it might be safer/easier to find a local equipment yard that will rent you a trailer rated for the size and weight of the HMMWV for this trip. Another option is buy one on craigslist and sell it for what you paid for it when you get back.

 

[TOBASH]

Sprinter might be too light and dangerous.

Trailer should be rated for minimum 7000 lb depending on HMMWV model. Add two thousand for m1151.

Truck needs to be rated to pull minimum 11,000 lbs.

 

[Coug]

And not to beat a dead horse, but trailer ratings include the weight of the trailer itself, so even if it's rated for 7k, it might not be big enough for a 6k lb truck if the trailer itself weighs over 1k (and for that rating they usually do)

 

[Coug]

Also, doing a little research, unless you have an RV based on the Sprinter 3500XD chassis, you're limited to 5k lbs towing, so you are already above that even with the most basic stripped down HMMWV model.

Not sure what 20k flatbed trailer you have with your F350, but it's definitely better suited for this task than the RV is. If it's a gooseneck hitch trailer, then it's pretty much ideal.

When I picked mine up it was 1200 miles each way, and I did it with a flatbed Ford F450 with the 7.3 and a 14k rated gooseneck trailer. Honestly didn't even notice it was behind me most of the time because that setup was made to tow heavy.

 

[deshet]

I fully understand that the F350 is the better option from the towing aspect only, I understand that better options exist, and I am just trying to get feedback from those with first hand experience using a uhaul, budget, or Penske type trailer.

I appreciate the replies. But it seems that no one that replied has replied has used this type of trailer. I would like to get very specific feedback to help with the decision.

This a M1097A2 2 door pickup with an empty bed.

I appreciate the support and replies. I am not a risk taker and would pay to have it hauled or stored before driving dangerously for a 1000 miles. I do believe that Hmmwv natural weight distribution and and drive train placement will make it a candidate for hauling on U-Haul type trailer.

Thanks

 

[BLK HMMWV]

And you are aware that several people have told you uhaul won't rent you a trailer if your going to haul a HMMWV on it.
Many people may have done it. That doesn't mean they did it safely.

 

[98G]

Also, doing a little research, unless you have an RV based on the Sprinter 3500XD chassis, you're limited to 5k lbs towing, so you are already above that even with the most basic stripped down HMMWV model.

Not sure what 20k flatbed trailer you have with your F350, but it's definitely better suited for this task than the RV is. If it's a gooseneck hitch trailer, then it's pretty much ideal.

When I picked mine up it was 1200 miles each way, and I did it with a flatbed Ford F450 with the 7.3 and a 14k rated gooseneck trailer. Honestly didn't even notice it was behind me most of the time because that setup was made to tow heavy.

I remember when you were planning your trip and you were contemplating some somewhat questionable ideas.

With this kind of thing, overkill is underrated. OP should take the F350 and the trailer that's way overrated for the task at hand and have no doubts and no worries.

 

[Coug]

I remember when you were planning your trip and you were contemplating some somewhat questionable ideas.

With this kind of thing, overkill is underrated. OP should take the F350 and the trailer that's way overrated for the task at hand and have no doubts and no worries.

You mean this?

In my defense, the truck is rated for the weight, and the center of gravity was a couple inches in front of the rear axle. The only thing nobody liked about it was the rear tires hanging off the back, but there are 8x12 blocks of wood supporting the frame, so very solidly supported. Some of y'all considered it sketchy, but everything was 100% legal all said and done.

I will fess up though, I only drove it like this for a very short distance, from where I returned the gooseneck trailer I borrowed to my house.

edit: I live out in farm type country. I've had over 12k lbs of gravel or wood on this truck on multiple occasions, so a 6k lb truck was nothing in comparison.

 

[biscuitwhistler37]

I fully understand that the F350 is the better option from the towing aspect only, I understand that better options exist, and I am just trying to get feedback from those with first hand experience using a uhaul, budget, or Penske type trailer.

I appreciate the replies. But it seems that no one that replied has replied has used this type of trailer. I would like to get very specific feedback to help with the decision.

This a M1097A2 2 door pickup with an empty bed.

I appreciate the support and replies. I am not a risk taker and would pay to have it hauled or stored before driving dangerously for a 1000 miles. I do believe that Hmmwv natural weight distribution and and drive train placement will make it a candidate for hauling on U-Haul type trailer.

Thanks

I have put two Chevrolet 9C1 caprices on rented car hauling trailers, one from U-Haul, and one from a local company, a screw type tilt deck flatbed tandem. Both times behind my brothers 01 Silverado, 6.0, 4l80, 4.10s, and both cars (half the weight of your HMMWV) walked that "little" (6800lb) truck all over the place. The tilt deck was too short, and the U-Haul was too light. If your sprinter weighs enough and you can find a trailer with an 18-20ft deck that weighs around a ton I'd say you're probably good. That U-Haul is rated for 5290lbs, your HMMWV starts at 5760lbs, so that's automatically a no.

 

[Mogman]

You mean this?View attachment 934114

In my defense, the truck is rated for the weight, and the center of gravity was a couple inches in front of the rear axle. The only thing nobody liked about it was the rear tires hanging off the back, but there are 8x12 blocks of wood supporting the frame, so very solidly supported. Some of y'all considered it sketchy, but everything was 100% legal all said and done.

I will fess up though, I only drove it like this for a very short distance, from where I returned the gooseneck trailer I borrowed to my house.

edit: I live out in farm type country. I've had over 12k lbs of gravel or wood on this truck on multiple occasions, so a 6k lb truck was nothing in comparison.

I don't think I have any pictures as it was 25 years ago but I stuck a 5 ton (M51, I'm talking 600 and something inches of it takes 5 gallons of gasoline just to get it started) bed on a M35A1, it had extended sides and tail gate, I hauled over 200 tons of Caliche 10-12 tons at a time about 13 miles from the pit to the ranch, 45 miles an hour to and from on the shoulder, LE saw me all the time, even State Troupers and nobody said a word, the magic of farm plates, AH good times
I remember the last few trips were tough as the exhaust had blown out right after the turbo IIRC, but with both windshields wide open and the windows down my eyes still burned both ways, maybe that's what's wrong with me

 

[deshet]

HMMWV recovery U-Haul nightmare

Got her home today after a uhaul nightmare. So long story short 3 uhaul trucks later I got her home. Started at 0600 morning of 7 dec and ended 0020 8 Dec, only a 600 mile round trip... She's still on the trailer until sun up, then I'll move her off the trailer.

www.steelsoldiers.com

In an effort to make sure that all of the information is in one place for future searches I have included this link above to a similar post. If I decide to use my uhaul style type trailer I will report back regardless of the outcome.

No sway was running about 60-65 on I95. Trailer towed straight, no hopping, only issue was with trucks.


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I appreciate the information and for you taking the time to respond so quickly.

I appreciate all the information that everyone provided and the concerns that were voiced will also be considered.

Have a great evening.