Driving a 16' Moving Truck towing a compact car

[lifeobry]

Moving. Renting a truck is definitely cheaper, but I've never driven a large 16 foot truck while towing a small compact car.

I'm a good driver but just wondering if it's harder than it looks. I figure the only issues would be turns (make sure they're super wide) and if I have to back up (which could be a problem). Plus the long distance of the trip.

So good idea, bad idea, hire movers?

 

[bobdole369]

Fully loaded I'm assuming so your probably pulling about 16 ton or so. (just made a figure up so I could say 16-ton like a redneck). Seriously the setups gonna be a lot more lethargic than you might think, turns will be hard, but most importantly - take your usual normal car braking distance and multiply by 3. Double that to 6 if you are going downhill.

Moving trucks are no fun to drive with their usual am/fm/tape players and only a bench seat.

Load shifts, wind, brake overheat, tranny overheat all come to mind as potential issues.

 

[vi edit]

I did a 26' truck with a trailer for close to 400 miles and it really wasn't that bad to be honest. And I had never driven anything that big before...even without the trailer.

The hardest part is in the city on busy highways/streets. I 4 year old on a tricycle has more accelleration than a moving truck and trailer so it's impossible to try and get into a lane with any sort of speed...plus making sure you give enough room to the guy behind you is a challenge....make sure your mirrors are lined up.

Best advice I can give you is to just take your time, plan WAY ahead for any needed lane changes and hit the semi/truck friendly gas stops so you have room to part and turn around.

Once you are on the highway you really don't notice the trailer is even there. A 16' might get bounced around more than the fully loaded down 26' I had though.

 

[wedi42]

Originally posted by: bobdole369
brake overheat, tranny overheat all come to mind as potential issues.

you must have had a uHaul.

get a penske next time.

Fully loaded I'm assuming so your probably pulling about 16 ton or so

16' truck < 10,000 lbs loaded.
compact car < 5000 lbs.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: lifeobry
Moving. Renting a truck is definitely cheaper, but I've never driven a large 16 foot truck while towing a small compact car.

I'm a good driver but just wondering if it's harder than it looks. I figure the only issues would be turns (make sure they're super wide) and if I have to back up (which could be a problem). Plus the long distance of the trip.

So good idea, bad idea, hire movers?

The only thing you really have to worry about is the slow acceleration and braking. Make sure to keep ample distance between yourself and other cars (2x what you think). If either of your end points are in a big city, you're just asking for trouble. I've had experience driving some larger (15 and 24 ft) trucks in urban settings and it can get old, fast.

 

[HannibalX]

I drove a 16' fully loaded truck towing a 4,000lb sedan from Central FL to Middle-TN (about 650 miles) through mountains. Take your time, don't get in a hurry, plan your stops ahead of time, don't drive tired.

My advice is don't rent more truck than you need and plan your packing logically. You won't have to worry about load shift if you pack right and don't have a bunch of empty space in the truck.

 

[ra1nman]

Plan on staying in the slow lane for the entire trip. When you get gas, be sure you know which side the gas tank is on before hand. I'll be a b!tch trying to turn around in a tight area with the trailer attached. I was in the same boat as you when I moved from VA to WI....that was 10yrs ago.

 

[LordMorpheus]

I'm planning a move from Houston to Ithaca NY for late this summer. Thinking about renting a truck and towing the car (as opposed to loading the car down and giving away anything that doesn't fit)

Leaving Houston late June, staying with parents in Stl for a while, moving to Ithaca in August.

Strange thing playing with the Penske quote thing. Houston-Ithaca is 345 dollars (for all four sizes of truck) plus 130 for a car dolly. This is absurdly reasonable compared to U-Haul's pricing.

Houston-Saint Louis is ~170+100 for car dolly.
Saint Louis-Ithaca is ~450+300 car dolly. What?

It's also not dependent on the date of the move, either. I don't understand that huge jump for Stl-Ithaca.

I guess it's not a problem because I really don't want to have to rent a truck, as it would be a waste because I won't be moving furniture, but the car is just so small when I try to put all my crap into it. I mean, stereo and computer equipment alone is significant, and I've got a big hydraulic floor jack, lots of books, clothes, etc.

What is the best option for someone that needs to move less space than even the little 12' trucks have but more than a car can fit - without towing a trailer behind a car, I really don't think my transmission would appreciate that.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I'm planning a move from Houston to Ithaca NY for late this summer. Thinking about renting a truck and towing the car (as opposed to loading the car down and giving away anything that doesn't fit)

Leaving Houston late June, staying with parents in Stl for a while, moving to Ithaca in August.

Strange thing playing with the Penske quote thing. Houston-Ithaca is 345 dollars (for all four sizes of truck) plus 130 for a car dolly. This is absurdly reasonable compared to U-Haul's pricing.

Houston-Saint Louis is ~170+100 for car dolly.
Saint Louis-Ithaca is ~450+300 car dolly. What?

It's also not dependent on the date of the move, either. I don't understand that huge jump for Stl-Ithaca.

I guess it's not a problem because I really don't want to have to rent a truck, as it would be a waste because I won't be moving furniture, but the car is just so small when I try to put all my crap into it. I mean, stereo and computer equipment alone is significant, and I've got a big hydraulic floor jack, lots of books, clothes, etc.

What is the best option for someone that needs to move less space than even the little 12' trucks have but more than a car can fit - without towing a trailer behind a car, I really don't think my transmission would appreciate that.

Rent a van?

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I'm planning a move from Houston to Ithaca NY for late this summer. Thinking about renting a truck and towing the car (as opposed to loading the car down and giving away anything that doesn't fit)

Leaving Houston late June, staying with parents in Stl for a while, moving to Ithaca in August.

Strange thing playing with the Penske quote thing. Houston-Ithaca is 345 dollars (for all four sizes of truck) plus 130 for a car dolly. This is absurdly reasonable compared to U-Haul's pricing.

Houston-Saint Louis is ~170+100 for car dolly.
Saint Louis-Ithaca is ~450+300 car dolly. What?

It's also not dependent on the date of the move, either. I don't understand that huge jump for Stl-Ithaca.

I guess it's not a problem because I really don't want to have to rent a truck, as it would be a waste because I won't be moving furniture, but the car is just so small when I try to put all my crap into it. I mean, stereo and computer equipment alone is significant, and I've got a big hydraulic floor jack, lots of books, clothes, etc.

What is the best option for someone that needs to move less space than even the little 12' trucks have but more than a car can fit - without towing a trailer behind a car, I really don't think my transmission would appreciate that.

Rent a van?

Any company recommendations? Uhaul and Penske seem firmly in the truck business. I need a van plus a car trailer (RWD vehicle, need all four wheels off the ground)

 

[lifeobry]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Any company recommendations? Uhaul and Penske seem firmly in the truck business. I need a van plus a car trailer (RWD vehicle, need all four wheels off the ground)

Budget had a low quote, I'd check them out.

 

[jtvang125]

I did a trip from Dallas to Los Angeles in a 26 footer with my boss. I told him I'll do as much freeway as I can but no city for me. It was my first time driving a truck that big but it wasn't too bad. Our truck wouldn't go over 65 unless we were going down a hill. Just make sure to get on the brakes early, keep your distance and have all mirrors properly adjusted.

Also if you've never backed up with a trailer before it can be extremely tricky, espeically in a large moving truck. My dad has been driving for over 20 years and his first couple of time backing up while towing a boat was a nightmare.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Rent a van?

Any company recommendations? Uhaul and Penske seem firmly in the truck business. I need a van plus a car trailer (RWD vehicle, need all four wheels off the ground)

Not really. I was planning on getting a UHaul van for my 15 block move in a month, but I don't know anything good for a longer haul, and the main reason for going with U-Haul is that they are the cheapest and have a place I can pick up a van within 5 blocks of my current apartment (all the other possible rental places are really far away). Maybe check car-rental companies, like Enterprise or something or just other truck rental companies.

 

[EagleKeeper]

the problem with the quote is that there is less of a demand in Ithaca than St Louis.

The pricing of one-ways is partially bsaed on demand.

However, you may be able to get a price match.

I recently brought a 27' Uhaul from Ca to Denver with no problems other than snow on I40.
The truck was only 3/4 loaded but I had no problems at 70mph along the trip.

 

[lokiju]

I did this with a full size moving truck towing my Tahoe on a trailer behind it.

It sucked that I had to go so far so slow and had to stop at all the weight stations that were open.

But not once did they make me get weighed at the weight stations, they just waved me on through.

 

[Gooberlx2]

After considering rental fees, gas, etc. for a 24' truck..My wife and I always found it was only a little more expensive, and a helluva lot easier, to just hire a moving company for cross-country moves. But I think we were at some sort of perfect cross-roads with the amount of stuff we had (just enough to make it worthwhile, but not so much that it was prohibitively expensive).

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
After considering rental fees, gas, etc. for a 24' truck..My wife and I always found it was only a little more expensive, and a helluva lot easier, to just hire a moving company for cross-country moves. But I think we were at some sort of perfect cross-roads with the amount of stuff we had (just enough to make it worthwhile, but not so much that it was prohibitively expensive).

Not sure what conditions you guys had that we didn't but I could rent a 26' truck and a trailer for about $1200 and gas was $200 for the 400 miles we had to move. We had quotes from Mayflower and North American to pack & move for close to $5,000.

 

[HannibalX]

A friend of mine did the pack + move with Allied (IIRC) from FL to TN (same distance I did) for $2k. I thought that was reasonable.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
After considering rental fees, gas, etc. for a 24' truck..My wife and I always found it was only a little more expensive, and a helluva lot easier, to just hire a moving company for cross-country moves. But I think we were at some sort of perfect cross-roads with the amount of stuff we had (just enough to make it worthwhile, but not so much that it was prohibitively expensive).

Not sure what conditions you guys had that we didn't but I could rent a 26' truck and a trailer for about $1200 and gas was $200 for the 400 miles we had to move. We had quotes from Mayflower and North American to pack & move for close to $5,000.

I dunno. Rates always differ depending on your source and destination, time of year, etc.... Each way from Denver to Vero Beach, FL and back, after considering truck, fees and gas was about $2000. Movers cost us $2300 one way and $2600 the other (paid for by employer at the time , so I didn't negotiate as hard) .

We still had to drive our cars across the country, but totally worth the extra expense IMO.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Well looking around, none of the big companies will rent you a van to trailer a car - you gotta get the truck to do that.

It looks like it might make more sense to just give away most of my crap on craigslist and load the stuff I really want to keep in the towncar.

A little downsizing never hurt anyone.

 

[Fritzo]

Since the compact car gets better gas milage than the truck, use the car to push the truck instread of the truck towing the car.

 

[Fiat1]

don't BACK UP...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I did this.

Missouri to California. 28 foot Ryder + flatbed car hauler.

I averaged about 8mpg and could do about 58mph peak.

What a miserable trip.

If you have crap furniture then I would suggest packing your stuff in your car and mailing yourself a few boxes through Fed-Ex ground. Take the money saved and buy new crap furniture off Craigslist.

 

[Lumathix]

Originally posted by: lifeobry
Moving. Renting a truck is definitely cheaper, but I've never driven a large 16 foot truck while towing a small compact car.

I'm a good driver but just wondering if it's harder than it looks. I figure the only issues would be turns (make sure they're super wide) and if I have to back up (which could be a problem). Plus the long distance of the trip.

So good idea, bad idea, hire movers?

I did this exact thing moving from Seattle WA to Houston TX. And the truck was a stick. Not a huge deal, just pay attention. Much cheaper than movers. At least it was for me. That's a 1800 mile trip!

Shit, for got. If you're towing a car behind, I'd opt for a full trailer. I chose to use a 2-wheel dolley to tow her Toyota, and it proved to be a pain in the ass when trying to back up.

Good luck.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Make sure to swerve erratically on the highway so people know you mean business.