How much to pull one of those U-haul one of those trailers?

[Red]

I sold my QX4 (suv) and will be buying a car.

I'm not sure if I should get a larger sedan or a smaller commuter. Some of the decision has to do with the fact that I will be transporting a lot of luggage and wedding materials next summer to Florida, so I was originally thinking I should only get a larger car.

However, I know you can rent U-haul trailers that cars can safely pull. Wondering if anyone has experience with these and how much they would cost, roughly.

 

[klah]

Only about $100 for the 4'x8' trailer. Just make sure the car is rated to tow 2,000 lbs, the trailer alone is 800 lbs.

U-Haul also has a smaller trailer now shaped like a jet ski, but I'm not sure about the weight or capacity.

 

[Red]

Thanks, klah.

 

[klah]

You can call them and get a price over the phone fairly quickly also.

 

[jlee]

It might be faster to check online...the one time I called Uhaul, I was on hold for a while, then the UHaul guy tried to convince me to drop a $50 deposit and hold the trailer..and all I wanted was a price. The website will also (quickly) tell you if your towing setup is 'approved'. My sister's '96 Intrepid has a Class II hitch (3500lb), and can tow a 5x10 enclosed trailer, but that's about as big as they'll let us go.

Prices fluctuate constantly - last I checked, a 5x10 trailer from Gainesville is $100 cheaper than a trailer from Ocala (they're about 30mi apart).

 

[Calin]

You should guesstimate the total weight you are pulling, add the weight of the trailer. Now, if you want some kind of comfort and security, your car should be able to pull one and a half the weight you assume. Certainly you will get on the "easy" side with the weight estimate.
Also, put as much as possible of the weight you are carrying in the car (not in the trailer), as this will improve handling.
Before going (if you loaded the car), check the tire pressure, and if you loaded your car to the max, set the tire pressure to the max also.

 

[MrBond]

I've rented UHaul trailers on three occasions and never had a problem.

If you can, do an "in-town" move - they don't check mileage on the trailer and you pay per day. I moved originally with a 6x12 trailer, it cost $110 for it and I moved about 110 miles. The next time, I rented a smaller trailer (since I didn't have as much stuff), did the same move "in-town" - and only paid $25 (with insurance).

The last time, I rented another 6x12, $35 for the in-town move (110 miles one way again).

Depending on how far you're moving, that may not be possible. I picked up and returned the UHaul all in 24 hours in the last two cases (so that cost is per day)

 

[HardcoreRobot]

how much what?