U-haul truck with car transport
 

I'm attempting to move long distance (total hours drive is about 24 hrs but will be done in 3 days).

I'm renting a 10 or 15ft u-haul with car transport. I have never driven a truck towing something before. I've read that it's not that scary/dangerous and just watch to make wider turn and stick to slow lane and backing the rig up is probably hopeless so plan to be able to drive straight through any places without backing up.

Anything to watch out for? Tips appreciated.

Make sure you don't forget about the extra length of the trailer when changing lanes in front of someone.

I had to tow my car from Vegas to San Jose when I was 21 for a motor swap because the motor threw a rod on my way to Vegas. That was interesting. They didn't have a pickup truck for me to rent so I had to rent a box truck plus a flatbed for the car. All I had were side mirrors to look behind me.

Good luck parking the thing in a motel, sleep at a truck stop instead.

Avoid city driving as much as possible. Stay on the highway.

Stay behind a semi. As underscore mentioned, make sure there's enough room for you to pass. I found passing truckers pretty good. They usually will flash their lights at you to let you know there's enough room to cut back in front of him.

For reference, and perhaps someone could chime in with more details, where are you moving to?

I just looked at Google Maps for fun and roughly 24 hours (from Vancouver and according to Google directions) can take you to places like Whitehorse, YT; Yellowknife, NT; Winnipeg, MB.

Try to get the newest truck and car trailer they have. So many uhaul breakdown horror stories. At least you're in Van and not Surrey, looks like the place on marine drive has a ton of selection.

Thanks everyone. It'll be one way cross border to SoCal so a bit more paperwork.

It'll be Vancouver-> Portland (5hrs + border wait, stop outside the city so all good) -> San Jose (this one is tough 11hrs, also have to park in the city) ->SoCal.

border’s closed..?

Are you moving for work? I hope you have your work permit, vehicle import, and all documentation in order before going to the border. Be as extra, extra vigilant as you can. A colleague of mine (American citizen living and working in Canada) went through a lot of trouble in order to get back in to the US for a short period of time. Coming back was not any easier as well.

Also don't forget your braking distance is much longer than when driving a car, so you need to brake a lot earlier than what you might be used to and keep a lot more distance in front of you. Especially a u-haul where the brakes might not be in the best condition to begin with.

I've always thought Canada's Worst Driver gives the best lessons on backing up with a trailer.




The trailer part starts at 4:40.

This.

And also, if you are unfamiliar with towing something and with that much weight, make sure you follow the recommended speed signs when taking and entering exits. The recommended speeds are meant to be the maximum speeds for larger truck loads, so when in doubt, enter and exit the highways no higher than the recommended posted speeds, and leave plenty of space behind and in front of cars etc. Don't try to be a hero and pass people unless you are absolutely sure it is safe to do so (i.e. grandma driving at 75km/h.)

I have experience hauling/towing diesel generators and emergency cell sites on Ford F150/350 and Dodge Cummins diesel trucks. When backing in to spots or backing out of tight spaces, side view mirrors are your best friend. Don't be afraid to get out of the car to gauge your distance and turn radius. You'll eventually back in to a spot at some point (i.e. fueling up / hotel/motel stays / meal breaks etc.) So get as much practice as you can where it's safe.

I towed my ITR back from Portland with a Uhaul box truck and dolly.
As long as you drive the speed limit, it's not that big of a deal.
Granted, this wasn't the first time I was towing. Watch the episode of Family guy where Peter tries to back a boat into the water. Learn to go forward to straighten the trailer, and to pre-turn the trailer.

The only thing I have to say, the E350 that I was pulling with had a nasty shake at speeds above 55 mph so that was how I knew I was going too fast.

Oh and crossing the border sucked ass. The lady at the border was ignorant about Uhauls.

reminds me of a few weeks ago when i was checking out a red na1 nsx and then right behind it was a pick-up truck with a boat that had tipped starboard after completing a turn... dragged half way down the block :(

Check the tire pressures on the truck and trailer. Sometimes U-Haul won't do a proper pre-inspection trip. I had a tire that held zero pressure on a trailer, thank goodness it was a 4-wheel trailer.

I drove a loaded 26' Uhaul with car on the flat trailer from Ottawa to Vancouver. The scariest part was driving through Banff. Be very careful with hills on your route as well as curves. I had the truck in low gear down steep hills but even then the brakes would overheat so I had to keep pulling over after each steep hill and let the brakes cool. This was probably because of the weight of the load I was hauling with a Acura TL on the trailer pushing all the weight forward.

Other than that the only annoying part was parking.

Also as Roastpuff mentioned look over every aspect of the truck, tire pressure, oil, tranny oil, brake fluid etc. Uhaul does not give a shit they just rent rent rent.