Biggles

Take your time, don't rush, use the tow/haul feature,don't speed. Avoid tight turns if possible. Plan lane changes early if possible. After a few hours you will get the feel of the trailer behind you. Make wide turns too.
Enjoy your truck. It's a nice tow vehicle.

flynavy812

iTrader: (2)

Thank you, I know I need a ball hitch as well. There are various sizes with different drops, trying to read up on them all.

Norotso

Most trailers of any size now a days use a 2 5/16" ball

redneck wrencher

It wouldn't hurt to drop by the U Haul store and check out the hitch height to determine the ball size and drop and you'll need. When determining drop, take in consideration the amount the truck will lower when the load is applied.

smokeywren

Assuming your truck has the tow pkg with the factory receiver hitch, then you need a ball mount as well as a ball. Check the coupler on the trailer and be certain you buy the ball that is exactly the same size as the coupler.


You probably need a ball mount with a 2" shank and a 2" drop. Those are common, and available at the U-Haul store. But if measurement shows you need a 4" drop, then get that. Towing with the tongue too high or too low is dangerous, so don't do it.


If your truck doesn't already have a receiver hitch, then I would install one before you head out. Your rear bumper has provision for adding a ball to tow a light trailer, but unless it's exactly the right height you don't want to use it. Plus the bumper probably has a tongue weight limit of 500 pounds or less. DO NOT exceed the weight limit of your rear bumper. That weight limit is stamped or embossed near the hole for the ball.


Load the trailer so you have at least 10% tongue weight, and 12% to 15% is better. If you are a strong guy and can pick up the tongue by yourself, you need to distribute more weight to the front of the trailer.

130428

we rented a U-haul trailer 2 yrs ago. The biggest you can get here is 6'x12'. We loaded it up quite full, and hit the road. I do have some experience towing, but had not towed before with the truck.

Anyway, with a relatively small trailer like these ones, and a minimum of common sense (drive easy, anticipate) the towing should be quite uneventful. Unless you place ALL of your super heavy stuff all the way up front, or all the way back in the trailer, the load should be spread well enough to not cause any issues.

just think of the big rigs you see driving around, how they take their turns (wide), try to do the same and you'll be fine. Avoid the drive-thru's though, just park out of the way and walk!

flynavy812

iTrader: (2)

This makes me feel a little better, but after reading some horror stories I'm still concerned. Maybe I'm only reading about people pulling trailers with smaller vehicles. I have to remember I own a heavy *** truck with a tow package. I'm just really really worried about swaying. I wont be stupid and speed, and I'll do my best to load it right. I also need to figure out the breakdown of weight, as I plan on loading my bed too.

Andrade

iTrader: (3)

I brought a 6x12 Uhaul trailer (dry weight 1900lbs) from St Louis to Houston 2 years ago, I had every sq inch loaded and had no problems, The turns are easy and the trailer loaded up wasn't noticeable, the sway was a whole different story!

smokeywren

Sway control on a U-Haul trailer without a weight-distributing hitch with sway control requires you to load the trailer very exactly. When wet and loaded for the road, you want 12% to 15% of the gross trailer weight on the tongue (ball). And you want the weight in the trailer evenly distributed side to side. That requires planning and at least two trips through a certified automated truck scale to determine gross trailer weight, tongue weight, and weight remaining on the trailer axles.


Not less than 12% tongue weight to help prevent sway, and not more than 15% tongue weight so you don't overload the suspension of the tow vehicle.


If you have a tongue weight scale, then you can get by with only one trip across the scale to get the weight on the trailer axles. Frequent trailer pullers use a tongue weight scale to frequently weigh the tongue weight. Here's a link to my tongue weight scale:
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Sherline/5780.html

schmenke

Will U Haul not also rent the ball and mount?