Towing Uhaul Trailer

Advocate07 · 06-29-2007, 07:05 PM

Hey guess this will be my first time towing so if you have an need to know info for me that would be GREATLY appreciated seeing as how I don't want to fuk up my truck

I have an 05 SE, no tow package.. The Uhaul trailer isn't huge or anything extravagent, thanks!

-Hunt

BuckyBadger · 06-29-2007, 07:10 PM

make sure you make wider turns, so you don't "buy" any city or state property. When passing make sure the trailor as cleared the passed car. I know these sound simple but thats how accidents happen. Good luck and have fun.

**Carbeaux** · 06-29-2007, 08:27 PM

Use those defensive driving techniques.

Follow at a greater distance. It's going to take longer to stop with more weight.

Be aware of what's going on around you. You're not going to have the rearward vision you're accustomed to.

When you get back into the truck after anytime you've shut it down, it's not a bad idea to recheck your lights on the trailer. I know that sounds excessive, but a trailer with no brake lights is bad news.

Take it easy at first to get a feel for it all.

You'll do just fine.

jguns2002 · 06-29-2007, 08:49 PM

Oddly enough, someone on another forum asked this same question today. Here's what I told him.

Make sure your truck is setup for the trailer you're towing. Does the trailer have brakes? Are they surge or controlled from the truck? Do you have the BT package?

MOST IMPORTANTLY - BACKING UP

When backing up you have to turn your steering wheel opposite of the direction you want the trailer to go. Also turn the wheel in small increments until you get the hang of it

*****Towing Tip****** When reversing w/a trailer, take your hand off of the top of the steering wheel & hold the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the trailer to go to the right, move your hand to the right. If you want the trailer to move to the left, move your hand to the left. It won't take long to get the hang of it. Practice in an open parking lot before your journey. You don't want to get yourself in a jam & have to learn that way.

When I was 15, my dad used to make me back our fishing boat in our driveway because he'd get so flustered.

rrumaner · 06-29-2007, 08:55 PM

I towed a UHaul 5x8 from Chicago to Reno with no problems. It was like it wasn't even there. Granted it was not easy to park it in the various parks we stopped at, but just find an open space and take up two spaces. Not sure where you are towing from/to, but watch it around downhill corners. Trailers like to swing wide at higher speeds. Just slow down a little and never jam on the brakes to correct it. You will find that you are following the trailer instead of the (correct) other way around.

StuntDriver06 · 06-29-2007, 08:59 PM

6x12 u-haul (enclosed tandem axle) to Florida and back doing 85-95 the whole way, no problems, no big tow, and 10 mpg... lol take it easy, and watch out for the other guy, and remember that stopping distance is increased with weight...

kronos2 · 06-29-2007, 11:41 PM

uhaul doesnt have a trailer your truck cant handel. make sure you use your turn signals to make a lane change and dont be in a hurry

Advocate07 · 06-30-2007, 05:27 PM

Thanks guys sorry it took me a while to respond, Im in vegas and partying hha.. The tips are greatly appreciated, but those were the things I already know, what I'm looking for is should I use ''tow mode'' or tow in 4th gear the whole time?? The things I need to know to not fuk up my truck..

And any of you vegas guys, ill be at rum jungle getting trashed, lemme know if u go! haha -Hunter

**loufish** · 06-30-2007, 06:02 PM

I would use the Tow Mode and maybe 5th gear on flat ground if the load was not too much, but drop it manually to 4th and even 3rd when hitting the hills and grades.

rrumaner · 06-30-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advocate07

Thanks guys sorry it took me a while to respond, Im in vegas and partying hha.. The tips are greatly appreciated, but those were the things I already know, what I'm looking for is should I use ''tow mode'' or tow in 4th gear the whole time?? The things I need to know to not fuk up my truck..
And any of you vegas guys, ill be at rum jungle getting trashed, lemme know if u go! haha -Hunter

Well it is obvious that you wrote that message after drinking way too much because in your first message you asked,

Quote:

Hey guess this will be my first time towing so if you have an need to know info for me that would be GREATLY appreciated seeing as how I don't want to fuk up my truck

I have an 05 SE, no tow package.. The Uhaul trailer isn't huge or anything extravagent, thanks!

-Hunt

Where does that say anything about you "already knowing" anything? Your first posting made it obvious that you never towed anything before and asked for advice. Once you got it, and a few beers in you, you tell us that you know everything. Next time maybe ask a question that you actually want an answer to instead.

BuckyBadger · 07-01-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Advocate07

The tips are greatly appreciated, but those were the things I already know, what I'm looking for is should I use ''tow mode'' or tow in 4th gear the whole time?? The things I need to know to not fuk up my truck..

Does a non big tow have a tow mode button?

rrumaner · 07-01-2007, 12:00 PM

Good catch BB. I guess he is too fuked (to use his version of spelling) to know what he has and doesn't have in his truck.

Advocate07 · 07-02-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jguns2002

Oddly enough, someone on another forum asked this same question today. Here's what I told him.

Make sure your truck is setup for the trailer you're towing. Does the trailer have brakes? Are they surge or controlled from the truck? Do you have the BT package?

MOST IMPORTANTLY - BACKING UP

When backing up you have to turn your steering wheel opposite of the direction you want the trailer to go. Also turn the wheel in small increments until you get the hang of it

*****Towing Tip****** When reversing w/a trailer, take your hand off of the top of the steering wheel & hold the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the trailer to go to the right, move your hand to the right. If you want the trailer to move to the left, move your hand to the left. It won't take long to get the hang of it. Practice in an open parking lot before your journey. You don't want to get yourself in a jam & have to learn that way.

When I was 15, my dad used to make me back our fishing boat in our driveway because he'd get so flustered.

As for you're 'Towing Tip' that became very handy, thank you.

jguns2002 · 07-02-2007, 05:54 AM

You got it!!! I'm glad the tip was helpful.