[Bark3rd]

1st thread, hello. I am moving the wife, kids, and hamsters from South Florida to Dallas and need to tow the wife's 06 Saturn Vue (V6, 2wd). U haul says Vue "too low" and wants to charge 3x the price for a flat tow trailer (they wont rent me the dolly). I say BS, I'll probably tell them I'm towing some other car and get the daing thing anyway. Are they full of crap?

Looking forward to the cool looking cross country power rig with my race bikes in the bed and lil Saturn in tow!:gunz:
(but not the gas bill):teeth:

 

[Treebasher]

1st thread, hello. I am moving the wife, kids, and hamsters from South Florida to Dallas and need to tow the wife's 06 Saturn Vue (V6, 2wd). U haul says Vue "too low" and wants to charge 3x the price for a flat tow trailer (they wont rent me the dolly). I say BS, I'll probably tell them I'm towing some other car and get the daing thing anyway. Are they full of crap?

Looking forward to the cool looking cross country power rig with my race bikes in the bed and lil Saturn in tow!:gunz:
(but not the gas bill):teeth:

Welcome!

They do have a point.

Low-hanging equipment on the vehicle being towed such as spoilers, air dams, ground effects, etc., may be damaged by contact with the tow dolly during loading and unloading. Make sure there is enough clearance for these items.

Good luck with the move!:cheers:

 

[DrewShoaf]

1st thread, hello. I am moving the wife, kids, and hamsters from South Florida to Dallas and need to tow the wife's 06 Saturn Vue (V6, 2wd). U haul says Vue "too low" and wants to charge 3x the price for a flat tow trailer (they wont rent me the dolly). I say BS, I'll probably tell them I'm towing some other car and get the daing thing anyway. Are they full of crap?

Looking forward to the cool looking cross country power rig with my race bikes in the bed and lil Saturn in tow!:gunz:
(but not the gas bill):teeth:

First off DONT use the UHAUl crap! I work for Penske Truck leasing and you would probably be ALOT happier with our equiptment. If you are doing the truck and tow combo then i know Penske could help you out. If it says its to low I always tell the customer to come by and we can judge to see if it will work or not, if not we can usually do the car carrier for right around the same price as the towdolly. You can call 1800-222-0277

 

[Bark3rd]

Arrrgh! I called Penske and they wont rent me the dolly if Im not also renting a truck from them. I am using a freight company for the house stuff, there is no truck rental. As far as I can tell, Uhaul is the only co allowing dolly-alone rentals.

Drew: any way you could work some Tom Cruise "magic" with Penske for me on this?

Shake N Bake!!!!:huh:

 

[helomech]

When I moved to Texas, I towed a saturn 2 door car (can't remember the SL? my father in laws car. We did damage the front spoiler trying to get it back off of the dolly. I know that the vue has more clearance, but don't know how much.

 

[Bark3rd]

Wonder how I could go about measuring for clearance and/or removing the spoiler. Our Vue has the 17" wheel option so maybe has a bit more clearance than the std 16"? These vehicles can also be flat towed but I would have to buy the equipment for that.

 

[DeadRiver]

seems like some blocking placed in the right spot would help the vue get on the dolly with little to no issue, keeping the spoiler lip above the contact points... i can't remember if the uhauld dolly is the kind you drive up on and then it levels. i used on to move my 88 berratta gt back in 97ish so it's been a while. i towed it with an f-150/uhaul dolly. the berratta is a low clearance car and we used wood blocking to get her up.. can't remember if i actually jacked up the front a little first too... good luck.

 

[Bark3rd]

Wow, cool forum-so many responses. A lot more action than the slow dirbike racing forums I frequent. I called my local combo Uhaul/used car dealer and told him poppy**** I want the dolly. He said no prob and will try to get me a free upgrade to the flat hauler (not much inventory in these parts so if they ont have the dolly avail its free upgrade). Im sure with the dolly I can put some blocks under there or just build a small pre-ramp, get a flying start and knievel jump it up there!! :smoke:

 

[CRYPYKev]

Hey, I had the same problem with my '02 grandam, I just told them that I'd accept whatever loading/unloading damage as I had no choice. They were okay with that so I loaded 'er up and off I went 1200 miles later I arrived in Whidbey Island, WA and unloaded 'er, not a sigle issue. Just be careful with your speed and while turning. I had a small issue with the car tires turning. I towed it at about 65-75 MPH the whole time strait up I-5 from Fresno CA-past seattle. another issue is to make sure you have a flat four connecton as that's what the dolly uses. If you have the Big Tow mirrors kick them out and you'll be able to see beautifully!

 

[Shane06fl]

The flat bed will tow a lot better. I have used both and would take the flat bed over the dolly anyday. Or tell Uhaul your towing a Ford ranger or something like that, ruin your front spoiler and save a few dollars.

 

[DrewShoaf]

Arrrgh! I called Penske and they wont rent me the dolly if Im not also renting a truck from them. I am using a freight company for the house stuff, there is no truck rental. As far as I can tell, Uhaul is the only co allowing dolly-alone rentals.

Drew: any way you could work some Tom Cruise "magic" with Penske for me on this?

Shake N Bake!!!!:huh:

Thats the only bad things though it we (Penske) dont rent the car carriers or towdolly unless you are pulling it with our truck, for insurance reasons and because there are more issues with theft and everything if you just rent the cc or td itself- not really to much i can do for ya on that bud. SORRY and i wish i could help

 

[DrewShoaf]

The flat bed will tow a lot better. I have used both and would take the flat bed over the dolly anyday. Or tell Uhaul your towing a Ford ranger or something like that, ruin your front spoiler and save a few dollars.

yeah just go in and tell them you are towing a different vehicle, that will be the vehicle on the contract....i have had people do that before with me- i had a guy rent one from me and when it came back he had a jeep on it with 35's and had the wheels strapped down with extra rope and tiedowns hahaha

 

[tex]

Get the flat bed car carrier. I used one to pull a mustang from Houston to Dallas. The trailer is light and seems to be well balanced with the car on it and towed very well. I pulled it with my old F-150 (2003) 4.6L and ran 65-75 with no problems. It also has brakes and they help a lot.
Also I think it would be safer than the dolly. I always see cars on dollys swaying back and forth and does not look like something I would want to do on a cross country trip.
Spend the extra for the carrier and think of it like insurance. Your car wont get damaged and it will be less stressfull knowing your car is being pulled safely.
________
BIG TITS JAPANESE

 

[killcatzforfun]

bark where at in south florida are you ? Ive got a car hauler for sale, probably more then what uhaul is going to charge you but just askin... and I would deff. upgrade to get the actual car hauler because its to much safer to tow on, the last time I used one I had a huge hot tub, and a industrial size air compressor and did 80-85 the whole 200 miles back... no problem

 

[Fox Delta]

get the carrier if there's *any* way you can - I have used trailers and dollies and after 200 miles a dolly is a PITA.....

 

[Mike V]

A Saturn? Just throw it away and a get a new one when you get there. They sell Tupperware at WalMart.

But really, I would advise spending the extra $$ for a trailer anyway. You can maintain highway speeds MUCH safer with a trailer compared to one of those dollies.

 

[Bark3rd]

Well, looks like I am going to get a flat bed trailer. I will ahve the wife and kids in the car and want to be as safe as possible. Thanks for the advice.

 

[titanguru]

Check the rates on the UHAUL web site using different locations close to your pickup and drop off location. For example, I saved $130 on trailer rental by dropping it at the next town which was 24 miles away from where I was going. Do different senarios and you might be able to get a better rate. Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[wojowojo16]

that really sucks!!

 

[BigA]

A Saturn? Just throw it away and a get a new one when you get there. They sell Tupperware at WalMart.

But really, I would advise spending the extra $$ for a trailer anyway. You can maintain highway speeds MUCH safer with a trailer compared to one of those dollies.

Or you could just get a couple of radios and have the wife follow you in the Saturn, you'll probably use about the same amount of gas either way.