Delorean and Uhaul Auto Transport

[JMLaux]

Who has used one of Uhells full length auto transports before? It is moving time again and I was just seeing what everyones experience is with them. I have used it once before but wasn't sure what was the best way to load the vehicle; facing forward or facing backwards?

[sean]

If you are talking about one of these:
http://www.uhaul.com/reservations/images/Equipment/Towing/AutoTransportLarge.png

Just drive it up nose first and strap it down tight. My local uhaul guy gave me a nice 5 minute crash course before I last used one and it was enough to get the job done.

[DMCMW Dave]

This uses a sling over the front tires. So far so good. There is also a chain they give you to hook up at the back. Use it, and make sure it won't let the car go forward at all. It might not even be a bad idea to add a second on that is tensioned in the other direction. Most people seem to just hang it loose between the car and the trailer.

I've seen a case where the tire sling may not have been set quite properly, the driver made a sudden stop, and the DeLorean essentially ran off the front of the trailer and hit the hitch crank. A whole heaping shovelfull of Not Good. . . . .

[TTait]

Take it down the road forward, or the louvers could catch the wind and come up/off.

I think they offer dollies (D's rear wheels stay on the road) and trailers (all 4 D wheels on the trailer.) You can not use the dolly with an automatic.

IMO you should also be critical when looking at the uhaul equipment itself - uhaul has had a lot more issues with maintenance than some if its competitors. I won't drive in or behind one of their trucks to be honest, and can cite articles and anecdotal personal evidence. Make sure the trailer lights are working and the connectors for it are in good shape. Watch tire tread and I guess hope that the brakes/bearings are ok. Be suspicious and make sure your insured for any damage to you, your car, and others. I know its the only game in town for tow dollies, but to me uhaul is a 4 letter word.

Tom

[sean]

dollies (D's rear wheels stay on the road) and trailers (all 4 D wheels on the trailer.) You can not use the dolly with an automatic.


you can if you remove the axle shafts, about 30 minutes to do. I still recommend the trailer though.

[Delorean02378]

Used this one and had no problem taking 15500 from Massachusetts to West Sayville Long Island for some work at Rob's. Didn't move at all on the trailer even in horrible traffic and roads with plenty of pot holes (The LIE).


Kirk

[content22207]

I think they offer dollies (D's rear wheels stay on the road) and trailers (all 4 D wheels on the trailer.) You can not use the dolly with an automatic.


I dollied #2508 from New Jersey to DC, and I dollied #5939 home from its windshield replacement. DeLoreans dolly just fine. U Haul's dollies are the best available. A tow dolly is much less wiggly than a trailer, plus you don't need a brake sending unit.

You have to lie to U Haul (they won't rent the dolly for a DeLorean). Tell them it's for a 1981 AMC.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[dn010]

I told 'em I was towing a Pinto - put my D (5 spd) on a 2-wheel dolly (front tires off the ground only) and pulled it from NY to FL non-stop with no issues whatsoever...

[content22207]

A tow dolly only costs $45 for 1 day rental -- cheaper than a wrecker.

Over the years I have dollied everything from a 1969 Lincoln to a 1988 F-150 (neither of which fit into the wheel cradles -- I simply lashed them to the dolly itself).

A DeLorean does fit.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[jmettee]

If you tow on a trailer, make sure you use the appropriately sized towing vehicle....or else....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is0h-IQE0_s

[content22207]

It's not the tow vehicle -- it's that trailers with decks over the axles are top heavy. The deck of a true aluminum car trailer sits between individual spindles.

Won't happen with a dolly. Dollies are inherently less wiggly than a trailer. I had #2508 flapping in the breeze at 70 plus MPH on the trip from New Jersey. (I also threaded it through Georgetown to avoid an accident on the DC Beltway, believe it or not).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[dvonk]

ive never hauled a DeLorean (yet? :wink:), but i have used the Uhaul Auto Transport a couple of times:

1) hauling a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain c. 225 miles at interstate speeds,
and
2) hauling my 1958 Buick Special c. 110 miles at highway speeds.

no issues either time with the equipment, but i think i had to lie on the online reservation form and pick a random vehicle that was on their 'approved' list.

here is a photo of my Buick on the trailer:
4202

[Morpheus]

I used the full length dolly to tow my car home when I bought it, and I have assisted 2 other D owners with towing their cars. The Uhaul trailers are excellent and a D fits on them perfectly.

[David T]

If you do not have insurance and plates on the towed car you CANNOT use a tow dolly, you MUST use a trailer and get all 4 wheels off the road. If the car doesn't run you will need a winch to get it onto the trailer and you will have to pull it off somehow to unload it. A tow dolly is OK to use on a Delorean but you CANNOT back up and using it on a lowered car or one with ground effects may have problems with dips, driveways, and potholes. To use a Tow dolly you also need a decent set of tires on the rear with enough air pressure. You CANNOT use a tow dolly on an automatic unless you remove the half-shafts. To load onto a trailer you may need some short 2X4's to get started onto the trailer under the wheels. NEVER tow a Delorean backwards unless you remove the rear louvre. Of course you must use the proper tow vehicle and all of the equipment should be in good working order. Check the strapping and tie-downs after the first 10-15 minutes of driving and at least every hour till you are confident everything is, and will remain, secure. On a long trip figure on wet weather so the towed car should be sealed up against water. Make sure everything has the proper tire pressure for the load, trailer and tow vehicle. Plan your trip figuring a lot less gas mileage than you are used to and allow a lot of room to stop. Swing wide and look before you turn, especially on your right side. Do not allow the trailer to oscillate like in the video. If you feel it swaying, slow down slowly till you can get it under control. Might be not enough tongue weight so the car should be moved forward on the trailer if possible. Towing a Delorean, most of the weight is towards the rear so it may be difficult to get enough tongue weight. Don't try setting any speed records and stay away from the 18 wheelers.
David Teitelbaum

[DeLorean]

One thing to remember when towing a trailer is that YOU ARE TOWING A TRAILER! A lot of people seem to forget this. Longer braking distances, slower turns, slower acceleration, the whole rig is more than 2X as long as the car is normally, and you can not do any quick moves with the steering. A quick adjustment can create an oscillation when you go to correct it can cause an even worse counter oscillation, and eventually a jack knife (as that video showed). If you are towing something that out-weighs the tow car, it can want to push the back end of the car, especially down hills and hills up or down on turns. You need to watch out for situations like this, and take it extra slow before coming into the turn and ease through it.

I could easily tow a 5000 lb rig with a 2500 lb car. It's simply a matter of how you handle the rig.

[content22207]

If you do not have insurance and plates on the towed car you CANNOT use a tow dolly, you MUST use a trailer and get all 4 wheels off the road.

Nonsense -- wreckers do it all the time.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[stevedmc]

If you do not have insurance and plates on the towed car you CANNOT use a tow dolly, you MUST use a trailer and get all 4 wheels off the road.

For what its worth, I see people pulling cars on all four wheels (on the interstate) all the time without plates. They write stuff like "IN TOW, MEXICO OR BUST" on the back glass and seem to do just fine.

[DeLorean]

Nonsense -- wreckers do it all the time.

Bill Robertson
#5939

Grey area actually. Just because they do it does not mean it's totally legal. By the letter of the law - at least here in PA, if it's unregistered, un insured, or un inspected all 4 wheels should be off the ground.

Granted, that has not stopped be from towing cars around un registered un plated un-insured cars on my un plated un regestered tow dolly, but there is always the risk of getting pulled over by some know-it-all cop and getting everything you have with you towed and impounded. I like to think that is very un likely if you have a legal tow vehicle, but I am also aware that playing the innocence card might not work if some ass hole cop is having a bad day and wants you to have a bad day too.

[Mike C.]

Tow with Uhaul trailers all the time.

Towed my D from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Just towed a toyota from ft lauderdale to charlotte on a Uhaul trailer.

No issues.

Towing 101 for any car: Slow the fuck down. Seriously. Take your time, do the speed limit, watch your trailer, watch your turns, quadruple your distance between yourself and the car in front of you. Watch your lane changes.

You see the trailer start swagging out behind you? You're going to fast.... slow down gently.

Put the car on the trailer, put the tire straps on as tight as you can. Secure the front and rear chain. Start driving.

Get to your first rest stop, pull in, RE CHECK YOUR TIRE STRAPS. I guarantee they have shifted, so tighten them back down again.

Uhaul is usually very good with maintaining the trailers. I have no issues with them and am using them again this winter when I head north.

[David T]

Auto wreckers (Professional tow operators) have special insurance and most States have either a formal agreement or an informal (look the other way) policy that allows tow trucks to move unlicensed or unregistered vehicles. It also allows them to move things that normally would be illegal like missing tires, no lights, etc. They have to tow wrecked, damaged cars and such from accident sites. Don't expect the same treatment, especially on highways. I have seen people buy cars and make a plate out of cardboard to drive the car home. Some States and some Police are more forgiving than others, in New Jersey I would have all of my paperwork in order and try to do things as legal as possible. (But that's just me). Some States will sell you a ferry permit or temporary registration like PA but in NJ there is no such thing! The safest thing is to rent a trailer and get the car off the ground. A car trailer is automatically covered by the tow vehicle's Liability insurance and if you rent a trailer you get a license plate so you will be legal.
David Teitelbaum

[Dangermouse]

When I moved from AL to GA, I put the TR6 on a full length dolly and towed that with a fully loaded 26' UHaul truck.

No problems, though it was hard to see if the thing was still on there at times. I did what Mike recommended and pulled over at the first rest stop to make sure the thing was still on there, tighten up everything, etc. And yes the straps were slightly loose.

They'll let any bozo with a license drive virtually anything in this country :)

But of course I'm an excellent driver.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQv7yOdSk-44laXOmFDY6jH3auOzE-ivVu-jgOEBrWrq1MeQye3

[content22207]

A car trailer is automatically covered by the tow vehicle's Liability insurance

Not necessarily -- check your policy.

Remember also that the insurance sold by U-Haul only covers their equipment, not the car you are towing, nor any damage you may do to someone else.

Bill Robertson
#5939


They'll let any bozo with a license drive virtually anything in this country :)

26,000 lbs or less. Class A and B CDL's are quite rigorous to get.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Dangermouse]

26,000 lbs or less. Class A and B CDL's are quite rigorous to get.

Bill Robertson
#5939

Not meaning to diss professional CDL drivers. I know that they are well trained.

It just then surprised me that I would be allowed to drive a vehicle with a combined length of 40' and weight of potentially 'who knows' lbs, yet my driving test comprised circling a subdivision at 25mph in a Corolla. :)

[content22207]

Not meaning to diss professional CDL drivers. I know that they are well trained.

Not me: I took the skills test with no training whatsoever. Being a self mechanic definitely helped: the pre-trip inspection alone takes an hour -- you look at every nut, bolt, and cotter pin on the vehicle, especially brakes, suspension, and steering.

I am Class B, which is easier to drive than a combination truck, but I still had to do all the same skill maneuvers (slalom, alley dock, etc).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Mike C.]

Not necessarily -- check your policy.

Remember also that the insurance sold by U-Haul only covers their equipment, not the car you are towing, nor any damage you may do to someone else.

Bill Robertson
#5939

They actually have policies now that will cover the payload on the trailer should you be in an accident. I took out extra insurance, hoping the toyota would be damaged... lol

[GS450-Junkie]

This is what I used....loaded in my driveway. Front clip would rub when I drove it on, so I stacked some wood boards in front of the ramps to make the drive up easier, and then the clip didn't hit.

[DMC3165]

Not me: I took the skills test with no training whatsoever. Being a self mechanic definitely helped: the pre-trip inspection alone takes an hour -- you look at every nut, bolt, and cotter pin on the vehicle, especially brakes, suspension, and steering.

I am Class B, which is easier to drive than a combination truck, but I still had to do all the same skill maneuvers (slalom, alley dock, etc).

Bill Robertson
#5939

+1

Class A CDL here W/Tank and HazMat. Every 2 years I have to renew the HazMat and the test is so difficult now. I wish the general public could see what it looks like.

On another note, I've trailered a D with a u-haul tandem axle trailer. Its a piece of cake. I moved my old D (774) about 12 years ago from Long Island to NJ (about 80 miles) with a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee and no brake controller. It wasn't bad at all. The only thing I'd say if you do this without trailer brakes, just keep in mind you are using one vehicles brakes to stop 2 1/2 vehicles. With that logic double or triple your following distance (10 feet per every 10MPH X 2=20ft, 60mph=120 feet) just to be safe.

[content22207]

DOT officers are a different breed. Definitely not human.

What galls me is that in North Carolina, school bus drivers are certified by local boards of education, not the DMV, who hand out CDL's like candy at Halloween. We call them "[steering] wheel wigglers" -- some of the most inept drivers out there. Without a transportation department to clean up after them, they will kill a bus in a matter of months. The last time a county bus driver overheated our church's bus, I asked her what the coolant temp gauge was reading, and she honestly replied "I don't look at those things [dash gauges]." I refuse to let them touch either of my buses (which has put me on the outs with my church...).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[timothymoore]

I dollied #2508 from New Jersey to DC, and I dollied #5939 home from its windshield replacement. DeLoreans dolly just fine. U Haul's dollies are the best available. A tow dolly is much less wiggly than a trailer, plus you don't need a brake sending unit.

You have to lie to U Haul (they won't rent the dolly for a DeLorean). Tell them it's for a 1981 AMC.
Bill Robertson
#5939

i rented a tow dolly for 10186 when i had to take it to the title office for a vin inspection and U-Haul didnt have a problem renting it out to me.

[David T]

Bill is right, you must check your policy but in most cases you are covered for liability when towing. You are NOT covered for property damage unless the policy specifically mentions it and it probably won't cover the trailer or the towed vehicle unless you have it added. If you rent a trailer you should find out just what is covered if anything and what you can get covered but it usually will cost extra and you probably can't cover the towed vehicle unless you get insurance just for it. Tow operators have special insurance to cover them for this kind of stuff. Bottom lining this, if you don't have the proper insurance then you have to be EXTRA careful and drive really slow or you may also wind up on youtube. This is why many will decide to have the car professionally transported. Not only are you paying them to move the car safely, you are buying insurance so if they f-ck up you can file a claim for your loss.
David Teitelbaum

[Jimmyvonviggle]

I towed my D from Jersey to Montreal using a extra wide UHAUL trailer. I towed mine back first because the wheels were locked so I had to have a tow truck put it on and take it off the trailer. I had no trouble with the louvers.