[RobReye25]

Hey everyone,

In a couple of weeks, I'll be moving from Cleveland, OH to Minneapolis, MN. The majority of our belongings will be shipped to the new house, but there will be a few things that I will need to take with me (Queen Bed, riding mower, a few other boxes). I plan on renting a 6X12 UHAUL Trailer https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/ . I have the Z82 towing package, and I've had my truck for a few years, but I've not towed anything yet. I've spent a lot of time reading about loading the truck and trailer, ensuring the tongue weight is 10-15% of the load, watching speed, increasing braking distances and turn radius. But, a buddy of mine who runs a lawn care business says I'll be fine, I'm overthinking it. Hook up the trailer, load it so that the back end isn't sagging too bad, and be on my way, just watch my speed.

Fairly liberal estimates
Passengers and Cargo in truck : 850 lbs
Cargo in Trailer : 1000 lbs
Weight of Trailer : 1920
Tongue weight @ 15% : 450 lbs max

Total payload as seen from the truck : 1300 lbs (max truck payload is 1580)
Total Towing Weight : 3000 lbs (max truck towing is 7000)

My questions are:

Am I overthinking this?
Those of you that trailer often, how does this look to you? Should I be purchasing sway control for this one trip?

 

[Goodspike]

I doubt you'll need sway control for that little weight/size trailer. You might pick up a tongue weight scale for about $120.

 

[oldphart]

Hey everyone,

In a couple of weeks, I'll be moving from Cleveland, OH to Minneapolis, MN. The majority of our belongings will be shipped to the new house, but there will be a few things that I will need to take with me (Queen Bed, riding mower, a few other boxes). I plan on renting a 6X12 UHAUL Trailer https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/ . I have the Z82 towing package, and I've had my truck for a few years, but I've not towed anything yet. I've spent a lot of time reading about loading the truck and trailer, ensuring the tongue weight is 10-15% of the load, watching speed, increasing braking distances and turn radius. But, a buddy of mine who runs a lawn care business says I'll be fine, I'm overthinking it. Hook up the trailer, load it so that the back end isn't sagging too bad, and be on my way, just watch my speed.

Fairly liberal estimates
Passengers and Cargo in truck : 850 lbs
Cargo in Trailer : 1000 lbs
Weight of Trailer : 1920
Tongue weight @ 15% : 450 lbs max

Total payload as seen from the truck : 1300 lbs (max truck payload is 1580)
Total Towing Weight : 3000 lbs (max truck towing is 7000)

My questions are:

Am I overthinking this?
Those of you that trailer often, how does this look to you? Should I be purchasing sway control for this one trip?

.




Your buddy is correct: Last year I towed the same trailer form Los Angeles to Beaumont, Tx, roughly 1,800 miles. Loaded trailer weight was 5,200 lbs (I weighed it at a certified scale). I didn't use any sway bars and everything went just fine. Dead solid at 70+mph. What I did do though is buy an Air-Lift system so everything would remain level.



If you are new to trailering, remember to leave an increased distance for stopping and remember you need additional clearance for turning and changing lanes. Also, that trailer has surge brakes to assists in slowing down. Be sure your tire pressures are set for the additional weight and check your oil, etc.



After about 100 miles, you will be wondering what you were worrying about.:smile2:

 

[monteholic]

the tongue weight is the most important, not enough and you'll have the trailer sway...if it does...pull over and rearrange your load

don't over think it, I love pulling trailers

 

[RobReye25]

.
What I did do though is buy an Air-Lift system so everything would remain level.
Be sure your tire pressures are set for the additional weight and check your oil, etc.

Based on what you'd said, the Air-Lift was just to level out the truck from the increased tongue weight? Not a necessity?

Is there a table I can use to determine which tire pressure I should use for the increased weight?

 

[CaryBosse]

That trailer is easy to tow. Towed it from Gulfport to Fort Worth with my old C1500 with a 4.3L V6. The thing that will surprise you is how much it cuts your fuel mileage.

U-Haul trailers are set up for "towing for dummies." If you watch how many people tow this specific trailer with vehicles that are much less capable than the Twins, you would not have any worries. Just remember you are longer, slower, and to some degree, wider than you are used to.

Slow and steady, you will be fine.

 

[Xwd]

Over-thinking or over-preparing it is never a bad thing, and if you're already thinking about it, you'll be fine with what you've listed so far.

We're also headed to Minneapolis in a few weeks, with all our **** too. Coming from the West Coast. (Still stings to say that, but, new adventures, right?)

If you ever need to back the trailer, and especially if you're not used to doing it, have a passenger get out to spot for you.

When driving, the pace should be Marvin Gaye, not Metallica. Yup, you can tow 85mph in the left lane and push people down the road and pass people on grades and all that stupid "hasn't ever been part of a bad wreck, still drives like an a-hole" - type stuff. It's not useful though. Use your gears coming down any grades...the brakes should hold up just fine, but you don't want to bake them.

 

[RobReye25]

Over-thinking or over-preparing it is never a bad thing, and if you're already thinking about it, you'll be fine with what you've listed so far.

We're also headed to Minneapolis in a few weeks, with all our **** too. Coming from the West Coast. (Still stings to say that, but, new adventures, right?)

If you ever need to back the trailer, and especially if you're not used to doing it, have a passenger get out to spot for you.

When driving, the pace should be Marvin Gaye, not Metallica. Yup, you can tow 85mph in the left lane and push people down the road and pass people on grades and all that stupid "hasn't ever been part of a bad wreck, still drives like an a-hole" - type stuff. It's not useful though. Use your gears coming down any grades...the brakes should hold up just fine, but you don't want to bake them.

Nice to know we're not the only ones relocating to the twin cities! I won't be in any hurry during the haul. Hoping to avoid rush hour through the various cities we'll pass through, as there are a lot of the "my truck only goes 85" types on the roads.

 

[RobReye25]

Thanks, to everyone for your input. I feel more at ease with the decision to tow this trailer for our move. I'll definitely take it easy on the road, and consider the changes in drivability and vehicle/trailer characteristics. My dogs will be riding in the back seats, so there will be a number of stops along the way at parks and such with ample opportunities to check and/or adjust the loading.

 

[caseih]

Which route are you taking? If you want to avoid Chicago, take a southern route to 39 and take that through Wisconsin. Lots of road construction everywhere right now.

 

[RobReye25]

I plan on running 90 the whole way. I think it joins with 39 and 94 at a few points. Once I get closer to Gary, IN I may split to 94/294 to get around Chicago if traffic is heavy.

for some reason I hadn't even thought about construction :roll:

 

[Goodspike]

After about 100 miles, you will be wondering what you were worrying about.:smile2:

But the first 5-10 you'll wonder how you're going to go 750 miles like that! :grin2:

 

[Hunter62]

what monteholic said, if you see or feel the trailer swaying back and forth it means you do not have enough tongue weight.

 

[fondupot]

Just make sure you load the heaviest stuff towards the front of the trailer. You should be fine.

 

[oldphart]

Based on what you'd said, the Air-Lift was just to level out the truck from the increased tongue weight? Not a necessity?

Is there a table I can use to determine which tire pressure I should use for the increased weight?

I got the airlift to keep the truck at the same level as it is when unloaded. It will keep a bit more weight on the front tires and keep the headlights from blinding oncoming drivers....Also keep in mind anything you put in the bed will also cause the rear to sag.



As for the tires, I just looked at the max pressure on the sidewall and used that less 2-3 lbs.


You are now towing that much weight so don't try to get too fine with the air pressure.

 

[16WhiteColly]

I am towing about the same weight as you maybe a 1,000 lbs. more, and run my rear tires at 43 lbs. I use a WD Hitch and have been running a single sway control, but have added a second for my upcoming trip to Palo Duro Canyon. Do NOT like sway. I have experienced sway on a windy day with 18 wheelers passing. Did not like the experience. The best way to control sway is to prevent it! Dual sway control bars are OVERKILL, but for $85, I will take it, on a single axle travel trailer.

 

[lusid]

NICE! Another MN'r here!

1st. You will be fine!
2nd. Why MN? lol

 

[Plateado]

Hey everyone,

In a couple of weeks, I'll be moving from Cleveland, OH to Minneapolis, MN. The majority of our belongings will be shipped to the new house, but there will be a few things that I will need to take with me (Queen Bed, riding mower, a few other boxes). I plan on renting a 6X12 UHAUL Trailer https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/ . I have the Z82 towing package, and I've had my truck for a few years, but I've not towed anything yet. I've spent a lot of time reading about loading the truck and trailer, ensuring the tongue weight is 10-15% of the load, watching speed, increasing braking distances and turn radius. But, a buddy of mine who runs a lawn care business says I'll be fine, I'm overthinking it. Hook up the trailer, load it so that the back end isn't sagging too bad, and be on my way, just watch my speed.

Fairly liberal estimates
Passengers and Cargo in truck : 850 lbs
Cargo in Trailer : 1000 lbs
Weight of Trailer : 1920
Tongue weight @ 15% : 450 lbs max

Total payload as seen from the truck : 1300 lbs (max truck payload is 1580)
Total Towing Weight : 3000 lbs (max truck towing is 7000)

My questions are:

Am I overthinking this?
Those of you that trailer often, how does this look to you? Should I be purchasing sway control for this one trip?

Heck, I towed that much and a bit more with a 97 S10 Inline 4, Manual Trans, from Killeen TX to Eagan (Twin Cities) without any issues using the bumper and no Weight Distribution Hitch.

You will be fine. I tow our camper on more than 1,000 miles on a day easy.

The weight distribution helps with campers because of their bulkiness and sensitivity to aero changes.

U-Haul trailers, no problems. Just take it easy and enjoy the drive.

 

[RobReye25]

NICE! Another MN'r here!

1st. You will be fine!
2nd. Why MN? lol

Relocating for a promotion. Looking forward to the change!

 

[Plateado]

Relocating for a promotion. Looking forward to the change!

I enjoyed when I was there, now... reminds me of "Operation Restore Hope".