Trailering 1st time/ Uhaul tie down help?

[haileypcar]

I'm taking my never before seen by a mechanic 85, Targa for its first exam by a great mechanic in Boise, but need advice on trailering.

I've read for two hours about ways to tie down/ load (backward is best?), etc.
I'm late getting on the road for a cold 3 hour drive, using a rented uhaul auto hauler. I drove round trip 2 hrs. yesterday to another city to get it. Yes, I live in the boonies.
I got it loaded, (backing up alone scared me) and the straps, chains they gave me don't reach at all. I'm in need of down and dirty, smart help here.
Earlier posts said to leave pcar in neutral, tie down at wheels (does this mean carefully wrap straps between fuch spokes as I've seen in other posts?), put the emergency brake on and .............that's the part I need, non damaging, safe advice.
The trailer has flares in front that keep me from moving the pcar all the way forward and no systemic parts to stop it from rolling off if it comes unhinged (yes, I'd die if that happened). So, its in neutral, I'm alone in the middle of nowhere and I just want to have the Boy Scout be prepared list of things to take and use?
Time is of the essence.

[David]

Tie down all 4 wheels if possible, leave it neutral with the emergency brake on.

Remember the center of gravity is close to the side jacking holes. It looks that trailer is a prime candidate for loading the car backwards so you have more tongue weight.

[haileypcar]

Backward makes total sense. I forgot to put the emergency brake on when I loaded it and I had a bit of rollercoaster fun for a brief moment. I don't dare back it up alone, first time and all.
Tie down wheels through the fuchs so it rides easier or through other areas? Thanks for the help.

[David]

I'd tie down through the wheels if the straps won't scratch the wheels. Those straps look like they're made to go over the tires.

[Bench-Racing]

Towed a 911 750 miles with one of these Uhaul trailers. I put it engine first on the trailer so there was proper tongue weight ( no fishtailing at speed). Use the provided straps, pull the wheels into the area ahead of where you are showing it currently. All the way up to the kick up part of the trailer. The straps go over the tire and ratchet down tight as you can get it. Car won't budge, a very safe set up but you need to have the car rolled all the way to the end, not where you are showing it in the picture. No additional straps needed. Good luck.

[haileypcar]

Thanks. I'm going to try to put it on backward instead. You make a lot of sense. The weight issue is bigger than I thought.

[haileypcar]

got it unloaded to turn it around with engine up front as suggested, it started to snow and I couldn't see out of the back window. no help to load ... i went for it.... halfway up the ramps the tires started to lose grip and spin... back down and back up... needed speed to get over the hump...too fast, but made it!! I'm very grateful for the help. I'm not much of a mechanic but I really love this car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/biggrin.gif

[Don Plumley]

I trailered my 87 on a Uhaul trailer about 500 miles. Backed on, used the standard tie downs over the tires (you drove over them, pull them out of the way) without problem. Also put safety chains on various suspension bits "just in case".

[ja78911sc]

Backing the car on the trailer without help is definitely a PITA but well worth the effort. My first towing experience with a 911, the car was facing forward. The rear of the trailer started swaying at highway speed....now that was a frightening experience.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Where is Kieffner when ya need him?

[rfloz]

On my 16' car hauler the jacking hole is about 8" ahead of the centerline of the front trailer axle when loaded nose first. It pulls beautifully.



The trailer you posted looks like you are stuck loading the car backwards to get decent weight distribution.

16" is actually pretty short for a car hauler and I see lots of 18', even 20', single car haulers (nice if you want a tire rack). Next time tell them you are hauling a 1978 Lincoln so you get a bigger trailer that will allow you to put the car where it tows best. Ideally you want 10-15% of the total towed weight on the tongue. U-Haul should have a scale for this.

Be sure to check the air pressure on the trailer tires and check you tie-downs after you go 5-10 miles.

Good luck.

[3.2 CAB]

I do not think that U-Haul, has more than one size car trailer. It is designed for forward loading, as the left side trailer fender, will fold down to allow the drivers door to be opened without hitting the trailer fender and only being able to open the door three or four inches. Also, if you tell them that it is for a 1988 Firebird, they will tell you that you can't use it for that, because the firebird is too big for the trailer. I have been down that road before with u-haul.

[crxnug]

towed a few car a few times with the uhaul trailer, always better to be safe then sorry.. dont trust just the straps on come with the uhaul as they can slip off.. i also use 4 straps through the wheels ,car in gear and parking brake on and make sure to check your bolts on your trailer hitch to make sure none are loose or missing.

[haycait911]

twice I've rented u-hauls to tow a 911 long ways ( 500 plus miles). BOTH times got a flat tire. first time just went flat, no big deal. second time shredded itself on the freeway. lovely smell and much vibration. got home on remaining 3 tires. have you ever seen a spare on a u-haul?
those things are only marginally maintained, AT BEST!

[crxnug]

Uhaul mechanics if you can call them that are useless, The first time i was going to rent a trailer i had them install the hitch to my truck, after i got back from towing a 1984 porsche 1000 miles i did a oil change on the truck and noticed 4 out of six bolts holding the hitch assembly to my truck were missing, i have no idea how i made it back without lossing the trailer??

[pookie]

I've towed mine in the reverse position on the same Uhaul trailer you have for 500 plus miles on 3 separate occasions. Do the straps not have enough length? Not to be mean but do you know how they work? The ratcheting straps I mean? Because when I used the Uhaul they were more than long enough for the 911 wheels and tires. I towed mine most recently to Nashville with my truck an 01 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with no issues at all. Up and over the Smokey and Appalachian Mtns with no issues. I also used ratchet straps on the front wheels...just because.

Good luck, with your current setup and rig you should have no problems.

[haileypcar]

I made it!! 3 1/2 hrs there, 2 hrs. back. Snowed only when trying to load pcar on trailer. I took the great advice and used the straps that came with it. Car backed on. I added two extra heavy straps to the front wheel, through the fuchs and it drove nicely. The trailer was very heavy. Uhaul people were very nice but none knew how to set me up or take it off. Good thing I had a boat years ago, I made it work.
Trailer road quite well. $130.00 for 48 hrs. Stress lever very high while loading.
Now, I feel like a vet. Humility comes later, right?

My new best friend "Red" the owner of the Porsche repair place was there with a closed sign to greet me. His day off but in no hurry to boot me out. He had at least 9 or 10 early 911's in his garage.

He will do my "post purchase inspection", and now I prey. He's President of the area PCA to boot, so I'm in good hands.