Desperately looking for a Car Carrier to rent

944TurboHB · 01-24-2005, 06:41 PM

I am in dire need of getting my poor cold 944 out of NYC and up here to an enclosed garage in Western Upstate NY where I live, I would rather not get insurance yet, as the car still needs some work done which will be done up here in my garage, if anyone is willing to either rent me there car carrier (a tow dolly will not do, because all 4 wheels must be off the ground) or come with me for the trip (either way I will pay + provide some helping hands on your next 944 project) I live in a college town so it's pretty good up here, please get back to me at mac1@alfred.edu , sometime between now and the end of February would be great, thanks to all who even looked at this post.

IceShark · 01-25-2005, 07:45 AM

If no one comes to your aid you may want to try U-Haul or similar. They have a 4 wheel trailer that will work. Only problems are for some reason some of the stores say it won't work for a 944. But it will. I think it has something to do with clearance on 944s that have been lowered and there isn't a way to tie down the rear end of a 944 with what U-Haul rents unless you install some tie down hooks. I left the rear end free and everything worked fine over 400 miles.

They also don't like to rent the trailer unless you are renting a truck. I was moving and had rented a truck. The trailer was only 80 bucks extra for the 400 mile trip.

944 boy · 01-25-2005, 08:27 AM

I have to chime in on this. I currently work at Uhaul. The Auto Transport as its called weighs 2100 lbs by itself. plus 2800 lbs of 944 your looking at 5000 lbs which needs a good sized truck as a tow vehicle. i dont know why they wouldnt allow a 944, other than clearence on the ramps. Its 29.95 a day for the trailer (one way they estimate 2 days I think) plus insurance and thats if you can find one because their in short supply. We currently have one here in rochester. If you rent a 14" truck and a AT your looking at lest a couple hundred dollars. If you were comming to Rochester I could help you out. So if you know someone with a truck that has a class 3 hitch that would be willing to make the trip just the trailer would be a good way to go. just my 2 cents.

IceShark · 01-25-2005, 09:50 AM

Yeah, clearance is the initial going on the ramps and the chin spoiler and then clearing the hump onto the flatbed. If you can get some good ground, lift the front of the trailer up and have a helper watching everything will go smooth.

I'll second the part of a good sized tow vehicle. I used the aluminum trailer which was lighter than the steel ones but still that thing can really want to wag you off the road if you start going too fast. Stay below 60 MPH. I think the instructions for the trailer say don't go over 50 or 55 MPH. And if you have to stop you really want some good brakes.

Zero10 · 01-25-2005, 10:21 AM

How is it that the trailer is so heavy??? I always thought car trailers were around 1000lbs.

carsontc · 01-27-2005, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 944TurboHB
because all 4 wheels must be off the ground

why ? btw...if you tow an automatic...the drive wheels must be lifted to prevent the tranny overheating...but a 5 speed??

AaronM · 01-27-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IceShark
Stay below 60 MPH. I think the instructions for the trailer say don't go over 50 or 55 MPH. And if you have to stop you really want some good brakes.

I pulled 4,000 pounds of trailer and 914 800+ miles at 70-75 MPH with no trouble at all using my father's V8 Explorer a few years back. Trailer said to go no faster than 45 mph. The guy at U-Haul told me, "That's just for liability, go as fast as you're comfortable with, I've pulled them at 80+ and they're fine."

If you're used to towing a trailer, you'll be fine. I'd been towing the family's boat for several years before I got the 914 and having a trailer behind me wasn't any big deal.

Aaron