Hello All,

I have a 2004 F150, 5.4, 3.73 gears, tow package.

I need to move a broken 1999 Saturn Sl sedan (4 banger) about a 100 miles, flat land. The U-haul trailer weighs 2000 lbs, I figure the Saturn weighs 3,300 pounds I think total should be roughly 5,300 pounds. I have a stainless steel receiver rated for 6,000 pounds and a tongue weight rating of 600 pounds. The 2 inch stainless steel ball is rated at 7,000 pounds. So, I think the hitch setup should be OK. But I don’t know if the trailer with the car will exceed the 500 pound tongue rating of the truck. I normally tow a 21 foot TT with weight distribution so I have no experience with U-haul car trailers. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I think you will be fine.

But if you are worried about it, can you use a dolly instead of a trailer? I towed a '67 Mustang on a U Haul dolly about 250 miles and it towed like a dream. The dolly weighs about 600 lbs.

One other thing about Uhaul: Just because you reserve a trailer or dolly with them does not mean it will actually be there when you go there to pick it up! I had to drive all over the Bay Area trying to find a dolly when I had a confirmed reservation. That part sucked, but the dolly worked great once I found one, lol.

 

I'd rather use the trailer than the dolly

 

You'll be fine with the trailer and tongue weight, even if it's a 'tad' over #500, but a dolly would probably be a cheaper alternative, unless the rear axle of the Saturn isn't functional?

Mitch

 

When you load the car, center it over the trailer axle and you'll be good to go. With a short car like that if it's pulled all the way to the front it will increase the tongue weight.

 

i pulled a uhaul car carrier 800 miles over hilly highways and backroads on 35s. weight well over 6000 and pulled it like a dream while averaging 14.5MPG shouldnt have a problem

 

Don't rely on just that. If you have it completely centered, there will not be enough tongue weight and the trailer will want to sway more often. I haul our 2 machines for work and I always make sure to load them with enough tongue weight that I can just lift the trailer at the hitch, 300-350 lbs. It's easier to measure that with a pintle hitch but you can kind of guess with a ball hitch also. I can pull them with no problem and I only have a 4.6 with 3.55 gears and the loads I tow weigh between 5500 and 7500 lbs. Your truck will handle the weight no problem, the most important thing is how you load the car. Also, use the trailer and not the dolly.
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That's what I was trying to get across-not all the way foward or too far back. Good advice.

 

Thanks for all the input.

I just got done with the U-haul car trailer tow and it went great. Pullled a small pass with no issues at all. Defintly a different tow experience from the TT. I think the frontal area of the TT is a big factor. Although, the weight distribution hitch on the TT makes a better tow experice over all.