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hauling a car with a penske moving truck?


CTW

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I'm still trying to figure out how to haul a 1930 cadillac from NJ to Boston. Uhauls & Penske's car trailers won't hold the weight.

However, a 22ft penske moving truck is rated for 7000lbs load capacity. with that - I was wondering if anyone here has moved a car in a moving truck?

if so...

I was wondering if there's a secure way to tie the car down?

and the ramps that's supplied with those trucks - would it handle a 4900lb car?

any feedback or suggestions is always appreciated <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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Hi Claire,

I was thinking, have you tried with contractor equipment rentals? They have large 18+ trailers to haul backhoes and the like...maybe you could get a deal on one of those. I found an 18 footer in Ft. Worth to haul my '47 Cadillac from Kansas back to Dallas. It was normally used for hauling farm and road equipment. Just a thought.

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My pleasure, Claire. I will say the '47 barely fit on the trailer and I had the feeling that the Dodge pickup I was hauling it with was under a lot of strain...but it worked! Now my baby runs on his own power and does wonderfully at that. Let me know how it all works out for you!

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an update on my car hauling ..

I had a great conversation with someone who used to work on the Cadillac I need to haul. I found out the trailer I have in NJ is indeed rated to carry 4900lbs. I've been storing a trailer at my sons house & we thought the trailer wasn't big/strong enough to pull this cadillac. The trailer is a 1976 Bowsman with 4wheels - so I'm hoping my source is right. All that needs to be done is some rewiring - since when my son pulled it to his house he told me the wiring was in bad shape.

So.. now if this trailer can handle this load - all I have to do now is get something strong enough to pull.

I'll take some photos & post in the photo gallery when I finally get it in my garage <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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When the state of PA paid Allied Van Lines to move me from Lehighton (near Allentown) to Pittsburgh in the 1980's, they loaded our belongings in a large box trailer (even though we were coming from an apartment) so that everything was shoved up into the front 1/3 of the the trailer. They then drove my 1960 Falcon (by then a registered "antique", drivable and insured but not yet restored) right up into the box trailer. They chocked and tied it into place and drove it accross the state like that.

It wasn't my idea!

It made it, though.

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You will need some kind of braking system on the trailer wheels or you will probably burn your tow vehicle brakes out, or even worse get in a accident. The trailer brakes should operate with the tow vehicle brakes. Some states do require that a vehicle trailer or a certain amount of weight the trailer must have brakes. Good luck.

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Guest James Conkwright

In my opinion you do not have to have brakes on your trailer. It is nice but theres nothing wrong with not having them. Ive pulled a 20', 2,500 pound trailer plus a 5,000 pound Cadillac all over the country without brakes (they werent working for over a year). During that time the tow vehicle stopped just fine. I think by saying your brakes will burn out is an overstatement. A Ford, Dodge, or Chevy with a 5.3-5.7 V8 will do the job just fine. Have a safe trip!

Be sure to tie it down properly, 4 straps with 10-12,000 pound capacity is what you need. No less!

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Hi, Claire...

I looked into using a U-Haul a few years ago. They told me flat out "no way".

U-Haul's policy is if the truck breaks down, they pay to send a tow truck and find a vehicle inside, you must unload the vehicle (someway), leave it along side of whatever roadside, then, and, only then, will the the tow truck do the towing of the truck.

If I recall correctly, if you have an accident, the insurance on the car is void.

As for tie downs, there are no "D Rings" on the floor of a U-Haul Truck.

Trailer Breaks: PA laws state that over, I believe, 2500# trailer capacity, the trailer "must" have electric, or, mechanical surge breaks.

Regards, Peter J.

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Good point, Bob...

Brings to mind greasing the hubs on a regular basis. How many times have you seen someone on the side of the road, or, following a trailer with smoke coming out of burnt bearings. They service the tow vehicle, however, ignore the trailer and ruin a vacation, or, whatever... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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Thank you everyone for the input!

I have taken alot of notes - my plan of action will be to instruct my son to check the tires. Bob, I agree - the tires are probably tired at this point - the trailer was stored outside for a few yrs.

Since my son worked at Good year for a while - I'm putting him in charge of tires & Bearings. Then if he can install a brake system or I'll have him take it someplace. I'd rather get the brake system on it to make it safer since my son will more than likely be the one doing the transporting.

I already have straps my son bought thru his job to use when he brought the olds up to me.

Did I miss anything?

If all else fails - I'm packing my bags & moving into the garage where the car is stored now. It will be cheaper than my apt! ha!

My ex husband drives an 18wheeler - I knew I should have kept him around for something :P

Have a good night all!

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Dear Claire,Dont you be takin any pot shots at ex-husbands my guess is there are a few on this forum.PLEASE do not even pull out of your driveway without trailer brakes.Dont forget the safety chains from the hitch to the trailer,you have not LIVED till you see your car and trailer passing you down a hill.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

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I used penske to move a 47 plymouth coupe from NY to NJ. They do not want you to move older cars I just told them it was a 74 plymouth. Now you car weighs more then my coupe but I had no problems and I think the truck and trailer should handle the weight .h Penskee will tell you the max weight and wheel base you can move. You just need to tell them what they want to hear about the car.

Ok they wont insure it if you think you are going to damage your car then get you auto company to insure it before you move it.

You do need to check the wheel base to be sure it will fit. I did find that they will deal on the milage rate. I rented a 15' truck and a 4 wheel car carrier

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Guest Skyking

Peter J, I guess I was lucky! Back in 86', my son & I used a U-Haul to take his Metropolitan to Macungie. We pulled out the walk up ramp, placed two 12' 2X10's for the wheels to drive on and used the ramp to brace the weight of the car. It worked fine. I drilled 2 holes on the truck floor to tie the car down. I also towed my Met on the rear of the truck. When I returned the truck, no one noticed the holes I drilled. Can you imagine if I got stopped. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If I had a scanner, I'd post the photo of me driving it out of the truck at Macungie...

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In my opinion you do not have to have brakes on your trailer. It is nice but theres nothing wrong with not having them. Ive pulled a 20', 2,500 pound trailer plus a 5,000 pound Cadillac all over the country without brakes (they werent working for over a year). </div></div>

James,

It's not a matter of opinion, it's just good common sense. You have just been lucky, that's all. Most states require them for certain GVWs. Once you get pulled over and they see that, you could easilly be forced to fix 'em on the spot or unload it until you do, plus heavy fines. Trailer brakes are not all for just stopping. They afford you more control especially in an emergency situation.

There was a local guy on his way home from the body shop with his factory race prepped Belvedere (Ultra rare). It was a week old paint (over 300 hours of work) and just the sheet metal. The truck had a blowout and the trailer swayed wildly (no brakes to pull it back in line) and the whole rig flipped. Totaled the truck and destroyed the show quality Belvedere body. Had he had brakes, it could have easily been controlled and stopped safely.

Trailer brakes are always a good thing!

John

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Since we are talking about trailer brakes...

When I bought my 1989 Suburban (used) it had installed in it a Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller. I've used this when towing, and can tell the difference when I tow a trailer with or without the electric brakes hooked up. My question is, there are a myriad of brake control units out there, even from Tekonsha. Other than the obvious number of wheels/size of brakes that they can control does any one have an advantage over another?

Rich

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I think the different braking systems are similiar however I am told that the controller that has the built in pendulum that helps to automatically adjust your brakes when going up or down a hill work pretty neat. Of course juice brakes are always better then the electric type.

James, I have ruined brakes on my truck when towing without trailer brakes from trying to stop to fast. If you reread my post it is illegal to tow over a certain weight or to tow a vehicle in many states.

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oh boy! with all this talk about different trailer brakes - now you gave me something else to learn/think about.

What are juice brakes?

I know there used to be a hand type brake within the parts for this trailer but it's where abouts is unknown now.

Do I have many choices as to the type of brakes I can install on a 1976 Bowsman trailer?

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If you do use the old trailer with suspect tires be sure to carry a length of logging chain to tie up the blown tire/wheel hub. I had a friend who always made even a short haul exciting. When you are on the shoulder of the highway with a blown tire and no floor jack strong enough to lift the loaded trailer you can do what he did, jack the flat tire axle end as high as you can, then lash the log chain around the axle end to the trailer frame and let the jack down. The dead tire will clear the ground and give you a vehicle you can at least move to safe working area or road service spot. Of course Roy would haul it another 75 miles on the other bald tire casing. Stude8

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Look at the trailering tie-down string that we had a month ago or so. I am renting a construction-type hydraulic tip trailer from ALLIED RENTALS in Norfolk. I bought tire bonnets and axle straps, and I am hauling a 56 Cadillac down to Virginia from Philadelphia next week. The discussion talks a lot about the best way to secure a trailered car from many of the hobbyists that do this regularly.

I would agree that using a rental truck would be a big problem. There are a lot of companies that will safely (and they are insured) haul your antique in an enclosed trailer to your front door for anywhere from $750-$1400 depending on where you're going. A 1930 Cadillac? I think it would be worthwhile to have it hauled professionally. Think about the trailer also if you have a friend with a "monster truck" like I do to haul it (he has one of those new Dodge hemi pickups whose bumper sits up higher than my hood). <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

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I did some rate comparisons on the web and saw that Uhaul had the best rate with 500 free miles in a one-way rental. Penske was $1200 for unlimited miles for a truck and trailer. I'm thinking of hauling a couple of bits to Michigan b/c they're both about an hour apart.

I have an old '72 Pontiac here that has the in-car electric braking equipment, even though the hitch was torched off ages ago to change the rear differential.

Can I remove that stuff for use with a trailer in another vehicle? Will it work with any trailer brake system, or do they need to match?

My one buddy tows all around, with a regular trailer, has had some big vehicles on it - even a couple good sized trucks - and hauls no problems. Just goes a little slower and plans his reactions sooner -

Bill K.

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The older electric brake controllers hooked up to the cars brake line and CANNOT be hooked up to a car or truck that has ABS type brakes must ues the electronic type. I have used the U-haul float to tow a 54 Packard (4000lb) car with out a problem behind a full size van. the U-hauls use Surge brakes so no special electrical wireing is needed. I have also used a tow bar to tow another 54 Packard back from Ma. to Toronto behind a 4cyl 2L 2500lb Pontiac in December with no problems, but would not recommend it ride was a little harry at times..

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