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I'm paranoid--Bugeye on a U-Haul auto trailer

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drooartz

drooartz

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I've gotten one confirmation, but I want to triple check before I reserve a trailer. Will a Bugeye fit on the standard U-Haul auto trailer? I seem to remember U-Haul says it won't work (car too narrow), but that some folks here have done it.
 
I haven't personally, but I've heard of many people that have. They all said it barely fit, and had to be secured very well.
 
I've had my '73 on a uhaul auto transport trailer and it worked ok, the wheels were a little more than half on. It slipped backing off and needed to be repositioned on the trailer / ramps. It was easier in the 6x12 open trailer to be honest.
 
Hey Drew,
If you use a uhaul...do not use the straps that go over the tyres...take your own. I just look on uhauls site and they do not list the inside dementions of the trailer rails. Sounds like you will need to phone Grant or have one of these nice people on this site provide you with the width of the Bug....then phone uhaul.
Cheers, David. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Looks like I've found a local trailer (flatbed) to use this weekend--belongs to a friend of a coworker. I'm much more comfortable with this route, since I don't have to worry about the car being too narrow. Any advice on securing the car to the trailer?
 
Four straps with tensioners from K mart or wall mart or....
 
What are the best points to strap around?
 
The tie downs should be secured to an un-sprung portion of the car; rear axle, front wheels, etc. This is tough in the front and sometimes you just have to live with compressing the front suspension. In addition to tie down straps be sure to have a safety chain from the front forward and the rear back in case a tie downs loosens up. After getting under way stop and check it after 10-20 miles in case something shifts and loosens up, and then always check when stopping for gas.
 
front control arms and rear spring hangers. Be careful that nylon will not chaf on any body or sharp edges. "X" the straps and drive a few miles...stop and check.
Cheers, David. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I always put a chain around the chassis and then to the trailer , bolt the chain together at a couple places,

I like straps too, but the final safety measure is a chain,
plus the safety chain from truck to trailer

straps do come loose , so whenever you stop walk around the trailer and pull the rachet on the straps a click or 2.

get REAL straps 2-3 inch wide ones, not the junk they sell at K mart like a set of 4 @ $12

Trailers are limited to 55mph in California , but at that speed you get run over , but that is the law !

I normally try to stay at 62mph with a full trailer , close enough to legal speed and still safe
 
Oh! I like chains as well, but only on dogs and w*&$#n! He will be lucky enough to be traveling mostly in real America where the speed limit is the same for trucks with trailers as well as cars.
Cheers, David. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
As an FYI - I did successfully put my Bugeye on a U-Haul. I had to tell them that it was a "big" Healey before the let me take the trailer, but I measured and was convinced it would work. OK, OK, I was deeply hopeful it would fit.

It did, but you need to very carefully winch it up and it will straddle the raised inside edge of the trailer. There also is not much margin on the ramps, but you can cheat a bit on that by angling the ramps inwards.
 
In California the speed limit's 55,all other states are 65.
Heed the warning about rechecking straps every stop.I speak from experience.
Also,have the wheel bearings repacked,& check the air pressure in the tires.

- Doug
 
Speed limit in Alabama on interstates is 70.
 
NOPE on the 65mph! He will be traveling through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah which all have different speed limits. Some will be as high as 75mph. Which by the way is probably faster than the Frogeye will ever reach. Be safe Drew!!
Cheers, David.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cowboy.gif
 
The speed limit game is always interesting. I used to do the drive from Salt Lake to Portland, Oregon quite a bit, and the only good part of the Idaho section was the 75mph speed limit! (No offense to my northern neighbors, but that stretch of road is not very interesting). Lots of southern Utah is 75 as well, also nice in the long straight boring sections.

I'm off today to round up the trailer from my friend, and get my father-in-law's truck tomorrow. We leave on Friday right after work for a full weekend of driving. I'm excited and nervous both. I've only done this once before, when I picked up the now sold TR4. Poor little car is going to get rained/snowed if the weather stays bad, but it's only for a short bit, then it will be safely ensconced in my garage, ready for prep and spring driving.
 
Might want to bring snow chains and blankets ,
snow is supposed to be down to 1500 feet ,

thats real low !
So the mountain passes will have snow between Barstow and San Bernadeno ,

And we sure do NOT know how to drive in snow here !
 
I've been watching the weather, and it sure doesn't look all that great. I've got a good 4x4 truck, and we drive in the snow here all winter long. As long as I can avoid y'all as you skid around, I'll be okay. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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