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Tow Dolly vs. Flatbed Trailer

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When we designed my trailer, we placed the axles for optimum backing....farther to rear than most to change the pivot point
 
Also towes better with axles further back.
 
Rule of backing:

1. The longer the tongue the easier the trailer is to back. The shorter the tongue the harder to back.

2. Some days you can close you eyes and the trailer goes exactly where you want and some days you can't buy a simple straight in short backup. (ask how I know).
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I've practiced backing up over the past 3 months (in prep for my CDL exam), and now it feels quite natural.
 
My brother, the long haul trucker, God rest his good natured soul, told me that backing up a little trailer like mine was a LOT harder than putting a semi trailer in a narrow slot. Jack
 
Too true. Learned how when I first came into the Army Reserve, and with a bit of practice that 55' trailer just goes where it's 'sposed to. Bloody u-hauls just laugh at you. Ya learn which hotels and gas stations to avoid, seein' em from a half mile away.

R.
 
Went up to Grundy County, TN today to pick up a load of Hemlock trees Jerri wanted the landscape guy to plant along outr fence....got there - in light snow - & guy told me to just back up a little mudy 2-rut lane into the field where the trees had been dug/balled....most of the ruts were filled with muddy water &, as I got in my truck, one of the guys yelled "put 'er in 4-wheel" - I don't have 4-wheel! But my MG trailer went exactly where I wanted it - about 1/2-mile up the little curvey lane!
 
I've used U-Haul trailers for several B moves without incident. They are pretty goof-proof and widely available at reasonable cost as long as you drag and drop from the same location. The center opening is too wide for a Spridget, but fine for a B. The rental cost difference vs the added work involved with a dolly tips in favor of the trailer.
 
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Can't add anything more here, except to re-emphasise that if the trailer is specifically an auto carrier (open down the middle) - watch the clearances.

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Not all car haulers are open down the middle! PJ
 
Also, most, if not all, U-Haul rental depots will not allow you to rent an auto transport with anything less than a full sized tow vehicle, such as a 1/2 ton large pickup or large suv. For good reason. And also protecting themselves.

Just curious, we've all seen the huge motor homes cruising down the highway, towing all sorts of vehicles from econo-boxes to mid-sized suv's. Front-wheel and rear-wheel drive. What do these people do to their towed vehicles to prepare them for the long haul? I just can't imagine them getting down on the ground and disconnecting their u-joints.
 
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What do these people do to their towed vehicles to prepare them for the long haul? I just can't imagine them getting down on the ground and disconnecting their u-joints.

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I put mine on a trailer!

rvmg002.jpg


Seriously, they all look for vehicles that are termed "trailerable" which means the manufacturer has certified that towing them behind an RV will do no damage.
 
The only time my MG is on a trailer is when it IS broken.
 
I put Miss Agatha on a trailer when she has no wheels. But then wife is looking for a light weight trailer for her. Now wouldn't you think someone would make them as a stock item, maybe for big motorcycles or ATVs or something. After all 1500 lbs is not a lot.
 
Mine followe my RV over 15,00 miles of the Pacific Northwest, Canada, & alaska (plus trips to Florida and other points in the US).....but every day she came off the trtailer & did her own short jaunts (5,000 miles in 6 months that way!)
 
Tony, your comment above about backing the 2WD rig up into a muddy field for half a mile and having it go where it was supposed to is just another indication of why you are an officer and not a grunt! I mean, did the poor thing have a choice in the matter? Besides, grunts live in pop up campers that have a scooter strapped to the back when they are on the road. LOL

Jack
 
Jack....hehehehehe....no, it had no choice & it didn't have a choice when I loaded 18 5' Hemlocks on it either!
 
Thanks to UHaul I now have my own trailer. The clerk at the local corporate rental place couldn't find MGA on her computerized list and didn't believe me when I said it would be like towing a Honda Civic. After about 30 minutes of them fooling around I got so peeved that I went out and bought a nice open utility trailer 14' length X 70" internal width. The MGAs fit just fine. I had mounting brackets welded below to hold s/s eyebolts, instead of mounting them through the wooden deck. It all works fine and tows great behind the 2001 Toyota P/U. I totalled up the cost of all the times I've rented dollys and trailers and figured that over the past two years I equalled the cost of the trailer!
 
& as you use it more, you'll come to find its handy to have around when wife needs trees, lawnmower has to go in for repairs, etc....go to TLC & pick up a 2500 Warne electric winch, double the cable & you're into electric loading!
 
Yes indeed the electric winch (or wench as it's locally known) is on the Christmas list (gotta be careful which one's on the list!). It's good exercise, but no fun, using a come-along to get a car on the trailer. Right, too, about non-MG uses for the thing, it's now hauled plywood, dirt, motorcycles, etc. etc. etc. Very popular with the neighbors, too!!!
 
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