[dataway]

So I haven't ever had a trailer stability issue (knock wood) I pay attention to getting the load balanced properly. In the past when towing with electric brakes my plan in the event of fish tailing was to ease up on the gas and manually activate the trailer brakes.

I'm going to be towing my GTO with my 1/2 ton GMC (tow package, 5.3 etc) using a U-Haul car hauler which I'm guessing has Surge brakes ( I think that's what they are called) that activate hydraulically when forward pressure is felt at the hitch.

I've got a towable man-lift with the same setup, don't have any difficulties with that ... except backing up a hill.

Just wondering if anyone has advice for emergency situations when towing a trailer with that type of braking system?
Thanks

[4zpeed]

An extra set of skivvies might be helpful cuz ya just never know... past that sounds like you already have a good grip.
Speed is your worst enemy, well, if you don't count the idiots, other than that stay attentive, you should be fine.


Frank

[BTCS]

I towed my GTO from Ohio to Washington State on a U-Hall with my Silverado 1500 (5.3) a few years ago and the only issues I had were trailer brake lighting and a walnut sized sidewall bulge developing on a trailer tire after the first day.

The lights required me paying a place to troubleshoot/repair and U-Haul wasn’t too concerned about the tire. Go figure.

The surge brakes worked OK, just be meticulous about the preflight check before breaking out your plastic.

BTCS

[Sirrotica]

I have 2 tow dollies with disc surge brakes, I've towed cars with them a good many miles, and they have worked flawlessly over the last 15 years. The surge brakes apply, and disengage much smoother than electric trailer brakes do.

When you would be in an emergency situation, you take your foot off the gas, and immediately the surge brakes start to drag. If you start braking the tow vehicle they will apply proportionately. I own a lot of trailers, and I actually prefer the surge brakes for towing over electric.

I also have driven 18 wheelers hundreds of thousands of miles, the air brake system on a rig is also a much better system over electric. In the years I drove tractor trailer, in all kinds of weather, I'll bet I can count the times I've used the trailer brakes independantly on one hand, and still have fingers left over. Any system that is well engineered proportionately will keep the trailer in the back, where it belongs.

The worst case scenario is a trailer without brakes in an emergency situation. I have a few light duty trailers (under 3000 lbs.) those are the ones I leave plenty of room in front of me. I have K3500 dually, and I prefer to haul my trailers without brakes with that, rather than a car. Just because I need as much braking power on the tow vehicle as possible, due to the trailers having no stopping power, and wanting to shove the front vehicle in a quick stop situation. Towing a tailer with no brakes, loaded heavy, with a light tow vehicle is the times I get my sphincter exercised.............

U Haul rents to anyone with a credit card, drivers license, and a tow vehicle, so their stuff is pretty idiot proof. They never even ask you if you've ever towed a trailer previously, take that for what it's worth...........

[71GP76TA]

I have pulled a couple loaded U-haul car trailers down the freeway 70mph and never had an issue (knock on wood). I noticed with my own car trailer.. If I get up to 75-80mph I can see the tail wagging from side to side a little so I back it down to 70. I tow with a 1/2 ton pick up.

Towing an enclosed car trailer or a bumper pull travel is a different story.

[dataway]

Excellent, thank you very much folks, makes me feel better about the proposition.

BTCS ... so you had to climb over the mountains to Washington state? How did the 5.3 do with that? Mine is rated to tow 9,000+ lbs (standard cab, 2wd, 3.42 posi rear, all the extra cooling stuff).
I figure the trailer and GTO will be real close to 6,000 lbs.

[sdbob]

I've towed 3700lb 2 axle open trailer with a GMC 5.3 with 3.73 gear. Very nice combo. I had to watch on wet roads almost slid through a light in ohio going slow. Down hill I was very cautious. If you ever use a tow dolly be awhere of the turning radius I saw a guy in our club turn sharply to get into a show with his 69 Judge the tow dolly fender damaged the Judge fender.

[TAKerry]

Just take it easy and dont get over confident (driving way too fast) and you will be fine. After the first 10 minutes you will have a good feel on how the vehicle will handle. Yes leave a bit more stopping room. Uhaul trailers are bomb proof. Way over built. If you havent ordered the trailer already you may have to do some finageling, hopefully the order will go without a problem. Last summer my son and I went from MD to CT to get his 04 GTO. I did not want to drag an empty trailer and planned on getting a uhaul in CT then one way back. I went to place the order online and the computer kicked it back out because my 2013 truck was 'too old'. I have had trouble in the past renting their trailers due to the computer system they use. Good luck.

[tooski]

Two things not commented on yet. If possible use equalizer bars. Also if possible use an anti sway device. Kind of resembles a shock absorber.

[vertigto]

I need to tow my GTO in the near future and checked out the trailers at the local U-Haul. Between the tires and overall condition, it made me think twice.

A little research online and found the Neighbor's Trailer website/service. Also found the trailer below (2024 Aluma Tilt) local to me for rent. Granted it is substantially more $, but obviously on a different level than the U-Haul. I'm not really one for taking chances vs. $.

[TAKerry]

Originally Posted by vertigto

I need to tow my GTO in the near future and checked out the trailers at the local U-Haul. Between the tires and overall condition, it made me think twice.

A little research online and found the Neighbor's Trailer website/service. Also found the trailer below (2024 Aluma Tilt) local to me for rent. Granted it is substantially more $, but obviously on a different level than the U-Haul. I'm not really one for taking chances vs. $.

Not sure what made you leary of the uhaul? They are not shiny and pretty but they are built to haul a tank. I have used them a couple of times and they did great, and handled great. I would imagine if you had trouble on the road they would be there to help.
One thing to make sure with any trailer is to have a spare tire and the means to change it. I borrowed a friends trailer and although the tires looked perfect we had a blowout. That created a whole new set of problems.

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Not sure what made you leary of the uhaul? They are not shiny and pretty but they are built to haul a tank. I have used them a couple of times and they did great, and handled great. I would imagine if you had trouble on the road they would be there to help.
One thing to make sure with any trailer is to have a spare tire and the means to change it. I borrowed a friends trailer and although the tires looked perfect we had a blowout. That created a whole new set of problems.

Mainly the tires...fear of a blowout. The few I saw did not have a lot of tread left and overall condition/maintenance wasn't impressive (I can look past surface rust).

I just stumbled onto the website mentioned and was very surprised that a suitable trailer was local, not to mention a 2024 with some nice options. Figured it was a 'sign'.

With the $$ I have invested in the GTO, I would kick myself if I went the U-Haul route and had an issue, when a seemingly better choice was literally around the corner. Good to know everyone's experience though, in case I 'have' to go that route.

[OG68]

My 06 Silverado 1/2 ton (170,000 miles) pulled the 68 for 700 miles with no problem. 290 HP 5.3 / 4L60 / 3:23.
Car and truck bed had everything in it except the engine.
50-55 in second gear up the Grapevine hill (6-7% grade for 7 or 8 miles). I just got in line with all the faster trucks in the #2 lane.

Just took my time, stayed in the slow lane (required in CA) and transited Los Angeles rush hour traffic without a hitch.

[geeteeohguy]

Towed my 'new to me' '66 GTO 650 miles home over the Cascades with my '05 Tundra 4x4 and a U-haul trailer with zero issues. The trailer had a long tongue and stabilizer struts and the only time I knew it was there was pulling grades, and that just required more throttle. The 282 HP V8 with 3.91 gears made it an easy trip. The GTO was complete, with all the trim in the car and in my truck bed.

[Bills Auto Works]

Shiny,

In your situation, a reputable local towing company would be your best bet. That is such a short transport that it would be really tough to find a single car transporter like RustyTinMan or Myself that would happen to be empty i n the Denver area when you needed it done. I would think though that maybe you have a friend in a car club with a truck & trailer that hauls his own car around to shows & or the race track that you could pay to do it for you.

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[Shiny]

Thanks Bill,

Understand the challenge and I will call a few towing companies.

I had great luck with an independent transporter in the past, but as you say, I got lucky finding him needing a load when and where I was going.

Mike

[71GP76TA]

Since we are posting truck and trailer pics. Here's one with my trailer and another with a U-haul trailer. I rented the U-haul as I wasn't sure if I was going to buy the car or not. Didn't want to drag an empty trailer to Las Vegas and back.

[400 4spd.]

My junk. 8K rated with a 9500# Superwinch, 4 wheel brakes and lots of custom built storage.

[jamesq]

If you decide to rent the U-Haul trailer (which I think are excellent!), consider a one-way rental. I think the better (newer) trailers are used for one-ways as opposed to local rentals.
I found this out when I rented a truck one-way and the guy I dropped it off with said I should not have been issued the truck I had, as it was tagged by U-Haul for local service only!

Good luck, James Q

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by jamesq

If you decide to rent the U-Haul trailer (which I think are excellent!), consider a one-way rental. I think the better (newer) trailers are used for one-ways as opposed to local rentals.
I found this out when I rented a truck one-way and the guy I dropped it off with said I should not have been issued the truck I had, as it was tagged by U-Haul for local service only!

Good luck, James Q

Interesting! Thanks

If I rent the U-Haul, it will be one way. I have dealers within 5 minutes on both ends. I rented a small enclosed trailer to haul some furniture up and it was easy.

Mike