Has anyone pulled a U-Haul Trailer?

Looking for feedback on towing one of these bad boys. I have very limited towing experience. I've towed a Jet Ski a few times and that's it.

I'm trying to figure out what I should expect, knowing my first gen doesn't have the power that the newer Tundras have.

Specifically, how effective are the brakes? They are listed as automatic hydraulic surge brakes.

 

Just take it slow, and know that those trailers get beat to shit.

You’ll be able to pull it fine.

 

That was my concern. I doubt they even test the brakes in between rentals.

 

You should be fine towing that 6x12. The surge brakes aren't like electric brakes where they work when you step on the brakes in the truck. The surge brakes only work if the trailer jumps the ball and decides to go it's own direction. Follow the loading guide inside the trailer as far as how to position the weight front to back and you'll be just fine.

 

This is false. The neck of the trailer is in two pieces, with a master cylinder in between. When you slow the truck, the momentum of the trailer pushes against the master cylinder, which squeezes the brakes.
This also means you cannot back these trailers up without inserting a pin into the master cylinder section to stop it activating, otherwise you lock the brakes when trying to back up.
They work fine, you just can't fine-tune it or have manual control of the trailer brakes. I pulled a 4k lb car on a UHaul auto transport across the country and they worked just fine.

 

Does U-Haul supply this pin?

This is good info BTW. I found a similar explanation for the brakes. I was just curious how well they actually performed. I've always heard "don't out-tow your brakes". The first gen Tundras are not known for having great braking power.

 

correct on the operation of the brakes but possibly wrong on backing up. If you have a 7 way plug and the trailer is wired with a reverse light circuit the powering of the reverse lights will lock up the master cylinder and keep it from applying pressure to the brakes. At least this is how the surge brakes on my trailer work. Others may have a pin.

 

I towed one with my Tacoma a while back, didn't have any issue with it. First Gen will be even better. Didn't have any issue with brakes on my 05 Tacoma either, trailer brakes worked just fine. The only time I had an issue is when I tried to back it up a hill. Locked the brakes up on it.

 

I have towed the 6x12 many time with many trucks and have never had a issue with them. The trailer brake is hydrolic and I can't tell if the brakes work or not all i know every time i slow down the trailer never pushed any of my trucks. I have towed with full size 90's suburban, current Tundra and even an 90's Chevy blazer no issues at all.

 

I just towed a 6x12 last week moving furniture. I had no issues backing up, but correct on the stopping. The mechanism is inertia driven. Truck towed it completely fine. And Uhaul sends trailers out to a regional mechanics for inspection. They patented their design to take the abuse people put on these things. So find a good location and rent from them. They will have done all the required maintenance. Good luck!

 

ecobust

 

I agree with the others. Take it slow at first until you get used to it. Also when I towed the smallest uhaul trailer with my tacoma a while back, it felt like it had zero suspension. Once loaded it did tow better.

 

Yes, if I remember correctly it was a metal latch that you latched in place to reverse instead of a pin (on the auto hauler, the other ones may be different). They explain it to you when you pick up the trailer.
The brakes work fine, I never had a single issue. They make it as idiot-proof as possible so that pretty much anyone can tow.

 

Pulled this on a 6+ hour trip with a Touareg (7,700lb tow capable). One way unloaded then back loaded (to weight capacity...). They're stupid proof for the most part, but again: take it easy and load equally not too much front or back. Most likely been beat half to death by renters of these units. There is a reason you always see uhauls alongside the road abandoned. Mine had a slow leak in one of the tires so I stopped to check mutiple times to replenish/check air psi. (Always carry a tire pressure guage)

 

You are right, but sometimes the trailers dont have a 7-way instead they have a 4-pin. On my boat trailer it used to have a 4-pin and I would have to hook it up differently when reversing and turn on my headlights to bypass the brakes. Either that or insert the pin that would not allow the neck to compress master cylinder. I've since re-wired my trailer and added a 7 way round plug and I dont have to do anything but put it in reverse to bypass the brakes. Depends on how the trailer is wired and what connections the truck has especially being a 1st gen

 

I hold a call A load the front heavy and if the trailer starts to wobble slow down. That's the basics, can you back up?

 

Class A CDL auto correct

 

pulled a medium box with my i4 Camry from CA to TX. never again.

 

Just towed one across British Columbia with no issues. Barely felt it out back and had to remember to back off on tight corners haha

 

You will be just fine; won't even know it's behind you. Until you do 80 MPH and look in your rearview mirror and see the "max 55MPH" sticker on the trailer. Ask me how I know.
In all seriousness, these trailers are stout but not extremely heavy. You will pull that with no issues.

 

Thinking about this Uhaul trailers probably utilize a pin to accommodate vehicles without a 7way and make wiring easier.

 

Not like a pro but I'll get it done. I've backed a boat into the water a few times. Slow and steady. Call me Terrapin.

 

Towed one with my 2nd gen when moving across town. Towed just fine and backing it up was no issue as well on flat surfaces. Uphill I'm sure would have engaged the trailer surge brake. Not once has U-Haul ever mentioned the latching pin to me for backing up, I'll have to check that out! As others have said, they tow pretty good because of how much they weigh empty. When you go to pick it up, I always check the master cylinder to make sure it at least has brake fluid in it. If not, I mention it to the U-Haul guys. In town, not really a big deal. If I was going a large distance I'd ask for another trailer if possible, that is verified to have brake fluid in it and "ok" looking tires.

My uncle towed one from CA to MT with his Tahoe for us when we moved up here ( I didn't have my truck yet). No real issues except around 60-65mph it would start to wag so he just kept it under that and was fine. We indeed loaded it "approx" 60/40 (no stranger to trailers, he's towed a 39' trailer to every state in the US and I've loaded a Boy Scout troop trailer hundreds of times) it just wanted to wag. We believe it may have been the tires contributing and probably could have gotten a little more weight forward, but eh it worked.

Hitch up and safe travels! It'll be fine!

 

I towed one of those with my old 94 yota pickup that had a 4cyl engine. Made it over the Pine Pass in northern BC in a March blizzard. You'll be fine.

 

Easiest way to back up for beginners. Hand at the six oclocknposition and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Watch the tires more that the rear of the trailer. Slow and steady and you'll be a pro in no time.

 

Pulled one 700 miles to Florida with my Gen2. Zero problems. Only issue I had was a small UHAUL charge showed up on my credit card well after the trip. I wish to god I could remember what it was for, this was a few years ago and I honestly can't remember. But it was something I had to call and argue to get taken off. So monitor your charges after the trip, in case they try to slip something like that past you.

 

You’ll be just fine pulling this 6x12. I’ll done some long trips using this same Uhaul 2 axle trailer and its much more stable than towing the same size single axle with no brakes. Most of these 6x12 Uhauls have a 4 pin connector which is perfect on our tow packages. I’ve never had a brake problem reversing, as noted by another poster.

Just pay attention to loading distribution inside the trailer and you’ll be fine.

Worst part about towing is the other drivers that like to dart pass (then brake) around and in front of you in a hurry to their next coffee house meeting. Stay right and maintain your speed and distance.

Your truck is made for this towing trailer. Stay off CC and watch the O/D button with headwinds/inclines.

 

I pulled one similar to that with my old Tacoma on a 7 hour trip. The Tacoma did well it was just a little slow and in 4th gear pretty much the whole time...But I would NOT tow it across country with a Tacoma. With a Tundra you will be fine.

 

I just want to throw this out there. I wouldn't have high expectations of any Uhaul equipment. I once rented a 26' boxtruck from them for a 350mile one way drive. Honestly the worst drive of my life. The vehicle shook violently past 40 mph. As I was driving I lost all power (2x) once almost causing accident. And for a few minutes I had to pull over because the headlights shut off (while driving) and didnt want to come back on. It was terrible. Just my .02.

 

You’ll be fine. Drove that exact uhaul when moving from here to Memphis (5 hour trip made twice with a full load - between 5-6k of weight)

Just be cautious, load distribution should be about 80/20 (80% of weight should be before front midline of trailer), go slower than most traffic, take your time and keep a healthy distance between you and vehicle in front of you at all times. If trailer starts to sway, never slam on your brakes, keep control and slowly apply brakes. (This is possible either with bad weight distribution, going too fast, or windy conditions)