[MR] Renting a U-Haul or the like?

[jbrmm266 at aol.com]

On another list to which I subscribe, there has been an extensive exchange about the dangers of rental trailers and trucks.

I don't mean to replicate the various warnings and admonitions from some 20 messages, but being a longtime trailer user and one who has had some near-misses, I WOULD like to make some points:

If? you're renting for a long haul, get the newest one you can, especially if it's a truck.? The rental is the same, but while a rather worn truck might do for in town, for over the road you want one that doesn't have 100,000+ miles.

Renting a trailer, better to rent from someone you know, or from an actual rental store than from a garage that has a few trailers on the lot.

Give the truck or trailer a good looking over before you take it. 

Specifically when driving with a trailer . . . 

If you use a clamp-on hitch (much better to get one permanently installed), check it frequently to make sure it's not coming loose.

Check the hitch ball frequently to make sure IT's not coming loose.

Check all the attachments and connections every time you stop. This includes the lug nuts.

When you stop, put your hand on the wheel hubs. If they're too hot to touch, you could be introuble, but getting more grease packed into the bearings could help.

Load the trailer with the heavier items over the axle if possible, but keep about 60% of the weight in front of the axle.? 

????????? A trailer that's rear-heavy tends to lift the rear wheels of the tow vehicle and can cause "whipping,"
??????????an uncontrolled side-to-side movement that in turn can cause you to lose control.

????????? A front-heavy trailer tends to lift the FRONT wheels of the tow vehicle and make it hard to steer.? It also puts
????????? a heavy strain on the rear suspension.

Both of those scenarios are dangerous.

Remember that you need more room to stop with a trailer.

You also have to take the trailer into account when turning and parking.

If you're not good at backing a trailer, always park in a position from which you can exit by going forward.

If?your vehicle has "overdrive," don't use it. Stay in third.? Especially if going up hills, which you will on the way to Pennsic.

Rear-wheel drive vehicles are better than front-wheel for towing. And heavier vehicles are better than lighter ones.

If you have your own trailer, be sure it has a spare that's not flat, a jack that can lift it, and a lug wrench that fits thr trailer's lug nuts (frequently a different size from the tow vehicle).

Set up your hitch to get the trailer to ride as close to level as possible.

This is not an exhaustive list, but such a list would be too long for an e-mail.? There are sources of information on trailering online or at the rental companies. 

Be safe!

Your servant aye
Donal Mac Ruiseart
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