first time car dolly

[Hologram8]

I need to rent a uhaul and tow my car on  a car dolly 

I  have never pulled a trailer before and I know for a fact that I can't back one up

Do you think it's possible for me to get 1200 miles without messing up really bad or do I need to take some kind of class or something ?

I'm really worried about it

 

[Ravella and X]

I feel for you. I recently learned to tow my travel trailer on the fly. Its scary at first, but gets less frightening with practice. I avoid fancy backing that requires tight or precise turns, but am getting better at it, too. It is possible to avoid backing most of the time if you think ahead and when needed, park and scout ahead.

The most useful advice I had for backing with a trailer: place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it towards the way you want the trailer to back.

The anxiety before actually doing what I had to do was worse than actually doing it. Get to it asap so you can get past the fear. If I can do it, you can do it!

 

[bullfrog]

What will you be towing it with? Are we talking 2 lane mountain roads or Interstates?

 

[Hologram8]

smallest uhaul truck I can get to do the job ~

I have a choice between interstates and two lane ~ I can go through california on I5 or I can go through nevada ~ I would like to avoid california ~ But I would also like to travel on the interstate that would have at least 4 lanes and rest stops

 

[bullfrog]

So if you really don't want to tow how about getting a bigger Uhaul and load the car in it? Uhaul will most likely require a bigger truck depending on the weight of your vehicle. Most tow dollies require two wheels on the ground and with some cars that isn't possible to do without causing damage, those would require a car trailer. Many people just get a bigger truck that have Jeeps and off road vehicles and need to move across country as it is easier to deal with and is less likely to damage the vehicle. Another option is to have someone drive it, I did that for a friend while there were cheap air fares and I needed to go a few miles from where he was going, worked out well for both of us.

 

[Scott3569]

Ok I was a tractor trailer instructor for several years when I was in the career..

1. the average person will rarely have the ability to back up a tow dolly
2. a tow dolly is not meant for you to back up in the first place.
Very short distance just to make a corner you cut to short sure 2 may 3 feet in cases like that.

MY SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU:
1. Pay attention to the places you are going into when you gas up, choose larger stations
2. when you make a turn watch out your mirror also..
3. go a little slower at least at first. when you first get it. as or learn where the nearest LARGE parking lot is.. and practice.

4. IF YOU MUST BACK IT UP. Back it up very little. stop put it in park.. and walk around and see what is going on in the rear.

5. always be on high alert. you are going to be like this naturally at first. but then you are going to get a little comfortable.. and that is when you will make a mistake..

6. If you have no Idea what is behind you and you need to back up GET OUT AND LOOK..

7. GET OUT AND LOOK even when you think you know what is behind you..

I don't know how long you have been driving, But almost anyone can rent a uhaul and a trailer and most have no experience what so ever..
I believe you are most likely capable. Just be aware of things around you.. even when you think everything is ok. that is the moment you want to check things out..

Just pay attention, like I said practice a little in a large parking lot. and maybe get gas earlier so that you can get into a larger station.. and I think it is very possible

 

[Ravella and X]

smallest uhaul truck I can get to do the job ~

I have a choice between interstates and two lane ~ I can go through california on I5 or I can go through nevada ~ I would like to avoid california ~ But I would also like to travel on the interstate that would have at least 4 lanes and rest stops

Nevada has rest stops. On lonely 2 lane highways.

I'm willing to go a long way out of my way to avoid big, fast, busy interstates. Most especially when towing!

 

[Scott3569]

So if you really don't want to tow how about getting a bigger Uhaul and load the car in it? Uhaul will most likely require a bigger truck depending on the weight of your vehicle. Most tow dollies require two wheels on the ground and with some cars that isn't possible to do without causing damage, those would require a car trailer. Many people just get a bigger truck that have Jeeps and off road vehicles and need to move across country as it is easier to deal with and is less likely to damage the vehicle. Another option is to have someone drive it, I did that for a friend while there were cheap air fares and I needed to go a few miles from where he was going, worked out well for both of us.

and yes that is also a good point to make..

 

[Scott3569]

Nevada has rest stops. On lonely 2 lane highways.

I'm willing to go a long way out of my way to avoid big, fast, busy interstates. Most especially when towing!

I don't think you need to do that. seriously look at my previous post. I am not feeding you a bunch a BS..  when you get everything. go to a large parking like and practice and et a feel for making a turn as if you were at a light.. a walmart parking lot would be great.. just go where there are no or very few cars and traffic.. so you can pay more attention to the reaction of the dolly/trailer.. 
If you do what I am telling you, you will feel more comfortable.. and you will not need to go out of your way.. highway driving is driving straight.. you never back up on the highway.. or at least I hope you don't..



OPS quoted the wrong person meant for OP

 

[ckelly78z]

I had a car dolly for about 15 years that I would use 3-4 times a year to pick up project cars. An automatic transmission car will have to towed with the rear wheels up on the dolly, or have the driveshaft removed. Backing a car onto a tow dolly is not ideal weight distribution, and can make the vehicle swing back and forth if not careful.

Backing an empty car dolly is not easy because of such a short wheelbase, and almost invisible behind your truck. Backing a car dolly with a car mounted on it is damn near impossible, because it's tow bed can swivel also, which makes two pivot points.

Towing is much easier after I sold the car dolly, and bought an 18' car hauler trailer.

 

[kklowell]

You're assuming a rear-wheel-drive car. Many cars are front-wheel drive and have an automatic transmission, so all that's needed is to drive the car on the dolly. The real wheels in such cars just freewheel in that case.
I agree with the rest of your advice, and for that reason, I would not rent a dolly but would rent the car trailer that U-hual rents. MUCH easier to back up. A trailer also eliminates any problems with towing rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive cars.

 

[bullfrog]

I think you will find Uhaul has certain rules and requirements based on the weight of the vehicle you wish to tow that may determine what they will rent you. The more information you provide the better we can advise you, don't cause us to make assumptions.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Don't back up with a tow dolly when a car is loaded on it, and, dont park anywhere where you will need to back up. 

Always always always park in some way that you can pull forward when leaving.

If that means parking out on the perimeter of a store or truck stop or gas station, then so be it.

 

[Hologram8]

So if you really don't want to tow how about getting a bigger Uhaul and load the car in it? Uhaul will most likely require a bigger truck depending on the weight of your vehicle. Most tow dollies require two wheels on the ground and with some cars that isn't possible to do without causing damage, those would require a car trailer. Many people just get a bigger truck that have Jeeps and off road vehicles and need to move across country as it is easier to deal with and is less likely to damage the vehicle. Another option is to have someone drive it, I did that for a friend while there were cheap air fares and I needed to go a few miles from where he was going, worked out well for both of us.

.
.
I didn't know you could do that ~ I drove a 2500 gallon fuel truck in Iraq ~ it was a straight truck ~ no trailer ~ I did fine ~ the car is front wheel drive ~
.

I don't know how long you have been driving, 

.
I haven't driven in about 10 to 15 years ~ I bought a car  a year and a half ago and drove 1100 miles ~ I almost died in Sacramento and LA because of crazy drivers on the freeway ~ that was in a little car ~ I would hate to tow anything in that mess
.

Nevada has rest stops. On lonely 2 lane highways.

I'm willing to go a long way out of my way to avoid big, fast, busy interstates. Most especially when towing!

.
yes I would love to avoid all of that noise ~ but I also don't feel very safe when I'm the only one around ~ people usually cause the most problems when there isn't a big crowd of witnesses ~ and at the same time the more people that are around ~ the more trouble makers are around
.

 

[Ravella and X]

Hologram8.
.
I didn't know you could do that ~ I drove a 2500 gallon fuel truck in Iraq ~ it was a straight truck ~ no trailer ~ I did fine ~ the car is front wheel drive ~
.


.
I haven't driven in about 10 to 15 years ~ I bought a car  a year and a half ago and drove 1100 miles ~ I almost died in Sacramento and LA because of crazy drivers on the freeway ~ that was in a little car ~ I would hate to tow anything in that mess
.

.
yes I would love to avoid all of that noise ~ but I also don't feel very safe when I'm the only one around ~ people usually cause the most problems when there isn't a big crowd of witnesses ~ and at the same time the more people that are around ~ the more trouble makers are around
.
I get how you feel about safety around others vs all on your own in empty places. I felt that way, too, buy only briefly. Now I feel safest all alone under the stars.

Nevada rest stops seem at least as safe as truck stops to me. And then there are Wal-Mart's here and there to overnight in, also, and those are pretty safe, too. In Nevada, there are lots of casinos that allow free overnighting. I haven't stayed, but lots of people have and like them.

If you choose to travel through Nevada, either with a great big truck with your car inside, or towing, please PM me. I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the emptiest roads in Nevada. And if your route goes where I'm not familiar, I think I know someone on here who would be : )

You could also overnight at hotels/motels on your trip. Might sleep better and therefore make better time.

I dont know why I'm promoting Nevada. Y'all casual readers just stay out. It's just a totally empty state full of absolutely nothing to see or do and let's keep it that way!

 

[Hologram8]

the road in Nevada  will be 95

going from Phoenix Az. to  southern Oregon

I've been watching Panda moniums 2015 playlist back when she was towing a car 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyLkKywZHoQCRV0leKenHgzwWxYac299

I have looked into several walmarts in past research and it seems that most of them don't allow overnighting anymore 

here in phoenix almost nothing is open 24 hours ~ all of the walmarts close early so you couldn't stealth it 

last time I went to a motel I caught a disease and got really sick when I walked into the filthy room ~ they also took the numbers off of the back of my debit card and started cleaning out my bank account ~ so I had to get my card shut off 

 

[Hologram8]

I would just drive the car without towing it but I'm afraid I might break down or something with all of my stuff in the car

there also wouldn't be any room to sleep in the car with all of my stuff

I have AAA but I don't want to be broke down anywhere waiting to get things fixed ~ I just figured if the uhaul broke down that someone would get me back on the road asap without me being stranded somewhere waiting on mechanics

I don't have very much stuff ~ everything will fit in the car ~ it will be full but it will fit ~ just no room for sleeping and fear of breakdowns

 

[Ravella and X]

At some point, you'll have to choose between "what ifs". You have several options discussed here in this thread-- which seems most realistic to you?

Maybe you'd be more comfortable shipping your car and your stuff and taking a plane? Or selling an unreliable car and replacing it at your destination?

I do understand your anxiety. Anxiety whispers all bad possibilities, all personal fears, and never acknowledges actual likelihoods. It sucks and can be paralyzing. I hope you conquer it so you can get done what you need to get done with clear eyes and a clear head and a calm heart.

There are no sure things in life, and there is only an illusion of safety. On the other hand, people are generally good and a lot more good happens on the road than bad (as far as human interaction goes).

There are 5 or 6 Nevada rest stops along 95. You can stay at a Nevada rest stop for up to 18 hours.

 

[bullfrog]

AirBnb has worked well for my wife during the pandemic when she had to travel, I don't imagine we will ever stay in a motel again! Cracker Barrel and Denies restaurants are 24 hour in most places and most allow parking overnight with a meal. Have your car checked out by a mechanic you trust before leaving and check fluids twice a day morning and lunch while traveling if the car checks out okay. Box your stuff like you would ship it, that way you can if you need to or need to load it in a Uhaul in a worse case situation.

 

[kklowell]

What kind of car is it? I'm wondering if you could have a trailer hitch installed on it and put your stuff in one of those really small U-Haul trailers. It would be easier to drive, cost less in fuel , probably still be way cheaper than a rented truck, and be way easier to back up. You could then sleep in your car.