Towing uhual trailer across country... - Toyota Yaris Forums

hitmoninfinity · 11-18-2011, 02:45 PM

I'm going to be moving from South Carolina to California in a couple months. My new job won't be able to offer a relocation package so I'm trying to do this as inexpensive as possible. My wife and I have decided to not take any furniture (we barely have any to begin with) so we're only going to be moving clothes, pots and pans, personal belongings, etc. I'm sure a 4x8 uhaul will be more than enough space to cover it.

I've read through some old threads on whether or not to tow with a yaris... and I know it's not ideal but I'd rather rent a trailer for 300 bucks than rent a truck and pay for its crappy MPG along with fueling the yaris.

However, after doing some research, uhaul says the empty 4x8 weighs 850lbs... that seems like too much to me. Our stuff will probably weigh less than 300 lbs but I don't think I want to exceed 1000 lbs. Thoughts?

CTScott · 11-18-2011, 03:02 PM

UHaul trailers are generally crazy heavy (because they are made to take some abuse).

The 4x8 below only weighs 221 lbs, but you would need to add a floor and sides. You could probably do so using 1/4" plywood with 2x4's in the stake pockets for strength to keep the weight down.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6493_200356493

hitmoninfinity · 11-18-2011, 03:05 PM

That's not a bad idea. I could craigslist it when we get there! :)

Woodsman · 11-18-2011, 03:18 PM

850 lbs + 300 lbs + contents in car + long trip + mountains = bad idea.
The Yaris in Canada is rated to tow 800 lbs.

Have you considered boxing & shipping your belongings. Most likely your cheapest solution.

refotsirk · 11-18-2011, 04:34 PM

I second boxing and shipping......

Altitude · 11-18-2011, 05:15 PM

If you haul, take the southern route to avoid the Rockies.

Mead · 11-18-2011, 10:43 PM

Interstate 10 is your only hope, still very dangerous, so naturally I'm all for it

start the trip soon before it snows, good luck

bronsin · 11-19-2011, 01:19 AM

I like Scotts idea. I used my 1980 Subaru Hatchback to tow 1200 pounds of boat and trailer for ~100 mile distances.

Shipping works too.

jambo101 · 11-19-2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsman

850 lbs + 300 lbs + contents in car + long trip + mountains = bad idea.
The Yaris in Canada is rated to tow 800 lbs.

.

I agree, gonna put a lot of strain on a drive-train not designed for that kind of hauling,might cost you a clutch if its a standard particularly when hauling the over-sized load over the Rockies, if its an automatic could cost you the whole tranny.
I'd reconsider what you really need and if it cant fit in the back seat or the trunk i'd get rid of it.

nemelek · 11-19-2011, 06:12 AM

You might be able to rent a smaller van instead of a truck.

YAR1S · 11-19-2011, 09:02 AM

ABS is the cheepest moving company I found.... I got all my stuff shipped for under 1k... and mine included furiture for 2BR apartment.

Connoisseur_of_fine_cars · 11-20-2011, 06:27 PM

I have a 4x4 trailer for my 250-lb dirt bike. Total weight is 400. A piece of cake for the Yaris. But it's very flat down here in Texas. I don't know about going over the Rocky Mtn. I'd like to try it sometimes.

The 4x8 trailer option is not cheap. You have to buy wood, wiring kit, straps, and hitch. I also upgraded mine lights to LED. Building the trailer and wiring it properly also takes a lot of time, especially if you have never done it before. And you have to pay license and registration fees.

But having a trailer is really awesome. It's better than a pickup truck.

MUSKOKA800 · 11-20-2011, 07:04 PM

You aren't saving any money if you destroy your Yaris in the process.

hitmoninfinity · 11-21-2011, 01:06 AM

I ain't scared.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...ng-conspiracy/

Connoisseur_of_fine_cars · 11-21-2011, 02:48 PM

I like the can-do spirit of the author. Too often nowadays, we are told we can't do this and we can't do that, it's too dangerous, one idiot got killed so nobody should be allowed to do it.

Quote:

My girlfriend’s Mom was driving a 70hp Corolla, which was rated to tow 1800lbs, exactly the weight of my VW. She generously offered it. Towing the Bug home, the Corolla never broke a sweat.

Yar Is Word · 11-26-2011, 10:15 PM

Ship and enjoy the ride.
http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

thebarber · 11-26-2011, 10:42 PM

Will U-Haul even rent you the trailer if you tell them (or show up with) a harks as a tow vehicle? They wouldn't let me rent a tow Dolly with.my vibe...

hitmoninfinity · 11-28-2011, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebarber

Will U-Haul even rent you the trailer if you tell them (or show up with) a harks as a tow vehicle? They wouldn't let me rent a tow Dolly with.my vibe...

The website lets me go through the whole process so I don't see why not.

11-18-2011, 02:45 PM	#1
hitmoninfinity Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 15	Towing uhual trailer across country... I'm going to be moving from South Carolina to California in a couple months. My new job won't be able to offer a relocation package so I'm trying to do this as inexpensive as possible. My wife and I have decided to not take any furniture (we barely have any to begin with) so we're only going to be moving clothes, pots and pans, personal belongings, etc. I'm sure a 4x8 uhaul will be more than enough space to cover it. I've read through some old threads on whether or not to tow with a yaris... and I know it's not ideal but I'd rather rent a trailer for 300 bucks than rent a truck and pay for its crappy MPG along with fueling the yaris. However, after doing some research, uhaul says the empty 4x8 weighs 850lbs... that seems like too much to me. Our stuff will probably weigh less than 300 lbs but I don't think I want to exceed 1000 lbs. Thoughts?

11-18-2011, 03:02 PM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	UHaul trailers are generally crazy heavy (because they are made to take some abuse). The 4x8 below only weighs 221 lbs, but you would need to add a floor and sides. You could probably do so using 1/4" plywood with 2x4's in the stake pockets for strength to keep the weight down. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6493_200356493 __________________

11-18-2011, 03:18 PM	#4
Woodsman Drives: 2010 Yaris Hatchback CE Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: RR4 St. Marys, Ont., Canada Posts: 25	850 lbs + 300 lbs + contents in car + long trip + mountains = bad idea. The Yaris in Canada is rated to tow 800 lbs. Have you considered boxing & shipping your belongings. Most likely your cheapest solution. Last edited by Woodsman; 11-18-2011 at 03:38 PM.

11-19-2011, 06:12 AM	#10
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	You might be able to rent a smaller van instead of a truck. __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

11-20-2011, 07:04 PM	#13
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	You aren't saving any money if you destroy your Yaris in the process. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

11-18-2011, 03:05 PM	#3
hitmoninfinity Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 15	That's not a bad idea. I could craigslist it when we get there! :)

11-18-2011, 04:34 PM	#5
refotsirk Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Upper Wisconsin Posts: 17	I second boxing and shipping......

11-18-2011, 05:15 PM	#6
Altitude Drives: '08 LB MT Bayou Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,671	If you haul, take the southern route to avoid the Rockies.

11-18-2011, 10:43 PM	#7
Mead Drives: BSP Yaris LB 2007 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LBC Posts: 315	Interstate 10 is your only hope, still very dangerous, so naturally I'm all for it start the trip soon before it snows, good luck

11-19-2011, 01:19 AM	#8
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	I like Scotts idea. I used my 1980 Subaru Hatchback to tow 1200 pounds of boat and trailer for ~100 mile distances. Shipping works too.

11-20-2011, 06:27 PM	#12
Connoisseur_of_fine_cars Oh what a feeling Drives: Yaris Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 56	I have a 4x4 trailer for my 250-lb dirt bike. Total weight is 400. A piece of cake for the Yaris. But it's very flat down here in Texas. I don't know about going over the Rocky Mtn. I'd like to try it sometimes. The 4x8 trailer option is not cheap. You have to buy wood, wiring kit, straps, and hitch. I also upgraded mine lights to LED. Building the trailer and wiring it properly also takes a lot of time, especially if you have never done it before. And you have to pay license and registration fees. But having a trailer is really awesome. It's better than a pickup truck.

11-21-2011, 01:06 AM	#14
hitmoninfinity Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 15	I ain't scared. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...ng-conspiracy/

11-26-2011, 10:15 PM	#16
Yar Is Word Drives: Yaris 5 door liftback Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 648	Ship and enjoy the ride. http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

11-26-2011, 10:42 PM	#17
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	Will U-Haul even rent you the trailer if you tell them (or show up with) a harks as a tow vehicle? They wouldn't let me rent a tow Dolly with.my vibe... __________________

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