Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Opinions please: Towing a U-Haul 5x8 trailer faster than 55 mph

Folks,

I'm renting a uhaul 5x8 enclosed trailer next month to tow a motorcycle(dirtbike) from Texas to Colorado. I'll be using my Tundra(4.6L) as the tow vehicle. The total weight of the trailer, including bike and gear will be appx 1350 pounds. Uhaul states the max tow speed as 55 mph. I know this is probably due to liability, but assuming the tires are in good shape and properly inflated, trailer loaded with weight biased towards the front, dry road, etc. what is the max speed you'd recommend? Would 70-75 mph be out of the question, or should I back it down a bit? I can't imagine driving 950 miles at 55-60 mph, but if anything beyond is creating undue risk, I'm ok backing it down.

What do you guy's think?

Pretty short.....probably develop a death wobble pretty easy.

I'd go the speed limit.

Realistically, check the tires and see what they're rated for. 75 may be pushing it on smaller trailer tires.

All I can say is, when I pulled one from here to Grand Rapids MI (1100 + miles) - I wasn't pulling @ 55

In September 2015 I towed one of those trailers from central NC to here, in East Texas, just over 1,000 miles with my '06 Tundra. 70-75mph was not an issue. No wobble and the tongue length helped stabilize it.

Your plans re: weight distribution, tire condition and inflation are spot on.

Go for it.

Ed

I pulled a few of them across the country several times for moves when I was in the military. I can testify that they do just fine at 85

Who drives at 55 MPH these days. Check tires and safety chains.

Never forget that they also rent to people that could not backup a trailer 12' if their life depended on it................

They MUST instruct to ALL



THIS>>>>>>>>>>>

Speed limit is fine. As stated, make sure you have sufficient tongue weight for stability.
I know for a fact that those same U-Haul tires on a car hauler will survive a brief stint to 105 mph with a Nissan Exterra on the trailer. (Don't ask me how I know).

Check the speed limits for towing in the states you'll pass through. My home state has different posted speed limits on the interstate for passenger vehicles vs commercial trucks and anyone towing a trailer, 65 vs 55 in most area, 70 vs 60 in one. I assumed that 55 mph limit on the U-Haul trailer was to keep people in compliance with towing laws. That's just an assumption though.

As long as the tow vehicle is up to it, adequate wheel base, brakes for the trailer's weight, etc, and as long as the load is positioned in the trailer correctly, I don't think there's any practical need to stay at 55 or below, but .. a ticket is kind of a practical concern.

Tom

Judging by the amount of people towing U-Hauls who keep up with me or pass me when I am doing 75 mph, it shouldn't be a problem unless you need to perform an emergency maneuver or stomp on the brakes.

I'd be afraid of getting rear-ended going 55.......I'd go at least as fast as the semi trucks.

I drive the speed limit unless I am in Kansas. Then its BTTW.

If you are concerned about the stability of the trailer, rent one slightly larger. You will appreciate more width and a taller ceiling anyway to facilitate getting your motorcycle inside and securing it properly.

coming back from the smokey mountains about 10 years ago I was side by side with a ford ranger pulling a U haul trailer. We weren't going crazy but probably 70 - 75mph

At one point I was ahead of him by several car lengths when we came over a hill and traffic was stopped. I had no problem stopping. Him...not so much. I looked up in my rear view mirror as I was close to coming to a stop and saw his truck go sideways with the trailer and then both of them were doing a barrel roll down the highway taking up pretty much the width of the 2 lanes of I-75 coming toward me. It was an ass puckering moment for me as I was in the family truckster and pretty much blocked in where I couldn't get out of the way.

Fortunately (for me) they rolled down into the median and ended up beside us. Both the driver and the passenger crawled out of the passenger door relatively unscathed but certainly shook up taking the lords name in vain repeatedly at the top of their lungs.

So I'm sure you can get to speed...stopping may be another story.

I pull a snowmobile trailer with 8" wheels at 70 mph and have never had a problem. I don't think anyone listens to the 55 mph claim. When you stop for food or gas put your hand on the hubs, if there hot to the touch your driving to fast and or have wheel bearing problems if not hot than you're fine.

weight it towards the front and run 100 if you like,uhaul trailers have bigger tires.

I've found they smooth right out above 85.

I own a 8'X5' Pace enclosed trailer and tow it at interstate speeds or maybe a little faster with full size pickups, a suv, and even a jeep.
Never a hint of a problem.
It just stays in place and hauls stuff.

Trailer tires (ST) are most often rated for 65 mph. I would NOT go over that. And the note on the trailer re:55 mph is just a way for them to transfer responsibility onto you if you have a crash and is found to be over that limit..

Every U-Haul trailer I see is goin' at LEAST 10 over the tire limits and usually 10 over the road's speed limit..