[Sanmanbx3]

Good afternoon to all. I find myself having to tow a U-Haul 5x8 trailer from NYC to Florida. I have a hitch set up but use it for my bike rack. I ordered the 4 pin wiring harness from etrailer for the trailers connection. I’ve never towed anything before. Does anyone have any tips or tricks they can share? Thanks for any replies….
Btw I have a 2021 Passport EXL

 

[JLH]

I assume you don't have a brake controller in your PP and I'm not sure how much weight you'll be hauling, but unless you're planning on robbing Fort Knox & will have that trailer chock full of gold you should be fine. Seriously, you need to remember that you have extra weight behind you, so your stopping distance will be a bit longer. That's especially important to remember since you've not pulled a trailer before. Before you actually take off on your trip I would suggest you do 3 or 4 stop & goes in an empty parking lot just to get a sense of how it feels. Another tip is to check to make sure your brake lights, turn signals, & running lights all work when you first hook up to the trailer & several times throughout your trip. You should also check to make sure your wheel bearings and tires on the trailer don't get hot. It's as simple as looking at the hub at the center of the wheel doesn't look discolored from heat and then touching the hub to see if it's hot. They will get hot, but if they're too hot to touch, that bearing needs greased or replaced. I typically check bearings & tires for excess heat every time I stop for fuel or food. When pulling a different trailer for the first time I check for heat the first time after about 50 miles. One last thing, especially since this is such a small trailer, is don't forget you're pulling it. That may sound dumb, but it happens...

 

[jppelec]

 

[REALM]

Ensure proper weight distribution:

Ensure you don’t go beyond the max capacity for the Passport which includes the trailer and what you’re hauling (3,500 - 5,000 lbs max I believe).
Leave more time for braking, it will take longer.
Don’t go too fast, especially at first. Get comfortable hauling it at like 60mph first on the interstate, and adjust from there.
Make sure you use the safety chains, crossing them under the trailer tongue and latching onto your hitch loops.
Leave a little room for the wiring so it has some give when you’re turning, so it doesn’t get stretched and snap or pull off.
Check your load whenever you stop.
Use ratchet straps, and not just the cam buckles which work loose (and this from someone who loves cam buckle straps. Ratchets are just superior even though more annoying to use).
Get good backing up the trailer before you go in a parking lot or something, but also try to avoid pulling into places where you’ll have to back up. Makes it much easier.

You’ll do great, good luck!

 

[Sanmanbx3]

I assume you don't have a brake controller in your PP and I'm not sure how much weight you'll be hauling, but unless you're planning on robbing Fort Knox & will have that trailer chock full of gold you should be fine. Seriously, you need to remember that you have extra weight behind you, so your stopping distance will be a bit longer. That's especially important to remember since you've not pulled a trailer before. Before you actually take off on your trip I would suggest you do 3 or 4 stop & goes in an empty parking lot just to get a sense of how it feels. Another tip is to check to make sure your brake lights, turn signals, & running lights all work when you first hook up to the trailer & several times throughout your trip. You should also check to make sure your wheel bearings and tires on the trailer don't get hot. It's as simple as looking at the hub at the center of the wheel doesn't look discolored from heat and then touching the hub to see if it's hot. They will get hot, but if they're too hot to touch, that bearing needs greased or replaced. I typically check bearings & tires for excess heat every time I stop for fuel or food. When pulling a different trailer for the first time I check for heat the first time after about 50 miles. One last thing, especially since this is such a small trailer, is don't forget you're pulling it. That may sound dumb, but it happens...

Hey thanks for your reply! I’m just hauling basic moving stuff. Bed frame, one of those rolled up mattresses that expand when you open them and a number of bins with clothing etc.

 

[harePreshure]

I'm doing the SAME thing in July, moving my daughter from Phoenix to Chicago, pulling a Uhaul 5'x8' trailer. I have the OEM hitch and harness I installed myself. Haven't towed before, been watching YouTube vidz on towing and practicing w/my riding mower and trailer. Big thing for me is to keep the hand at bottom of wheel and think about where I turn hand from there is where the trailer will go. I'm also renting a trailer for the day this weekend to get some practice in before the big trip.

 

[gjgoods]

Have no experience towing with the PP but thousands of miles towing a travel trailer. I would suggest if you know someone with experience towing go somewhere with them and practice backing up. Murphy's law says that you will have to back-up at least once during the trip

 

[JArcher21]

If trailer isn't full, load everything to front, closest to tongue. Or put the heaviest items at front. This will prevent fishtail. Saw a guy pulling a trailer coming off a hwy ramp. As he was speeding up to get to speed, trailer started to wobble. Then started bouncing slightly. Trailer then flipped and detached from hitch, broke chains and trailer went into ditch and basically exploded

 

[louierg]

Good afternoon to all. I find myself having to tow a U-Haul 5x8 trailer from NYC to Florida. I have a hitch set up but use it for my bike rack. I ordered the 4 pin wiring harness from etrailer for the trailers connection. I’ve never towed anything before. Does anyone have any tips or tricks they can share? Thanks for any replies….
Btw I have a 2021 Passport EXL

UHaul will not rent to you unless the ball is sized correctly and the light/brake connection functions properly with their trailer brake. Be aware of your tongue weight requirements. Be sure your "stuff" weight is spread side to side somewhat evenly and less weight rearward than forward. If the front is lighter you could experience dangerous sway. Every stop eye check tire pressure and ensure the ball is secure to the trailer. Watch your speed per each state. Trailering speed laws vary.

 

[Jim M.]

The other thing to realize (beside breaking distance being longer) is making turns with a trailer takes a slightly wider turn than just turning your car. Use your side mirrors to keep an eye on the trailer tires as you turn to make sure they don't hit curbs.

 

[carpayments4life]

I've made 3 each 9 hour trips with the UHaul 5 x 8 trailer. For one trip, I loaded the trailer with 50 boxes and one B18B1 engine and had zero issues. Each of the other 5 x 8 rentals went just as smooth.

I had to move my outdoor lawn furniture and needed more space, so I rented the 6 x 12 trailer. I'll never do that again. The furniture wasn't heavy, but the "empty weight" of the 6 x 12 is double that of the 5 x 8. The 6 x 12 wanted to move the rear of the Passport around and I was much more concerned than I was with the the smaller 5 x 8.

 

[JArcher21]

Pull a 5x8 U-Haul trailer 3-4 days a work from September to November with a CRV at work. Trailer is usually loaded full. Never had any issues pulling with a 4 cylinder