Towing with a Uhaul....Is this even possible? (Cross Posted)

[Miranda_and_Oscar]

Hi everyone,

I originally posted this in the eventing forum (my COTH automatically opens to that page- but realized I may get more responses posting it here!

I made the plunge and bought a horse trailer a few months ago (an '88 Cotner that is in decent shape and had been reinforced to haul Percherons). I had decided that I should space out my purchase of a trailer and truck so I don’t drain my rainy day funds all at once. I drive 100 miles a day and can’t have a truck as my main vehicle so I would need to buy it as a spare vehicle just for towing.

My question is, can a uhaul rental pick up truck really tow a horse trailer until I get my own truck? I have heard of people doing this but have some concerns:

1.) My trailer has a circle connection and apparently uhaul’s have square ones. They sell adapters but I have heard that my electric trailer breaks will not work if I use the adapter (I have heard that the circle connectors have more prongs than the square ones and so inherently, some of the prongs do not work…?)

2.) Uhaul pickups do not have break controllers inside, so would my trailer breaks work anyway? And if they don’t, I would assume it is a big no-no to trailer without my trailer breaks working.

Anyway, just wanted some input. Like I said, I have heard of people doing this but I didn’t know if these people were just being risk takers or if it really is safe and plausible. I would like to show in the spring and am trying to figure out my transportation options. Thanks in advance!

[clanter]

no idea about U-Haul but Enterprise TRUCK rental (Not the car division) has some locations that do rent trucks that can be used for towing… the attached link scroll down to “Towing” … select “towing capable trucks”

Our locations rent towing capable pickup trucks. Towing is available for ¾ and 1 ton pickups. Additional towing charges may apply. Contact your local branch for details.

https://www.enterprisetrucks.com/tru…ter-guide.html

[Jim_in_PA]

U-Haul trucks generally don’t have brake controllers because all their trailers use inertial braking systems, so no, your electric trailer brakes will not work. A four wire system doesn’t have the control signals…it’s only for lights. It’s very difficult to find any kind of rental truck that has a brake controller.

You may find it best to find a private party with a properly equipped tow vehicle to haul for you. That’s the safest route for your horse if you don’t have a properly equipped tow vehicle available yourself.

[Guilherme]

@Miranda_and_Oscar

Hi everyone,

I originally posted this in the eventing forum (my COTH automatically opens to that page- but realized I may get more responses posting it here!

I made the plunge and bought a horse trailer a few months ago (an '88 Cotner that is in decent shape and had been reinforced to haul Percherons). I had decided that I should space out my purchase of a trailer and truck so I don’t drain my rainy day funds all at once. I drive 100 miles a day and can’t have a truck as my main vehicle so I would need to buy it as a spare vehicle just for towing.

My question is, can a uhaul rental pick up truck really tow a horse trailer until I get my own truck? I have heard of people doing this but have some concerns:

1.) My trailer has a circle connection and apparently uhaul’s have square ones. They sell adapters but I have heard that my electric trailer breaks will not work if I use the adapter (I have heard that the circle connectors have more prongs than the square ones and so inherently, some of the prongs do not work…?)

As noted by Jim if you don’t have a brake controller box you won’t have control over your electric brakes. If the truck does have such a box (and I don’t know if any do or don’t) then an adapter would work. BUT, and here’s the thing, there is no standard wiring pattern for horse trailers as there is for RVs. That means you will have wire your adapter to match the truck and trailer. This can be done but it takes a bit of skill and some time.

2.) Uhaul pickups do not have break controllers inside, so would my trailer breaks work anyway? And if they don’t, I would assume it is a big no-no to trailer without my trailer breaks working.

See above.

Anyway, just wanted some input. Like I said, I have heard of people doing this but I didn’t know if these people were just being risk takers or if it really is safe and plausible. I would like to show in the spring and am trying to figure out my transportation options. Thanks in advance!

The first thing you need to check is to see if your rental contract permits this. I’ve not rented a U-Haul in close to 50 years; I suspect things are not the same now as they were then!!!

Rental truck companies buy a standardized vehicle to a “lowest common denominator” configuration. This simplifies their maintenance and insurance. It complicates your possible usage. They assume that a customer might pull an auto or one of their trailers. They probably don’t even think about somebody pulling horse trailer. The market for that is just too small.

As suggested, you might do better with Enterprise Truck rental. Hertz/Pensky also has a truck rental division as does Budget (IIRC). I’m afraid you’ll find the same “lowest common denominator” standard with them, too.

Sorry to be bearer of bad tidings.

G.

[Miranda_and_Oscar]

Thanks everyone! As I said, it didn’t seem safe or plausible to me but I am not an expert of trucks and have very rarely even used uhaul so I just figured I would see the opinions of the masses! Thanks!