Needing advice
 

I was wondering if uhaul dollies are suitable for a carrying 1/2 ton long distance. What risk do I run doing this, (besides tire wear) can I screw anything up mechanically? Thanks. 295/50/15 on 15x10 wheels
all around.
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Re: Needing advice
 

Drop the driveshaft if you pull it on a dolly.

Re: Needing advice
 

Noob here, lol how to take drive shaft out? Thanks
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Unbolt driveshaft at rear axle (4 bolts on U-Joint), lower rear of shaft enough to clear axle and pull front of shaft out of transmission. Wrap tape around the bearings on the rear of shaft at U-Joint so you don't lose them in transit.

Re: Needing advice
 

Last time I pulled a square on a tow dolly all I did was unbolt drive shaft, left it in tranny and used a ratchet strap to secure drive shaft and rapt tape around ujoints. Pulled it 250mi with no problems.

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You def can't just pull the drive shaft out cause then the trans fluid will mostly leak out the tail shaft housing. If I was towing with a dolly I would unbolt the shaft at the rear end and secure it very good to the underside of the truck and leave the slip yoke in the trans. Zip ties and duct tape are your best friend on this trip so be sure to bring lots of both.

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I can all but guarantee you that U-Haul will not rent a tow dolly to you for the purpose of towing a full-sized pick-up truck. It is too big and too heavy for the equipment that they have.
If you tell them the truth, they will not rent it to you. If you lie to get it and then have a problem on the road.......The liability would be all yours because of the deception in the rental agreement.
I can guarantee you that they inflate the value of the thing and even more for the cost of repairs.

A local U-Haul refused to rent a dolly to my brother for the purpose of towing a '70 Nova, with a 3/4 ton van. It was only going about 5 miles to an exhaust shop and they denied the rental. They claimed that the car was too big/heavy.

Re: Needing advice
 

The tow dollys I have seen wouldn't accommodate the tire size you mentioned. They do have trailers you can rent. that would be your best bet.

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1) They sell transmission plugs, not at uhaul but at parts stores etc. to prevent fluid from leaking out of the tailshaft when you pull the driveshaft.

2) But why not try towbar towing it?

Re: Needing advice
 

Was told they dont have trailers, just dolly...
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I towed my old 01 C1500 extended cab with a small car trailer, I told the company it was for my wife's taurus. Towed the thing with the big 20 footer for 550 miles. The poor little trailer was begging and I swear I heard a relief sound when I got the truck off it.

Re: Needing advice
 

Was told they dont have trailers, just dolly...
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How far are you pulling the truck? I have some pictures of the tow bumper I made when I flat towed my crew cab dually from Grand Rapids, MI to Lafayette, IN. I just used the bumper and a Reese towbar, worked pretty good but make sure the tow vehicle weighs more than the towed vehicle.

Re: Needing advice
 

Then use the dolly and tow it slowly. 55mph is a safe and sound speed.

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No matter how you tow it, Dan is right, 55mph is plenty to get you there.

Re: Needing advice
 

How far are you pulling the truck? I have some pictures of the tow bumper I made when I flat towed my crew cab dually from Grand Rapids, MI to Lafayette, IN. I just used the bumper and a Reese towbar, worked pretty good but make sure the tow vehicle weighs more than the towed vehicle.

Humble, tx to jacksonville, fl
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Re: Needing advice
 

due to liability issues chances are you wont be able to rent any kind of tow dolly for this haul...you may be able to reserve and rent a trailer for it though although you may have to pick it up at a different u haul location

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It's been a few years since I've rented from Uhaul, but last time I did the trailers weren't much more to rent vs. the dolleys.

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Also, maybe try penske.

Re: Needing advice
 

so...I can atest to the fact that you CAN tow a 1/2 ton with a dollie. I pulled my 77 long bed for 1700miles from Montana to Southern Texas. I have 215's in the front and it fit fine. Disconnected the drive shaft and tied it up. pulled just fine.
I did have to tell uhaul it was towing a 96 corolla tho.
Oh and learn from my experience UNLOCK the steering wheel!!!!!! the wieght if the truck will not allow the dollie to pivot like it is suppose to so the wheels will do it for you.

Good luck. Oh and I pulled it the whole way loaded with house stuff with a loaded ferd ranger lol.

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If it will fit I'd spend the extra bucks and load it on a trailer to be safe. Just to avoid having to drop the driveshaft would be reason enough. Just my $0.02

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Do they rent Tow Bars

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You'd still have to drop the driveshaft if it was on a tow bar, trailer is still the safest way to haul.