Uhaul trailer towing help!

[whtgmc68]

I am moving back home to NC from FL and I need to use a Uhaul trailer to tow my 68 GMC. It is 4x4 with a Dana 60 front and 14 bolt rear. It is currently 84" wide on the outside of the tires in the front with 16.5"x9.75" slot mags and BFG 35x12.50 AT's and it needs to be less than 79.5" to fit the Uhaul trailer.

The D60 has a WMS-to-WMS width of 69.5", so my question becomes will a set of stock style steel 16.5" 8 lug wheels narrow the width enough to clear the 79.5" wide Uhaul trailer? I know I will have to use a narrow tire but will the offset be reduced by 2.5" per side?

I am open to any suggestions because if I can't make this work, I will have to spend $1K to have it shipped.

Thanks,
Jason

[rustrunner]

I would think the slot mag is already moving your tire inward compared to the original 16.5, although your current are wider.

Can you find an old set of 3500 rims, with junk tires that can be put on so they inset the tires as much as possible

[whtgmc68]

Originally Posted by rustrunner

I would think the slot mag is already moving your tire inward compared to the original 16.5, although your current are wider.

Can you find an old set of 3500 rims, with junk tires that can be put on so they inset the tires as much as possible

rustrunner, are you saying that the stock wheels would have more offset than the slot mags?

Also, I have been calling some salvage yards to try and find some newer style wheels since i know they have less offset. They are mostly 16" and wasn't sure they would clear the calipers. I haven't found any decent prices on craigslist and the salvage yards are "too sophisticated" to find what I need without me giving them an exact year and model.

[grizzlyoutlaw]

HI WhtGmc. Definitely check out the U-ship website. You can take bids without committing. I got down to $1500 shipping a Prerunner truck in 33"s 2000 miles from New York to Utah so you should be well under $750. Now, that is much more than the U-Haul trailer but factor in the trailer, new rims, time spent looking for the rims, loading, hauling gas etc. it gives you something to compare to. I also just used a U-Haul trasnport trailer. Make sure you get the late model silver/galvanized version as the newer ones only have a 75" width.

[whtgmc68]

Originally Posted by grizzlyoutlaw

HI WhtGmc. Definitely check out the U-ship website. You can take bids without committing. I got down to $1500 shipping a Prerunner truck in 33"s 2000 miles from New York to Utah so you should be well under $750. Now, that is much more than the U-Haul trailer but factor in the trailer, new rims, time spent looking for the rims, loading, hauling gas etc. it gives you something to compare to. I also just used a U-Haul trasnport trailer. Make sure you get the late model silver/galvanized version as the newer ones only have a 75" width.

Grizzly, I have already been pricing the move and since it is too tall and too wide to fit on a regular auto transport trailer, about $950 is the going rate. I have drug this truck from CA to MS, MS to FL and now to NC and it has cost about $1K every time.

I was just hoping to save some dough this time!

Thanks,
Jason

[swamp rat]

Your slots are pretty wide, probably stick out about 2" on each side of the front fender.

I have a set of slots in the garage the same size (16.5 X 9.75) and they stick out wider than my other aluminum wheels that are (16.5 X 8.75) by almost 1.5" per side. I think my slots are 4" back spacing.

I would guess that a stock set of wheels about 6.5 to 7" wide should work for you but have no measurements to help you with. I have seen in this forum once one of our 4X4 trucks on a U haul trailer so i know its been done.

Might help to pull a wheel and measure back spacing to the wheel, then measure the tire, then find a potential set of rims at a junk yard and measure the back spacing and you should be able to come up with a rough estimate of the width.

[Vintage Windmills]

I used U ship a couple years ago no issues. I tried using them again a few months ago and fought them for a refund when the shipper backed out on the deal. Between that and the batch of brokers that lowball and then raise the price once they have you on the line I am done with that site. Since then I've had good results just calling real trucking companies like DAS directly.

Have you considered just buying a good used trailer then reselling it once you complete your move? Probably more hassle but would be the cheapest.

[whtgmc68]

If i can't quickly find a set of wheels that will clear, then a trailer will be an option. I close on my house here on 6/22 so I am getting down to the wire.

Swamp rat, the slots have a 5" back spacing, so I am going to hit up some more junk yards tomorrow.

[57taskforce]

with stock style wheels and tires it will fit the u hual car trailer I hualed a 72 k/20 in March 400 miles and I did the same trip this past weekend with another 72 k/20. If the wheels stick out even a hair more than stock I won't work. We had to change wheels and tires on the k/20 I drug home over the weekend for that very reason.
I told them both times I was hauling an 80s super cab ranger because it has a 125" wheel base compared to the 127" wheel base a 67-72 LWB truck has.

[grizzlyoutlaw]

Originally Posted by whtgmc68

Grizzly, I have already been pricing the move and since it is too tall and too wide to fit on a regular auto transport trailer, about $950 is the going rate. I have drug this truck from CA to MS, MS to FL and now to NC and it has cost about $1K every time.

I was just hoping to save some dough this time!

Thanks,
Jason

You are in the same boat as me! If I spent all the time and money from moving I would have had my truck done years ago. Check the craigslist where you are moving. I have also found people renting out car hauler trailers for about $60 a day. Good Luck!