that's actually the part i was looking at at the dealership, thank you!!


now, i know uhual installs them, are they fair on price? without me here, she'll have nobody to install one for her

also, trailer brakes, pretty easy install? (ive been a stereo installer for years, so it shouldn't be that bad)

 

U-Haul is apparently not very savvy on tightening bolts. You may want to consult a local shop to buy the hitch installed.

 

This doesn't make any sense considering a 2wd truck is able to tow more than a 4wd truck.

 

Just for the record, the build sheet on the truck will always give gear ratio and class hitch.

 

U-Haul requires the vehicle doing the tow to weigh at least 70% of the combined load behind it. It doesn't matter what the tow rating is; they want it to be solidly in control. That's where a heavier truck, extended cab and/or 4x4, helps out.

 

So - better to overload the 4x4 than have the 4x2 within specs? No, thanks.

 

Apparently, cause the uhual guy here in town agrees, he says all we need is the hitch and maybe trailer brakes

 

"Maybe" trailer brakes? Most states require trailer brakes for that much weight. It sounds like the trailer and cargo will weigh as much, if not more, than the truck. I suggest you talk to someone who KNOWS, not someone who guesses. Pretty sure I would not put that much mass on the road without adequate brakes, required or not.

 

Yeah, the weight of the vehicle has nothing to do (for in-favor purpose) with towing a trailer. Hell with that logic a 1500 QCLB 4.7L 4x4 would be able to tow more than a 3500 RCSB CTD 2wd, NOT! There is a lot more to towing than just weight however such as chassis strength, brakes, hitch, etc.

For safety purposes and the purpose of this argument, a lighter weight vehicle (within reason) will be able to tow more weight (less GVWR) and STOP more weight than a heavier in this case 4x4 vehicle with the same brake system. For example, a 1500 truck equipped with all of the same options one with 2wd one with 4wd with the same braking system and chassis set-up, the 2wd can tow more due to weighing LESS overall.

Now, with all of that said, I can really care less, but I would like anyone who owns a truck and tows with it to know that you should always stick to the specifications of the truck/manufacturer in combination with the specs of the hitch in relation to weight. Have the truck put on a scale after loading up your trailer for the weekend to make sure that you are going to be traveling safely and legally.

**Edited**

 

Simply put, you aren't going to get near your truck's weight limit using rented equipment from any provider. You also have to meet the hitch and ball's ratings, both of which are very likely to be less than your truck's max towing limit. The average receiver hitch setup is rated for 6k lbs or so.

They have good reason for wanting the tow vehicle heavier. You have to realize that people who rent a trailer are very likely to have never towed before. The heavier vehicle may save their *** when they give it the wrong inputs in response to a little sway. A bigger towing vehicle is less likely to be pushed around during emergency maneuvering or braking.

These rules didn't come from thin air; they come from 65 years experience renting to the public. You may not be able to pull your limit but what they do let you tow has a very good chance of getting to its destination safely. So their rules are on the conservative side -- is that bad? The pic from the previous page was an 800 mile tow that was totally uneventful.

If you want to tow more than they allow, simply use your own trailer. I've found an aluminum trailer with electric brakes was easier to pull than U-Haul's, but then again, that represents a big investment over a $50/day rental. Hopefully I'll have my own dovetail one day but till then it's all rental.