Any issues loading a 308 on a U-Haul Trailer?

Hello,

I have to transport a 308 a short distance (about 200 miles), and the roads are almost guaranteed to be salty. I'm inclined to rent a U-Haul. Has anyone on here ever loaded a 308 onto the standard U-Haul two axle car hauler? I have plenty of experience pulling cars on trailers; just never used that specific U-Haul model before. Any issues with clearance or other scary things? Did the equipment they supplied (straps, etc.) suffice? The car is a federal 308 GTBi with standard shallow front spoiler and vented rear valance.

Thanks,

Tony

 

I just used a uhaul car hauler the actuall flat bed trailer a couple of weeks ago to move my 82 GTBi with the low front euro spoiler, It wasnt to bad loading it but for some reason that trailer had a piece of metal welded on wither side of the rails that points up at a 45 degree angle and I had to be carefull as to not drag on this piece of metal.

Other than that it wasnt to bad I would have rather used my buddies trailer without all the BS but it was unavailable I do not like the uhauls to much works but takes some time getting it on the trailer as to not do any damage.

Now the 2 wheel hauler I dont know about that one I dont like those at all I go for the real trailer

 

All I have ever used for 10 years of tracking my 308 are Uhaul trailers. I like the fact that the left fender will drop so you can open your door.

You should have little if any problems...

 

The one w/ the "wheel channels?"

I thought I heard guys had to lay down 2x8's/10's in the channel to clear the side lips of the channel?

BTW, do you tell them you are hauling a Ferrari?

I broke down 6 hrs from home w/ my personal trailer, and they wouldn't rent me one since Ferrari 308 was not in their system. I should have said it was a corvette I guess.

Ended up havign to buy a trailer for the return trip. Expensive 10 days.....

 

Does it work out to be cheaper than owning your own? How many events per yr. do you do?

 

The trailer I used I droped the wheel well and I couldnt open the door on the Ferrari without hitting the trailer....

 

I don't use them THAT much. Probably 10X total to GA and back over the past ten years for various things not all of which are FCA events.

I always tell them I have a Ford Mustang or something. Never a Ferrari. Why should I?

As far as the door thing, I really do not remember having much of a problem with it. It always seems to have room one way or another when the fender is dropped to the side. It's been about 3 years since I pulled my 308 on one. The last time I rented on was for my 74 MGB and again the door thing was no problem at all.

All I can tell you is the UHaul car trailer WILL work. Are their better options out there? Sure, but you can use UHaul if you want to.

 

Thanks, everyone!

- T

 

Hi Tony,

I have done this several times with my 328. Here's the trailer you'll want to rent:

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=towing-autotransport

You will need to cut a set of 2x10s or 2x8s to drive up onto so the spoiler will clear the front trailer lip; I just went out and measured the remaining piece I have in the garage that I think is one of the pair: 2x10x35.5" (it's been about 3 years for me also). Set one of each of these longitudinally in the wheel runners so the front wheel will drive up on them. I backed the trailer partially up a driveway, then drove the 328 directly onto the ramps to lessen the approach angle of inclination. If your car is a GTS, leave the targa top off to ease exit. Have someone watch for spoiler clearance; once you drive onto the trailer, the wheel "fender" pivots down laterally sufficiently to open the door. Replace the targa top. Use the tie-down harnesses to encircle both front wheels (I put towels over to keep from abrading the front wheels), and be sure to affix the ends so they don't flap onto the paint. Put the transmission into neutral. Zip-tie the rear chain to keep it from hitting the undercarriage. I also zip-tied a baggie over the trailer brake cylinder to prevent blowing brake fluid onto the car in case of leakage. Purchase the towing insurance - my parents had a flat bringing the car up I-55 and the U-Haul folks fixed it on the side of the road. I always did list the type of car I was towing (and the website reservations will input 348s but not 308/328s), but this didn't ever seem to raise any eyebrows.

Nothing else in particular. Excepting the aforementioned flat tire, all trips were uneventful. I took the car off the trailer in the same manner (lessening approach angle). It goes without saying not to leave a cover on the car (to prevent paint abrasion). You likely will get some salt spray on the car but hopefully not too much. If you need I have pictures somewhere and at one point was going to write up an article on how to trailer a 3x8 series car.

Best,

Carl

 

OH MY GOD!!! JESUS!!! TONY; FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE!!!!!!!! WE CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT SIDE STREETS YOU MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERING WITH THAT 308 ON THE U-HAUL TRAILER!!!!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA GO MAD!!!!

 

Thank you, especially, Carl. I really appreciate the little tips like the plastic bag and the length of the boards. I will put your and everyone else's advice to good use.

 

BERGXU -- DON'T U KNOW IM VERY WEALTHY AND IMPORTANT AND MY PERSONAL INFORMATION IS PRIVATE AND ONLY FOR THE SELECT FEW WHO NEED TO KNOW AND UR NOT 1 OF THEM NOW I HAVE TO GO STUDY FOR MY DEV MATH CLASS LOL!!!!

 

Look at my Ferrari on the trailer, check out the metal piece jutting towards the center of the trailer...

That is where I had my troubles needed some 2X6s to lift the car up just enought to clear that spot. durring the loading and unloading
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Thanks for the photo, Johnny P!

By the way, I was quite envious of your car -- I was on the first day of a week-long business trip when I saw the auction and it was about to end. "WOW -- A BLUE GTBi!!!!!!" I said to myself. I would have put a bid on it had I been more prepared. For me it had to be a GTBi, and I couldn't decide which I liked better -- blue or black.

But all is well -- I just bought myself a black GTBi, and I absolutely adore it!

But I love the Azzuro Metalizzatto (sp?), or whatever that metallic blue is called! Enjoy your machine!

 

Since we don't have snow or ice in San Diego we don't worry about salt on the road. A full trailer wasn't available but the two wheeled version worked. The car will only fit on way.

Now driving on the beach is another matter. I don't remember this being addressed on Magnum PI. The sea salt would do serious damage.

Dan
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I highly recommend getting AAA Plus RV coverage. This covers not only your tow vehicle, but your trailer as well. If you break down, or worse, if the trailer breaks down, AAA will transport the tow vehicle and the trailer up to 100 miles, to the location of your choice. If you do not have the added "RV" coverage, they will transport the tow vehicle if it breaks down, but not the trailer. So you could end up leaving your trailer with the car sitting on it, on the side of the road. And if the trailer breaks down, they will transport that, do a tire change, etc. IMHO, it's well worth the protection.

BTW, there is no way that I would tow an F-car (especially a 3x8) on a two-wheel tow dolly, either frontwards or backwards.

 

dan, been meaning to contact you and let you know how well the louvered plate is working. cabin tepm has been reduced 90% and engine temp down by 10 degrees. thanks again. that tow dolly looks pretty hinky dude. one bump or a dip in the road at speed might take off the spoiler. i don't think i'd use it. i have used the uhaul two axle trailer and it worked very well although i backed on. it tracked like an arrow even in the rain. well worth the money for the occasional user

 

This was the only trailer available at the time. I bought the car from Rich in Ramona and needed to get it over to my place. There really weren't any issues towing the car; it went real smooth but we did take our time.

The two other times I towed it was with AAA. I have the Plus membership now and those guys know what they are doing. Just got the 308 back from Gary Bobileff Wednesday and it is running like a top. The guy I had bought the car from did some real funky stuff installing "kill" switches. It took the guys at Gary's some time to figure out what they had done, but put everything back to normal. Now that I have the car running its time to install the louver, skid plate, and scoop. I will take some pictures and post them later. Hope to do some of it tomorrow. Glad it worked out for you; it was a pleasure doing the group buy.

Dan

 

well Im glad you hesitated becuase I wanted blue I have had enough black cars and im just in need of a different color!

Congrats on your black GTBi

Got any pictures of yours yet?