WallyP

I always preferred to strap the tires down tightly and let the suspension move. Add crossed chains to restrain fore/aft movement, but don't pull them down excessively.

brutus

Always tie down the wheels. You can NEVER tie down compress the suspension tight enough to keep the car from bouncing so straps chains what ever are subject to huge shock loads as you hit bumps and the suspension tries to move. How straps break and chains come loose. And try to avoid hooking anything to the oh so handy rear suspension spring plate, that flat arm. Many towtruck operators bend these as the try to stretch the car.
Make sure that the hitch is seated and locked to the ball before pulling up on the trailer and use several pieces of wood to extend the ramps. Examine the trailer tires carefully and check maintain the air pressure. Be sure your tow vehicles tire are inflated toward the high side for the rear tires for the extra load. Plan on running at moderate speeds and note that several states restrict tow speeds. You will also burn a lot more fuel and it does put more stress on the transmission read your owners manual for tips on when and which gears to use.

terry gt

Jim , chain link braking system ? what is that , a release system for a anchor ? sorry could not help it.( after building 40,000 + trailers its a little trailer humor) What you are thinking about is a breakaway chain for a hydrolic surge brake system. . you need brakes , 3500# of car 1500# of trailer = 5000# . just think of what would happen if you tried to stop on a curve ? The *** end of you truck would be pushed around faster than a 911 could swap ends

Don Carter

Be aware that Uhaul will ask you what model of car you are towing and what you are pulling it with. They have some very conservative data on what's allowed and my guess is they may deny you pulling a 928 with a Durango, so you may want to say Honda Civic :-)

Uhaul car haulers have surge brakes, not electric since most people don't have brake controllers. Surge brakes work fine in an emergency, but are usually on one axle not both, same as electric.

I've had good and bad experiences, just check out whatever you rent really well before you leave with it. Many are of their trailers are abused, and important parts are broken. Don't expect any support if you have a problem, their help lines are a joke.

dr bob

For tying down the rear, I'd use straps around the control arm forward of the hub carrier. Then tension each strap to both rear corners, The rear ties will keep the car on the trailer in a hard stop, while the diagonal will keep it centered side-to-side.

You won't be able to pull hard enough to compress the suspension, since you are tying at the wheel end of the arm. Let the car suspension do its job. The trailer has springs that will help with most any road condition you'll find, so the 928 suspension will just pick up the smaller vibrations that make it through.



My other too sense:

After seeing the love and care that went into transporting James M's Euro85 a couple years ago, I'd take a long hard look at that option well before I ever decided to try and tow a nice car on a trailer across country. I've towed plenty, and learned to make serious extra allowances for stopping and turning. Still, it's a whole lot of extra attention the whole way. For a couple $k, it shows up a week after it leaves, in exactly the same condition it left. If I can't drive it, it will probably get a transporter ride. If it isn't worth the transporter ride, it probably isn't worth taking. So find someone who can store the car for you in Montana until the weather is good again, and enjoy another epic cross-country driving experience. Or have it meet you at the door in Pittsburgh.

IcemanG17

Ed
I trailer the Estate in a double axle 16ft open trailer ALL THE TIME....while its not a uhaul (big tex actually)...with the car properly balanced your durango will pull it just fine.... I do recommend rear tie downs....I use 4 straps on mine....2 at the front tow hooks and 2 at the rear (I have carls drop link-tow hook which makes life much easier)...

However....blue maxx is VERY nice....I would consider the extra $$$ of having it professionally shipped in an enclosed trailer....the weather in March from Montana to Pittsburg could be bad....another factor to consider....