with out a hitch -- moving cross country

[superba]

Hi Troy et al,

I know about this, having hauled UHaul trailers from California to DC and
return about 7 times round trip with my 81 5KT.  A UHaul 5 X 8 can weigh up
to 3,000 pounds depending on how it's loaded.  Seem heavy?  It is.  The most
important detail is being sure to get about 100# of weight at the hitch ball
joint, no more, no less.  Too heavy and it'll steer your car and nearly
break off your bumper unless the hitch is bolted to the frame.  Too light
and it'll "S" turn on you the whole way.  Load it right and it's piece of
cake;  wrong, it's a pita the whole way.  And, once you get rolling, it's
too late to change the weight and balance without unloading the whole danged
load.  And by then, you don't care anyway.

How do you get 100# on the tongue?  Very carefully.  I've seen accounts of
people using bathroom scales and wood shims;  I don't really know except you
have to get it right or the whole tow will be wrong.  I did mine by lifting
the tongue;  I was right some and wrong some.

The hitches are 2 types: (1) The type that bolts to the bumper and the
underside of your trunk, and (2) the big, professional type that bolts to
the frame and has a receiver where you can remove the channel with the ball.
Obviously, #2 costs much more; it's the type that you see on many pickups
and SUV's.  I used #1 for about 30,000 miles of towing UHaul trailers;  I
still have it and it still works.  Just be sure you get one that is
absolutely correct for your car.  I got mine at UHaul.

Be sure to install a brake and tail light adapter so you can connect those
to the trailer correctly;  UHaul sells one with an impedance matching module
that wires right in with bullet connectors to the trailer lights.

Be sure to get some insurance to cover the tow trip;  it might come in
handy.

Buy GOOD locks for the trailer door and the safety chain so they're hard to
rip off.  When you park overnight, try to back the trailer up against a
building wall so it would be hard for someone to disconnect your trailer and
drive off with it.  Try to pack so you don't have to open the trailer during
the trip;  put your daily stuff in the trunk of your car or back seat.

Make sure that the trailer rental place tests the running lights before you
take the trailer.  They're a pita to replace in the middle of nowhere.

HTH.

Cheers!

Jim Jordan

         Message: 11
         Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 17:36:49 -0700 (PDT)
         Subject: with out a hitch
         From: <troy at localhost.inflammablecows.net>
         To: <quattro at audifans.com>

         Hello listers, I am planning a move from Boston, Ma. to
         Lincoln, Ne. soon
         and am looking into the possibility of using a small
         trailer behind my
         4KQ. The car runs fine (a bit hot but not bad) and made
         the trip to SC and
         back this summer, so I'm confident in her.
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