Hello Again and trailer question....

[timmil]

Hey everyone, wanted to take a moment and re-introduce myself to the forum and say hello to everyone. My name is Tim and I am an FFR addict. In the past I was a frequent lurker in the forums and never really posted much because whenever I had a question I always seemed to be able to find the answer buried within the postings. But then I quit, why?? Well to give you all a brief history...

Back in '06 I was in out in Des Moines working (caring for Mom) and to pass the time I built an MK3. Had a blast in it that first summer (2007), but at the end of the summer discovered that the oil pressure problems required me to pull the motor. Missed the summer of 2008 doing that as well as having the tranny rebuilt. Well at the beginning of 2009 I returned home to Chicago, but at the time had to leave my roadster back in Iowa as I had no where to store it where I lived. Well that is finally over I have secured a garage less then a mile from my current residence and am getting ready to head back to Ia. to pick up my car. WHOOOO!!! Can't wait, it has been sitting back in Iowa in the garage covered up for way toooo long.

Now to my question. I have a 99 Expedition that I will be using to pull the car back and at this point am expecting to use a Uhaul trailer to pull it back. Has anyone used a uHaul to pull a completed MK3 and if so what kind of issues should I be expecting for loading and unloading?

Thanks in advance and can't wait to re-immerse my self in this addiction. :)

- Tim

Here's a pic when we were finishing it up..


2115

[OCCPete]

Don't tell U-haul you're towing a Cobra or they won't let you rent the trailer. Tell them it's a Mustang.

Pete

[Bob Cowan]

He's right. U-Haul has a listed of authorized tow vehicles and authorized vehicles to be loaded. Any Ford SUV is OK except for the Exploder. In the past, you couldn't get one for the Cobra, simply because it was not in their data base. That was OK, except that if something happened the insurance may not cover it.

BUT, that has changed. I just went to their web site and looked it up. A '66 Cobra 427 is now in the data base. You can rent one and list that as your cargo. Now the insurance will cover it without too much hassle if something bad happens.

Before I bought my trailer, I rented from U-Haul. I didn't have an air dam, and loading and tie down was pretty simple. I just drove it onto the trailer, and then drove it off. Not a big deal. But if yours is lower or the ramps are short, you can use a couple sections of 2x12 to make it easier.

I happened to be in Pep Boys this morning. They have a new product (for them) called "Auto Wrap". Temporary clear bra for paint protection. On an open trailer, I might put some of that on the front.

What about when it rains? Spring time across the great plains can be pretty wet.

[NC Jim]

I have used the U-Haul trailer a couple of times. As mentioned above you can specify 427 cobra in their site and it will tell you what you need. The sight reccomends the 2X12's, so I used them but am not sure it was necessary. You should not have any problems. Have fun with it.
Jim.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I used a U-Haul a few years ago for a 1500 mile tow on a different car that weighed about what our Roadsters weigh. One thing I'd recommend, as with ANY trailer, is to inspect it carefully in advance and monitor it during the pull. I had a trailer tire blow out during my tow and it was not fun, although I did get stopped without any further damange

Make sure the trailer tires are inflated properly and have good tread and no obvious bulges. Rock each tire/wheel sideways from the top to see if you can detect any play in the wheel bearings. While driving, put your hand up against every wheel bearing center cap to see if one has an inordinate amount of heat, which would be an indicator that the bearing is in trouble. Also recheck your straps at every stop. If the straps that they give you look worn, buy a couple of your own at any auto parts store and give yourself added insurance.

Check and doublecheck the lights and safety chains. Put a dab of chassis grease on your trailer ball before mounting.

HAVE FUN!!!! I towed a friend's Roadster from Philly to northern Joisey last year and the looks and honks and thumbs-ups that you get a just a hoot. Good luck!!

[timmil]

Everyone thanks for your responses, I am definitely resting easier about this. I plan on purchasing a Serpent Express but that can't happen until I find someplace to store it. Ahh, the joys of city living... Anyway my main concern has been is the uHaul trailer wide enough or will I have issues with sidepipe clearance. Based on everyone's response I am going to assume that it is not an issue. Now to just convince the boss that I need the time off of work....

- Tim

[rich grsc]

I used U-haul trailers twice for my completed car, no problems at all, and yes cobra's are in their data base, two years ago. The only thing to watch far, is the angle of the ramps. To make absolutely sure I had clearance, I used the tongue jack to raise the front of the trailer slightly, leave the trailer connected to the tow vehicle.

[AZPete]

Tim, I've used a UHaul 3 times and agree with all tips above. This was to the DMV on a rainy day before paint. Do you like my custom tonneau cover? (Don't do this if painted!)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb180/AZPeteCobra/ToDMV2-15-08.jpg

Pete

[AJ Roadster NJ]

With all due respect to AZPete, I would not load the car that far forward on the trailer. Your want the tongue weight to be in the 250 lb range. I would move the car back somewhere between a foot and 18" from what you see in the picture, to get the Roadster center of gravity just slightly ahead of the trailer wheels.

AJ

[David Hodgkins]

AJ,

The U-Haul trailer is designed to lock the front wheels against the front of the trailer by cinching the wheels as shown above. It's shows the correct loading position for those trailers. I then used 4 car tie-down straps to further hold it in place.

HTH,

:)

[Larry N. Johnson]

Small Serpent Express trailers can get stored into most garages with the roadster inside.
FYI
http://serpentexpress.com/images/08574cfd705b1600aca13cbc63839ab9.jpg