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Fri Nov 22, 2002 4:30 pm

In two weeks I will be going to pick up my 64 Bus. I will be renting a u-haul car trailer but am not sure exactly how to secure the bus to the trailer. I have read enough disaster stories that I want to make SURE I do it correctly.

I would also appreciate any other trailering Type II tips people may have.

Fri Nov 22, 2002 4:53 pm

I used the U-haul auto-transport trailer for my doublecab and it worked well. The trailer should come equipped w/ front tire straps. I also brought my own ratchet tie downs to secure the rear. One strap from the left side of tranny mount to the right side of the trailer, and vica versa w/ the second strap. I stopped after the initial 30 miles and retightened everything and it was fine for the next 500 @ 85 mph....until I blew a retread on the trailer. LOL Make sure to inspect the tires before you accept the trailer from U-haul.

Sat Nov 23, 2002 12:35 am

you've got to watch the slack bastards at u-haul. Make sure the trailer is secured to the tow vehicle well. I had a guy buying a bus from me pick up a u-haul trailer in town. it made it the 5 miles to my house but when we pushed the bus on the trailer the tounge poped up off the ball as the jack ass at u-haul forgot to screw down the catch. also check your lights, and if the trailer looks shitty and tired don't be afraid to demand another(asking nice usually doesn't get it for those guys, but you can try it) they are known for neglecting their equipment, half the new stuff is broken, I'm affraid of the old. Securing the rear is definetly a good idea too. If you don't have straps you can attach the rear snugly with a piece of chain before you tighten the front down and it'll tighten up as the front pulls tight. I like to connect to the torsion tubes. I also had no problems at hwy speeds. checked the load at every stop. when I droped it off I had to unhook it from the truck, kid couldn't figure it out(same u-haul that failed to properly connect the trailer previously mentioned). On the bright side he did call me back and say "you forgot your wiring thing" and gave me the u-haul adapter for the lights inspite of the large u-haul logo on it.

Sat Nov 23, 2002 9:28 am

I recently moved from central CA to Oak Harbor, WA and trailered my '66 E-Z Camper. I do not use U-haul because their equipment is not maintained and it's usually more expensive than others anyway. I used Budget/Ryder and rented a tandem axle car carrier and was pleased with it. It had front tire straps as well as chains at the front and rear. Looped one around the front beam and the rear around the "U" support at the frame horns and was just fine. Towed it for 2 days @ 65mph and forgot it was back there. . . Forget U-Haul!! Good luck!!

Nate
http://www.nateswaterart.com/vw/

Sat Nov 23, 2002 9:59 am

Nate makes a good point..but Uhaul is the only company I found that will rent the trailer w/o a truck to go with it. Ryder/Budget will only rent the trailer and truck combo. I also learned that it was cheaper to rent the Uhaul trailer locally and tow it both ways rather than get one up closer to where I was picking up the Doublecab and just tow one way. $50 bucks a day vs. $400 for a one way, 500 mile trek. It was also very difficult to obtain the trailer on the day I had scheduled, even though I had made reservations well in advance. I came very close to missing my planned departure day , which was very frustrating. If it weren't for some 11th hour string pulling by a sympathetic Uhaul employee, I might've been delayed by as much as two days.