I'm moving from Alabama to Wisconsin and am trying to figure out the most economical way to get there. I don't have much stuff -- just the bare essentials -- and have thought about getting a minidomore hitch and renting a U-Haul. Unfortunately, I have a queen sized bed, which means I'd have to get the 5x8 trailer, and I'm wondering if my mini could even pull it, or if the hitch would hold it once it was full. I have a 2007 JCW MCS Convertible.

I've looked into renting a truck and towing my mini behind, but size necessary to tow is sooo much bigger than what I need, and I don't even want to think about the gas mileage on those, let alone having to park it. Last time I made a cross country move, I filled a relo-cube and drove my mini, but they are charging me a lot more this time round (it's actually cheaper to rent the truck and tow, even with gas.)

Thoughts?

 

I've done alot of towing/hauling with my '06 MC and it tows well. I've towed a utility trailer with motorcycles, pianos, lumber, etc. I've also towed an 8' starcraft pop up camper with no problems at all.

....with that said, I haven't towed anything incredibly heavy or tall. If you are considering one of those enclosed "box" uhaul trailers, my concern would be the wind resistance from the trailer sticking up above the top of the car. If you are just wanting to use a flat 5'x8" trailer, then that wouldn't be so bad as long as you didn't over load it. My pop up camper is about that size and weighs a bit under 900#. I've driven 1000 miles or so towing it at 70 - 80 mph and that was with an MC....you would have more power than i did.

Whatever you do, do not exceed the towing limits of the car or your hitch. Remember, not only do you have to get going...you have to be able to STOP!

Good luck!

 

I'm researching the exact same thing, TCita. I originally envisioned the U-Haul enclosed trailes but gave up on that because they're too heavy. With a hitch rated for 1,400 pounds you only get ~500 pounds for stuff, and that's not a number I want to split hairs on for my precious mini and me being inexperienced with trailers. Also, U-Haul says they won't rent to someone that doesn't have a hitch for 2,000 pounds... Knowing U-Haul they probably would rent to you, then laugh at you later when something went wrong, but I wouldn't want to risk getting the guy who did check. I think they have unenclosed ones, which I didn't look at too closely.

I found http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42708 from something posted by a member here which I think will work for me. Personally, my move would be cheapest if I sent everything to myself UPS, but I just don't trust UPS not to lose some of the things I really don't want lost (like family photos). And there's also a problem of my stuff beating me to Texas from California if I stop off to see family on the way.