Need some advice and you guys always seem to come through.

I'm taking a one way trip from FL to AZ next month and need to take a U-haul trailer for some of my belongings.

My truck is a 1997 V6 4.2.

Anyone have any advice or constructive comments?

 

what size trailer? have you checked the specs of your owners manual?

 

it's a 5x8 trailer here are the specs on it.

Specifications Empty weight: 900 lbs
Max load: 1,800 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight (trailer plus load): 2,700 lbs
Tow hitch required: Class 1 (2,000 lb. minimum rating)
Hitch ball: 1 7/8, 2 or 2 1/8, (2,000 lb. minimum)

Don't have my owners manual available to me at the moment.

The Uhaul rep I talked to yesterday told me that I should be able to use the ball hitch to tow it rather than having the trailer hitch installed. For some reason I'm just uneasy about that as I've never towed anything before and don't want my bumper to be torn off.

 

I pulled a 5x8 uhaul trailer from Jacksonville Florida to Austin Texas last November. I have a 2002 4.2 V6. We had the trailer completely loaded and pulled about 70-75 mph all the way. Above that it started shaking too badly. I do have a trailer hitch on mine. I used to pull my boat with just the bumper and never had problems with it.

Since you have a 97 4.2, I would have it checked out first because of the problems with that year.

 

Already been through those problems.

Going to Uhaul afterwork