Envision this if you would

[Farmwithjunk]

One of these days I'll learn to keep my camera with me. But until that time, I'll just have to describe what I just saw. From our front porch, I can see a Christian Church across the hayfield next to the house. There's a big parking lot behind it. Someone who's obviously moving away from our little town was hooking up a trailer to a U-Haul truck. (U-Haul trailer too) On the trailer they were loading a Ford pick-up truck. (so far not too shocking) In the bed of the truck was what appeared to be the contents of a typical garage. It was stacked well over the cab of the truck. The pick-up had the back bumper almost pinned to the ground. When they drove it up on the trailer, it almost raised the back of the box van off the ground. Probably raised the rear of the van 6" to 8". And it was already loaded with furniture/household items. (Back door was open) The tail end of the trailer was almost dragging the ground as they drove off.

My queston is, does U-Haul spend any time with their customers informing them how to load a truck or trailer? Do they share any liability when someone has a wreck or causes a wreck due to improperly loading their rental vehicle?

 

[ronjhall]

My question is, does U-Haul spend any time with their customers informing them how to load a truck or trailer? Do they share any liability when someone has a wreck or causes a wreck due to improperly loading their rental vehicle?

Yes they do. I rented a car hauler in AZ last April. Stopped at a UHaul dealer first. They put my Astro Van AWD in their computer. They would not rent me a car hauler because it weighs 4400 lbs. That is 400 lbs over the limit that is allowed for their trailer. I needed the trailer. So I went to a independent UHaul dealer. Didn't tell them Astro Van was a AWD. This puts weight at a 4000 lbs. When you rent a UHaul trailer you are supposed to have the tow and towed vehicles when picking up the trailer. They inspect both vehicle's and show how to hook them up. They also inspect hitch for a load rating of 6000 lbs. Could not pull with my Astro Van because it is only rated for 5000 lbs. We did not have the tow vehicle availble for UHaul inspection. It was being delivered to us in NM to avoid having to pay AZ taxes.
The one you saw probably did not have the vehicle that was being towed at the site. There are warnings signs all over their trucks and trailers telling you what the limits are. The car hauler we rented had a recommended max speed of 45 mph. That would mean that it could not be towed on many highways that have minumum speed of 50 mph.

 

[firemanpat2910]

or they drove the pick up to uhaul empty, Then over loaded it. Its amazing to me that some people are clueless. Ive been to many a wreck in my 20 years as a fireman due to over loaded, not tied down, or too much or too little tounge weight.

 

[Iowachild]

or they drove the pick up to uhaul empty, Then over loaded it. Its amazing to me that some people are clueless. Ive been to many a wreck in my 20 years as a fireman due to over loaded, not tied down, or too much or too little tounge weight.

I don't believe people who don't tow on a regular basis know just how dangerous too little tongue weight can be.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I don't believe people who don't tow on a regular basis know just how dangerous too little tongue weight can be.

Something tells me these people know that by now. I can't imagine how bad that rig must have handled the first time it got up to speed. Even with a 20'(+) loaded box van pulling it, I'm sure it was a handful at best.

This rig didn't have "not enough tongue weight", it had just the opposite. The tongue was lifting UP on the hitch.

I'm guessing that was a 7000lb trailer, or close to that. Just a guess (again) I'd say there was close to that just with the cargo, not including the trailers weight.

I didn't see it along the way to work this morning, so they at least made it out of town.