Jinma 254 fit on a U-Haul auto transport???

tigers2007 · Sep 23, 2010

This is driving me nuts - does anyone know the minimum width of a U-Haul Auto Transport? I have used them before but I can't find any data on the spacing of the ramps.

I suppose I'm looking for "what is the track width of a Jinma 254"

I see that U-Haul advertises that their haulers can't take anything over 75" and that the treadplate width is 17". So by adding both treadplate measurements together (34) and subtracting that from 75, I get 41" of possible open dead space in the middle of the trailer. I hope this correct...

beenthere · Sep 23, 2010

Last I checked, they would only rent for auto transport. Not tractors.
Did you get any indication of that restriction when you rented before?

Do the measurements you calculated fit the Jinma?

tigers2007 · Sep 23, 2010

If I tell U-Haul that I'm hauling a "2000 Ford Escort", they don't have any concerns. In fact, the last time I rented an auto transport, the store rep plugged in some odd car just to make the computer complete the order. He could really care less.

I don't have a tractor yet to measure

So it comes down to, is the "track width" of the front tires greater than 41"? Or realistically, is it more than 41" from inside to inside of the front tires?

Diamondpilot · Sep 23, 2010

One issue you may have is there are 2 widths for the front tires to be set at and 4 tires to set the rears at. I have my fronts wide and my rears on the 3rd out of 4 setting wide. I have R1 Ag tires and my inner width is about 42 and my outer width is 56 on the fronts and 62 on the rears.

Its all going to come down if its set at wide stance on the fronts and rears both.

Chris

Bob Rooks · Sep 23, 2010

How about just renting a flatbed trailer?:thumbsup:

OKnewguy · Sep 23, 2010

Some uhauls have a 14/16' tandem utility trailer. I rented one to buy my jinma and towed 400 or so miles home without any problems.
Dave

tigers2007 · Sep 24, 2010

The tandem utility trailer "scares me" because it it has a max load of 2100 lbs. Its my understanding that a Jinma 254 with a FEL would be more than 1000 lbs over that. If something were to happen; I would rather not have that count against me. The seller contacted me and gave me the track width which sounded good.

It ended up being a debocle to get a trailer from U-Haul; a pure disaster.

I'm kinda pissed at U-Haul. The kid had me almost completed with the rental paperwork and BOOM - "oh I'm very sorry, the trailer is out of service due to needed repairs". I wasn't mad; told him that I understood and left. As I was pulling out around the building, I noticed the damaged "auto transport" trailer but I also noticed one right next to it in good condition. I went back into the store and advised him of this. He stated - "Oh that is not for local rental". HUH???? OKAY - I said, "Well how much to rent it from here and take it to the (2 miles away) U-Haul location?" BOOM - $89.95.

Of course, the other location had already closed so I couldn't go there for a trailer. I just gave up and left. I think its silly that they specifically keep a car trailer JUST for one way.

I made arrangements to borrow a flatbed trailer for free on Saturday.