Uhaul Auto Transport?

Docthrock · 04-24-2008, 07:48 AM

I need to tow my NEW passion back home from the dealer. I haven't been able to find a weekday driver to go over with me to Indianapolis to get my new car, so I'm going to have to tow it.

Uhaul doesn't have any dollies, but they do have an Auto Transport trailer in stock that will tow all four wheels off the ground. It isn't a flatbed, it has rails for wheels/tires.

The trailer rails at the widest are 74 inches and 42 at the narrowest, and I know the smart is some 61 inches wide. The big question is the inner wheel dimensions on the smart. It looks like with low profile cars (or super short wheelbase cars) that I might have to SHIM the wheels with some 2 x 10s at the front of the transport, too.

Anyone already use a Uhaul Auto Transport to move their fortwo? Anyone know the inner dimensions of the wheels? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: The inner edge of the rails on the transport are about 42 inches apart, so the smart SHOULD fit on there without problem.

**Old smart** · 04-24-2008, 07:53 AM

Is this a new US 451? If so, "smart 1" service should be towing a disbled smart to the dealer for you for free. 1-(800) 762-7887.

N.B. I miss read "back from." I haven't had it clarified if smart 1 includes return towing.

**SmartCard** · 04-24-2008, 08:06 AM

Why did you need a tow "back from the dealer?" Isn't it running...or you just don't want to drive it? (as Old Smart pointed out- if you need to tow to the dealer, that should be covered.)

brian r · 04-24-2008, 08:49 AM

I've rented trailers from UHaul to transport restoration cars and they work fine.

E-SMART · 04-24-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docthrock

I need to tow my passion back from the dealer. Uhaul doesn't have any dollies, but they do have an Auto Transport trailer in stock that will tow all four wheels off the ground. It isn't a flatbed, it has rails for wheels/tires.

The trailer rails at the widest are 79 inches, and I know the smart is some 61 inches wide. The big question is the inner rail dimensions on the trailer and the inner wheel dimensions on the smart.

Anyone already use a Uhaul Auto Transport to move their fortwo? Anyone know the inner dimensions of the wheels? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Last summer I used a UHaul car trailer for my son's Scion xA which is 66.7 inches wide and it fit fine width-wise on the trailer. I seem to recall that it had fairly wide rails for the car to drive up on (seem to recall some using one for golf carts which are even more narrow than a smart) so you should be OK. I also think that if you contact your local UHaul center that they could do a quick measurement for you. BTW, the trailer worked great for us - towed it behind a Uhaul truck from Chicago to NH without any issues.

**Old smart** · 04-24-2008, 09:34 AM

The deciding factor will probably be the inner track between the front wheels - the distance between the sidewalls of the front tires.

Dave Van · 04-24-2008, 09:55 AM

I have used U-Haul trailers a number of times with good service. While I have towed small cars nothing as small as my Smart. Like other have said, go down to the local U-Haul and measure the width.....I have had a problem with U-Haul trailers too narrow so they might work for a Smart. Do you just WANT to tow it back? I kinda understand...I thought about that when I bought mine as it was a almost 4 hour drive...

Docthrock · 04-24-2008, 10:15 AM

I am going to pick up my NEW passion, which is why I need a trailer. It's quite a distance to the dealership from my home and can't find a weekday driver to go over with me. But there is a Uhaul up the street from my office, and my pickup truck has a tow hitch. Sure will be nice to stop driving my 14 mpg Chevy!

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like I'm going to be OK. Just hate to rent a trailer, go 100 miles and find it won't fit.

So if anyone has actually used a Uhaul Auto Carrier for a new smart in the US, and/or knows the dimensions between the wheels, I would appreciate the feedback.

I'll try to clarify my first post....

**SmartCard** · 04-24-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docthrock

I am going to pick up my NEW passion, which is why I need a trailer. It's quite a distance to the dealership from my home and can't find a weekday driver to go over with me..

ahhh, I see! That's too bad - it would be much more fun to drive it home, then to tow it home!

(Any volunteers here to help a fellow Hoosier out?)

Docthrock · 04-24-2008, 10:32 AM

Yeah, if someone wants to go for a ride from Clinton or Terre Haute to Indy and back, I'd be happy to take volunteers. My Dad really wanted to come, but he has a service guy coming to his house, been scheduled for like 6 weeks, and he's not breaking that commitment come hell or highwater. All the buds gotta work for a living, too. Guess I could wait until Saturday (instead of Friday) to get it, then there would be lots of volunteers. But heck, I'm tired of waiting. I got it bad!

Towing it home does kind of suck, but the trailer is only $50. And it will save others some hassle, and/or me a trip all the way back. And you can just bet that I'll put plenty of miles on it soon as I get it back.

Uhaul Transports? Dimensions? Anyone? Bueller?