U-Haul experience

[RollingThunder]

To rent a trailer from U-Haul, I am told U-Haul has to verify the car being towed in their computer. Not surprisingly, I don't think their computer lists an Atom. Has anyone had issues with this trying to rent a trailer from U-Haul to tow your Atom?

[MadMaxAtom]

I'm sure it's so you don't put an overweight vehicle on their trailer..just say it's a Honda Civic.

[RyanD]

I have used a U-Haul trailer, and it worked fine. Just be careful about the raised rails in the center scraping the tub. The included ramps are short and steep. You can use plastic oil change ramps to extend them.

1997-ford-f-150-rear-view-with-trailer.jpg

[silver]

I gave them the vehicle that was used to haul the atom versus the atom....they don't check or anything

[Atommatt]

Their a big pain in the ASS, I had to lie to them and tell em I was pulling something totally different. If it's not on their computer, forget it. It's for insurance reasons or at least thats what they said. When we were loading it up on the trailer I backed the F150 up onto 2 short 4x4 and added some longer wood planks, maybe 6 or 8 footers. That gave me about 2" of clearance from the center rails. Nice trailer for towing the Atom though.

[jlester]

I told them I was towing a Lotus Elise (closest to the size that is on their drop down menu). To load it, we backed it on the ramps, then jacked up each ramp. Thanks to whomever posted that trick elsewhere on the forum.

To get it off, we had the tow vehicle and trailer on the street, and the ramps on my driveway. We also used two boards per side under the ramps to reduce the angle.

[RollingThunder]

Related question. Is it okay to load it front first in terms of getting the right tongue weight (10-15% of total load)? Or do I have to back the atom on to the trailer given it's rear weight bias?

[MadMaxAtom]

^Seeing as the trailer weighs more than the car,I don't think it really matters..

[McFred]

On my flat bed if I back the Atom all the way to the front I get too much tongue weight. The truck's headlights point in oncoming drivers' eyes and they flash me like I've got the brights on.

Back it on and straddle the trailer's tires with the Atom's. That should load the tongue well enough with the Atom's rear weight bias.

[BobK]

I modified my motorcycle trailer by making it 24" longer and about 4 " wider at the rear and I moved the axle to the rear but still don't have quite enough tongue weight because it still has a little sway. I bought some used barbell weights 2x50lbs and will mount them way up front and I suspect that should do it, if not I have another 35 pounder that I can lay on the front. I haven't driven it this way yet so I'm hoping that will do it.