UHaul open car hauler for a Model T?

jwilliams81

jwilliams81

Senior Member
I am thinking about buying a 1923 Model T Touring car.

I do not have an enclosed trailer.

Do you guys think I could use an open trailer to get it home?
What speeds should I stay at? Stay off the highway?

Any other advice?

Thank you
 
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The U-Haul open car carriers are OK for moving cars that are on wheels but most of them are open between the rails that the wheels ride in. They are not flat beds. For moving a body only, I'd recommend at least a flat bed trailer so that the body could be better supported. Open trailers are risky for long distances. Inclement weather or accidents on the road are always a possibility. For shorter distances, the risk factor decreases according to the amount of time on the road.


Speed depends on several factors. Trailer tires are made for load capacity more than speed but they can sustain highway speeds if the load is light. If you use a tarp to cover the load then it will have to be well secured all the way around. They tend to flap in the breeze and that can damage the tarp and the load so that can also factor in on the road speed.
 
Don't tell UHaul you are carrying a car body.

I called them about renting a open trailer to carry my 1200 lb. speedster, they said I had to have a trailer rated to haul an auto. And they said that my Ranger pick up was not permitted to pull that type of trailer,

so they would rent me a car haul trailer and truck to pull it for $500/day!!!

I bought a trailer which has paid for itself many times over.
 
Without knowing more information on what all you are getting, why not just haul it in the pickup? If you are worried about it getting wet, put a tarp over it.
 
Opps, sorry... I meant the entire car. Changed the original post.

The car is about an hour and a half away.

Would it be ok to use an open trailer to get the car home?
 
Go for an adventure and drive it home, it'll save you money and you will know what you bought when you turn in your driveway.
 
jwilliams81 said:
I am thinking about buying a 1923 Model T Touring car.

I do not have an enclosed trailer.

Do you guys think I could use an open trailer to get it home?
What speeds should I stay at? Stay off the highway?

Any other advice?

Thank you
Click to expand...

Uhaul will only rent you a car hauler trailer if the car you put on it is declared and actually listed on the rental agreement.

That is for insurance purposes.

If you lie to them - there is no insurance ( liability or otherwise ).

The Seller might assist with helping you out or you can rent an open utility trailer and take side roads at slow speeds.

Jim
 
If you are in the central OHIO area I would get in touch with some of the fella's in the Tickin T's club they are touring all the time and probably have some options if there is a breakdown and in need of a tow.

The other option is if you know any one in the towing business and he could P/U and deliver for you. In my area there are several guy's that are willing to do that. Check the local model A and or V8 clubs as well.
 
If you use an open trailer, watch out for semi's roaring in the opposite direction. They could suck the glass out of the windshield or rip the top off.
 
I used a u-haul car trailer to get my 26 Roadster and later on my 31 sport coupe home. Both were 1 1/2 hours away. No problems. Worked great. I toke the freeways but I kept the speed down to about 55. Being an open car I had to take the seat bottom out and put it in my truck.
 
That would be a new one having the glass sucked out! :) If it has a top put it down and bind so stays put, take seats and hood off along with floor boards.
 
Yes it will work. Do it all the time. On the 1923 you can fold the windshield top half down.
As everyone says. Take the front floor mat and floor boards out. I’ve never taken the hood off, but with a car new to you probably a good idea. Some also take the lower seat cushions out also.
Yes fold down the top and I usually use a moving blanket and put some harbor freight orange tie downs around the folded down top to keep the wind out of it.
The U-Haul trailers usually have straps that go over the wheels to hold the car on the trailer. They may not work with the Model T wheels. You should bring
some heavy duty tie downs meant to tie down a car on a trailer with you.
Have a good trip and enjoy it when you get it home.
 
trulyvintage said:
Uhaul will only rent you a car hauler trailer if the car you put on it is declared and actually listed on the rental agreement.

That is for insurance purposes.

If you lie to them - there is no insurance ( liability or otherwise ).

The Seller might assist with helping you out or you can rent an open utility trailer and take side roads at slow speeds.

Jim
Click to expand...

This is good advice, and the reasoning makes it easier to understand.

Ironic that a load of parts from a dismantled T could be loaded on any trailer, but if together they equal a car and have special requirements.


Top speed on an open trailer should be no faster than you would drive the car.
 
The tire straps on Uhaul trailers do not fit or work on model T wheels. Trailered mine 2 weeks ago and had to use straps to the axles instead.
 
I have hauled many T's over the years with open trailers with no problems. Anything that is loose should be removed or wrapped. Now I wrap the entire car with 3 ft wide cling wrap material and cover the whole works with a tied down tarp. Tie down both axels to the trailer bed with ratchet straps and lock them. Remove the items mentioned above, like seats, floorboards, even the hood if hold downs are bad, and it should be fine. I would rent a 12 ft Aluma trailer before a U-haul unit. Just my opinion.
 
I rented a Uhaul car hauler trailer (open between the rails) and hauled my car on an 11 hour trip in the rain. At night. I stopped several times during the trip to check things and stayed at the speed Limit. The trailers are only supposed to be towed at 55 or lower.

The only problem I had was deciding how to tie it down as the wheel straps will not fit Model T wheels or tires.
 
I just bought a 23 touring and traveled 3 hours with it loaded on an open trailer and had no issues. After loading I removed and placed the following items inside my pickup, seat cushions, floor boards, hood, head light lens, reflectors, and ign. key. Also put the top down and secured with a rachet strap. I planned the trip according to the weather forcast to avoid rain and drove 55 mph.
 
Van Norman said:
I just bought a 23 touring and traveled 3 hours with it loaded on an open trailer and had no issues. After loading I removed and placed the following items inside my pickup, seat cushions, floor boards, hood, head light lens, reflectors, and ign. key. Also put the top down and secured with a rachet strap. I planned the trip according to the weather forcast to avoid rain and drove 55 mph.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is what I would basically be doing. It's nice to know you just did it and it worked out.
How hard is it to take off the hood? (New to Model T's here)
 
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