Towing Help, Yes or No?

[Number4]

I believe the U-Haul trailers have hydraulic brakes.

To rent a U-Haul trailer with your Explorer, just go anywhere other than an actual U-Haul place. Around here, gas stations, storage yards, repair shops and pretty much anyone, rents U-Haul equipment.

I rented one of their non car hauler trailers last year from a custom bike shop to move my daughter.

If your bearing has play, you are moments away from catastrophe. When they fail, they usually don't exhibit any play.

 

[colintrax]

Is there play with the tire mounted on the truck?

IMO you should avoid uhaul. Crappy trailers, and why support a company that doesn't want our business?
I doubt you'll need a brake controller, I don't know how the 3rd Gen system works. If you have a 7 pin it should be fine though. However I think most rental places have surge brakes. So all you need is a 4 pin

 

[colintrax]

Sorry for the double post. The new pads won't be happy unless you get the rotors resurfaced at a minimum. I always suggest new rotors. Cheap insurance

 

[Joe in NY]

Thanks I appreciate the feedback, how did the engine do, I know the 4.6 only has 290ish pound feet of torque so it's not going to be effortlessly but I don't want to be WOT all the time I would like to run at 3k rpm max, I won't be going over 50 since it's quite a bit of weight and uhaul says not to exceed 55, but I just want to make sure It won't struggle as bad as I think it will, thanks!

These motors are only 240 hp yes... It is the transmission that really makes it feel gutless! Our suburban will downshift (4 speed) and rev up to 2,000 rpms to climb hills when empty. (2,500 when full of people and luggage..). The explorer will down shift and rev to 3,000 rpm+ empty for the same hills! (suburban is almost 7,000lbs while explorer is 4,400 lbs...)

You will be revving 3,000+ because of the transmission. Not the engine. Honestly, when the torque converter finally lockup, and you give it gas, this engine does feel a bit gutsy as it will accelerate the explorer just fine from 40 and up while keeping a locked torque converter.

 

[anthonymtz]

I believe the U-Haul trailers have hydraulic brakes.

To rent a U-Haul trailer with your Explorer, just go anywhere other than an actual U-Haul place. Around here, gas stations, storage yards, repair shops and pretty much anyone, rents U-Haul equipment.

I rented one of their non car hauler trailers last year from a custom bike shop to move my daughter.

If your bearing has play, you are moments away from catastrophe. When they fail, they usually don't exhibit any play.

Ok thanks, I'll check it out, and yea it has a little play so I'm looking for somthing online to replace it with... I used a ebay hub assembly on my sister's 04 impala and no problems yet so I may try that route as for rotors I'll buy them off of amazon or ebay sp that's not a issue, I didn't think it would be that serious! Thanks for the information!

 

[anthonymtz]

Is there play with the tire mounted on the truck?

IMO you should avoid uhaul. Crappy trailers, and why support a company that doesn't want our business?
I doubt you'll need a brake controller, I don't know how the 3rd Gen system works. If you have a 7 pin it should be fine though. However I think most rental places have surge brakes. So all you need is a 4 pin

Yes, if I wiggle it at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and the 9 and 3 o'clock position it has some movement I was really disappointed when I noticed it. As for the trailer I'm not sure where else to go and rent one? Is there a company I don't know about? Thanks I appreciate your time and help!

 

[anthonymtz]

These motors are only 240 hp yes... It is the transmission that really makes it feel gutless! Our suburban will downshift (4 speed) and rev up to 2,000 rpms to climb hills when empty. (2,500 when full of people and luggage..). The explorer will down shift and rev to 3,000 rpm+ empty for the same hills! (suburban is almost 7,000lbs while explorer is 4,400 lbs...)

You will be revving 3,000+ because of the transmission. Not the engine. Honestly, when the torque converter finally lockup, and you give it gas, this engine does feel a bit gutsy as it will accelerate the explorer just fine from 40 and up while keeping a locked torque converter.

Ok I got ya, thanks for the information!

 

[colintrax]

Avoid ebay and go to rockauto. There's a 5% coupon on here, and they're by far the cheapest.

There's multiple rental companies, idk what's in your area. You'll just have to search. If uhaul is your only option I guess it'll work... but I'd avoid them if at all possible.

 

[Joe in NY]

Avoid ebay and go to rockauto. There's a 5% coupon on here, and they're by far the cheapest.

There's multiple rental companies, idk what's in your area. You'll just have to search. If uhaul is your only option I guess it'll work... but I'd avoid them if at all possible.

Careful.. last summer rock auto sent me a bunch of wrong parts and screwed me on returns. They would not do one little thing about it...

Also, go get the best of best bearings/hubs. SKF on ebay. We got one for $160 for our suburban while Napa price is $300

 

[dla]

Avoid ebay and go to rockauto. There's a 5% coupon on here, and they're by far the cheapest.

There's multiple rental companies, idk what's in your area. You'll just have to search. If uhaul is your only option I guess it'll work... but I'd avoid them if at all possible.

Rock Auto is the best I've found - I spend a lot of money annually with them. Parts Geek is sometimes cheaper, but they don't package parts very well and ground shipping can be rough. Timken bearings are all I use.

I never understood U-haul's position on Explorers.

 

[Number4]

Timkin and Moog are both value line hub bearings. They are just reboxed 'white box' units. Timkin only makes roller style bearings. I'd buy Timkin rear wheel bearings.
In fact, if you by SKF rear wheel bearings, they will be Timkin. But for the fronts, for a car I'm keeping, it's only SKF.

 

[jayyzar]

Before you do anything, repair the play in the wheels. That's a safety issue, with or with out a trailer. Take it easy on hills and dont do more than 50MPH. Keep an eye on the trailer and get off the gas if you see the trailer start to sway left and right. Remember to cross the chains and place the breakaway chain directly yo the car.

I have towed with my own and U haul trailers from an actual uhaul location with my mountaineer, no issues. Just take it easy, be sure to brake early because you car has more weight than normal. UHaul car trailers use hydraulic brakes so it makes no difference if you have a brake controller or not. All Uhaul trailers use 4 pin and an 2" ball.

On the trailer its self make sure you put the safety chain to the front of the car. I used 2 extra 2" cargo straps on the back end as well to reduce the chance of the car shifting on the trailer. Stay safe