Advice on long distance towing

[joeclark38]

Hey everyone - I've got a 67 Mustang that I'm looking to tow up from LA to Olympia, WA (about 1100 miles). I'm considering using my ST and renting a U-Haul car trailer. The math seems to work out (well below 5,600 lbs total, in the ballpark of 5,000).

The only long distance towing I've done so far was my 20' Alumaweld Blackhawk about 100 miles from Portland to Oly, which probably weighed in under 4,000 lbs. The ST towed it effortlessly, and always felt firmly in control. I use an adjustable hitch to tow the boat, and there's virtually no trailer squat from it (perhaps because of the boat's natural weight distribution).

With that in mind, I've got two generic questions.
1. Would you recommend using a distributed weight hitch to tow a U-Haul car trailer?
2. Given the length of the trip (1100 miles), any specific words of caution or dire warnings? I've made that drive probably a dozen times before, but never when towing another car.

Thanks in advance

 

[Dale5403]

The Uhaul car trailer has surge brakes so no need for a brake controller. You don't need a weight distributing hitch but when loading just make sure the car is well balanced front to back. To far forward and the rear of the Explorer will sag to much and if to far back you could have problems with swaying.

 

[1SlwST]

How was it towing? I'm about to do the same with my 01 mustang but I'm going from Vegas to olympia wa

 

[joeclark38]

How was it towing? I'm about to do the same with my 01 mustang but I'm going from Vegas to olympia wa

Haven't made the trip yet. Getting pushed back to next summer. But the Explorer tows my 20ft aluminum boat just fine. Total weight is probably around 4000 lbs, so not sure how it would be towing a heavier package like a more modern Mustang.

 

[Rocketw19]

The Uhaul car trailer has surge brakes so no need for a brake controller. You don't need a weight distributing hitch but when loading just make sure the car is well balanced front to back. To far forward and the rear of the Explorer will sag to much and if to far back you could have problems with swaying.

Agree make sure the car sits in the middle. not middle of trailer but balance weight not to much in front or back that can make a huge difference.

 

[1SlwST]

Haven't made the trip yet. Getting pushed back to next summer. But the Explorer tows my 20ft aluminum boat just fine. Total weight is probably around 4000 lbs, so not sure how it would be towing a heavier package like a more modern Mustang.

So I did it and it hauled it amazing I thought I'll have issues with the Oregon mountains but it didn't. I got about 15 - 18 mpg with the car plus all the parts and drag radials in it.

 

[Dale5403]

I'm surprised at the mileage. Better than I would have guessed. Glad to hear it.

 

[joeclark38]

Nice! Glad to hear the trip was a success.