Need Help! I Am Driving A 17' Uhaul From Portland,oregon To Topeka,kansas

[shannon c]

I was wondering if anyone has any info about what I can expect as far as gas mileage goes for a 17'ft uhaul with an auto transport trailer? How much gas might cost for the whole trip? I am also open to suggestions as to which route I should take. I am moving from Portland,OR to Topeka,KS. I will be moving on May 26, 2008 Thanks, Shannon

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA forum!

If I remember correctly from the last time I made a cross country move with this same 17ft+AT set up, I think I got between 8-10 mpg.

The most straightforward route would be I-84 to I-80 to I-25 to I-70. That's about 1800 miles, so you'd be looking at up to $900-1000 for fuel costs.

[Foy]

Shannon-

I suspect Midwest Michael is right on target. I would feel very fortunate in that rig if I saw 10 mpg. On flat ground, any attempts to make speed will cost you dearly due to the dramatic increases in aerodynamic drag above 55-60 mph or so. So, you might resign yourself to 60-65 mph if it'll even do that. You'll probably have the throttle pegged on uphill stretches, anyway, so trying to make up time on the flat spots will probably murder your mileage.

Foy

[Kirby]

It was 9 years ago. I was 3 months pregnant. I drove from Va Beach to Seneca County, NY (near Ithaca). I got a Uhaul- Don't remember exactly how big- but it was between 15-20 feet. I attached my car to the back.

I was alone with 3 cats. It took me two days and I never drove faster than 50 MPH. It was the ONLY trip in my life where I NEVER passed another car. I probably broke a record or something. But, it said to not go over 45 mph with a car attached.

It was hell going up and down the mountains in PA. Plus, I was throwing up constantly (from nerves and being pregnant).

My favorite part of the trip was having to ask truckers to help me get out of the freggin parking lots. You can't drive backwards. I couldn't back up out of spots. I was clueless. Thankfully strangers helped me.

Then 6 months later I drove from Seneca County to Long Island with another truck. This time I drove my car home and took the train back. It was a little easier, but I was 8 months pregnant and 1 of the 3 cats decided to throw up and poop all over his crate. He almost ran away from me on the highway, when I tried to change his towel.

Then I went over a bridge and didn't realize that the toll was higher for trucks, so I had to find an ATM. It took me about an hour.

Basically, it was very hard and I would never do it alone again (not that I had a choice last time).

I have no idea what the MPG was on the trip. I was just happy to make it home in one piece :)

[Midwest Michael]

A few things, if you are using the Auto Transport, then you will towing with all 4 wheels of your car off the ground and you will be able to back up. Its only the 2 wheel tow dolly where you can't back up. Of course backing any trailer if you don't have experience is tricky, and its even moreso when you are dealing with such a large combination.

You certainly do have to pay attention to where you park, anyway. I did get caught in a mom/pop motel parking lot where I had to do an "Austin Powers" type turn around, but that was because I drove a little too late and didn't pay enough attention to the lot before I parked.

As far as speed, the 45mph max UHaul says for pulling a trailer, simply isn't realistic and has always struck me as a weak attempt on their part to avoid liability in case of an accident under normal circumstances. Typically I'll drive quite slow (50-55) for the first few miles while I'm getting used to the set up, however once you're more comfortable, you shouldn't have any problems maintaining more normal highway speeds (65-70 mph). They're really isn't a power problem, I made it through Colorado on I-70 while only losing a little speed going over the pass, and I got the truck/trailer up to 80-85 while crusing through Kansas (though that was pretty stupid, I wouldn't recommend it). Just remember any time you are dealing with a big truck and/or trailer, its going to take you a lot more time to stop so leave far more distance than you think you'd ever need.

One more little bit of advice, make friends with the people at your local UHaul place. Let them know that you're going cross country and if possible you'd like the newest truck available. If they have trucks available, and you have a good attitude, they often will do what they can to meet your request.

[Kirby]

NOW you tell me Michael. Where were you 9 years ago? LOL

Kirby

[Midwest Michael]

About 9 years ago, one of my summers jobs was working in a store that rented U-Hauls!

Of course at the time I could fit all of my stuff inside my car -and did on many occations- it wasn't till a couple years later that I started needing to use them myself.

[Kirby]

Just checking - LOL

[nsurgnie]

So, I was poking around on the internet looking for gas millage of a 17' uhaul with an AT, since my wife and I are moving from Portland, OR (Beaverton) to Houston, TX (Jersey Village) May 30th - June 7th.

And then I ran across this... small world really. :)

I've never towed anything this great of a distance before, a couple of short (>100 mi) tows of some things back in the midwest, so my experience with this will be interesting.

Other than staying on highways and just being careful, does anyone have any good advice?

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I'd say the single best advice I can give you is to stay within your own comfort zone. Don't be afraid to drive much slower than the rest of traffic while you get used to the large truck. Get on an interstate and sit in the right lane, where the other traffic can go around you.

I'd also recommend try to avoid situations where you have to back up. If you aren't used to backing up a trailer, this isn't the ideal situation to learn. With the AT, you can back up if you get yourself stuck somewhere you don't want to be, but you'll save yourself some stress if you only need to drive forward.