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Hauling a truc

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by Rockridge, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    So I'm in process to purchase a truck from Japan. It will be shipped to NY, about a 5 hour drive each way for me. I have a 5x10 landscape trailer with low sides. Does anyone have any input as to this plan. I believe the truck will fit. I will be bring some steel ramps so the front of the truck could be moved more forward (get the bumper up and over the front rail). I have a couple of months to rework this plan if necessary. Tow vehicle is y 04 Chevy Astro. Plenty of towing capacity.
     
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  2. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    As you can see from my avatar my truck is on my 6 x 12 tilt bed trailer. I installed over a dozen heavy duty D rings around the perimeter and floor of the trailer . While your truck is going to fit onto your 5 x 10 trailer, you are going to wish you had extra room to make your tie downs go down at an angle. On my Suzuki Carry, there was only one factory installed D ring welded to the chassis in the front. I would highly recommend you add as many tie down points as possible to the floor of your trailer to provide you as many tie down options as possible. While I used a heavy duty strap to hold down the front of the truck , I would only use at least a 3/8th's chain on the rear of the vehicle. In my case I wrapped the chain over and around the rear spring perches as my Suzuki (like probably every other stock minitruck) did not come with a rear bumper as standard equipment, or anything else to fix a tie down to. In the event of having to make a panic stop, all of the mass of the item being towed is going to be thrown forwards. I don't know what your experience in towing is, but since it sounds like you're going to be going quite a distance, likely over many types of road surfaces, you have to prepare for the worse event that could happen. I only had to tow mine for about 30 minutes but in addition to the chain, I also used a safety rope in case the chain ever failed. Don't take a chance with your new investment. After you tow it for an initial 5 to 10 minutes, and then every hour after that, pull your vehicle over an re-check all the tension on the tie down points. As with towing anything, use an abundance of caution while driving. Drive slower, use a longer braking distance, make sure all the vehicle and trailer lights work, etc.
     

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  3. Double M Farm

    Double M Farm New Member

    I towed my '94 Suzuki Carry on my 5x8 Lowes trailer. Yes it was a tight fit but it worked fine. I put two 1' pieces of 2x8 boards under each front wheel so that the front of the truck would clear the front of the trailer. The wheel base of my truck is approx 8' so again it was a tight fit. The front was sticking over and the rear was hanging over as well. This kept the trailer ramp from coming all the way up so I pulled it up against the back of truck and used ratchet straps to hold it. I then strapped it down on rear by going over frame behind rear wheels (just over gas tank). I then ran a strap through the cab with doors open and then closed doors once strap was tight. My trip was just over three hours and I stopped twice to check everything. Made it with no problems. As ed said (and I'm sure you know) take your time and drive careful. Enjoy the trip, good luck and welcome to the "mini family".:)
     
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  4. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    I like the heads up comments! Make sure everything is secure, and tight! More battery covers have been lost in transport over the years, by not being secure! Take extra straps, and tie downs, bungy cords, and double check everything, even if it appears to be secured! Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
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  5. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Thanks for all the input. Done lots of towing, was concerned about the width of a mini. My trailer is rated for 2500lbs so I should be good there. I'll be packing chain and chain binders and some 3" heavy duty ratchet straps, tools and AAA. Bidding on a truck tonight.
     
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  6. Double M Farm

    Double M Farm New Member

    Sounds like you're all set, good luck with the bid and keep us posted.
     
  7. ed nap

    ed nap Member

    One more thought on the towing subject, grease the bearings before you leave, and don't forget the spare tire for the trailer!
     
  8. This applies to a DD51T but I would assume it would apply to most minitrucks.
    Recently picked up and transported vehicle from dealer to home (over 300 miles).
    Rented a U-Haul 6 X 12 open Landscape trailer – the one with the small tailgate (or open rear) priced was $30 a day (they do “local” rental on these only ) DO NOT get the one with the ramp – not enough side clearance.

    Helpful Hint: Do not rent sight unseen, as I went to three different U-haul locations until I found one I deemed roadworthy for transit – these trailers are cheap to rent and used and abused!

    I used separate removeable ramps (riding lawnmower style) & drove it in but you could probably push it in/winch it in with some car maint. ramps as trailer tailgate is chain link adjustable and can act as a “ramp”.
    I put some padding (old moving blanket/carboard) between front of carry and front wall of trailer – snugged the Carry up tight to the front – put in gear, set parking brake.
    I was able to drive it in then shimmy out the door – check the driver’s girth before doing this

    If unable to shimmy out then push or winch in – leave window down – reach in and set brake when you have it snugged up. You should be able to crack door and roll up window.

    At the end you want vehicle centered on trailer and snugged up tight to fwd trailer wall

    Ran a strap around rear of vehicle just below tailgate and above lights and ratcheted in tight pulling vehicle forward & down to minimize and fore/aft as well as vertical movement (pulled Carry forward and down). Then ran two straps from Carry frame (just forward of rear wheels to trailer sidewall rails (left side & right respectively) to limit lateral movement. Shut trailer tailgate (feet to spare). Drove home via interstate (at IH speeds) and zero trailer movement or Carry movement – key is to get Carry weight forward of trailer CG and centered.

    Do a walkaround and secure remove any loose things on your minitruck (battery covers, etc) push mirrors in flat, common sense stuff - as your minitruck will be seeing speeds/air flow much higher than designed for.
     

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  9. Rockridge

    Rockridge New Member

    Thanks for all the input.

    I won an auction yesterday on a 1992 Carry, 4wd with diff lock, grade 3.5 with only 12,000 kilometers on it. Just getting into the paperwork on it now. I'll start a real thread on it when I have more info.
     
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  10. Double M Farm

    Double M Farm New Member

    Congratulations!!! Now the fun begins!!
     

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