Uhaul cargo trailer to tranport a tank? safe? or not?

drdoolittle · 10/03/2009, 11:51 AM

I'm thinking on picking up a fairly large galss tank 350 miles away, I been having issues finding the best and most economical way on picking it up. I have an SUV, but the tank wont fit inside of it. I found this Uhaul Cargo Trailer http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...t=trailer-6x12but im not sure if it would be safe. Has anyone used this trailer before? do you think it be safe enough to transport a tank? I'm worried about the tank boucing around, i'm not sure how soft the ride on this trailer.

I was thinking on placing a foam and flat board under the tank, then shrink wrapping it.

any input will be appreciated.

thanks,

Ed

Reefugee · 10/03/2009, 12:12 PM

Ed - I haven't use that trailer, but most of the trailers I have hauled bounce around quite a bit. If you have access to a full size pickup, i would use a full size pickup instead.

However, if you use the trailer, I would recommend a LOT of blankets undernear the plywood to absorb any bouncing. Also - make sure your strap the tank down well. Good luck!

Minh

drdoolittle · 10/03/2009, 12:31 PM

thnk Minh.. thats what i'm worried about, is the boucing around. i dont want it to damage the tank or lessen the integrity of the tank.

I dont have a full size truck and i dont think both the tank and stand will fit in a truck. i might have to look for other options.

cakemanPA · 10/03/2009, 12:47 PM

I have rented cargo vans in the past to transport large tanks. The are a little more money but a much safer bet.

drdoolittle · 10/03/2009, 12:50 PM

the tank dimensions are 64x33x22 and the stand footprint is 64x34x42. I'm sure if both will fit into the cargo van. what do you think?

Hop · 10/03/2009, 12:50 PM

It would likely be just fine as long as you wrap it really well and package it good. A tank that big should weigh enough to keep if from bouncing, but my concern would be having the floor move unevenly...

Hop · 10/03/2009, 12:51 PM

To add though, I would just rent a cargo van and call it good

nsamouroux · 10/03/2009, 12:55 PM

A somewhat similar situation: I rented a uhaul flatbed trailer and towed it behind my Jeep Wrangler from Seattle, WA to South Beach, OR to pick up a 360 gallon tank and steel stand. The tank was acrylic however, so I wasn't too worried about it and just padded it well with blankets and whatnot. The trailer bounced around so badly that I would not risk that again, it took me almost 3x as long to get back to Seattle as it did driving down there, because I couldn't drive any faster than about 40mph without the trailer bouncing the tank all over the place. Scared the heck out of me, I'd never risk it with a glass setup. The Uhaul trailers are poorly made piles with no suspension whatsoever. I now have a full size pickup a year after that adventure and have been able to move other tanks with far more safety. I'd say that your best bet would be to rent a cargo van as previously mentioned and then a smaller flatbed trailer to haul the stand (if one is included with the purchase?). I definitely wouldn't want to move the stand plus tank in the same vehicle, there wouldn't be any real space for it to shift without disaster in the back of a normal cargo van. Perhaps look into a 14' box truck, that would give you PLENTY of room for both.

EDIT: The tank I moved was 8' x 3' x 2', the stand was about 34" tall with the same footprint, and it would definitely not fit side by side on a 6' wide trailer (interior dimensions are only about 5' width). The box truck is your safest option, but will cost slightly more in fuel.

drdoolittle · 10/03/2009, 01:05 PM

Sound like a corgo van and a trailer would a way to go with this. I'll look into it.

thanks for the great input.

agreeive?fish · 10/03/2009, 06:01 PM

remeber you have wheel wells inside the traliers to take into account when figuring space (and uhaul advertised deminsions donot take this into account)... that being said i did rent a uhaul trailer for my 215g glass tank (tank only the stand was in the suv)and transported it from mid area of kansas to the mid area of oklahoma i was scared crapless the whole way home with all the bouncing of the trailer.. i wont due it again because i was physicaly wore out from worry during the 2.5 hour drive

rbnice1 · 10/03/2009, 06:10 PM

I rented one to get my tank. Make sure you get a enclosed trailer and I paid the 4 bucks for full insurence. That way it my tank broke somehow it was covered.

ds4x4 · 10/03/2009, 07:34 PM

does the insurance cover the cargo..didnt think it would just the trailer

rbnice1 · 10/03/2009, 07:54 PM

Covers trailer and cargo up to like $5000.

drdoolittle · 10/03/2009, 08:42 PM

After measuring my Jeep cherokee, i found out that if i removed the rear seats. The tank will fit inside. So, it looks like i'll be placing the tank inside the Jeep and renting a trailer for the stand.

I'll be driving tomorrow morning to pick up the tank.

Thanks guys, i'll let you know how it goes.

Nuuze · 10/03/2009, 11:52 PM

Good luck Ed! Just watch out for them put holes and go slow. I picked up my Elos from Jesse in my brothers trailer. Setting it on palettes strapped down helped. The tank weighed about 500 pounds so it was not going anywhere unless you were driving crazy. Just take it slow buddy.

drdoolittle · 10/04/2009, 06:17 AM

thanks Mike.. I'll keep you posted.

mm949 · 10/04/2009, 01:44 PM

u need to ask how much weight the vechile/trailer is rated for to know if its gonna be safe

i had to use a flatbed to move this 3000lbs beast
[IMG]

[/IMG]

10/03/2009, 11:51 AM	#1
drdoolittle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 1,921	Uhaul cargo trailer to tranport a tank? safe? or not? I'm thinking on picking up a fairly large galss tank 350 miles away, I been having issues finding the best and most economical way on picking it up. I have an SUV, but the tank wont fit inside of it. I found this Uhaul Cargo Trailer http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...t=trailer-6x12but im not sure if it would be safe. Has anyone used this trailer before? do you think it be safe enough to transport a tank? I'm worried about the tank boucing around, i'm not sure how soft the ride on this trailer. I was thinking on placing a foam and flat board under the tank, then shrink wrapping it. any input will be appreciated. thanks, Ed

10/03/2009, 12:50 PM	#6
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	It would likely be just fine as long as you wrap it really well and package it good. A tank that big should weigh enough to keep if from bouncing, but my concern would be having the floor move unevenly... __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

10/03/2009, 12:51 PM	#7
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	To add though, I would just rent a cargo van and call it good __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

10/03/2009, 07:34 PM	#12
ds4x4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pennsville NJ Posts: 279	does the insurance cover the cargo..didnt think it would just the trailer __________________ -Asking her for Forgiveness is much easier than asking for Permission.- Current Tank Info: 120gal Re-Build

10/04/2009, 01:44 PM	#17
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	u need to ask how much weight the vechile/trailer is rated for to know if its gonna be safe i had to use a flatbed to move this 3000lbs beast [IMG][/IMG]

10/03/2009, 12:12 PM	#2
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,105	Ed - I haven't use that trailer, but most of the trailers I have hauled bounce around quite a bit. If you have access to a full size pickup, i would use a full size pickup instead. However, if you use the trailer, I would recommend a LOT of blankets undernear the plywood to absorb any bouncing. Also - make sure your strap the tank down well. Good luck! Minh

10/03/2009, 12:31 PM	#3
drdoolittle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 1,921	thnk Minh.. thats what i'm worried about, is the boucing around. i dont want it to damage the tank or lessen the integrity of the tank. I dont have a full size truck and i dont think both the tank and stand will fit in a truck. i might have to look for other options.

10/03/2009, 12:47 PM	#4
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	I have rented cargo vans in the past to transport large tanks. The are a little more money but a much safer bet.

10/03/2009, 12:55 PM	#8
nsamouroux Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 147	A somewhat similar situation: I rented a uhaul flatbed trailer and towed it behind my Jeep Wrangler from Seattle, WA to South Beach, OR to pick up a 360 gallon tank and steel stand. The tank was acrylic however, so I wasn't too worried about it and just padded it well with blankets and whatnot. The trailer bounced around so badly that I would not risk that again, it took me almost 3x as long to get back to Seattle as it did driving down there, because I couldn't drive any faster than about 40mph without the trailer bouncing the tank all over the place. Scared the heck out of me, I'd never risk it with a glass setup. The Uhaul trailers are poorly made piles with no suspension whatsoever. I now have a full size pickup a year after that adventure and have been able to move other tanks with far more safety. I'd say that your best bet would be to rent a cargo van as previously mentioned and then a smaller flatbed trailer to haul the stand (if one is included with the purchase?). I definitely wouldn't want to move the stand plus tank in the same vehicle, there wouldn't be any real space for it to shift without disaster in the back of a normal cargo van. Perhaps look into a 14' box truck, that would give you PLENTY of room for both. EDIT: The tank I moved was 8' x 3' x 2', the stand was about 34" tall with the same footprint, and it would definitely not fit side by side on a 6' wide trailer (interior dimensions are only about 5' width). The box truck is your safest option, but will cost slightly more in fuel.

10/03/2009, 01:05 PM	#9
drdoolittle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 1,921	Sound like a corgo van and a trailer would a way to go with this. I'll look into it. thanks for the great input.

10/03/2009, 06:01 PM	#10
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	remeber you have wheel wells inside the traliers to take into account when figuring space (and uhaul advertised deminsions donot take this into account)... that being said i did rent a uhaul trailer for my 215g glass tank (tank only the stand was in the suv)and transported it from mid area of kansas to the mid area of oklahoma i was scared crapless the whole way home with all the bouncing of the trailer.. i wont due it again because i was physicaly wore out from worry during the 2.5 hour drive

10/03/2009, 06:10 PM	#11
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	I rented one to get my tank. Make sure you get a enclosed trailer and I paid the 4 bucks for full insurence. That way it my tank broke somehow it was covered.

10/03/2009, 07:54 PM	#13
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Covers trailer and cargo up to like $5000.

10/03/2009, 08:42 PM	#14
drdoolittle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 1,921	After measuring my Jeep cherokee, i found out that if i removed the rear seats. The tank will fit inside. So, it looks like i'll be placing the tank inside the Jeep and renting a trailer for the stand. I'll be driving tomorrow morning to pick up the tank. Thanks guys, i'll let you know how it goes.

10/03/2009, 11:52 PM	#15
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Good luck Ed! Just watch out for them put holes and go slow. I picked up my Elos from Jesse in my brothers trailer. Setting it on palettes strapped down helped. The tank weighed about 500 pounds so it was not going anywhere unless you were driving crazy. Just take it slow buddy.

10/04/2009, 06:17 AM	#16
drdoolittle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 1,921	thanks Mike.. I'll keep you posted.