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K5 on an Auto Transport Dolly question

crazedyak

crazedyak

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To the all powerful and knowing CK5 Brotherhood:
I'm active duty military and the powers that be have determined I have to move again. I have a 87 K5 and I'm being told it is not complete enough on it to trust it to make a 15 hours car trip. Basically I think it will make it, but the wife will NOT be happy if it breaks down anywhere along the way. So with the old adage "Happy Wife, Happy Wife" in my head I've decided to rent a U-Haul Truck and Auto Transport Dolly (all 4 wheels on the dolly) to make the trip.

According to the U-Haul website their tire tie downs only work on up to 31 in tires. I have 33 in tires...

My question is: Does anyone have a suggestion or proven technique for securing the K5 onto a auto dolly so I can make this trip safely and without fear of losing it. I'm not afraid of buying specific tie downs or anything... so please post any ideas!!!

Thanks for the help!
 
Sorry, Can't help.


But I had to do the same thing. I rented a big U Haul truck and then rented a car trailer from Ryder. It was not supposed to fit my Suburban, But I made it. Check our Ryder for a trailer.



Good luck.






Bump.
 
Tire strap things don't work very well on anything other then like a car tire.

Needed a trailer rather bad one night to move my race car to the track rented a U-haul one, car fell of on the way home. Did not hurt anything so wife drove the truck home I drove the race car, it was only about a block.

I flat towed my Blazer from Phoenix to Salt Lake behind a Ryder truck. Home built tow bar attached to the frame where the bumper bolts in. Worked great.
 
Your blazer is overweight for any of u-hauls auto trailers. I'd use Ryder truck rental. The trucks are newer and they have larger ( weight capacity) trailers.
 
earnett said:
Your blazer is overweight for any of u-hauls auto trailers. I'd use Ryder truck rental. The trucks are newer and they have larger ( weight capacity) trailers.
Click to expand...

According to U-Haul website the Auto Dolly will hold Max load: 5,290 lbs.

According to original specification my K5 Blazer weighed 4,379 lbs.

Should be fine weight wise, but I'm more worried about how to hold the K5 to the Dolly. I understand the tire straps don't do much which is why I'm looking for other fixes.

Get some good straps and use the trailer frame as an attachment point.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking but attached to the K5 how? Axle or Frame or Both?


Side note: I understand Ryder might have better equipment, but according to their website "All Rentals are Roundtrip Only" which does me no good. U-Haul made me a quote (which beat everyone else's price) then I asked about any discounts they might wanna throw my way to entice me to give them my business and they gave me an additional 17% off. So I got the best price available then got a better price... so U-Haul it is.
 
I'm not an expert. Ive done it before with ratchet straps around the spring perches and then cross-tied to the opposite side of the trailer. Total of 4 straps. If the tie-downs are not significantly in front of/behind the axles, it will still want to roll forward and back. You'll have to secure it front-to-rear also.

There are also other methods. For a long trip, I'd consider tying down the frame. This will compress the suspension and make it less prone to dance around behind you. Again, I'm not an expert.
 
So on the tie down thing. On long trips I used to do frame and axle.

Unless you can completely compress the suspension it doesn't work that well.

I think Dave ( zimmerman) put some sort of tube to lock out his suspension while towing I like that idea.

I have for the last 4 years ran 2 cross tied straps in the back and 1 long strap in front around the axles.

On long trip I do run 2 straps on the front axle but not cross tied.

My truck has never moved on the trailer and not having the frame tied down has been no big deal
 
blazinzuk said:
So on the tie down thing. On long trips I used to do frame and axle.

Unless you can completely compress the suspension it doesn't work that well.

I think Dave ( zimmerman) put some sort of tube to lock out his suspension while towing I like that idea.

I have for the last 4 years ran 2 cross tied straps in the back and 1 long strap in front around the axles.

On long trip I do run 2 straps on the front axle but not cross tied.

My truck has never moved on the trailer and not having the frame tied down has been no big deal
Click to expand...


Thanks! I guess I should have mentioned that I am running 33's on a stock suspension. Nothing fancy at all.
 
TheBeast_88K5 said:
Dremu does it/ has done t.. Pm him.
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You're thinking of my two-wheel dolly. Different animal entirely.

I did actually move a Blazer Chalet once on a flat bed, behind a Suburban with a 350, which was an experience going up hills :surepal:

Anyway, I think you've seen all the good suggestions on tying the truck to the trailer.

Given that even a stock truck will be marginal for the trailer, I would resist the urge to fill the Blazer with stuff even though it's got extra space. Leaving it empty might just save you having to change a trailer flat on the side of the road, which would suck immensely.

At most fill it part-way with light-but-large boxes like bedding or clothing.

-- A
 
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Anything heavy, like a K5, I used to run 2 straps at each axle. 2 front/2 rear and I either crossed them or ran them at an angle depending on their anchor point. And make damn sure the straps aren't gonna rub on anything. Mac has straps with built in axle loops. Or you can buy straps and separate axle straps.

Tie to the axles so the straps aren't constantly loading and unloading with the suspension. I always found the trailer to ride smoother when the vehicle on it suspension moved freely. This is 10+ years of towing derby cars, scrap cars and my 4x4s to various destinations.
 
Are you still considering the Dolly as opposed to a trailer? For sure dolly straps will not work on 33" tires. Maybe look for some used tires and rims on Craigs list that are 31". Don't forget if you go Dolly and you are auto trans, you will still need to remove your driveshaft. Otherwise trailer is a much better option.
 
sponsoredbydad said:
Are you still considering the Dolly as opposed to a trailer? For sure dolly straps will not work on 33" tires. Maybe look for some used tires and rims on Craigs list that are 31". Don't forget if you go Dolly and you are auto trans, you will still need to remove your driveshaft. Otherwise trailer is a much better option.
Click to expand...

I think you're thinking two-wheel dolly. The OP says

crazedyak said:
Auto Transport Dolly (all 4 wheels on the dolly) to make the trip.
Click to expand...

Which is like a trailer and fits all four wheels, but not a full flat bed, just the two tracks for the wheels, I'd suspect.

-- A
 
I tried putting my 1979 1/2 ton Dodge 4x4 with 31's on it on one of u-hauls car trailers. It didn't fit, it was too wide. You may want to do some measuring.
 
-stew- said:
I tried putting my 1979 1/2 ton Dodge 4x4 with 31's on it on one of u-hauls car trailers. It didn't fit, it was too wide. You may want to do some measuring.
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Good idea.

I looked at the U-Haul guide and they state:
Must have a maximum outside-to-outside tire width of 79.25" ~Note: outside tire width over 75" must use late-model U-Haul Auto Transport (identifiable by silver galvanized color).
Must have a maximum wheelbase (distance from front axle to rear axle, usually posted on the driver's side door jamb) of 133 inches.

So I just did a quick measurement and I'm under 120 inches front to back and just under 79 side to side. So it looks like I need the silver galvanized colored auto transport dolly.

I'm looking at getting these Axle Strap Tie Downs for securing the to the Dolly. 9 1/2 feet long, 3 inch webbing with integrated axle strap and 1,600 lbs capacity each

Vulcan part #AH5210DR-K2
41mH3b3AoFL.jpg


Thanks for all the assistance!
 
Had my weights mixed up earlier so sorry. I use those kinds of straps on my flatbed tow truck on an almost daily basis! I'd check and retighten after about 20 miles into your trip then every time you stop! Also if your towing behind the moving truck you will not be able to see the trailer or blazer. Not really a big deal but I used to get a little apprehensive about that. Also all the truck rental companies rent one-way. If the local dealer said round trip then check the truck rental website for rates. Might get a better deal that way. Stay away from weekends,holidays and end of the month if you can cause that's when rates go up!
 
Where are you moving from/to? Are you doing a DITY move, so you'll be getting the box truck anyway? I used uship to move my k5 from NC to CA. Was doing too much family visiting and sight seeing to mess with hauling it at the time. Just an option. It cost me ~$1100 in 2006. Sounds like a lot until you start figuring up the cost of fuel and the lack of milage in a box truck.
 
VA to FL. Partial DITY. Movers taking the majority, leaving me with basics to survive for a week or two while I finish paperwork here.

I just looked at Uship. I'm definitely going to try this this. Rates seems not bad,
 
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