I'm buying an 86 T/A and picking it up Weds. I have a u-haul car trailer or transport reserved to tow it home. I'm wondering if I'll run into any clearance issues while loading/unloading? Little worried about the front spoiler hitting.
Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but there isn't a general forum.

 

hey thats funny. i just used the auto transport from uhaul to pull my formula home yesterday. i had no problems at all. rode nice on the trailer as well. there seemed to be enough clearance for your ta. you should have any problems. just dont use the tow dolly.....

 

When I moved out to CA many years ago, I had both, a U-Haul truck and their trailer. For me, traveling across the country, when I'd stop for the night, it was nice to not have to drive that truck around the towns. I'd just back the Formula off the trailer and go. I got a lot of experience on-and-off the trailer that trip, and everything worked great!

But if you're talking about the tow dolly, I don't have any experience with that. But I've heard you should remove the driveshaft before you pull the car.

 

Pulled my 1992 home on the Uhaul trailer - not much clearance issues - the cable from the come-along wanted to rub the nose a tad, but there was snow on the ground, and it was too cold to argue at the time. With the dolley you have to remove the shaft IF it's an automatic, or you'll kill the tranny - 5sp just put in neutral.

 

Yeah, just make sure you center it as much as possible. Otherwise it'll definitely catch on one side, I've seen it happen. But a trans will clear it up there.

 

Thanks for the info! I had the owner measure the front spoiler ground clearance, and he said it was 8". I am getting the full trailer, not the dolly.

 

My brother and I have done this a million times on his various Trans Ams. It's tight, and it might rub a little bit just before the front wheels hit the ramps, but it'll get on there without doing any damage.

If you want a tip- bring a couple 3' lengths of 2x10 and lay them down in front of the ramps. That gets the front wheels up off the ground by 2" just before the nose cone starts to get close to the ramps. It can make enough difference that you shouldn't get any contact at all.

 

Thanks. U-haul says the same thing about using the wood for cars with low spoilers. I'll bring some boards to be on the safe side.

 

I trailered my 87 T/A from NJ to MA a couple of years ago on a U-Haul trailer. DEFINITELY bring a couple of 2x10's with you. Air dam scraped with them. Bumper would have hit without them.

 

I actually used the tow dolley when I bought my 89 rs, but then It didn't have the engine or tranny...had plenty of room. was thinking that even if the engine and tranny was in there would have been enough gound clearance...

 

also watch what truck you bring...sometimes uhaul wont even let you hook up until they check their computer to see if your truck can pull the load...and i tried to get a tow dolly for my 85 delta 88 (big like a caddy) and they said it was too large for a dolly... so bring a beefy truck... and when you shoot up the ramp keep it straight it will be tight... then hop out the window dukes of hazard style....yeehaw

 

Yeah, you can check to see if your truck will be allowed to pull the load on their website. My truck isn't approved to pull an 86 Trans Am, so I'm gonna tow a 86 "Fiero" instead.

 

I used their dual axle aluminum trailer to tow my IROC . It had inertia brakes and was a sweet setup . Didn;t need anything for it ....just drive it up and tied it down .

 

That shouldn't be necessary - I used a Ryder trailer to haul my GTA on my last interstate move, I was sure that I'd have to crawl out the rear hatch, but the door just cleared the fender over the wheels...

FWIW, I've had entirely too much experience with moving, and that experience has convinced my wife & I that U-Haul trucks are junk, pure & simple. They just seem to keep them too long, & let 'em run into the ground. My wife moved back a few weeks before I did, used a U-Haul truck & had a small engine fire... Thankfully her brother was there & was able to put it out, but it could've been ugly...

 

All went great! I was prepared though. I brought a floor jack and jacked up the front of the trailer while loading. I also laid some boards down in front of the ramps and under the front wheels so the nose cleared the front. I have to admit, the newer uhaul trailers are sweet. They're light, have surge brakes, and built in straps.

Here's a pic of my new T/A on the trailer...