It's something you don't really think about until you really need it, and then of course it's just too darn late. A Trailer, Hauler or even a Tow Bar may sometimes be considered the "whimpy way out". And although that might be true, these so called "whimps" usually are the same ones to save even the toughest guy's butt more than once with their sacred hauling equipment. Sometimes your faithful 'ol rig just can't live up to your increasingly demanding expectations, or the continual abuse. It's only a matter of time before the heavy usage you may tax upon your vehicle's reliability resources, will let you down.

There are usually 3 reasons a veteran 'wheeler considers the purchase of a vehicle hauler. One, Their vehicle is not exactly 'street legal'. Two, their rig isn't very 'streetable' due to it's radical nature. Or Three, long distance traveling just ain't one of your vehicle's strong points. In any case, the purchase of a vehicle hauler is not something to take lightly, or prepare to suffer the consequences.

The first line of defense would be a Tow Bar. Many times these are available at equipment rental agencies, although many are in service as typical transportation devices by recreationalists. In either case, you still have to remember that the vehicle being towed is riding on all four of it's own tires. If those tires are big, and the truck is big, it's not going to be a real joy to handle on long trips.  Furthermore, tires and the rotating mechanics are still being used, which can cause problems if driveline failures occur. Nevertheless a simple tow bar has come to the rescue on more than one occasion. Purchase cost is around $150. A tow strap could do in a pinch, but requires a driver in the vehicle being towed... and a lot of nerves!

A note about Tow Straps. Even though they work fine to get you home in a pinch, the downside is that it's difficult, dangerous, and illegal. I've been towed a few times myself, and for those who haven't enjoyed the "serenity" of a 200 mile pull with no power steering or brakes, you're not missing a thing! If you have to get yanked around with a strap, carry a spare 20 foot long 'inexpensive' version so your primary piece doesn't get snarfed when it gets driven over on the road. Also secure it to your hooks securely so it doesn't fall off at a busy intersection. That is not fun! Duct tape it if you have to. And most importantly, make sure you're as discreet as possible, since there are laws against this method of transportation. A dedicated 2"x20' "tow-home" strap runs around 30 bucks.

Another option is a Tow Dolly. Since these are available for rent at many U-haul and Ryder locations, these are used as a last resort method as well. $35 usually covers a days rental, although a tow vehicle is still needed. Another problem is that the distance between fenderwells on most Dollies are usually much narrower than most full-sized 4x4 wheel stances. In many cases you may need to change the front tires with narrower ones for the ride home. One more thing, towing a vehicle backwards on a Dolly is not really advised, if it's even possible. Tow Dollies can set you back around 450 to 750 dollars if you had to buy one.

One more choice falls into the part-timer category, and that's renting a Trailer or Hauler. A trailer can be had, although a tow vehicle is needed as well. One typical problem is that in many cases, the trailer you are renting is sure to be well used... very well used. This should pose no immediate problem if the unit was well taken care of and maintained properly, but the opposite is usually more the rule.

An 'over used' trailer may handle poorly on the highway and have a great potential for breakdown. Thus a good inspection prior to your trip can do wonders. Check the tire pressure and look for wear, cuts and nails. Then jack up the trailer and check lugs and spindles for looseness. Greasing the bearings may be an extreme, but not if they fail half way through your trip.

Check springs, bolts and other important and often overlooked items. Lastly inspect the brake, turn and running lights for proper operation. If the trailer has brakes (which it should), check their operation and settings with your vehicle on the trailer. Finally insure that your rig is securely and properly lashed down to the trailer bed, and take 'er out for a test spin to iron any last problems out before the trip.

Rates given by a local U-Haul dealer as of 1997 are as follows...
U-HAUL RENTAL FEES...

• Trailer: $45.00/day  -  Trailer insurance (opt.):   $8.00/day  -  Refundable Deposit: $50.00/once
  
• Tow Dolly: $35/Day  -  Tow Bar: $20/Day  -  17' Box Truck: $30/Day
  
• 24' Box Truck: $40/Day  -  All trucks plus .49 cents/Mile     
  

A final rental option, although somewhat a monumental one, would be to hire a trucking firm to haul you and your buddy's rigs on a Semi Tractor-Trailer. The three pitfalls connected with an endeavor such as this revolve around money, money and more money. The average cost quoted by several trucking firms we contacted ranged from $1.83 to $2.50 per mile as a hauling rate.

For example, if you hugged three trucks together on a flatbed and headed down to Kentucky, the 1,100 mile round trip would cost around two grand at the very least, or $675 per vehicle divided three ways. Besides this the driver would have to sit around the entire weekend, getting paid, or he'd have to schedule a load in between taking you back home.

It's quite obvious that the only feasible way to haul your rigs on a semi, is if you know someone in the industry... that likes to go along 'wheeling too. Even then, just the fuel and fees alone would run up a bill of about $400 to $500, but not nearly as much as hiring them on as a commercial shipper.

Window Shopping Around....
The most common solution is buying a Trailer and hauling it yourself. When considering buying a trailer you have to be aware of the fact that now you have to keep three pieces of equipment in tip top shape at all times. Your 4x4 of course, the trailer and the towing vehicle. If any one of these fails, that's it... no dice. You ain't a goin' no where.

A good 18 foot flatbed trailer will run you around 1500 smackers, and more so than not, a used one will probably run almost the same! You may be able to find them as low as a grand, however, by the time you get done upgrading, it'll probably cost even more in the end.

Aluminum trailers cost upwards of 3 big bills, and barely save any weight at all. These trailers are mostly for show purposes only, not for weight savings. Fully enclosed trailers can soar into the 5 grand range without a problem, but unfortunately weigh about 4,500 pounds... meaning a 7,700 pound rated trailer can only haul 3,200 pounds.