u haul truck
 

anybody ever use a 24' c6500 topkick enclosed one to haul a light race car? I have a chance to purchase one w/454ci (gas) and 4;33 gear, 4spd. auto. need some opinions... tks.

Re: u haul truck
 

I guess nobody has...

Re: u haul truck
 

If others are like me our U-Haul experiences were seldom good and just want to block it from our memory banks.

Re: u haul truck
 

I used top have an u-haul rental location. U=haul is so bad on the maintenance of their rentals. It takes months just to get a tune ups done on just the local rental trucks. I can't imagine how long it would take to get a long hauler done.

The only way I would buy one the 24 footers would be where you are buying one that could be converted into a flat bed hauler.

Re: u haul truck
 

tks guys...sorry, its 26' low height box....hurt 454ci vortec motor ( im an engine man by trade, so whats nicer than a fresh unit) Allison 4 spd. auto, 4.33 gears. my longest tour is 7 hrs... we could haul and sleep in it too...

Re: u haul truck
 

I like the idea, a friend had a u haul he made into a car hauler, only problem was ramp height to get car into truck. very long ramps and looked sketchy to me. Anyway, I say go for it, love different stuff. I am rebuilding a ramptruck now for personal use to get two cars to the track. one good thing about what you are doing is lower tolls! It would save a lot around here in the northeast

Re: u haul truck
 

kinda like an olyneck rig....I believe it would be affordable to refab to my needs...as compaired to a dually ( which youd have to probably have to prep) and the purchase price of an enclosed trailer. I like the one rig idea. the vega would fit nice...

Re: u haul truck
 

The beauty of an Olyenik is the lowered/sloped rear floor leading to the risers under the front tires. I am certain you could modify any truck to this configuration, which makes loading so much easier.


http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/p1010955.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/P1010957.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/p1010731.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/P1010723.jpg


http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/P1010907.jpg

Re: u haul truck
 

What is the weight of your car?

Re: u haul truck
 

That Buick seen in the truck was 4100 lbs when those photos were taken-truck was great (currently moving a blown corvette around Australia these days) but the terrible anemic 366 ci gas engine was not. The 2 speed axle made it manageable, but barely. 6 mpg on the flat (3 at low speed WOT LOL) in the mountains. Had I kept it, it would have received a (8.1) 496 injected from a late model or better yet a diesel. Also the old hydraulic DRUM brakes were adequate at best.

here is a C30 version-the smaller trucks need A LOT of suspension and brake help!

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...enclosed-1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...enclosed-1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...enclosed-1.jpg

Re: u haul truck
 

stepping up to a 496 cube would not be a problem. yes I agree about the beaver/tail modification...racecar weight is 2900 lbs.

Re: u haul truck
 

Built this 2 car from a U Haul many years ago, worked great

Re: u haul truck
 

I didn't realise there is a factory 8.1 496ci ? which years and in what vehicle...

Re: u haul truck
 

01-04 3/4 and one ton pickups and 3/4 ton suburbans for sure-the diesels stole the show at that time but I had experience with a nice suburban for a few years that belonged to a business associate. great power, reliability with no worse fuel mileage than a 454

Re: u haul truck
 

great info everyone, thankyou. oval port heads on that cube scott would be a torque monster...another point of interest is the truck has short 19.5 tires, if I could switch to a taller units...that would raise the whole rig, kill the gear/rpm a touch. the beaver/tail modification inside would aid the loading angle...

Re: u haul truck
 

Hi All,

A long time ago I looked at a Ryder rental. It was a 26' with a fiberglass body that was secured to the framework with button head bolts at the bottom. My thought was to remove the bolts, raise the body off the bed, cut off 3 or 4 feet to lower the roof, lower it back down and reinstall the bolts.

This truck also had a couple of 4 x 6's stacked on top of the frame to raise the floor to meet with loading docks and they could be removed. A lower profile tire could also be installed.

I didn't go forward with the project because it was a standard cab pick-up style interior and I have people that travel with me.

I always thought that it would be a neat project and you could travel at the higher speed limit...

Bob

Re: u haul truck
 

Scotty, great idea, if I was going to race a light car, I would definitely go with a U-Haul. All the front end parts you need are all available at any auto store. You don't have to duck tail the back just need log ramps. less chance of getting it caught in uneven roads. Great project, hope to see you building it.Claude R.