Introduction
The 5×8 U-Haul Cargo trailer is popular for moving and hauling, as it is suitable for moving furniture and appliances. The important thing is that you don’t need a truck to tow as it is easily towed by cars and it is also affordable to rent.
The common scenario when people need to choose a 5×8 U-Haul trailer is during moving from a house or an apartment, as 5×8 U-Haul trailers can be easily used for the transportation of furniture & appliances. It is also used for moving construction materials, Camping gear/RV haul and College dorm moves. 5×8 U-Haul trailers used to transport large buy/sell items.
Understanding the 5×8 U-Haul Trailer
Dimensions:
- Interior: 8′ x 4’8″ x 5’4″ (LxWxH)
- Door opening: 4’0″ x 4’10” (WxH)
- The total space of cargo: 208 cubic feet
Single axle trailer:
The 5×8 U-Haul trailer is a single-axle trailer. Single axle trailers basically consist of one axle with two tires, which are attached to a frame and that frame is covered with a bed or a box. They are designed to be towed by vehicles, typically by cars. They are reliable and have versatility for hauling cargo and other items. It is smaller and lighter than dual axle trailers and easier to tow due to the lighter weight.
Enclosed design:
This trailer has an enclosed design, as they are fully covered by four walls. This cargo has a protected roof and sides. It is ideal for the items that need weather protection, as the covered design protects the items from direct sunlight and you don’t have to cancel your transportation due to rainfall.
Items You Can Fit
The 5×8 U-Haul trailer has enough space as it can easily fit furniture, appliances and many other items.
Furniture:
As for furniture, the items that can fit in easily are sofas, chairs, tables, beds, dressers and many more.
Appliances:
You can move heavy and fragile electronic appliances such as Refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, coffee makers, TVs computers etc.
Boxes:
You can move smaller items in boxes easily. Just be careful with packing the boxes. Also, I’m sharing here some tips so you can move many boxes at the same time in the trailer. These tips will help you to save as much space as possible to make room for furniture, appliances, etc.
- It’s best to use a Furniture Dolly to load the boxes into the trailer.
- Load the boxes according to their weight and size.
- Place larger and heavier boxes at the bottom.
- Then place the lightweight boxes above the heavier ones.
- Tightly packed the boxes so that there is no wasted space left behind.
- Fill the gaps between the boxes by using a pad so that the boxes aren’t slippery and reach safely towards the destination.
Bicycles, Motorcycles, and ATVs:
You can use this trailer to move your bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs. This 5×8 trailer is wide enough that you can put these small vehicles into the trailer easily. After loading these vehicles into the trailer, be sure to secure them with straps so that no damage can occur during their transportation.
Lawn equipment:
If you also want to move your lawn equipment along with you, this Uhaul trailer is the best. You can move equipment such as lawnmowers, trimmers, and many other garden tools.
The best practice is to load the lawn equipment after loading all other items. Make sure that the trailer has enough space left. If you do feel that there is enough space then you can head to load this equipment.
Miscellaneous items:
Miscellaneous items come in all shapes and sizes. It can be the transportation of a baghouse or a solar system. 5×8 U-haul is also suitable for the transportation of other miscellaneous items that can be easily fit in this trailer, such as tools, sports gear, etc.
How to Pack a 5×8 U-Haul Trailer
Doing a little preparation during packing your items, resolves most of your stresses and saves most of your time in the long run. The supplies that you need during packing are moving boxes, packing tape, protective pads and rope. Let’s discuss some of the steps that will help you pack your trailer and make your transportation easy.
- The 60/40 rule:
U-haul recommends using the 60/40 rule. According to this rule, you have to put 60% of your weight in the first half of the trailer. The remaining 40% is in the back half. It helps to prevent damage to trailers and items and makes towing easy and safer. It also reduces the sway, reducing sway keeps the centre of gravity low.
- Heavier items go on the bottom:
Place the heaviest items(such as dressers, sofas, etc) on the bottom. Then place the lightweight items or boxes on these heaviest items. Protect fragile items with packing materials, wrap them in the box and place them between heavy items or against walls in the trailer safely.
- Pack it tightly:
To make the move safe, you have to fill all the space between the items. You have to use the pad to cover this space. Covering space it provides less space to the items to move.
- Secure the load:
After you are done loading your boxes or items, secure them with straps or ropes to prevent damage during the move.
- Need of rearranging:
After securing your load, drive around to check if there is any need for the arrangement. If there is a need to rearrange the items, stop the trailer and rearrange the items safely. First, unload the items, then adjust and reload them and secure them to prevent damage.
Benefits of Using a 5×8 U-Haul Cargo Trailer
The 5×8 U-haul trailer has many benefits, we are going to discuss them one by one in the following:
- Cost-effective:
The 5×8 U-haul trailer is cost-effective compared to hiring movers. You just have to rent the trailer and do the rest as you want.
- Load and unload:
You can load and unload the trailer on your own with your own style. You don’t have to waste your time to give directions to the movers.
- Easily rearrange:
If you feel like rearranging, you can rearrange it as you want.
- Towing:
Because of the size of the 5×8 trailer, it can easily be towed by the car.
Safety Considerations
The maximum weight limit and towing capacity of a 5×8 U-Haul cargo trailer is 1,800 lbs. Don’t exceed the trailer limit as exceeding can cause damage, affect control, and accidents.
Proper hitching:
For proper hitching connect the trailer with the vehicle securely. Hitching is something that you have to pay your full attention to. If you do it wrong, you attempt the risk of completely destroying your trailer.
Driving tips:
- Drive cautiously with a loaded trailer.
When you are driving a loaded trailer you need to be cautioned, as you are carrying a weight with you. Make sure to check the trailer tires before starting to drive, as trailer tires require more pressure because they carry weight.
- Safe speed, extra stopping.
Don’t exceed the speed limit and avoid extra stopping during your move. Excess speed may distort your items arrangement and there is a high chance of accidents with high speed.
- Be aware of trailer size.
Be aware of the size of the trailer, don’t exceed its limit and place the items according to their weight. If you overdo the weight, it’ll cause damage during your move.
- Careful turns.
Take wide turns, as your vehicle is now double in size because you are towing a trailer with your car. You need more space to make a turn.
- Take frequent breaks.
Avoid abrupt braking. Take it slow and keep in the right line, as you’re carrying weight with your car so you need to be careful.
- Check trailer lights.
It is important for your trailer lights to work. Double-check your trailer’s tail light. In the dark, if the trailer tail light stops working, other drivers may not see your vehicle and collusion can occur.
Conclusion
The 5×8 U-Haul cargo trailer is versatile and fits furniture, appliances and more. It is efficient for small moves as its weight limit is 1,800 lbs, don’t exceed its limit and hitch it right. It is good for smooth moving and provides efficient space to use.