Biggest SPUT

[NCSunshine]

Back in February we bought a Dodge Ram Van.  With three girls plus us and sometimes friends we needed something big to carry everyone and their stuff.  Also had GVWR of 7,000, so if we upgraded to a hybrid then it would pull it.

Then in March got rid of TV we had been using to pull PU.  Realized that we would have to put on hitch and brakes.

Work for me ended in April, spring semester at college ended in May, summer semester at college started in May, kids got out of school in May.  Boy was it a busy time.  

In June, we made reservations for a trip to the beach between the end of my summer semester at college and the kids starting day for school.    Summer semester has been harder and more time consuming than I thought it would be.  

Here it comes...........My husband asked me the other day, "What are we going to pull the camper to the beach with?" :yikes: :eyecrazy:

With all that happened this summer I forgot about the hitch and brakes.  If we cancel we will loose about $75 or more because we also rented a golf cart in advance too ($50 cancellation fee).:banghead: :% :% :%

Plus we don't have the money saved up for it.

Do you think this qualifies for the most SPUT ever?  Sure feels like it to me.  I can't believe that I am so stupid as to do this.

Someone e-mail me a brain, quick!!!!!!

[Firefyter-Emt]

I hear ya.. My wife is making plans to go to Maine, and we don't have the hitch on the van yet either!

[copcarguy]

Why not rent a big U-haul truck??  People tow with them everyday...  I have seen some with brake controllers in them.  Even if you can't get a brake controller, the 2000 + / - pounds your PU weighs will not matter behind an empty, unloaded U-Haul.  Rig an adapter for the lights...  Most U-Haul trailers don't have brakes anyway - the only ones that do are the double axle versions, and those are surge breaks.  So the truck is set up to tow stuff without breaks in the first place.

[NCSunshine]

I said something about getting u-haul to put the hitch on but everyone tells me that they wouldn't trust their work.  So I didn't even call.

Has anyone here had any thing like that done by u-haul?  If so, what did you think?

[Gone-Camping]

I had a hitch installed by U-Haul many years ago, had no issues with it. I think it depends on which U-Haul dealer you take it to. Larger dealers with BIG service departments probably have well qualified people. Some of the smaller operations might have the Teen that lives next door to you as their 'head mechanic' and may have never done one before.

I'm regularly in/out of the big U-Haul shop in Norfolk (Raby Rd.) which has about 20 full time truck & trailer mechanics, I'd have no problems letting them put on one. But any of the other locations including the one closest to me I wouldn't bother going to.
 
Since I live in Chesapeake and only 1.5 miles from a place called Portsmouth Trailer, I'd just take it there. They rebuilt the suspension on a boat trailer I used to have, very resonable rates too...

[angelsmom10]

JUST A THOUGHT... Not sure how handy your DH is... but my DH installed both hitches on our 2 tow vehicles.  He said it really wasn't hard at all.
 
Then you would only have the cost of the hitch.

[byrdr1]

IS your husband handy with tools? if so he could put a hitch on!
He could also wire the brakes as long as you dont have air bags!
Walmart carries a lot hitches and draw bars. If not check Tractor Supply.
If all else falls come to Burlington, NC and look up AIM muffler on US-70 almost in downtown Burlington. They install hitches and brake controllers plus mufflers, go figure!..
This is one thing that can be fixed in a day if the right person is doing it.
Dont get in a tizzy...this is a minor thing, you can get it fixed before the weekend.
Randy

[birol]

I installed the hitch I got with no problems. Had to have two holes drilled though and left that to the Ford dealer to get them straight and proper.

[NCSunshine]

Unfortunately DH is not handy with tools, but with good reason.  The u-haul around here just has the trucks no mechanics area, so I guess that is out.  
Went to one local mechanic and called a camper dealer and got the same price of $400.  This included a transmission cooler.  

I do have a nephew that works for Freighliner, and is mechanically inclined.  So I will ask him.  Found a hitch at Auto Zone for my van, but will look at Wal-Mart.  

Thanks so much for your help.  By the way do I need the transmission cooler?

[jstaddwtr]

When we donated our Ram Van, we foolishly left the hitch on it.  It was winter...and we don't have a garage and I did not want my DH to slop around under the van in the wet snow.  We could have sent it to you.  

At the same time, it was the older van model without the spare tire underneath so it probably would not have fit.  Do you already have a controller?  Good luck and hope you are able to make make your trip!

Dee

[NCSunshine]

When we donated our Ram Van, we foolishly left the hitch on it.  It was winter...and we don't have a garage and I did not want my DH to slop around under the van in the wet snow.  We could have sent it to you.  

At the same time, it was the older van model without the spare tire underneath so it probably would not have fit.  Do you already have a controller?  Good luck and hope you are able to make make your trip!

Dee

I did remember to get the controller and connector.  I plan to speak to my nephew this weekend about the hitch.  Hope he can do it.

[cruiserpop]

I did remember to get the controller and connector.  I plan to speak to my nephew this weekend about the hitch.  Hope he can do it.

Had my class lll hitch inastalled by u-haul last year. hitch, light connection and installation for $ 275. Guranteed materials and installation forever. call around your area to see which shop does them-not all do.