Penske Car Trailer Question

[COMITX]

Hello All,

Next weekend, I will be embarking on my move from Austin to Denver. I've rented a Penske car trailer to haul a 1990 4Runner. It will be towed behind their largest truck.

The 4Runner has 31" tires and the entire truck is in very nice shape. The problem is that Penske rates this size tire as too large for their trailer. Has anyone had experience with this situation? Does it have to do with the length of the straps not fitting around the tire. I was planning on airing down the tires significantly for the trip. I don't want to do it, but if I have to I'll buy some stock sized bologna skins for it to make the trip.

Thanks for your input,
Ken

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Most of the time the 31" tire is too big. But there's no need to buy other tires. I'd head to Tractor Supply or a similar place and buy some chain and chain binders. Forget using the supplied straps; tie the 4Runner down where it balances out best and ride on.

Nick

 

[COMITX]

Thanks for the good suggestion Nick. I got an email earlier from a fellow Cruiser Head. He towed his 40 on a Penske trailer with 31s 3000 miles with no problems. When I get the trailer next week, the first think I'll do is put the 4R on it and evaluate the situation.

Thnaks again, Ken

 

[Panzer]

The issue is likely that the goofy wheel restraint system that they use which goes around the tire is too small for a 31 inch tire.
Go get 4 of the 5000lb rachet tie downs and use them instead.

 

[firetruck41]

Keep in mind that if you secure it with a different method than instructed, you might have troubles with their insurance, if you have an accident (god forbid) like KliersLC.

 

[NMC_EXP]

Ken

Last weel I towed an '89 Toyota Pickup on a Penske trailer from Illinois to Colorado.

The truck has 31 x 10.50 x 15" tires. You are correct, this size exceeds Penske's recommendations.

I used the supplied straps. The fit problem is a combination of tire height and width. The nylon strap arrangement did not fully wrap around the tread from about the 10 o-clock position on around to the rear.

I seriously considered buying some heavy tie down straps and using them as well. In the end I went with it as it was. I checked it often for the first few miles and only had to take up a couple of more notches of tension after the first mile or so.

It rode fine despite the condition of I80 in Nebraska and I25 south of Denver.

If I had to do it over I would use additional strapping. It would have saved some heartburn on those ski jump style bridge approaches. I was scared to look in the rear view mirror after some of those bumps.