One of the ways I've made a living was building, servicing, repairing, and selling trailers, and installing and setting up trailer hitches and the related electrical wiring for lights and electric trailer brakes. I learned a few things while doing this for several years. First, I will tell you that U-Haul had a lousy reputation in my area. I'd rent equipment from somebody else if possible. I'm assuming you were talking about a full car trailer, as opposed to a two wheel car dolly. Sounds like you will be running that trailer at about its maximum weight, so you will have to be careful. I know that traffic on interstate highways usually runs about 75 to 80 MPH, but I would not want to tow a heavy trailer, especially a loaded car trailer, at more than about 60 to 65 MPH if I was doing that. I have two little white strobe lights that use one D-size battery each and attach with a good magnet. I use them when towing a car or moving anything that's going a little slower than the flow of traffic. One or both of those strobes on the tail end makes me feel a lot safer. They are cheap insurance that you might want to consider. I think I got mine from Sportsman's Guide. Obviously the lights and wiring on your tow vehicle and the trailer you rent are very important, so check them out frequently to be sure they are still working right. A screwdriver and spare bulbs (#1157?) might be worth having. Tires are maybe the most critical item on a trailer, and you need to be prepared to both check and inflate them yourself along the way. Have a 12V air compressor with a long enough cord to reach from your vehicle's cigarette lighter to the trailer's wheels. Bring a few spare valve cores and the little valve core tool itself. A tire plugging kit wouldn't hurt, either. (I had a blowout at 75 MPH once and I almost lost it, so I'm touchy about tires.) I don't know if the car you will be moving is front wheel drive, but, if so, then a car dolly might well be a good alternative to a trailer. You just drive the front (drive) wheels up on the dolly and chain it down securely. The rear wheels just ride the road as usual. You still will need to work out some auxiliary lighting for the tail of the car, maybe a light bar strapped onto the trunk or bumper area. You must have running (tail) lights, turn signals, and brake lights! Whether you rent a trailer or a dolly, try to be sure the wheel bearings have been freshly greased for a trip of that length, too. Have you considered having an intelligent, carefully chosen college student drive your car for you? Many would be happy to make a cross country trip for motel rooms, decent food, and a little folding green in their pockets. That might even be cheaper, easier, and safer than pulling a car trailer. However you choose to do this, good luck and GO SLOW.
