Towing long distance

I have 2017 Tacoma DC Off road 2 wheel with towing pkg I just bought a 67 camaro SS 396 in texas and want to trailer it to Jacksonville Fl (about 12 hrs) trailer is like 2k lbs guessing the car is 4K or so what do you guys think? I could rent a truck But I'd rather drive my taco.

 

I pulled a 12 ft uhaul trailer for 600 miles. I don't know exact weight, but the truck did ok. My mileage was terrible however.

 

No way man this truck is not safe to tow that much weight

 

Just make sure you have good electric brakes, a controller, anti sway hitch setup etc. Balance the load and roll for FL. Maybe wait until the storm blows over though

 

Incorrect.

A lot of drivers might not be safe towing things with any truck but the truck pulls 6k lbs just fine. The 6 speeds like mine are a little rough to get going on a steep grade but the autos don't have that issue.

 

6400 lbs is the limit if you have the tow package.

 

I've towed my 1968 GTO on a uhaul flat bed car carrier with my 2011 Sierra Denali 1/2ton. No fucking way id tow it with this tacoma. No. Fucking. Way.

That Denali pick up probably weighs another 2000-3000 more than the Tacoma and it still felt like the trailer was pushing the truck around.

 

Really? Is that your certified professional engineering decision? Sheesh.

OP I have towed 4600 lb a few hundred miles so far. It did okay but, while the truck is rated for it and would do it, the truck wouldn't be happy nor would you be happy either.
If it were 20 miles or even a hundred miles I wouldn't think twice. But 1000 miles? No way would I do it and I've been towing stuff for almost 40 years. Get a 3/4 ton, be happy and move on.

 

Make sure the trailer has brakes. Going isn't ever the problem, the stopping is.

You'll be fine if your trailer has brakes.

 

Don't understand why people say not to tow not even 75% of what the truck is rated for. The heaviest Tacomas are rated for 6500lbs. I would try to shed as much weight as possible still and keep my speed low. Maybe 55mph max in 4th or 5th.

 

Using any vehicle to tow near max rating is just not an enjoyable experience. Will it do it? Sure. Will it be a pleasant experience? Nope. Especially a thousand miles.

 

To save weight I would probably do the following

- remove wheels and tire from car and ship UPS to destination > 200lbs
-drain fuel from car > 175lbs
-drive half tank of fuel in truck > 100lbs
-remove spare or move to trailer> 65lbs
-remove any unneseccary equipment from truck such as bed mats, bed extender, tool boxes, etc. > 100lbs

Potentially 640 lbs saved in this example.

 

How much towing have you done OP? If this is new to you I wouldn't recommend it, but if you have some experience and the proper equipment then I say go for it. Just keep the speed reasonable and watch your spacing.

 

Not to nitpick but fuel is ~ 6lbs/gal, so you won't save that much. Still an excellent recommendation though.

 

I'll most likely rent one from enterprise and roll it then I don't have to wonder about long term effects or drive on eggshells.

 

"Driving on eggshells" definitely a real affect on one's mind...I'm showing my age when I say that I get really tired after towing a long distance - your mental awareness level has to be so much more concentrated on everything around you so much more when you are pulling a trailer, especially if the trailer is wider or higher than you! Anyone else notice this?

 

Just because you can on paper doesn't mean you should in reality.

 

Is the truck capable of doing it, yes. However over such a long distance it would be much more advisable to rent a larger truck.

 

Commercial I saw last night from Toyota bragged about a 6800 lb towing capacity.

 

Yeah towing it down the block no big deal. Towing it in and out of highways and interstates, merging and dodging rush hour traffic...nope nope nope NOT fun