06 Tacoma DC towing early iron

I need to get my 1960 chevy bel air towed about 3-4 hours away and by the looks of things, it seems my '06 Tacoma DC may be able to accomplish the task. I am thinking about renting a uhaul car trailer.

Anyone have any horror stories or advice? My Tacoma Double cab is the 4x4 TRD offroad V6 and came with the tow package, which claims 6500 tow capacity. The car is approx 3500 lbs (not including the trailer). Uhaul wants the tow vehicle to have at least a 5000lb capacity (which I am within).

I have read recommendations about trailer brakes and hitch mounted sway bars...do I need this for this one time trip, if I take it slow?

TIA guys!

 

I purchased my 2wd 06 taco(with tow and sport packages) to tow my 22' Catalina sailboat. Loaded down the thing weighs close to 3000lbs(excluding trailer). You should be fine, take it easy on tailgating and just remember you have some weight behind you. You'll be fine as long as you are careful.

P

 

If you're renting a UHaul, your options are limited. Uhauls are heavy trailers, empty it weighs over 2,000 lbs. It'll come with surge brakes so you won't have control over the braking and because it's a rental, you most likely won't be using a W/D hitch or sway control. You're within your limits and, if you take it slow and load the car properly, you should be fine. You want the weight of the car centered just in front of the trailer axles (shouldn't be a problem with the engine being in the front of the car as long as you don't back the car onto the trailer). If you have access to a lighter tow trailer, I'd be ideal, but the Uhual will do the trick. The only horror stories I've had with Uhaul trailers are improper maintenance leading to wheel bearings going bad. Nothing major, can happen with any trailer.

 

I've rented a trailer from uhaul before, and like Pugga said they are heavy trailers. When you go to rent the trailer and tell them your tow rig and what your towing they probably wont even let you rent it. I know our trucks are capable up to 6500lbs. For some reason you have to be way under the limit for Uhaul to rent to you. You might be able to get away with renting it if you tell them your are towing a much smaller/lighter vehical. U-Haul trailers have surge brakes built in so you wont need a brake controller or anything. As far as the weight is concerned your truck is more than capable of towing the weight even with the u-haul trailer at 2k. My boat I tow is about the same weight and the Tacoma does great. I'd suggest keeping it in 4 if you have the auto. Of course the MPG really sucks (about 10-12) but it gets the job done. GL

 

In my opinion, that is too much weight for a tacoma to pull. Your stopping power will be dismal, just barrow a buddies full size and take the safe route.

A mid-size truck should not be towing over 5000 lbs, it's just not safe.

 

If your drive safely and have trailer brakes, these trucks are more than capable. I tow my boat (over 5000lbs) every weekend during the summer, and am very confident in these trucks. If its not safe then why would Toyota give these trucks a 6500lbs of towing capacity? Will a full-size tow better, yes, but I wouldn't say its any safer.

 

You do have a good point, i forgot to factor in Electric Trailer Brakes, that would deffinately help. I was not considering that when I made my statement earlier, i was assuming a surge brake set up (wich i think is what all rental trailers are).

 

Yeah the surge brakes on those U-Haul trailers work really well. I towed a Porsche from Cincinnati to Atlanta a year ago and didn't even really notice a difference in stopping ability.

 

Well there ya go, to the OP.....

This gentlemen has a first hand testimonial for you, although a Porche and a 3000lb chevrolet are quite different in wight, MAXT has done it and say it can be done.

 

Lets not get too sarcastic...You are the guy who said a mid-size should ever tow anything over 5000lbs cause it's not safe (and that's just not true).

Are surge brakes the right answer?? No- Not for regular use...but it go 4 hours one way....I don't think he'll have any issues once he gets used to the different driving feel. Take it slow and think about what you are doing now, what you need to do next, and how to safely get there....It'll work fine.

 

I think you may have miss-understood me, I meant no sarcasm, I was being completely honest, this guy has done it and it worked. That's all I was saying. I still would not tow over 5000# with my tacoma but again, that is just me. I have other bigger trucks at my disposal I can use for heavy towing.

 

x2, the surge brakes are a nice set-up. They can be a little more jerky than electric brakes and take some getting used to. Just remember that you have 5,500 lbs behind you, take it slow and drive as smooth as possible (no hard acceleration and smooth stops) and you'll be alright for a one time tow. You're truck is better equipped than most with the factory tow package.

 

I have the same model you have except mine's not 4x4 and I towed a U-Haul car trailer just over 300 miles with no problems. I had a '93 5.0 Mustang (about 3200 lbs) on the trailer. The back of the truck was a little low (before I got the rear TSB done), but the braking and acceleration was fine. The truck was very stable and unless I was going up a bridge or overpass I almost forgot the trailer was back there.

As others have mentioned, U-Haul will give you trouble if the car you are towing is too heavy. I told them I was towing a 1963 VW Bug to avoid any arguments over the trucks ability.

 

The Porsche was very light, but my boat on the other hand isn't. It over 5k loaded. I def. know the weight is there, but its able to hold 60-65 on hills without to much of a struggle. Regular boat trips to the lake are between 2-6 hours, and never once have I felt un-safe during any of the trips.

 

Great info guys! I do have a line on a buddy's diesel tow rig, but I hate to ask for that kind of favor if I can do it myself. I dont mind taking it slow and doing 45mph if need be, its a one time gig. I got a few weeks to make a decision.

 

If you do it with the Taco: 1)watch your following distance, 2)build speed when approaching hills, 3) be smooth with everything : breaking, acceleration, & steering. The truck will definately do it - it might not like it but will do it.

 

It will tow it but it wont like it LOL

Be prepared to spend some money in fuel if your goin far and if theres hills.

 

Heading for Jersey from CT...its all down hill

 

I towed a '56 Chevy truck 170 miles with my old 1990 3.0 liter Toyota PU. Used a tow dolly, and it struggled a bit but did it O.K. I'm in rural NV, the struggling part was trying to go over 70 mph (speed limits were 65 back then) My route was fairly flat, so I didn't test the brakes. I think that will be the ultimate factor. If you have a lot of hills, I'd seriously think of getting a trailer with some sort of brakes, surge, electric etc.

 

In a similar situation, I may be towing a 57 Chevy in a few weeks. Would be a 200 mi trip. Sort of curious about doing it. I am hoping that my brother will be able to make the trip and use his full-size pu.