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Will I be ok towing a small U-Haul trailer?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Tke226, May 3, 2021.

  1. May 3, 2021 at 4:16 PM
    #21
    BOSS-DS2

    BOSS-DS2 Well-Known Member

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    I haven’t ever towed an enclosed trailer with my Taco, but have towed a 16’ flatbed a few times. Heaviest load was around 3,500 lbs I believe, and the trailer itself is 2,000 lbs. I knew it was there but it wasn’t a big deal at all, even with factory gears and 34” tires.

    I used my buddies 3/4 dodge for a few days and I’m not sure if it was his hitch setup, the trailer setup or a combination of the two but I actually like the way my truck pulls a trailer more. Sure mine can’t pull a house down like his can, but I could haul the scrap away one 5’ beds worth at a time.

    I also just remembered when we moved to Texas from Connecticut my dad pulled an enclosed trailer behind his Nissan Xterra and it was perfectly fine, despite being rated for 5,000 lbs, so your Taco will be capable.

    6F76DCE9-2D57-4888-BE07-6CE1790627F7.jpg
     
    Dr.Lou likes this.
  2. May 3, 2021 at 6:58 PM
    #22
    CT Yankee

    CT Yankee Well-Known Member

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    Only aesthetic mods so far Leer 180 cap & Clazzio covers on order.
    I was referring to the little stubby, single axle U-Haul, not a double axle much longer trailer.
     
    Junkhead[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. May 3, 2021 at 8:32 PM
    #23
    2021SR5V64WD

    2021SR5V64WD Well-Known Member

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    Towing 'anything' exposes 'anyone' to a certain amount of risk, even some of the 'pros' who respond on this board.

    There are many considerations to take into account, weight of the unit being towed, items in the unit and their
    combined weight, tongue weight, brake controller ( or none ), hitch pin, hitch, 7 or 4 pin connection potential issues
    etc etc etc.

    For someone who has never towed to ask a general question is no reason to berate them as if they are idiots -

    I have a 1,000 pound tear-drop I take out camping - and I have a spreadsheet ( keep copies handy ) for everything
    regarding hookup, window checks, door checks, connection checks, light checks ( blinkers / brakes / headlights on or off )...
    the list goes on... mess one of them up and at best-case you've caused $1,000 in damages to something somewhere, worst
    case is you got someone hurt or killed.

    To the OP: You should have zero problems with the 'ability' of the Tacoma to tow that trailer. Take your time, cover the bases,
    and hook the thing up right. Watch the chain length... don't want them too 'tight' but you don't want them draggin either. I use
    this guy on my setup and it's nice to know I'll never drag and possibly start a fire or snag something.

    The folks at Uhaul should be available for questions, help, etc -

    There's a first time for everything, for those not on the path to Darwinism there is usually a second time.


    upload_2021-5-3_20-29-23.jpg
     
    G8R_Taco, Junkhead and Tke226[OP] like this.
  4. May 3, 2021 at 8:54 PM
    #24
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    My 2.7 tows this 12x6 with about 1000 pounds of equipment inside about 100 miles a week. You’re gonna be fine I promise.

    CF6297A6-CDC6-4B3D-A20A-AABA96595CAF.jpg
     
    Junkhead and Tke226[OP] like this.
  5. May 4, 2021 at 9:28 AM
    #25
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Those all great points!

    OP wasn’t asking for a checklist of things though. He asked if “there will be any issues towing a small uhaul trailer on the highway” That’s why I was a bit surprised that the question even came up. I mean if he had Honda Civic, that would’ve been a different story.
     
  6. May 4, 2021 at 9:30 AM
    #26
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Great looking combo sir!
     
    1776Taco[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. May 4, 2021 at 9:36 AM
    #27
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    What's this thing called? and purpose? I'm legitimately curious. Never seen one.


    [​IMG]
     
    Junkhead likes this.
  8. May 4, 2021 at 9:38 AM
    #28
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Holds the chain so it doesn’t drag. The same can be achieved by simply twisting the chain. To each their own.
     
  9. May 4, 2021 at 9:45 AM
    #29
    Lt. Dangle

    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    DCSB 4x4 is still #6400.

    OP will notice the wind more than anything. S5 and ECT and be slow. Done.
     
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  10. May 4, 2021 at 9:45 AM
    #30
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, that was all I could figure looking at it. Adding another pound of tongue weight when you could just twist them seems silly. In fact, if for some reason your draw bar failed (obviously extremely unlikely), your chains would be so loose they might fail to catch the falling trailer tongue.
     
    Junkhead[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. May 4, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #31
    Lt. Dangle

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    Twist and criss-cross. Done.
     
  12. May 4, 2021 at 9:51 AM
    #32
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    Yep that’s how I was taught too.I see a lot of guys not cross crossing. The chains should act as a cradle in an emergency situation.
     
  13. May 4, 2021 at 9:52 AM
    #33
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    That part is completely useless IMO.
     
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  14. May 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #34
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    I'm a twist-crosser too. A buddy dropped his trailer once. In the short time he got it stopped the asphalt had already ground the tongue coupler off. Getting that home was, um, fun.

    I'd rather mine land on the chains. Its a tricky balance though, keeping the chains short enough to cradle the tongue, yet still have it pull the e-brake if it drops, and yet not pulling the e-brake when backing it into a tight corner.



    To the OP, I'll give the advice I give every u-Haul renter: Get in the habit of feeling each trailer hub with the back of your hand, each time you stop for gas. If one of them is too hot to touch, stop driving. When it comes to trailer rentals, you never know when it last had its maintenance service.
     
  15. May 4, 2021 at 10:01 AM
    #35
    Lt. Dangle

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    It's a Uhaul, you know the answer to this lol.
     
  16. May 4, 2021 at 10:06 AM
    #36
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    Do you run with your e-brake attached to the safety chains? I was never a fan of that. I always run my safety cable through the chain eye on the truck and back to my padlock on my coupler. If it falls off and on the chains e-brake obviously wouldn't engage. Only if trailer actually fell completely away.
     
  17. May 4, 2021 at 10:08 AM
    #37
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

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    The trailer that I rented from uhaul, looked like it’s been through WW2.
     
  18. May 4, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #38
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    I do similar. Through one chain eye, then behind the hitch and clipped into the other chain eye. Cable gets clipped on after chains so that I know they won't mingle during driving.
     
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  19. May 4, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #39
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    Should treat them with respect. They're Veterans.
     
  20. May 4, 2021 at 10:10 AM
    #40
    0xDEADBEEF

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