4x4 2023 sr5 pulling 6x12 uhaul trailer

Hello, as the subject says, I will.be pulling this trailer. I have never pulled something this big. Any suggestions on how? Should I just be using the ECT and nothing else?

 

Use ECT
Drive 55-60
I would use 5th gear

The trailer itself weighs 1900+
They ARE bricks

 

Shift your AT manually. The key to towing with these trucks is accessing their power and torque bands, which are high rpm. Don't be afraid to run in the 3500 to 4500 rpm band on anything other than flat and relatively level. When I tow, I'm rarely below 2500 rpm, I don't use overdrive gear(s) at all. Highway on level terrain I use 5th gear some, never 6th. Stitch has MT. My 2¢ FWIW.

 

I’ve pulled these twice in a 2022 off-road trim.

Used ECT and kept the cruise control off. Did about 70-75 over about a 180mi drive.

Got about 9mpg driving against Kansas wind. Drove in automatic the whole way, but that’s because I only drive manual with a 10-speed Pete.

 

Oh yeah ... MPGs are definitely down the drain.

 

Thanks for the tip. I don't know how to drive a manual. So I think ill.just leave it in ECT and S5

 

You can shift it manually ... check your manual. I do it in wifes HIGHLANDER all the time ... partly 'cuz it irritates her.

 

Make sure your truck has a brake controller when towing anything over 1500 lbs with these trucks. My boat is over 2k lbs., I've used S5 with no issues, same for towing a 5x10 utility trailer. Idk, what trailer weight ECT is needed for, but it could help in the op's case with that loaded uhaul trailer.

 

I pulled a fully loaded 6x12 trailer almost 1000 miles with a 2016 Sport with 3" lift and 33" tires. I mostly ran in ECT mode on the interstate. Pulled very easy but averaged about 11 miles a gallon.

 

Hi, its not that I don't believe you can, I mean I don't know how to.manually shift without screwing up the transmission. Tried to.learn a manual on a friends truck and almost destroyed it.

 

Ok

 

You don’t need to shift manually, just keep it out of OD.


Be patient. Leave more room to stop and accelerate.


Uhaul trailers do not have electronic trailer brakes and thus you do not need a trailer brake controller. They have surge brakes which aren’t as good but are ok.


Take it easy and you’ll be fine.

 

Then you didn't have a good teacher.

 

i towed one of those with a 2001 xterra with the 3.3L v6 (with 210k miles on it) for 330 miles. No brake controller and installed the brake light wiring the day i left in the parking lot of Oreilys. The tacoma is way more capable, you should be fine.

 

Been there. l pulled one from the WI/IL border to Arkansas. Get a gauge (love my ultragauge) to watch your transmission temps- that was my biggest concern when hauling one of these.

 

Plan loading the trailer carefully, it makes a big difference in stability when towing.
You need some weight bias forward of the trailer axle, at the same time you don't want too much tongue weight on the truck.

Your heaviest items, a washing machine for example, should be over the trailer axles.

 

I have done it twice both trips almost 700 miles. Just put the shift lever over in the manual section and limit it to 5th, drop to 4th going up big hills. The 6x12 Uhaul trailer has a hydraulic surge brake built into it. I was worried the first time but it isn't too bad. And as stated, mpgs will be suffer big time. I think I averaged 12 mpg for those trips.

 

I'd be tempted to use S4, since the 6 speed has two overdrive gears.

Only one other post mentioned the weight: make sure you load the front heavier. The axle is not centered in the trailer, so if you load the floor evenly, it should have the proper weight distribution.

Just don't stick a bunch of heavy stuff right at the emd and close the door; makes the trailer really squirrely (read: unsafe) at highway speeds.

The surge brakes are okay; what'll happen is you hit the brakes, not much will happen, then the trailer brakes actuate and you slow down. So leave double the following distance.

 

Those trailers have surge brakes. I have pulled the a half dozen times with my truck. Use ECT and allow more braking distance.

 

Tacos can pull those just fine. Keep it out of OD, take it nice and easy, greater following distance and be prepared to stop and fill up often. Though I haven't done highway I've still put over a 1k miles on it with my old Tacoma and has no trailer brakes...