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1st gen 4 cylinder towing 6x12 uhaul trailer

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Taco302, Jun 12, 2013.

  1. Jun 12, 2013 at 4:07 PM
    #1
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This should be a fun journey, I'm all but set to tote a 1,900 lb. U-haul trailer 1,000 miles (VA to AL). I plan on loading around 1,500 lbs into the trailer, and I plan on adding weight into the bed to reduce sway. I have a 2003, 2.7 L, 5 spd, 4x4 xtracab. I have seen a thread or 2 on pulling this specific trailer with the 4 cyl. and would like any additional input. I have read the tacoma towing bible, and found it quite useful, but i'm looking for experiences :) I am planning to avoid the Shenandoah mountain range by following the coast until I can cut through the Atlanta area.

    Oh, and i have a Curt class 3 hitch rated for 7500 lbs (way over the 3500) on the truck.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Jun 12, 2013 at 4:10 PM
    #2
    WHPLSH3

    WHPLSH3 Fortified with horsepower-adding goodness...

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    If you get into a headwind, the truck will suffer trying to keep up highway speed, because those trailers catch a lot of wind
     
  3. Jun 12, 2013 at 4:16 PM
    #3
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks whiplash, i expected as much...the drag from that trailer should slow me down, but I plan on hogging the slow lane and sticking to 55-60 :) hopefully the winds are down.
     
  4. Jun 12, 2013 at 10:29 PM
    #4
    CUtacomaTIGER

    CUtacomaTIGER Unprofessional Driver

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    its certainly possible. my dad claims to have hauled some old 70s american car with his '86 toyota pickup with the carburetor 4 cly just fine. and we both know those old cars aren't light. I'd say just don't expect good gas mileage and expect long braking distances and you'll be good
     
  5. Jun 13, 2013 at 5:16 AM
    #5
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    I did 4000lbs with the same trailer. I added a factory tow fan clutch. Mine is a 3.4L and did pretty good. It was a pig going up hills but handled its own. Keep the gears low to keep rpms up. Check your oil every fill up and you'll be fine. Maybe a good idea to change your coolant also. Summer towing is going to strain on that 4 banger.
     
  6. Jun 13, 2013 at 5:31 AM
    #6
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    It will be slow and your right arm will get tired. Don't think the added weight will do a thing for you other then waste gas. A hitch rated 10,000# will do nothing for a truck rated 3500# but a hell of a lot better then the bumper hitch.
     
    Rachelsdaddy likes this.
  7. Jun 13, 2013 at 7:28 AM
    #7
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    I tow a 5x10 of similar weight 700 miles twice a year, to school and back with my 2.4. Holding speed isn't too horribly difficult but the gas mileage sucks. I get 14-15 usually, could probably be better if I held it down to like 60 or 65
     
  8. Jun 13, 2013 at 3:24 PM
    #8
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all the tips guys, I'll pick up a couple of quarts of oil before the trip just in case and keep an eye on the radiator fluid level as well.

    Would anyone suggest using cruise control on fairly flat, straight stretches of interstate? Also, is shifting into 5th on such areas a "no-no", or should i maintain 3-4th gears? I'm not overly concerned about gas mileage, but when I can save without struggling, I'd like to :D

    Oh, and what rpm range should I expect in say....3rd and 4th gears on flat road vs moderate inclines (30 degrees)?
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2013
  9. Jun 13, 2013 at 6:40 PM
    #9
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    In my auto I kept it in third the whole trip. Once I got climbing I dropped it into second. Mind you I have an auto with a second tranny cooler so my temps did climb. Your clutch would suffer. I would stay out of cruise.
     
  10. Jun 14, 2013 at 4:57 AM
    #10
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    You should not use cruise towing any thing. The trucks are geared high it will let you know when it wants a lower gear you'll find if the RPM's drop below 2000 it will have no power and you might even have to drop two gears. Nothing wrong using 5th as long as it will pull the load but it will probably be in the 65 MPH range to keep the RPM up. Good thing you don't care about the mileage.
     
  11. Jun 14, 2013 at 6:51 AM
    #11
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    If your description is correct and you have a 5 speed, go with whatever gear you want. Just drive it like you would any other day, downshift if you start losing speed. Autos are recommended to leave it out of overdrive so the trans isn't shifting around constantly. This overheats them and ruins the tranny right quick. I don't know if you've ever seen ATF (it's really light viscosity) or your gear oil that's in your 5 speed (about as thick as maple syrup) but there's quite a difference. Manuals simply don't overheat and boil their fluid like autos can.

    As for RPMs, 3rd will be probably pushing 4000 rpms and 4th will be a little over 3. It's gonna be screaming, so bring some tunes along to drown it out :)
     
  12. Jun 14, 2013 at 7:44 PM
    #12
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks again for the tips/advice provided. Next Fri. I will be picking up the trailer, and pulling it to my house (45 min drive) should give me a fair idea of what to expect...I'll post results after the move and let yall know how it went.
     
  13. Jun 21, 2013 at 10:09 AM
    #13
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just picked up the trailer and got it to the house with no issues...That was empty weight though. So far, so good :) I'll be pulling out of here on Sunday and let yall know how the trip went.

    20130621_125710.jpg
     
  14. Jun 23, 2013 at 8:34 PM
    #14
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I'm about half-way (500 miles in), and the trip has been without incident. The trailer is loaded to the hilt, must be 3500 Lbs (including trailer weight). 5th gear has been used the most, and a mix of 4th, followed by 3rd for gradual inclines. I've checked the fluid/oil levels every stop and all seem fine. No overheating issues whatsoever. The drag from the trailer sucks, but could be worse...I'm averaging 16.4 MPG @ 60 MPH.
     
    970btu likes this.
  15. Jun 23, 2013 at 10:52 PM
    #15
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Thanx for keeping us informed. Thats nice to know.
    Does the trailer have its own brakes?
     
  16. Jun 24, 2013 at 4:47 AM
    #16
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the trailer is equipped w/ surge breaks. Iv'e been downshifting to slow down for the most part though.
     
  17. Jun 25, 2013 at 6:58 AM
    #17
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Success!
     
  18. Jun 25, 2013 at 7:07 AM
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    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Got a pic of the truck plus trailer?
     
  19. Jun 25, 2013 at 9:40 AM
    #19
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  20. Jun 25, 2013 at 5:14 PM
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    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Damn that's a long tongue! That thing is longer then the truck.
     

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