Pulling a U-Haul auto trailer with a 4 cyl?

I have a 2wd tacoma 2.4L with a 5-speed manual. my trailer rating is 3500 lbs (i believe thats with the bumper) but i am installing a class iii/iv hitch. Will i have trouble pulling say, a 1990 honda civic on a trailer (assuming u-haul allows me to rent the trailer)? The curb weight of the car is about 2200 lbs.

 

well, my taco is a little different (2.7 ltr 4x4 5 spd) with a class III hitch, I have no problems towing a 1600 lb pop up loaded to the gills with camping crap and the bed loaded with more camping crap.

my last weight tickets (military move) were around 3.5k lbs total added weight from an empty truck.

i've towed the pop up for years and this move was 1600 miles.

you will definitely know you have some weight behind you (it'll push you into turns) but if the ratings are the same with the two trucks, you'll probably be fine.

also what kind of trailer are you using? a 4 wheels off the street trailer, or a dolly (rear wheels of the towed vehicle on the street)?

 

4 wheels off the street. the car i'm pulling isn't yet registered

 

i doubt uhaul will even rent it to you.

 

the local retards here will

 

LOL...well don't do it for your safety and everyone elses.

according to uhauls website

Capacity

• Max load: 5,290 lbs.
• Gross vehicle weight: 7,500 lbs. max
• Empty weight: 2,210 lbs.

So if the car weighs 2200 lbs and the trailer weighs 2200 lbs you are going to be over towing capacity by about 900 lbs not counting the weight of the gas the car will have in it...if any. I once towed a ford probe on a uhaul trailer with a f150 that had a 302 in it, and the f150 was struggling.

 

I wouldn't try it, Thats just pushing the Limits way too far.

 

Yeah, Uhaul's trailers are much too heavy.

If you're going to try it, use a dolly - you'll be at your limit but still much safer.

 

It appears that I'll be alright with the dolly instead. I didn't realize those trailers weighed that much.

 

yeah the trailers are heavy.. thats why I was asking.

remember your weight limit and dont pack your towed car with heavy stuff.
pack it with bulky stuff (pillows blankets)

 

No way I'd try it. I pulled an 87 Olds 98 Regency on one of those about 400 miles through the mountains once with an '02 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4. That truck was a good bit bigger than a Tacoma and had a V8 motor and really good brakes. It got the job done but I could tell it was just barely enough truck. I really would've been better off with a full size truck and at least a Hemi engine if not a diesel. I can't imagine pulling one of those with a compact truck. Stopping it would be a real adventure.

 

definitely not. unless you could get the trailer to be under 800lbs or so. you have to take into account the fuel of both the tacoma and the car you're pulling. along with your weight and any passengers and anything else in either vehicle (luggage, tools, etc.)

you would most likely overheat the engine without any kind of oil cooler. and that would put considerable wear on the brakes if not ruin them completely.

 

You might be ok with the Tow dolly however its really going to be struggling with the 4cyl and difficult to stop. Hopefully you only a short distance.

I have towed a few cars with my '07 4.0 DC 4x4 using my buddy's 18' featherlite car carrier. keep in mind this is a light trailer @ around 1400 lbs bc its all aluminum. I towed a 91 toyota mr2, 99 chevy monte carlo, and a 2005 WRX STI all on the same day lol. Total weight around 4500ish lbs plus passengers so right around 5,000 lbs. You could definitely tell there was something back there, took A LOT longer to stop since the trailer brakes weren't wired up. and accelerating struggled a little, but I have the 6spd manual so I was able to control the acceleration a little better mind you this was with the 4.0 v6.

I have towed with a dolly before and its a little bit easier.

 

I wouldn't do it.

How far do you need to tow it?

Do you have Triple A? If yes - wondering if you could use that service to tow the car for you?? Or - call them up and tell them your situation...maybe you could get a AAA membership (and a tow service) for less than the amount it would cost to rent a Uhaul trailer.

Just a thought....
Not sure AAA would do that, but well worth a few phone calls to ask.

 

I pulled a small uhaul trailer with about 3,500lbs of oil press in it from pa to MT once with a 90 4x4 22re 2.4L, It was ok just a little slow on the hills and give extra room for stoping.