Towing Heavy

Just wanted to create a post for those like me that are nervous pulling something long-distance near the truck's max capacity to assuage some concerns.

Recently, I used my 2012 TRD Sport w/ tow package to pull a 2001 Audi S4 on a U-Haul Auto Transporter flat bed about 525 miles across the midwest. The trailers are incredibly over-built and weigh about 2200 lbs empty. The S4 weighs approx 3600, and I had another 200 or so of misc supplies like a floor jack in the bed. When I made the online reservation, U-Haul actually wouldn't approve the rental with this combination even though it's within the truck's 6500 tow rating. They won't rent if the truck (4100 lbs) weighs less 80% of the trailer + towed vehicle combined. This particular combo puts the truck at about 68%. I was confident in the truck so I fudged the rental form and said I was towing an old Chevy Cavalier which weights significantly less than the S4 which they approved.

Anyway, my biggest concern once loading up the flat bed was the tongue weight. The U-Haul flat bed has built-in wheel straps that force you to pull the car all the way forward, and the S4 is very nose-heavy with the entire engine in front of the front axle. After reading online that most people used that forward position with various vehicles, I ended up risking it since I was a bit short on time and I did have more than half a tank of gas in the rear of the car. Next time, however, I would spend some time measuring tongue weight since there was a fair amount of sag in the rear axle.

I'm happy to say that the truck handled the load very well. I set the cruise control at 65 and only had to downshift a handful of times up steep hills on the interstate (it's a manual). The coolant temp needle never budged from dead center, and I averaged about 13 MPG which was more than I expected. The hydro surge brakes on the trailer worked surprisingly well, too. I always over-estimated the amount of road it would take to stop.

So, for those of you concerned about pulling heavy: don't be. Drive carefully and don't be an idiot and try to pull 10k lbs, but otherwise these trucks are well-built and can handle the work.

 

I pulled a 6200lb+ enclosed trailer full of my home stuff with the bed full of stuff and the roof of my truck topped off and with 33s and the double cab was packed full so full my dog rode on his bed on top of things in the passenger seat and pulled it for 14 hours straight.

 

Oh damn, I can't imagine how hard you had to wind that thing out to get it up hills. There were a few long, steep grades that I had to shift down to 4th at about 3500 RPMs to keep from slowing down too much.

 

I went from Oklahoma to tennesse a lot of rolling hills not too bad steep

 

I also have timbren bumpstops made the ride A LOT better! I feel I love with those thing on that trip. But I will never tow like that again. Love my truck too much. It actually handled it great!! But it's the principal of the thing. Yea know?

 

Yeah, this time it made sense because I had to get both vehicles from the same place to another, but in the future I'd prefer to rent a beater to save wear & tear on the Taco.

Here's better picture showing the weight on the rear axle and how far forward the car sat on the trailer:

 

Before I purchased my trailer, I would tell uhaul that I was towing a VW sand rail or Karman Ghia. If set up right, Tacomas can tow pretty well. If not, there will be problems. Also depends on the drivers experience. AZ to OR with everything I own, including a 2 bay tool box in the bed and car filled with tools and household goods.

 

Nice cap, what kind is it? Anyways, how was the Tacoma going up hills/steep grades on your way to OR? I'm planning on towing my wife's car with my Tacoma from the Bay Area to Blaine, WA in September. I may have to go over some of the same grades you did on your way to OR.

 

That is a Lear XQ100 cap

 

Pathfinder is right, it's the 100xq. Good canopy, hinges for the back glass suck though.
It towed very well on the hills. Having electric trailer brakes definately helped on a couple long curvy downhill sections. I kept an eye on my trans temp and kept it out of D. I actually stayed out of California and got onto I5 in Medford.

 

To op, nice imola S4! I have a b5 a4 avant. Hoping to tow mine to the track like you are towing yours!

 

What's the s4 need? Would have had a hell of a lot more fun driving that then the taco.

 

The S4 runs like a champ. I just needed to move both vehicles from one location to another. This allowed me to do it solo and in one trip.

And as fun as the S4 is, it's louder and lower than stock so 500+ miles in one day would probably get old. The truck is easy.

 

I used a uhaul trailer to tow my 05 evo. About 3200lbs. So 5200lbs car and trailer. My tacoma is a 2015 SR with tow package. The trip up to my autocross event I had the car on the trailer pointed strait. More tung weight then I liked. Still towed great just did not like the tung weight. On the way back I backed the car on. Way better. Tacoma only sagged about 2in when loaded. Towed much better.

 

I've towed my 16' enclosed trailer with both 4 runners and Tacomas... The dakars tow great..... Now I would recommend a larger trans cooler and better leafs for towing and that's it......

 

Blasphemy.

 

My thoughts as well.
I know the ops struggle with a b5 s4, the only reason I wouldn't drive it if it has to be moved, is if something were the matter with it :/
Way more comfortable then the taco and I'm on h&r ultra coilovers and stern engine, snub, trans, and rear diff mounts.


I guess we'll let it slide since op had to move both vehichles ... This time haha

 

nice B5 S4, I miss mine from time to time

 

Why didn't you back the Audi onto the trailer? To much weight on the rear of trailer?

 

Avant S4.....the ultimate sleeper.

"HOLY shit, I just got my doors blown off by a station wagon"