Advice on towing 1,600 miles

I have a 2017 Tacoma DCLB off road with factory tow package. In the next few months I have to tow my Nissan Altima about 1,600 miles. I already know ECT on, S4 while towing but I guess my question is do you think the truck can handle it and whether or not it's a good idea. Worst case scenario I could drive the Nissan back on a separate trip. Also I planned on using a uhaul car dolly. Thanks for any advice.

 

It'll be fine, but somewhat miserable. Give yourself tons of room to slow down with that much weight. And obviously make sure the trailer has working brakes. And have a trailer brake controller installed.

 

If your talking about all wheels up flat tow I would get a brake control. If your talking tow dolly two wheels up I don't think they have brakes. your truck can handle the tow. I towed 4500lbs for 6 months. just take it easy!

 

Sorry to clarify I planned on just using the dolly that holds the front wheels of the car.

 

Put more air (PSI) than usual in the rear tires of the towed car. Take your time, hope there are not too many hills or mountains.

 

It'll do it no problem. With no brakes, take it easy.

 

It will do it no problem.

Remember the manual (towing information starting on page 174)says nothing about towing with ECT on or locking it in S4. That is all brought on by the third gen Tacomaworld syndrome.

 

I would use the full size car hauler. They have surge brakes on em. Will make it a much smoother tow. Especially for braking.

 

Like others are saying, just take it easy and give yourself time. I towed a 3500lb uhaul 1,000 miles and it was no problem.

 

Do you have a scan guage to watch your trans temp ?
HERE is the Tacoma World Towing Bible https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

And this thread has information on additional transmission coolers
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Tow dolley is the win. Less wind drag, less weight. The Uhaul units have brakes. You will be fine.

 

2.5 decades ago we mowed .16'uhaul box trailer.Crammed full+a650 enduro,camper shell on truck,also full.Albuquerque was a little hill!2.2 re engine ,standard in a 4×4pickup.Surge brakes on trailer. If only people would use their head when towing,lots of issues wouldn't need discussed.OP.You bought a truck that can safely tow and stop your weight if you do your part.Increase following distance by at least 6 seconds!PS.Forgot to mention,we bought the truck with 4000 miles on it,changed 2 headlights,1 radiator and when we traded it had 180000 miles on it.More or less.The reason was bed rusted apart at the body seams.And she wanted a 4 runner.Just traded it last year with well over 200000.

 

You're overthinking it. I towed a car on a hauler farther with a Honda Element, 3 times. The Tacoma is way more well-suited. You don't need to worry about ECT or S4 or any crap, just hook it up, make sure the lights work, and leave extra stopping distance.

I used to tow a camper with a Honda Fit. Accelerating's never the problem, it's the braking. Again, leave extra stop distance, and you'll be fine.

 

I'd be worried about more than just the brakes pulling a camper with a Honda Fit. There is a reason Honda says they void the warranty if you tow with them, where as other vehicles they maybe rated at 2000lbs or something. Hopefully it was a very small camper and you didn't put anyones lives in jeopardy

 

Take a GoPro and a use a suction cup mount to film it for when full size truck bros hate and don't believe it happened.

 

Should he also add a few more pounds of air into the rear tires of the Taco doing the towing?

 

Yes.

 

It was a small camper, but it was stupid and a risk. I wouldn't do it again. My point was, the OP is way too concerned about a well-equipped truck towing a small car.

 

I would trailer it slow. Using a tow dolly might lead to post traumatic stress disorder.

 

Thanks for the responses. Think I'll end up towing like suggested and just using the two wheel dolly with some extra air in the tires.