Long trip ahead, need some tips and pointers.

First and foremost, I am brand new to Tacoma world, so I look forward to the experience of talking to other Taco Trustees. So, to business. I am moving in about a month and I have a long trip ahead of me. I will be moving from southern New York State to mid state South Carolina, roughly 800 miles one way. I plan to rent a 6x12 uhaul cargo trailer to move my wife's and my belongings. About my vehicle; I have a 2008 Tacoma, double cab, long bed, 4x4, 5spd auto, 80,000 miles. I have a wulf suspensions 3" front and rear lift in her and 265/75 16s on the wheels. I do NOT have the faculty tow package. I have a receiver and a 4pin connector that is not working. So, I need to get the wiring harness working, and figure out what I need to prep the truck for a one way trip like that. Any ideas or words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

 

What color is your truck?

 

It's white with black bumpers, grille and fenders.

 

OK, you passed the test. You are now worthy of our time. Now would be a good time to change all the fluids in the truck, replace the serpentine belt and spark plugs and air filter if they haven't been done in a long time. As for the trailer wiring, you can buy a plug and play harness that plugs into the taillight wiring. A transmission cooler would be nice to have to ensure your transmission has a long happy life.

 

I plan to do the fluids, plugs and filters in the next two weeks, so I'll add serpentine belt to that honey do list. As far as the trailer wiring, where does it hook up? I looked behind the drivers side taillight and found that black box that goes to the four pin but couldn't figure out why it wasn't getting power (checked with a test light).

 

Put your old serpentine belt in the storage cubby. It's always nice to have a spare belt out on the road.

I have the factory tow package, but from what I've seen, there is a connector that connects the truck harness to the left taillight. That gets unpluged and the add on tow harness gets plugged inline. There is a converter box to convert the separate brake/ turn signals to common brake/ turn signals for the trailer. Those boxes do go bad sometimes.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World!

 

Thank you Black Coffee! MuddinFun, where can I buy a replacement box if it is bad?

 

800 miles is nothing to worry about. Fix your 4pin and hit the road.

 

Even towing a trailer with a 4000 lb gross weight?

 

Any local auto parts store would have the universal convertor box, but it would be much easier to just buy the vehicle specific plug and play harness with the box included.

 

Now because I don't have the tow package, I don't have the plug and play option for a 7 pin and brake controller, correct?

 

It's an 800 mile trip... you're not driving across the continent.

Don't tow more than 4,000 pounds.
Leave extra room for braking.
Enjoy the drive.

 

No problem. Just don't be afraid to get a few extra RPMs out of your engine. Don't lug it, keep it revved up fairly high. Tacomas are tanks, you'll be fine.

 

Correct. If you want a trailer brake controller, you will need to do custom wiring for it.

Although towing a 6X12 trailer 800 miles is no big deal for your truck, preventative maintenance will be money well spent to ensure you don't break down out on the road, which would be VERY expensive.

 

Uhaul trailers have surge brakes, no need for a 7 pin. You’ll just need hour 4 pin functional, they’ll usually check when you pick it up.

 

I have almost the same question. 2008 Tacoma automatic with NO tow package. I'm looking to purchase a 6x12 trailer WITHOUT brakes, fill it with general house stuff, and drive 3500 miles from AK to CO. The Uhaul 6x12 is an option and I am considering it because of the surge brakes. How important are trailer brakes or surge brakes and how common are surge brakes on non-Uhaul trailers. Any other suggestions for the trip, particularly around driving/towing which I have done almost not at all. Thanks!

 

There are aftermarket wiring harnesses available; they plug into your tail lights. I had to buy one a few years ago when I moved south from NY...look around on Amazon. I'm afraid to ask where in NY state you're currently in. Everyone else is right...that's not that many miles and you don't need to sweat over braking assists and all that nonsense. Really, the worst part of your trip will probably be getting out of NY, traveling through NJ..and then PA wasn't a ton of fun either...nothing too bad...I just don't recall enjoying my travels through those places when I moved.

 

800 miles is not a long distance to drive.
All I'd do is check the fluids, hoses, tire pressure, and keep a spare surpentine belt in the truck. But I do all that stuff once a week anyway.

If your Tacoma doesn't already have one, I'd suggest a transmission cooler.