Towing 500 miles with my 2.7L Tacoma

In a few months I will be moving from Plano, TX to Lawrence, KS (a little over 500 miles). In preparation for this, I found that U-Haul trucks are much more expensive than I had anticipated. Instead, I was looking at installing a trailer hitch to my 4-banger Tacoma (2wd and no tow package) to pull one of their small trailers instead of a truck. The U-Haul would be a 5x8 (around 1,000lbs) and it wouldn't be loaded with not much other than a desk, nightstand, clothes, and other personal items. I understand that my Tacoma has a towing capacity of 3,500lbs and can easily tow it, but I'm unsure if the length of the pull would be an issue with me not having a transmission cooler for a 500 mile hike without stopping. Also, would any potential issues from this trip/self installed hitch void my factory warranty? I just don't want to burn up my brand new truck's transmission a few months after buying it lol.

As you can probably tell, I don't pull trailers often
Let me know what y'all think, thanks!

 

Rent a truck and tow the Tacoma.

 

Do it. It's under warranty to boot. FWIW, you'll barely know that little trailer's back there. Keep in mind, backing little trailer's is a PITA...

 

fluids correct

tyres correct

at the weight U describe

at legal speeds + stops for snaks........potty......fuel

U should not experience any concerns / issues

the overall priority is stopping distances ............allow 2 or 3X more

 

I dragged about the same weight on a trailer (full size BMW R1200GS in an open 5x9 Uhaul trailer, probably 1,000 # total) from Seattle to northern California with my 2017 2.7 MT. The route was mountainous, going from about 0' to several passes over 5,000', and I was in 3rd for most of the steep uphills. Other than being slow at times, the truck did fine.

I assume your route is more flat! You'll be fine if you go the trailer route.

If you need a hitch, etrailer.com is a damn good vendor... a class III Curt or Draw-Tite is around $130 shipped. $55 for the wiring; you're all in for under $200.

Alternatively, and sorry if this is a 'dick' suggestion, but have you considered just selling your shit in TX and buying new/used replacements in KS? Doesn't sound like you got a whole lot of stuff, but moving is always a PITA and unless you have really valuable stuff or are sentimental... they sell dressers and desks everywhere...

 

You won't have any problems. I towed a 2500lb car 150 miles on a car dolley with my 09 4cyl auto. You'll be amazed at how much you can do with these trucks without running into issues.

 

Hey, Deedee23, how did it go? Have you done this tow yet?

We just towed a thousand pounds for a thousand miles on our 2.7 liter, 5-lug Tacoma. It was no sweat. We put the shifter into "3" rather than "D" and that was the only adjustment.

Oh, and driving like you are a semi truck, with slow and calculated maneuvers. Ease off the gas pedal long before any stops.

 

at legal speeds little to NO issues in the right gear

stay away from the over drive gearing

 

I tow 3000 lbs with my '98 2.4L pretty regularly. You should be fine