Safe to tow a Lexus RX330 using a towing dolly or auto transport from U-Haul?

Hello everyone, Is it safe for a 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 towing a Lexus RX330 using either a towing dolly or an auto transport from U-Haul? Just wondering…any tips or advise?

I used the dolly from U-Haul to tow couple sedans (accord & Camry) in the past but I’m not sure if it’s safe to tow a RX 330. It’s about 170miles distance

 

The Uhaul trailer weighs 2200lbs and the RX330 about 4000lbs according to google. You will be right at the max towing capacity of the truck and it won’t be fun. How far and what kind of terrain are you towing over? Flat ground in FL for 20 miles is a lot different than over the mountains in CO for 200 miles.

 

U-haul may not will rent you the dolly or the auto transport if you are honest with them.

Per U-haul:

Tow dolly:
Max capacity: 3450/FWD or 3900/RWD (vehicle being towed)
Empty weight: 750 pounds
Tow vehicle must weigh a minimum of 750 pounds more than the vehicle being towed.
The heaviest Tacoma has a curb weight around 4500 pounds.

4500 un-braked pounds behind you is going to make stopping range from interesting through challenging up to terrifying depending on how important the immediate stopping situation is.

Auto transport:
Has brakes and weighs 2210 pounds empty and is rated for 5290 pounds load, however again the Tacoma might not meet U haul specifications.

Must weigh at least 3500 pounds (curb) and must equal or exceed 80% of the combined weight of the trailer (2210 pounds) and the vehicle being towed (up to 5290 pounds).

Math:
2210 (trailer)
4000 (RX 330)
6210 Total
------------
4960 (80%) The heaviest Tacoma weighs about 4500 pounds.

 

Rent or borrow a bigger truck.

 

^^^^ Good idea.

A few years ago I needed to move a car, it was about 400 miles round trip.
I rented a 1/2 ton Chev and auto transport from U-haul. It was surprisingly affordable (for the work done and distance), the truck had 17,000 miles and everything was in excellent condition and worked perfectly.

 

new here, but tow/haul things all the time. im gonna tell you this is too much weight for the little truck.

not gonna have enough weight or brakes on its own to stop from speed or an emergency.

now if you just gotta go a couple blocks at low/slow speed? then it might be ok.

see a lot of pix even on this site of people pulling things that i'd only put behind my big truck. You only got to get pushed thru 1 intersection to find out thats not something you want to do twice.

 

My rule of thumb is I never tow more than 65 or 70% of my max capacity…. Especially for any distance.

so…. No

 

The surge brakes on a tow dolly usually aren't that good. If you had proper electric trailer brakes, the weight would be fine.

 

I have never seen a U haul tow dolly with any kind of brakes, the auto transport does have them.

 

Same, I dont have to tow vehicles often but when I do I rent the auto transport cause its much better when you feel the trailer brakes kick in.

 

Ah OK then it's out of the question.

 

Across town (if < 20 miles and no 70 mph highways): fine, Longer than that: F to the N-O

Why no:

1. You will have difficulty gaining and maintaining speed with that much weight behind and will need to be in 3rd or 4th gear to rev your Taco into the 3-4-5k RPM band where peak horsepower and torque is achieved
2. With that much weight you will be bouncing around on stock suspension
3. The RX on a trailer will exponentially increase drag
4. By law, towing that much weight (and common sense for safety) you will need a brake controller - I am not certain if 2nd Gen TRDs came wired for towing like the third gens do; you will want to verify you are wired for a brake controller and then install a decent brake controller

I only pulled this with my Taco because my dually was hooked up to another trailer and it was < 6 miles to my place. Keep in mind I have heavy Dakar Leaf springs from an OME-005 kit, my TRD Sport came wired for towing and I added a Red Arc Tow Pro Elite brake controller. If I were you I would seriously consider renting a full size from Enterprise, Budget, or Hertz (or hell, even Home Depot or Lowes) that is wired for towing and has a factory integrated brake controller.