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1st gen 4 cylinder towing 6x12 uhaul trailer

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Taco302, Jun 12, 2013.

  1. Jun 25, 2013 at 8:34 PM
    #21
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I was a bit worried about sway at first, so I kept the speed down. On day 2 that changed and I increased my speed to 70...75ish down the rolling hills to make it back up the hills without dragging ass.
     
  2. Aug 7, 2014 at 7:19 AM
    #22
    BigWheeler

    BigWheeler Member

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    I'm about to pick up the same trailer tomorrow, so I was searching through for others' experiences. Thanks for the write-up!
     
  3. Aug 7, 2014 at 8:30 AM
    #23
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    you should be fine. I made a 1,000 mile trip last year and it didn't have any problems. do you have an auto or manual?
     
  4. Aug 12, 2014 at 11:46 AM
    #24
    BigWheeler

    BigWheeler Member

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    Manual. And I'm in a 2008 Gen 2.

    I was able to finish the move without any real problems. I don't know how much weight I had in the trailer, but it was heavy. To my surprise, the Tacoma didn't have any power deficiencies, and could pull it without any trouble. I was even able to use fifth gear a lot, as I went down hill and on the flats. (I was driving from Baton Rouge to Memphis, so there was good deal of this through Mississippi, and nothing more than rolling hills.) One thing that I did find was that the weight of the trailer could really push the light truck around, and if I had it to do again I would have moved some of the weight from the trailer to the truck's bed to combat this. Luckily, there wasn't any wind, so it wasn't too much of a problem, but it might be something to keep in mind for the future.

    Do you do any special service afterwards? I figure I'll at least get an oil change, but don't know if more is warranted.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2014
  5. Aug 12, 2014 at 1:14 PM
    #25
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    might want to check tranny fluid level and coolant. mine were fine afterwards.
     
  6. Aug 12, 2014 at 2:43 PM
    #26
    BigWheeler

    BigWheeler Member

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    Will do. I kept a close eye on that temperature gauge throughout, and even though it was in the 90s for most of the day, it never went above 1/2 up. Pretty impressive.
     
  7. Aug 12, 2014 at 7:38 PM
    #27
    Robb235

    Robb235 Well-Known Member

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    I've towed that same 6x12 uHaul with my 4Runner. Be sure to load the front heavier. I thought I had put all the heavy stuff up front, but then as the trailer got full, we started cramming more and more stuff into the back of it making the rear heavier. Trailer sway at 55mph is no fun, lol.

    With the 3.4, power was ok. It downshifted a lot, but held it's own. Tundra 231mm brakes were nice to have, and so was the external trans cooler.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2014
  8. Apr 14, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #28
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bumping for anyone that needs to try this...
     
  9. Jun 25, 2019 at 1:31 PM
    #29
    ZrowGz

    ZrowGz I'm a n00b.

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    Just saw this thread, so may be a resurrection. I’m about to tow the trailer a size down with my 1997 3.4 m/t that’s geared at 4.88 from UT to WA. Just curious if there’s anything I should be careful about. I doubt I’ll be towing as much as you did, but I’ve got a bunch of extra weight on my vehicle at baseline comparatively. There’s a couple mountain ranges to cross. I figure it’ll be slow uphill in 3rd or 4th. I always hesitate to use 5th when towing though, except that would make for one hell of a long drive since my 4th gear is about 45mph.. lol

    Any suggestions?
     
  10. Jun 25, 2019 at 3:23 PM
    #30
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think you will be fine, especially since you have a v6 M/T. Plus its a lighter trailer and less weight to pull. Mountain ranges might set you in 3rd to 4th a lot.

    Bring oil and radiator fluid in case you need it. And most importantly, give yourself plenty of time for stopping space and take it easy on the turns.
     
  11. Jun 25, 2019 at 5:09 PM
    #31
    BarnBoy

    BarnBoy Well-Known Member

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    IDK why nobody has said this yet but NEVER tow in 5th gear! Ever! It's not built for that kind of strain. 4th is one of the strongest gears in the tranny, you'll go slower but won't hurt anything. Towing in 5th gear is risking potentially catastrophic failure!
     
  12. Jun 25, 2019 at 6:00 PM
    #32
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    I instantly said out loud, the same thing.
     
  13. Jun 25, 2019 at 9:06 PM
    #33
    Taco302

    Taco302 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That tongue licked 1k miles on that trip...and I drive her to this day. Used her to rip some bushes out of the yard this afternoon and she didn't complain.
     
  14. Jun 28, 2019 at 12:00 AM
    #34
    ZrowGz

    ZrowGz I'm a n00b.

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    Question about that not towing in fifth. My gears are 4.88 and my tires are 33” so my speedo reads 10% faster than I’m actually going. This would lessen the loads on gears right? If I really only used 5th when going flat or slight rolling hills and just downshift as soon as it starts to slow (without giving it much more gas), would it be ok to tow in 5th then? I wish I could get a weight estimate of how much over stock I am and how much I’m towing lol.
     
  15. Jun 28, 2019 at 12:13 AM
    #35
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Where did you come up with the idea of not towing in 5th gear ??

    I have never heard of it and have been dragging things for quite a little while .

    putting close to 100,000 miles on with no problems

    Then I do tend to drive like I have a 40,000 pound coil suicide .
     
  16. Jun 30, 2019 at 8:23 PM
    #36
    BarnBoy

    BarnBoy Well-Known Member

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    Umm...I definitely did not come up with it. It's been around since...well I dunno...as long as the 5 speed tranny I guess. Most service manuals say "do not tow in overdrive/5th gear"

    It loads the countershaft unnecessarily. 4th is probably the strongest gear in the tranny for towing because it's 1:1. The shafts are locked together and power goes straight through to the rear end. You might get by towing light loads on level ground but regularly towing in 5th gear will cause damamge. I figured you would have known this. It's pretty common knowledge.

    @gearcruncher may be able to explain better than I can
     
  17. Jun 30, 2019 at 11:49 PM
    #37
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Why would I be in 5th gear on anything but level ground.

    Never in all my days have I heard this I even used 5th Gear when Towing with my 22Re engines with no problems
     
  18. Jul 1, 2019 at 4:16 AM
    #38
    BarnBoy

    BarnBoy Well-Known Member

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    Google it bud. You decide if it's worth the risk.
     

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