My experience: 1700 miles with a 6x12 Uhaul trailer

I see your edit @gsubioguy - i came from a full size F150 - I have no illusions that this truck is going to handle like a Cadillac once I finish modifying it. I really thought AAL was needed for these kind of tows to be more controlled. . .

 

I suppose that my main and final question, as it appears (I knew better) not everyone is a thorough reader......

Will a 6112/5160/AAL/UCAs lift installed by professionals be a benefit or hinderance to the 1700 mile tow I am looking to complete?

 

I think it will be a hinderance. I would pick up something like this to relieve sag. And a gauge to watch the tranny temp.

https://www.carid.com/2005-toyota-t...wig-medium-duty-helper-springs-633037930.html

After a bit of searching U-Haul doesn't recommend weight distribution hitches for their trailers.

 

If I was to go this route would it make sense to do it right the first time and get myself set up with a Dakar HD leaf pack? I’d be doing so in anticipation of lifting very soon after, and I wouldn’t spend the $75 (+ labor on install) for a part that will be thrown away/sold after using for 3 days.


After some more reading into towing here, and having a clearer head today, I’m getting the feeling perhaps the addition of a Scan gauge, perhaps AAL, and maybe replacing the front brakes with some power stops may be how I go about this. Should give me enough piece of mind while braking (especially if downhill), AAL should help the back end stay up, and the scan gauge to ensure if we need to pull off for the tranny to cool we can.

I think when I get to Idaho and we turn the Uhaul back in I’ll look into getting my trans fluids replaced, maybe also another tire rotation (due for my 5K after the trip, may rotate before and after?)

 

I have a stock suspension 2019 TRD Off Road that I tow an Airstream Basecamp with regularly. The trailer fully loaded with a full tank of water was right at the GVWR of 3500 lbs when I took it to the CAT scales. I just took a trip last month from the SF Bay Area to Coos Bay and back with no issues and averaged 14 mpg at mostly 60 mph on the highway, mostly hey 101 for this trip. S5 on the flats, S4 in the hills, and some S3 on steeper grades. I would recommend pinning the trans cooler thermostat open, but apparently your truck may not have a trans fluid cooler. Get a scangauge or a Bluetooth OBD2 dongle and the OBD fusion app so you can keep an eye on trans fluid temps, what gear the truck is using, and if the torque converter is locked up. It only locks up in S4 and above. When it isn’t locked up the temps in the converter will climb. My truck has the trans cooler and the thermostat is set at 185. I have seen temps as high as 230F at the converter for a short time while on a steep pass in S3. Most of the time converter temps rarely exceed 210F and will hover around 175F the same as the pan temp on a 75F day on flat grade in S5.

 

Any upgrades/equipment recs or would i be o.k. with a 5x8' uHaul trailer attached to my STOCK TRD OR 4x4 from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX (~1500 miles mainly on I-10)?

Trailer will be pretty light with just shoes, clothes, maybe a couple desks etc (no heavy furnitures or appliances)

thank you

 

You’ll be just fine. UHaul has surge brakes, they’re engineered to be used by everyone hitch and ditch.

I made a similar drive years ago, be careful driving too hard through the desert if you’re going to pass that way. When I made that pass hauling a loaded F150 my trans temps were getting up to 210 just driving through. Granted it was September and mid day.

If you’re going through there might wanna pick up a scan gauge. Other than that enjoy Texas!

 

ahh Gotcha ! thank you for your response !

 

Some good conversation in this thread now and I'm glad I posted about my experience. I feel there are a lot of people in a similar position to tow with their Tacoma's but have little experience (after all people don't typically buy Tacoma's for towing) and are cautious on the approach.

I'll be quite simple in a blanket statement - if you are towing a trailer that is less than 3500lbs (trailer and contents) the only added device I would recommend is something to watch transmission temperatures (manual excluded of course). A stock Tacoma should handle this with ease, no matter the distance or highway route, as long as the person towing is smart... loading the trailer properly, avoid high speeds, watch the weather, check tire pressures...etc.

Brake controllers are not needed for Uhaul trailers as they do not come equipped with electronic brakes.
Lift kits and add-a-leafs are not needed if you only plan on doing this once.
Air bags seem excessive if, again, you are only doing this once. Proper tongue weight will help alleviate the need for them. An alternative would be a set of nice bumpstops if you're worried about bottoming out.

Toyota put their name behind a truck that was tested by who knows how many different safety agencies and quality control experts. We shouldn't have to modify our vehicles to do something all of these tests have already proven a stock vehicle can handle.

If you plan on towing regularly at or above 3500lbs I would probably say that a brake controller (if trailer has E-Brakes), air bags, transmission cooler (if not equipped or undersized), and maybe E rated tires would be all that is needed to take a stock Tacoma and "upgrade" its capabilities. Everything else beyond that is probably not adding a lot of benefit. In my personal opinion if I was going to tow that weight regularly I would more than likely look at a different vehicle that could handle the weight.

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but that is what I learned from my experience.

 

Yes I’d like to say thank you as well for the OP as well as the additions here.
I’ll be towing the wife’s Accord on a dolly 1700 miles in 2 weeks. Will report back when done, expecting nothing but thumbs up!