Towing question

I would like to tow my gen 1 Tacoma with my newer gen 2. My gen 2 has the 4.0 liter with the 6 speed manual. Can anyone suggest the best way to tow it (dolly, tandem trailer etc...), or if it is even a good idea? I do not have a braking unit, but I plan to buy one. Most of my towing will be on flat ground however, I do have a short mountain pass to go over where the grade reaches 6%. I have never towed anything with either of my Tacomas, so if anyone has any experience with this, it would really help me out a lot.

This is just a one-time tow, I really don't plan on towing again so I really don't want to upgrade or modify anything. I am about to move, and although my gen 1 isn't in the greatest shape, I would rather take it with me than sell it.

My gen 2 has the trailer connector and a receiver, so I believe I am covered there.

 

I should mention, my gen 1 is an extra cab 4x4, I don't remember what it weighs though. I won't be moving any furniture or any other stuff, it will just be the truck.

 

rent a trailer, buy a brake controller and you'll be fine.

 

Thanks Adam, other than expecting no power and a long braking distance, should I make any accommodations for toung weight or anything like that?

 

If you tow with wheels on the ground (dolly), disconnect the driveshaft at the diff. Don't forget to make sure the parking brake is OFF.

 

Rent a U-haul trailer. Yhey have surge brakes. No need for a brake controller.

If you were already planning on renting a U-haul trailer, it's a waste of money to install a brake controller. The trailer won't use it anyway.

At least, all the car trailers I've rented from them have had surge brakes.

 

I forgot about uhaul trailers having surge brakes, thats probably the best route to go, other than poor gas mileage the truck should handle it fine.

 

U-Haul are experts at this and have the things you'll need. They can even wire up your trailer if you don't have a trailer electrical attachment with your hitch. And HolyHandGrenade is correct they use surge brakes that function every time your brake lights come on, no need for a brake controller at all.

I've used their tow dolly before with good results. I towed a 1st gen Tacoma with my CJ5 Jeep from Phoenix up to Prescott and then to Flagstaff. No issues at all. As windsor stated earlier you'll want to disconnect the rear driveline. It's pretty easy to do actually, probably under 15 minutes.

Anyway, I like the dolly over a full trailer anyway... it's considerably lighter and easier to maneuver. And although you won't want to be zooming along you can safely go 55mph without disaster ensuing

 

I appreciate it guys! I will give the U-Haul trailer a shot. I would definitely rather avoid paying for the braking unit, since I will likely not be using again. I guess I can save that $$ for my move. Thanks again fellas.

 

Uhaul probably wouldn't rent you a trailer for the weight your hauling. Don't skip on the brake controller, could end up saving your life or someone else's.

 

Just to be clear, Surge brakes dont function based on your brake lights, they respond to forward pressure caused when you slow the truck down and the trailer pushes into the truck. The trailer's tongue senses this and applies brake pressure. Maybe that's what you meant to say, but i wanted to clarify

But yes, skip the brake controller because most trailers youll rent dont have electric brakes anyway. Best advice i can give is take it slow, take your turns wide so you the trailer stays in your lane, and keep a good distance from the car in front of you.

P.S. way to keep the taco, you must love that thing

 

Jake makes a good point, they might not let you pull that much weight. If they have a car dolly they might let you use that tho. If you end up using a trailer with electric brakes, youll def want a controller, but if it doesnt then theres no point in having a controller cuz it wont do anything

 

I checked U-Haul's website and, based on my gen 2's towing capacity and the weight of my smaller gen 1, they don't recommend either a dolly or a trailer. I realize there is some liability on U-Haul, but this just doesn't seem right. As long as I drive conservatively and I don't drag race or pull hole-shots in city traffic, I would think I would be okay with a trailer, especially based on everyone's comments.

 

This is kinda true, but it's easy for a trailer to get squirrely on you. The weight youre pulling is almost the same as your truck, which can be dangerous. Say you're doing 60, all the sudden traffic comes to a halt, you slam on your brakes but the trailer pushes you. You swerve to avoid rear ending the car in front of you, but the trailer pushes your back end around- you jacknife and roll over, and the truck slides into a SmartCar full of children, killing 2 and wounding 2. Now Uhaul looks like an asshole cuz they let you use their trailer.

Sorry couldnt stop typing there... Not to say you're bad at towing or anything, its just the stance Uhaul must take to avoid looking like assholes.

 

HAHA, well now that you put it that way, makes some sense.

 

If the gen 1 is a manual, then I would rent a dolly and go for it. If it is an auto then get a car hauler. If your gen 2 has a tow package, then you are good to go. If you get a brake controller, I HIGHLY recommend a tekonsha t3.

 

Im strongly considering purchasing a toy hauler, using my DCSB V6 Auto to tow. Trailer is 3120lbs dry. I would probably be towing 4600 lbs at the most. I already have firestone airbag helpers. Any thoughts? a bigger truck is always better but i love my taco. bigger transmission cooler?

 

Buddy tows his 21 foot toy hauler at way too fast of speeds (75+ up hills n shit) with his taco.... he is supercharged, but he has never had an issue and he weighs loaded around 6-6500lbs..... i think we pulled a record 5.2mpg on the last trip though.

I personally wouldnt be pulling a trailer that big with a tacoma for sheer fact that it weighs more than the truck!

 

Any thing that weights more than your TV is asking for trouble. I don't care what Toyota says it will pull I have no doubt I could pull 10,000# with my Tacoma but that is where it ends yes I can move it I can't stop it I can't get it out of a jack knife on the road when the trailer wants to pass the truck.

 

Have fun going over the Rockies.