What do I need to tow 6500lbs across multiple states?

I'm looking to move 1br apt from Southern CA to near Green Bay WI. 2k miles

Now I know the taco can tow 6500lbs. 15 dc 4x4, oem suspension. I'm thinking of renting or buying a trailer 16-20ft. Not sure if I'm going to do open or enclosed. Trying to do this as cheap as possible. As I just lost my job. I never towed or moved this far before. I could use some suggestions on making this happen.
Thanks

 

You'll need a brake controller and weight distribution hitch. By the time you buy the trailer and get your truck set up to tow you'll probably spend more than if you have it shipped.

The Tacoma also sucks down the fuel when towing (I get just over 10mpg with a 5,500lb trailer) so you'll want to figure that into the cost as well.

 

If you're going to Green Bay, WI, it's part of the rust belt. Do yourself a favor and add some rust preventive to the frame and or underbody parts. Make sure you get the inside of the box section. Fluid Film, Woolwax, or something compatible with them.

 

Don't bet on that. The 6500 lb number assumes a skinny 150 lb driver with nothing else in the truck on level ground at sea level. You'll struggle at altitude and on upgrades. Around 4500-5000 is a more realistic maximum to be pulling. An empty trailer can be 2000 lbs so that doesn't leave much room for anything on, or in the trailer.

Most engines lose 3% of their power for each 1000' above sea level due to reduced O2 in the air. You'll be at 7000-12,000' getting across the mountains. I don't know how much you have to move, but it might be better to rent a box truck and tow the Tacoma behind the rental truck.

 

Rent a Uhaul or Ryder truck and put a car hauler behind it with your truck on it.

 

Have you looked into the prices of trailers to carry the amount of stuff you are trying to move? 6-7k for a enclosed, and thats if you can even find one. Cargo trailers are like gold right now.

 

I have used both U-Haul with car trailer (Tacoma Dbl cab short bed barley fit and I did use extra straps) and I have used Relo-Cube from https://www.upack.com/relocube/free-quote. When I used the relo cube it was more cost effective than the other similar options do to not needing that much space but my items were heavy. You could do a combo of driving your truck loaded and a relo-cube. You will just need to price out all options. The time I used U-Haul and trailer was I ha way to much stuff and to heavy for what I would do with my Tacoma. And as others have said even with a small trailer behind the Tacoma MPG was terrible. If you did buy a trailer you would at least own it.

 

Hmm maybe I can barrow a buddy's 2010 f150. That might be a better pay load ability.

 

Look into the prices of the common Rental Trucks big enough to haul all your plunder and Tow your Tacoma.

If you borrow A Ford F150 you have the hassle of getting it home

Moving Sucks Yard sell and trash just keep what you can not do without . Fits in the Tacoma off you go.

 

Leaving socal because of work and/or lost job was the biggest regret of my life. Why not just find another job and stay put?

 

Take only prized family heirlooms then whatever other high priority items that will fit in the truck. At destination slowly replace items as needed. You mentioned Apartment so I assume you do not have appliances, (stove, refrigerator,
Washer,etc). The money you save on trailer, extra gas use toward new stuff......you could also pack your own boxes and hire a mover. Be careful with that as OTR drivers are in short supply, and could take awhile for your stuff to get to destination as you have a short load that will be combined with shorts.

 

I use PODS whenever i move. Totally worth it. They drop itmoff, I fill it uo and they come get it and either store it till youre ready for delivery or just deliver it.

 

How is that priced per POD or by weight??

 

This^^^. Look into pods . Way way way better than hauling all your stuff with your truck and trailer 2000 miles.

 

I was in medical making $100k a year and got my contract canned. Unless I try something like plumbing I can't see getting back to that income level again. I'm tired of the corporate rat race. Washington is one thing as jobs are not that easy their. My dad used to live there.

 

He might not be your buddy after the loaning . Rent a truck and pull your vehicle like suggested earlier

 

As stated above, rent a 20 foot cube van, pack it full, tow your truck behind, also full. Those big trucks are designed for it, while the Tacoma is a meh towing vehicle.

 

Its just by the pod. And i loaded my entrie blacksmith shop and home into one when i used one last.