Best Trailer for Towing Cross Country

Hey TW,

I'm moving from the west coast to EC and was wondering what is the best brand/trailer out there for towing behind my 2017 SR5.

 

Camping or cargo?

 

cargo, utility, travel trailer, what are we talking about here. Purpose, size, needs etc.

 

I should have rephrased my original post. I'm moving from the WC to EC and want to know what he largest size/capacity would be for the SR5. I know the tow limit is 3500lbs, but looking for a good brand/cargo trailer to put 1 studio-size amount of furniture in.

 

Cargo

 

If you’re talking travel trailer I can’t really recommend a brand but I’d get something with a feather lite construction
(Usually aluminum framing) and something that’s smooth sided. The metal corrugated trailers aren’t as desirable and don’t hold their value like a quality smooth side. The other thing I’d definitely recommend is a trailer with tandem axles. Yes this will add a little weight but the stability will pay dividends. Definitely get a weight distribution hitch, a sway reducer and Absolutely trailer brakes are a must!!!
My neighbors have a Jayco that’s really nice but they tow it with a 4.6 tundra. This is my $.02

 

Tow package or no?

 

I don't know much about enclosed cargo trailers. You could probably rent one from Uhaul for the move. And most Tacoma's are rated for 6400-6500 lbs towing, not 3500. But in reality you're probably looking at closer to 4500-5000 as a more realistic limit.

 

Dope, thanks. I had done a bunch of googling before, and someone on here in another thread said max was 3500. But good to know it's more. I'll check out Uhaul.

 

Max without tow package is 3500. With tow package and 4x4 is more.
If you want to buy, 6x12 tandem axle with V nose.

 

3500 for a 4cyl

 

I would recommend tandem axles for sure.

My wife and I moved in to our 850 sq ft apartment. I would say a single 16 ft, tandem axle cargo trailer would be enough just for the necessities (bed, dresser, desk, couch, entertainment center, clothes).

We bought a lot of our furniture (desk, book shelfs, couch, storage cabinets) and had it delivered or picked up, and also did a several small trips with a my pick up to get things from storage (hobby toys, work equipment, gear) within 2 months of moving in. That being said, I would say if you're doing a full displacement move, taking everything you own from a long term dewelling and putting it in a new place, you'll need at least a big uhaul box truck or 2+ trips with the cargo trailer.

 

Check tour individual vehicle for tow information. Not all Tacomas are rated above 3500.

 

I would stay way south of 3k. Even at those weights, the truck will be struggling . Hire a moving company and then you can enjoy the drive. You won't enjoy the drive dragging a cargo trailer.

 

Hell no to towing a rental trailer full of your stuff cross country. Especially in the winter. Check out moving pods.. There’s dozens of different companies and options. They deliver what ever size pod you want. You Load it up and they truck it to your new destination. Easy peasy. Then you drive to your destination and enjoy the trip. No way I’d tow a cargo trailer full of crap cross country.

 

Agree. Get a pod or a hauling company.

By the time you get a trailer large enough to haul your belongings, get it loaded......it will be overweight for the Tacoma.

Using a pod or hauling company, you will still be loaded with the items they won't haul. For example, propane tanks, gas cans......not matter if empty. There are many things they won't carry.

 

I've towed coast to coast many times and it's not bad at all if you plan correctly. You're smart to match the trailer to your truck. If your capacity is truly 3500 lbs then I'd be looking at something 5x10 or smaller, single axle, with an unloaded weight of under 1000lbs. Trailer brands very so much that its hard to make a good recomendation without more info. You get what you pay for. Most hold their value reasonably well if you're planning to sell when you finish using it. I've bought and sold trailers for cross country moves and come out ahead compared to the price of a uhaul and certainly a pod.

 

I bought an E-Z Hauler all aluminum 6x12 with a 2' v-nose when I moved here in the Northeast. (made in Maine by Alcom).It was not a coast to coast move but I'm in Northern New England and tow quite a bit. My 2GEN with tow pkg was fine. I do have an AAL. Trailer curb weight 995, payload 2095. I paid $3k for the trailer new. It doubled as a garage until I had mine built. I sold it for 3k this summer. This can just give you an idea. I did not have everything I owned in this trailer. I paid a moving company for everything else.

 

Paying a moving company is definitely easier and more convenient but since this is a thread asking about trailers, unlike some of the the others, I will try to help.... Your truck can more than handle the duties of moving a studio-apartments worth of crap. What are we talking here, a bed, couch, table, chairs, tv’s, night stands/dressers, etc.? None of this weighs an extreme amount. Now if you are talking a bunch of weight equipment, 4 people’s worth of crap, etc. then yea, maybe a moving company. Rent the smallest uhaul that can fit all of your stuff, and start driving. No reason to over think it, it’s been done millions of times. If there is something you should be asking/learning about, it’s how to pack the trailer the correct way

 

A cross country 6x12 UHaul is going to run you between 600-800 bucks, depending on pickup/dropoff. At this point it might actually be cheaper to buy a small box trailer and then sell it at your destination. It isn't what I would want to do, but between UHaul and purchasing one on CL, I'd choose purchasing.

You will need the experience and the tools to service the bearings, brakes, lights, and tires before you go though. You would be surprised at how many people lose all of their shit on the side of the road thanks to a chain reaction caused by overheated hubs.