Cross Country Move: To Tow or Not to Tow

I am moving back across the country in about a month. I am contemplating renting a u-haul 6x12 trailer but worried it will be too much for my truck to handle fully loaded down. The trip is ~1,900 miles. I have 4.0L V6 4x4 AT with towing package. If the 6x12 is too big, I was also contemplating getting the 5x8 trailer.

I have never towed with my truck so am pretty clueless here and don't want to screw my transmission on the long drive. I know I need to keep it in 4th and drive 70 or less, just don't want to over do it.

 

Easy. First time I towed was with my 4Runner with the 4.0 and also the 6x12. But that was just from SoCal to NorCal.

 

Be careful how you load it. Roughly at least 10% of the weight should be on the tongue. If it is too light on the tongue, bad things happen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Dgxe584Ss

Other than that, just remember that everything takes longer when you're towing. Be patient. I find that 65 is a comfortable speed that gets me decent gas milage, especially if I take my time accelerating.

The nice thing about the 6x12 uhauls is they do have surge brakes, whereas the 5x8's don't.

 

I towed a 6x12 from SF to Charlotte NC fully loaded in a 2006 Trailblazer with an I6.

You’re fine.

 

Go for it. Maybe switch the rear diff oil over to synthetic

 

Basically it depends on a number of factors. But the biggest you can control are the weight and weight distribution. You don't want the tail wagging the dog. You can't really control aerodynamics.

 

It ain't the size of the trailer, it's how much weight you put in/on the trailer. You could overload either one, or be fine with either one. MOST of these trucks are rated to tow about 6500 lbs, but that assumes no additional weight in the truck and only a skinny driver. 4500-5000 is a more realistic limit.

Looking at U-Hauls website the 6X12 empty trailer is 1920 lbs and is rated to carry 2480 with a max GVWR of 4400 lbs. I think your Tacoma should pull it.


https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/

The limiting factor is payload. Your trucks GVWR is 5450 or close to it. That means the weight of the truck including passengers, cargo and tongue weight of a trailer shouldn't be over 5450. Check the sticker on the drivers door or door jamb. There is also a payload rating, but if you've done any modifications to the truck it won't be accurate. It is around 1200 lbs on most Tacoma's but can vary from 1000-1300.

It would be a good idea to actually weigh your truck and subtract it's actual weight from GVWR to determine your true payload.

If you load the trailer to it's max 4400 lbs you should have about 570 lbs on the tongue. Figure 13%, 10% is considered the minimum, 15% maximum. Assuming a 1200 lb payload that only leaves you a little over 600 lbs for passengers or cargo in the truck. Which really isn't much. My Honda Fit has 850 lbs payload.

When loading the trailer getting the weight in the right spot is important. Heavier stuff is best near the front or over the axle. If it is heavy in the rear you don't have enough weight on the tongue and the video above does a good job of showing how that works.

If possible it is better to have stuff in the trailer rather than the bed of the truck. Every 100 lbs you move from the truck to the trailer reduces weight on the trucks suspension by about 85-90 lbs.

 

Great info! It will just be me and the dog in the truck, and most everything else in the trailer. Will be sure to pack heavier towards front.

 

Your truck should do fine, as already stated it all depends on weight and distribution. But before you rent a trailer look into using a moving pod. They deliver it to your place, you load it up and then they ship it to where you are moving. I used that to move some stuff from Pennsylvania to California. Worked out great. It probably cost a little more but when you figure costs , like the cost of the trailer one way and your gas it may be worth it. Towing you’ll get about average 10 mpg. You’ll use almost twice the fuel towing as not towing. And then since you’ve not towed much before the drive will be stressful and not pleasant. Also thieves love those enclosed trailers. It’s not uncommon to be ripped off in the middle of the night while sleeping at some motel.
Finally that size trailer May not have brakes. I rented a 6x12 a few years ago without brakes. Towing presents it’s own problems but stopping is the biggest problem. Traveling 70 mph with 2500 plus lbs behind you , when you hit the brakes because some idiot pulled out in front of you, nothing will seem to happen at first when you hit the brakes. It’ll take longer time and distance to stop. Check out moving pods, they may or may not be for you.

 

I’d also seriously consider a moving pod like ABF U-move or PODS. I’m sure you can tow it but if the cost is do able, why stress over the ride?

 

You truck can handle it if you can. Keep it in the low 60's and watch the turns and stopping distance.

 

No, put heaviest over the trailer wheel's(levels the "bounce", that can break things). Just have to balance enough weight in the front. I towed a Ranger on a U-haul vehicle trailer, for a move. At the last minute, I had filled the truck's bed up with plants & dirt!! As soon as I hit the highway, got the wag. I had to move the truck up as high as it could go, I got 8" more, and a giant old TV, & lot of the plants(put plastic down) to the front seat floor. It was better, but it almost was the trailer design?

 

We did a 1200 mile self-move (because ADVENTURE) two months ago today from Minnesota to Texas. We were planning to pull a trailer with the truck but realized we’d be at the weight and space edge. After some heated deliberation, and a bit of extra expense, decided to get another van and tow the truck. Put those long heavy miles on someone else’s equipment. U-haul can recommend the smallest truck that could also pull your truck.