Towing 5 X 8 Uhaul Trailer 1000 miles

I am going to be towing a fully loaded 5 X 8 Uhaul trailer 1000 miles on the east coast next week with an automatic transmission 2011 V6 4 door longbed. Side note I have a 2.5 in OME lift with Dakars and 33in all terrain Falken tires. Planning on doing two legs so about 500 miles each day.

My main question for others who have done a similar tow whether you tow in Drive or 4th gear?

Towing my boat around town I used 4th gear, but that was around town and I wasn’t sure if 4th gear would be ok for highway speeds and if there was any harm either way running in 4th gear or Drive.

It’s going to be mostly highway, route 95 with minimal grade and temps will be pretty cold so I am not terribly worried about transmission temps.

I was able to downsize and the 5 x 8 trailer itself only weighs 900lbs. The 6 x 12 I initially rented was 1000lbs more at 1900lbs.

Main question is bout what gear to tow in, but any other tips welcome from those who have pulled a trailer this size long distance. I know loading 60% of the weight up front of trailer is important, but any other tips in addition to what gear to tow in are welcome! I have topped off all fluids and tires are properly inflated.

Thanks!

 

Make sure to load it heavier in the front so you don’t get wobble, and tow in 4th gear (not in OD). No big deal.

Also leave lots of room in front of you - 5x8s don’t have brakes.

 

What speed can you tow at in 4th gear max ballpark? I know it’s gonna be higher RPM so just curious. I realize I am not going to be going too fast anyway since I’m pulling a trailer without trailer brakes so I was planning on 60-65mph max.

 

Keep her in drive, I've done a fully loaded 6x12 from CO to NC and back in mine with 3" lift on 33's agreed with above on keeping a good tongue weight

 

60-65 is about the best place to be. Faster than that and your gas mileage goes totally shit, and it generally not as safe.

 

Owners manual says to tow in 4th so just tow it in 4th. Since you are rolling on 33’s definitely tow in 4.

 

I tow in 4th at 65-75 mph
I’m on stock size tires turn about 3,000 rpm at 70 mph IIRC.

I haven’t had any issues.
But I do drop back to 5th occasionally.
Towing is like anything else, once you learn the truck you’ll get the feel of what gear to be in.

I think you’ll be just fine.

 

Just tow with it in 4 as it'll keep the trans temps down. Gas is cheap compared to a trans rebuild.

 

Little different engine/trans configuration, but this might be helpful: 2,700 mile towing MPG report (Toyota Tacoma)

- If I were to do it all over again, I would probably have used 6th gear a-lot more when loaded
- Easy to move those 5x8's around... Caution: hook-up trailer to truck before loading (It can/will easily tip)
- Simple weatherproofing (Driving thru rain I guess, some water got thru the door seal)
- Ends on the safety chains were too small for my hitch, had to connect with cheap 1T links from Tractor Supply
- Added a steel cable w/padlock to lock the trailer to the truck hitch IOT dissuade theft while overnighting at the hotel
- IIRC it was a 5 day rental; very glad I picked up a day early, allowed time to PMCS and load. Recommend a short test run to make sure primarily trailer is up to snuff; You know U-haul road side assistance is going to suck and take 1/2 a day.

 

Forgot to mention that when I'm towing my 12 x 6 enclosed mowing trailer keeping it in 4th helps with keeping up with traffic compared to when I've tried towing in drive.

 

Obligatory link to the TW Towing Bible thread since I didn't see it posted yet: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

Just have a good credit card. You'll get about 13 mpg with that setup.
I think we should all guess average mpg and OP should report back after the trip.

My number is 13!

 

I would also get a receiver lock and a lock for the hitch, so when you stop at night it may discourage theft.

 

As a default tow in 4th gear. On some stretches of level, or even long downhill sections of road it might be possible to go up to "D". But in reality, you'll probably get better fuel mileage if you stay in 4th gear. It isn't always about lowering rpm. In OD the engine is working harder even though it is running slower.

It is wind drag from the box trailer that will hurt you more than the weight. About the only time I'd run in "D" instead of 4th gear is with an empty utility trailer that isn't catching wind.

And speaking of wind drag. Speed will kill your fuel mileage. You may well get 3-4 mpg better fuel economy at 60 than at 70. Also, keep in mind that the speed rating on most trailer tires is 65 mph. Especially rental trailers. Part of the rental agreement is probably going to specify a max speed of 55.

 

If you can hold 5th with the torque converter locked tow in D, but if you are seeing a bunch of hunting between 4th n 5th or locking and unlocking of the converter just put it in 4th.

With the enclosed trailer acting like a big anchor of a sail, lift and tires you will not likely be able to hold 5th locked so just put it in 4th and drive without a worry

 

so this summer i towed a 5k camper to Yellowstone and back, thought I had trailer brakes, I'm sure you will be just fine, watch trans Temps, I know everyone will say to tow in drive, but on flat open areas where i slapped it over, im on 285/70 17 with a 2.5 lift

though when i returned the trailer to the owner, i left it in Drive and towed it like 60 miles with no issues too

 

Don't know, I drive manual. They say not to tow in 6th but I've had it in 6th and no problems.

Single axle is usually no brakes. Double axle has trailer brakes with a built-in sensor, no controller needed.

Automatic you probably want an ATF cooler if it doesn't already have it (tow package)

Be ready for the Average SmartPerson to try merging at the last second directly in front of your bumper,
with the truck having enough weight behind it and hard to stop where an impact would probably obliterate their shit

My equipment includes a lock for the door, rubber chocks, and hitch ball lock if parking is limited and I disconnect it from the truck temporarily to be in it's own spot. Hopefully my generic U-Haul hitch still goes low enough from my HC bumper and lift (Icon RXT #3)
I don't think I have anything yet that locks the trailer to the truck yet though.

 

Completed the trip and made about 14.5mpg most of the trip. Actually a bit better because I never had my odo recalibrated after the larger tires and didn’t feel like using the calculation. So overall pretty happy with the mileage considering our trucks aren’t really made for towing and it’s an older truck. Truck handled the trailer great and braking wasn’t a huge issue, but she did accelerate pretty slowly. Loaded it with most of the heavier stuff towards the front and didn’t have any trailer sway or any other handling issues. Thanks for all the tips y’all!

 

Don't be in a hurry and keep your speed low. Good Luck!