Towing a 4x8 Uhaul Trailer in '11 Manual

My family and I are moving across the country soon, and I will be towing a small 4'x8' UHaul trailer along with me. There won't be much other weight inside the cab or the bed, as we're taking two vehicles. I know it isn't much weight, but I have never towed in this truck and my towing experience is limited. Are there any tips for doing this, or any advice? My truck is a 2011 TRD Offroad DC SB with the V6 and 6-speed manual. The owners manual says not to use sixth, but I don't want to completely kill gas mileage and much of the drive will be flat. I don't know for sure if I have the towing package or not, either. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

It’s all about the total weight. However you can’t haul that much in a 4x8 trailer. Loading it up with household items the weight should probably be under 1000 lbs plus weight of the trailer. The truck will have no problem with this. You’ll hardly know you are towing anything behind you. Just drive a little slow and remember it takes longer to stop with a trailer behind you. Many trailer tires are not rated for over 65 mph so keep that in mind.
Also as I have stated many times here rather than towing a trailer full of stuff look into moving pods. They deliver what ever size you want, you load it up and then they pick it up and deliver it to your destination. Easy peasy, no towing hassles.

 

That helps a lot, thanks. We looked into moving pods, but we're leaving California, and since there are so many others doing the same thing, they're charging a hell of a lot more to do it.

 

You don’t want to lug the engine.
If you’ve driven a manual long enough, you’ll know what gear to be in.

Gas is cheaper than engine or transmission repair bills.

 

Review the Towing Bible tread for info.
The Tacoma Towing Bible | Tacoma World

You need to load so some tongue weight for handling and the thread lists all that stuff as well as overall gross weight.
Your mileage will drop to 10-12 towing most probably.
Braking will lengthen so have all drivers do a hard stop early so they really know/feel the increased distance for safety.
The actual tow will be a breeze.

 

If I'm just cruising at 60-65, I imagine 6th gear won't lug the engine, right? Obviously, incline/decline or passing (in the rare occasion that I need to pass someone at that speed) would be done with downshifting.

 

Just use common sense and you’ll be fine. I occasionally use 6th gear while towing but only on flat ground or small declines. Big declines I like 5th or even 4th just so I have more control because stock brakes aren’t great. If you feel it lugging, just drop a gear. It’s not going to hurt anything unless it’s literally lugging for hours and hundreds of miles.