Truck Prep: Driving cross country with a trailer

Hey guys,

This is my first post here. I picked up my first Tacoma (2011 certified pre-owned TRD off-road access cab with 68K miles on it) at the beginning of March. Coming from a 2000 Ford Ranger I'm loving this thing. I had very little confidence in my Ranger and it has been an interesting transition into a truck that is as reliable as a Tacoma - I'm hoping mine is as bullet proof as others on here.

I've accepted a job offer in Southern California and will be driving out Tuesday of next week. I know I've seen threads on this before but am having trouble coming up with info in searches.

I will be towing a U-Haul 6x12 trailer with two dirtbikes (three including a pit bike), and a few more items. We shipped most of our stuff out already so it won't be a ton of weight in the trailer. Reading on here people seem to recommend driving in 4th gear with these trailers (which at 60-65mph is at like 2200-2500 rpms and terrible mileage). If its not constantly shifting up/down in Drive, is it safe to do, especially in the long flat stretches?

Lastly, what kind of truck prep should I do prior to heading out? So far I plan to:

- Check transmission fluid level
- Oil Change (though I switched to Mobil 1 Full Synthetic a little over 1k miles ago, I want a fresh change for peace of mind)
- New Plugs (not sure when they were last replaced) - any recommendations here?
- New serpentine belt
- Rotate tires and air up to 40 psi

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,

Tim

 

You should be fine to tow in 5th as long as the transmission isn't "gear hunting" between 4th and 5th a lot. I usually tow in D unless I'm going through a hilly area, then I'll drop it into 4.

 

Thanks for the links DoorDing, will definitely be referencing them this weekend.

The truck does have the OEM tow package and the little trans cooler. The trailer does have "automatic surge brakes" - I'm not exactly sure how they function though and whether a brake controller is warranted?

Changing the brake fluid is also a good one to add to the list. I'm heading out Tuesday so won't have too much time to get everything done.

Thanks,

Tim

 

Welcome, i too went from a ranger to the taco and love all of it. You seem to be forgetting to be prepared for some kinda break down:

full size jack (if you have the space)
lug nut wrench with correct size socket for trailer and truck
make sure spare tire has air
get spare for trailer if you dont have one
Gloves and maybe a crappy pair of clothes
headlamp and flashlights

I used to always think "meh if i get a flat or something ill get by with some basic tools" but the reality is it sucks to "try to get by" with basic stuff, its way better to have what you really need to get something done quickly and get back on the road!

Safe travels my friend

 

A spare trailer tire is definitely a good idea, most of the u-haul trailer tires I've seen are never in that good of shape (I will be making sure it has good tires before I head out), and I'll be driving it about 2,700 miles.

I do not have experience towing through the mountains, the only thing I can imagine is momentum is your friend haha.

Thanks,

Tim

 

I've towed a heavy trailer across the country 3 times now. You shouldn't have to worry too much, as these trucks pull pretty good. Mine struggles bad on the mountains and during a strong head wind. The key is to not push the truck hard. A few times I had to turn on the flashers and go 20 mph with the tractor-trailers. Be careful not to ride the breaks on the long down hill areas; they will get hot fast.
Enjoy the trip and the new job. And welcome to TW.

 

DoorDing has a good point on touching each hub and tire for heat. Especially the trailer because of possible break binding. Also, I almost ran out of gas one time in the dessert. Sometimes there are a lot of miles between gas stations.

 

spare trailer tires

emergency flares or cones or triangles

two flashlights and one headlamp

wire repair kit (crimper and wire and wirenuts..)

your PIT extinguisher up where you can grab it, or an extinguisher if you
don't have one (since you said pit bike I am 100% sure you have a fire extinguisher already)

2 gallons fresh water, for yourself or trucky if she blows one

yes a bag of crappy clothes and boots. warm enough stuff you will never need but if you need
it you have it. a bunch of nylon zip ties and 2 big contractor bags you will not need, but make
excellent emergency ponchos and use up no room to store flat

 

Welcome to so cal all these guys got you covered as far as check up and prep work goes I've towed a 16 ft flat bed with 3 quads and 3 dirtbikes and all camping shit including a truck bed full of massive logs for fire wood in the back and it towed fine just keep an eye out on rpms don't hit above 4k take grades slower down grades be on brakes trailers like to push our trucks around and just take it easy don't be in a rush and hope to meet you in the near future at a meet here or something

 

I had the weight distributed incorrectly when I drove from AZ to MA with a 6x10 box trailer fully loaded with two motorcycles and all my posessions. Hit some high wind in New Mexico and it got dangerous. Trailer was swaying left to right really bad and kind of pulling the tuck around the road (This was when I had my 05 4cyl. 4x2 MT access cab). Once I re-distributed the weight over the axles/slightly forward of the axles everything went really smooth.

So avoid placing too much weight at the rear of the trailer.

I would also suggest positioning your mirrors for towing before you leave. Changing lanes with a trailer is hard enough without being blind.

Oh and a properly inflated spare tire for the trailer. I had a blowout once and my trip would have been ruined if I had to get it towed away on a flat bed and try to get a new one installed.