'98 SR5 130k - 800 mile drive w/ trailer!

[oneten]

Hi guys,

First post here. I usually browse and read while I have no clue what you all are talking about. I figured thats a good sign I should ask you for advice.

I'm about to make an 800 mile drive with a UHaul trailer(4x8 i think) in my 98 SR5 with 130k miles. It runs fine daily but I am a bit concerned with the drive.

It's been well taken care, never any trouble with the transmission or anything. I had a rear-axle leak in the seal or something like that a year ago but thats been fixed. Sometimes misfires when I start up and the muffler sounds like its got a rusted spot in it somewhere I can't see, but other than that nothing really.

Anyways, I want to take it in to be looked at but I have a very limited knowledge and I was hoping someone could tell me some key things to get checked out and what I should look into myself.

I would very much appreciate it. thanks for reading

 

[Indy4Runner]

Eight hundred miles with such a small trailer should not be a strain on your truck assuming it has been properly maintained. Make sure your brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant are topped off, your brakes work well, and your tire pressure is correct. If you aren't mechanically savvy I suggest you leave this to a mechanic, otherwise it is very simple to do yourself with a Haynes manual.

Hope this helps and that your trip is uneventful. No reason it shouldn't be if you take care of these things.

 

[wolfgang]

Not much info to go on to say if you'll have an adventure in moving or not. 2.7L 4 cylinder with automatic or, hopefully, 3.4L V6? Has vehicle been maintained - trans/diff fluid changed? brake fluid changed? coolant changed? Timing belt changed within last 60k ? Heavily loaded trailer or 1500 lbs? Hills or flat lands? 2 or 4 wheel trailer (4 wheel tow better). I'd also fix the exhaust - 15 hours in a closed vehicle with a carbon monoxide leak is at least a bad headache and vomiting --- if not worse!