Advice: Cross-Country Drive with Trailer

[courtwshr1]

This forum helped my purchase my 2006 V6 Sport a few months ago and I'm back for some advice:

I'm planning to tow a Uhaul trailer cross-country in July. Tow weight probably about 1000-1200 lbs. I've never done this drive and don't know much about what to plan for in terms of prepping the vehicle and during the actual trip. For example, some people have advised that I have the transmission and rear differential checked out and tuned up. Others advise to make sure I have good tires and brakes. I'm sure people here can offer the best advice and personal experience.

The car has 185K on it. I'm the 3rd owner, no accidents, looks to be kept in good condition overall - but that's all I know. Has nearly new (<5K miles) all-terrain tires.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gdmeadors]

Aside from making sure your vehicle is ready, my advice is to drive at a reasonable speed. I have towed U Haul trailers cross country several times and rarely exceed 65 mph. High speeds with a trailer are dangerous for many reasons so I just take it easy! Good luck!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Aside from making sure your vehicle is ready, my advice is to drive at a reasonable speed. I have towed U Haul trailers cross country several times and rarely exceed 65 mph. High speeds with a trailer are dangerous for many reasons so I just take it easy! Good luck!

I agree.

Slow and steady is the key. I would make sure all fluids are topped off, check the belts and hoses, check all tire pressures, check the brakes. Everytime you stop and get out, check the trailer, hitch, tires, oil, coolant, etc. If the transmission keeps hunting between 4th and 5th gear, manually drop it in 4th gear. I would plan on going 65 max. In fact, most trailer tires are only rated for 65. Going faster than that is a recipe for a blowout.

 

[some dude]

Hook up your trailer and stare at it and wonder if you overlooked something. (hitch pin, break away chains, lights hooked up). Make sure your lights work on the trailer. Go back and make sure you hooked up the trailer properly again. Be sure there are no loose objects on the trailer. If it's an open trailer make sure everything tied, preferably with ratchet straps. Check tire pressure and lug nuts on trailer. Go look at your hitch and triple check you hooked it up correctly. Jump up and down on the hitch and act like it actually means something. Nod that everything seems fine. Get in the T4R and get ready to leave. Drive three feet, stop, get out and check again that you hooked your trailer up right!

Why check so many times? Because it really sucks to get down the road and second guess yourself. Do it that many times and you'll feel confident you're ok and won't have to pull over and waste time.

Did I mention I have ocd? :heh:

 

[BillyBoost]

I start my drive from NJ to CO today at 4pm with my trailer. The only thing that is really going to suck is the 9 mpg. I keep the speed under 70 mph.

Bill

 

[RedSled]

I start my drive from NJ to CO today at 4pm with my trailer. The only thing that is really going to suck is the 9 mpg. I keep the speed under 70 mph.

Bill

The milage is what it is, just keep it 65 mph and under and you will be a happy guy. Also don't tow in overdrive unless it is down hill.

 

[m85476585]

Make sure your tires are inflated to at least the pressure on the door jamb. Make sure the trailer tires are inflated to the pressure listed on the sidewall (that is the correct pressure for trailer tires. There is no lower setting like vehicle tires because they are constructed differently). Uhaul should do this for you, but you should check. If the trailer has surge brakes, make sure they are adjusted properly. I don't know how to check, but maybe Uhaul can help you with that. You don't really need trailer brakes for 1000lbs behind a 4runner, but it's nice, and you definitely want to make sure they aren't dragging.

 

[Doozi]

I trailered one of U-Haul's 5x8 cargo trailers from Indianapolis to Colorado Springs a few years ago without any issues. Like others have said, just do a good round of preventative maintenance, keep an eye on your gauges, and do a quick overall inspection every time you make a pit stop... connections, tires, etc. I think that I ran my 265/70 all-terrains at 34psi. On a couple of long, flat sections I was able to keep it in "D" for a bit, but as soon as I ran into a head wind the RPMs started to wander so I had to drop it into "4"... I was in "4" for most of the trip. Keep your speed to 65mph and be safe.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Not all bad, the low mpg's let you stop more often. That's a good thing.