Buying a 2007 2WD V6, question about towing 6'x12' uHaul trailer

[is3tyler]

Hi all. I've been searching through various threads, but haven't found exactly what I need to do in order to tow a 6x12 uHaul trailer (U-Haul: 6x12 Cargo Trailer Rental). The trailer weighs 1,900lbs, and we'll have basically the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment inside. (2 queen mattresses, computer, desk, dresser, tv, tv/media center thing, random other crap) We are moving across the country, from CA to VA.

I'm looking at buying a 2007 V6 2WD with about 115,000mi on the clock. It has the factory trailer hitch. I will definitely be flushing the trans fluid before the trip, and having a pre-purchase inspection done before I buy it of course.

Anything I special I should look for on the 4R? Anything special I should know about towing a trailer like this with maybe a 3,500lb total weight?

Would really appreciate any advice you towing-experienced guys can give. Thanks in advance.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

i think its up in the air whether or not to do a full flush or drain and fill with the trans, probably some information on that through searching. in addition id have the driveline greased, theres zerks on the shaft. uhaul trailers have surge brakes i believe, so just basically do everything uhaul states on their websites, slow down, allow tons more room for braking, pay attention to your mirrors, and slow down (did i say that twice?) other than that, you should be fine, the weight isn't a huge issue, you just won't get great mpgs

 

[dutchster]

the uhaul trailers definitally have surge brakes, nothing you need to do there. the 6' trailer is probably narrow enough you dont need to get mirror clip-ons to extend them.

the vehicle will light up a "TRANS TEMP" light on the dash if you're overheating your transmission.

you could look into an auxillary trans cooler just in case.

 

[Davy180]

First off, why would you want to leave California for Virginia? I used to live just outside of Washington DC in Fairfax, Virginia.

I just pulled a 7x14 ft enclosed trailer around town today with a little bit of weight in it. It was probably around 2,000lbs but it pulled it great. I would recommended checking all tires for cracking or bulges and check the tire pressure for both the truck and trailer. My personal opinion I don't pull trailers in overdrive or with cruise control in fear of burning up the trans. So you would put it in 4 instead of "D" the RPM's will stay higher when cruising on the highway. Every Time you stop make sure to do a walk around and check everything out.

Good luck with the move!

 

[is3tyler]

First off, why would you want to leave California for Virginia? I used to live just outside of Washington DC in Fairfax, Virginia.

I just pulled a 7x14 ft enclosed trailer around town today with a little bit of weight in it. It was probably around 2,000lbs but it pulled it great. I would recommended checking all tires for cracking or bulges and check the tire pressure for both the truck and trailer. My personal opinion I don't pull trailers in overdrive or with cruise control in fear of burning up the trans. So you would put it in 4 instead of "D" the RPM's will stay higher when cruising on the highway. Every Time you stop make sure to do a walk around and check everything out.

Good luck with the move!

Thanks for the responses all.

Ha, I'm in Irvine too. Moving for grad school (UVA), actually from Winchester VA originally.

You recommend leaving it in 4th gear out on the highway? Anyone else back this up?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Thanks for the responses all.

Ha, I'm in Irvine too. Moving for grad school (UVA), actually from Winchester VA originally.

You recommend leaving it in 4th gear out on the highway? Anyone else back this up?

unless youre on flat ground or a decline for a long period of time, yes. leaving it in D will cause it to hunt for a gear and that will shoot your trans temps way up