Hauling U-Haul 6x12 trailer

[slimboiphat]

The feedback i've received in this topic from this community is amazing. I really appreciate everyone's input and sharing your past experiences in hauling trailers. After doing some research, I'm leaning towards renting a box truck instead. Budget rental is offering about $400 for a 12' truck which is about another hundred more than renting a 6x12 trailer from uhaul. For the amount I have to drive, renting a box truck just sounds safer for both myself and for my truck. Thank you all! :thumb3:

 

[slimboiphat]

Put on a diaper.

Last year I rented a 6x12 covered trailer and it wasn't overloaded by any means. When I hit 65mph on the highway, the trailer started to whipsaw. At that moment I thought I was dead. The amateur driver would think of braking and that would be a disaster. You need to accelerate just slightly until you get the trailer under control then allow the truck to decel without braking. I was lucky this time as the lane to my left was empty and I could use both lanes to safely get it under control. Otherwise it would have been a disaster.

Nows a good time for you to upgrade the front brakes to the tundra calipers. I had zero problems braking.

Haha upgrading to tundra calipers is def on my wishlist, but unfortunately can't afford it now as my money is going towards preventative maintenance under the hood.

 

[snow junky]

i have done it with that same trailer fully loaded with a 4cyl and 35s.. dont expect to go fast or stop fast

going down the freeway will be easy, just dont tailgate anyone

trans cooler is a good idea too

 

[rideexileex]

Just moved from Seattle to Denver, going through Montana, with a 6x12 enclosed trailer with electric brakes loaded to the max. Inline transmission cooler, new radiator, factory brakes, 35's, supercharged, 4.88's. OD switch is a must.

Brakes were completely fine. Transmission got up to 220 and coolant up to 215 while driving up hills in 90 degrees. Truck was a champ. I will be flushing the trans soon.

You'll be fine.

 

[Kenworth]

Load it like a freight train, drive her like an airplane ?????
No really just take time and baby truck and you will be fine. Hooking up an electric brake controler would help if trailer has brakes?

 

[poser]

Like others have said, load it even or tounge heavy. If you have to be unbalanced, it's better to be tounge heavy than rear heavy. Too much weight behind the axle will cause mad sway. Take your time, make turns slower than you normally would, and forget about passing folks on the highway LOL.

 

[4Runner4TW]

I towed this same trailer from Phoenix to Seattle last December. Here is my thread, page 2 you will find my short review and pictures. Basically the truck did awesome. Keep speeds down, dont let the tranny shift a lot, and load the trailer evenly.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/158046-6x12-trailer-phx-seattle-12-28-a.html

Seattle isn't working out for me so I'm taking my old job back and moving to Sedona, AZ in November. I'm going to use the same set up again because it worked so well.

 

[Robb235]

I've towed this thing a couple of different times without major issues. There was only one time where we were trying to cram as much stuff in as we could, and it caused the rear to get too heavy. No fun when that trailer starts swaying. I had Tundra brakes every time I pulled the 6x12, which was nice. I certainly wasn't winning any races pulling that thing, but I did ok. If you have a way to watch your transmission temperature, I would recommend doing that. I didn't have my airbags in the rear at the time, so the rear sag was pretty bad, and my headlights looked like they could have been searching for Russian bombers in the night sky, lol.

 

[paddlenbike]

I rent one of those every few months. Use standard safety precautions and load it properly (this is very important!) and you'll be fine.

The 6x12 without the ramp is 400 lbs lighter, so get that one if you can.

 

[Daniel021785]

When you guys towed the 6x12 uhaul trailer, what setup worked best in regard to the hitch, 2” drop or 4” drop?

 

[Daniel021785]

When you guys towed the 6x12 uhaul trailer, what setup worked best in regard to the hitch, 2” drop or 4” drop? I got a 2019 4Runner Off-Road. That way the trailer is as level as possible.

 

[shadow247]

When you guys towed the 6x12 uhaul trailer, what setup worked best in regard to the hitch, 2” drop or 4” drop? I got a 2019 4Runner Off-Road. That way the trailer is as level as possible.

You are probably fine with a 2". I've got a 1.5" lift on my 99 Highlander Edition and that's what I used. A 4" might be too low on a stock 4runner. You'll have to just wait and see when you get there. Luckily they have drop hitches there that you can buy on the spot.

 

[Daniel021785]

I bought a 4” drop ball mount, I’ll probably return it and get a 2” then. I was thinking it might be too low as well. Thanks .

 

[I_bRAD]

I bought a 4” drop ball mount, I’ll probably return it and get a 2” then. I was thinking it might be too low as well. Thanks .

I expect a 2019 4runner is significantly different than a 3rd gen either way!

 

[Riceye]

The average trailer ball height is around 16-18" from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. This can be affected by the tongue weight of the trailer, and how much sag it will inflict upon your vehicle dependent on your suspension. This is also somewhat unique to the specific trailer. They're all a bit different.

In the end you really want your trailer to ride level or tilted slightly forward. Under no circumstances should the trailer tilt back, as the load may shift to the rear of the trailer.

 

[jeredcollins]

I blew up my transmission on a 2000 4runner with only 108,000 miles on it pulling a U-Haul trailer from Huntsville, AL to Kansas City, KS. Set me back almost $4k to replace the transmission.