Long Distance Towing Advice...

[Tleahcim]

Hey folks,

I'm relocating from Atlanta to Las Vegas next month and I was trying to decide between renting a U-Haul 5x8 trailer or renting a truck and towing my 4Runner behind it. The total distance is 2156 miles and I have a 2004 SR5 V6 4WD. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with their 4Runner with a long distance move like this and if the tranny can handle it. I don't have a tranny cooler installed and don't plan on installing one. Cost is somewhat of a factor here with the move but at the same time, I don't want to mess with the engine/tranny and result in paying more in the long run. If I do choose to tow a trailer behind 4Runner, should I drive with the 4-Hi on and in D4 or D3? Sorry for all the questions, I've done a search and couldn't really find anything that dealt with a long distance move like this before and I've never actually towed anything with my 4Runner before.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[TRBenj]

If you rent a UHaul truck, you will pay the daily rate plus mileage. With a trailer, you may be able to get away with only paying the daily rate. A long move like yours will make it very expensive to rent a truck.

If you can fit everything into a trailer without exceeding your towing capacity, thats the way I would go. The amount of money you will save could easily be put towards a tranny cooler. Even if this is the only time you ever tow, it is cheap insurance and will give you peace of mind.

 

[Sniggle]

Have you considered buying a 5 X 8 trailer and then selling it at your final destination? This might turn out to be the least expensive option, and it would afford you time to unpack at your final destination.

Just a thought.

 

[gizmopt2002]

I think Sniggle's idea is a good one. I think its 40 bucks to rent a 4*6 trailer for a day, so buying one may be better because it is new and you know there are no problems, unless you buy a used one.

 

[charlier180]

You might want to go to the U-Haul web site. There you can get the specifications and cost for a 5x8 trailer.
Once you have that information you can make an informed decision.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

See if it is at all possible to use (rent or buy) a trailer that will be towed by your 4Runner. Renting a truck and towing the SUV is a possibility, but be prepared to fork over some serious change to buy fuel. Those big box trucks don't get very good mileage, especially when fully-loaded.

2500 trip (allowing some extra distance for detours, etc.) divided by 8 miles per gallon = about 312 gallons of fuel. That comes to $780 for fuel alone, if you consider the average price of gasoline to be about $2.50 a gallon. Add the price of renting the truck itself and moving is not a cheap proposition.

My '05 4Runner has the towing package - although I never have used it - including the trailer hitch itself. Look in your owner's guide and find out how many pounds it will tow; then get an estimate from U-Haul about how heavy their trailers are. If you are under the maximum, you should be good to go if you drive carefully.

Have a safe trip!!

 

[JB.]

..or renting a truck and towing my 4Runner behind it..

..If I do choose to tow a trailer behind 4Runner, should I drive with the 4-Hi on and in D4 or D3?..

Manual warns against flat towing. It also warns against towing too long in D3 (5-speed). Yours is a 4-speed so maybe D3 is okay. Check the manual.

 

[Tleahcim]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I'm going to go with a transmission cooler install and toy the 5x8 trailer behind it. Does anyone know if the stealership will install one for me. I have no clue how to install it myself and would like a "professional' to do it. What types of places should I look for in the Yellow Pages that would be able to install one for me?

 

[TeCKis300]

It is cool this time of year and I think you can get by without installing a tranny cooler. Adding one is cake though and shouldn't take a professional any longer than 1 - 2 hrs.

 

[barc111]

I purchased my 4runner V6 and with less than 200 miles on the odometer I drove from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR with a 3500lbs trailer. 3400 miles and no problems.

I averaged about 14-16 miles per gallon.