Moving: CA to MN - Towing Question

[RPC]

Towing a full, 5' X 8' enclosed trailer the ~1900 miles from Sacramento, CA to Minneapolis, MN next week and haven't really done much towing with this truck yet.

Just a few questions:

-I'm about 2500 mi post oil change. Should I have it changed before I leave?

-Anything else I can do to prep her for the trip? (23K miles on 'er)

-When going through the several mountain passes I'll hit, should I trust the transmission to choose gears or should I down shift at grades?

-Any other towing advice for this kind of extended towing?

Thanks!

 

[DRC]

I see you have the v8 so you really don’t need to do anything. A 5x8 trailer is a pretty easy tow even for those of us with a v6. I can’t see you getting over maybe 3,500lbs with that size trailer, assuming it’s a single axel. How much weight will you load?

Just remember to take it out of over drive when towing. So you will want to drive in 4th gear all the way. It keeps your tranny form seeking too much. I am not sure about the v8’s but on my v6 when I tow heavy I can’t use curse control either. I get to much acceleration / deceleration.

Also, since you will be running in 4th gear your gas mileage will drop down to about 10ish miles per gallon so be prepared to make extra stops for gas.

As for mountain grades, and any stopping for that fact, you will want to down shift yourself. Use your engine and tranny to brake for you. Don’t rely on the brakes alone. Engine braking with your 4runner works very well. When your coming to an off ramp, want to slow, etc. just drop it into 3rd and let it whine. For the steep stuff you may need 2nd or even 1st. I have pulled grades from 4%– 15% towing with my v6 without any issues. Just use the engine / tranny to to the work for you.

I am assuming this is your first time towing, so just take it slow and get a feel for her. Take your time and go slow till you get comfortable. And most importantly leave yourself plenty of stopping distance.

 

[Maz]

You're going to drive cross country while putting your engine under load with the trailer (granted not a huge load). Add to the some serious mountain passes in the Rockies. Don't do that without getting back on schedule with your oil changes.

 

[SurfToy]

You're going to drive cross country while putting your engine under load with the trailer (granted not a huge load). Add to the some serious mountain passes in the Rockies. Don't do that without getting back on schedule with your oil changes.

Agree with this. And a tranny service would be a good idea too. I tow my ~3000lb boat with my V6, and it's definitely up to the task (with the caveats in the previous posts), but you need to be on top of drivetrain maintenance for a task like this.

 

[dgsmith15]

I recently pulled a fully loaded 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer from central Mississippi to southern New Hampshire with my V-6. It was a 1600 mile trip and the only issues I encountered along the way were two blow outs on the trailer!

Prior to the trip, I installed an aftermarket transmission oil cooler and had my 15,000 mile maintenance performed (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) This trip was the first time I ever towed anything with my 4Runner and it was definitely an experience that had me nervous at times - especially after two blowouts on the U-Haul trailer, early in the trip. However, I have to say that I was very impressed at how well my V-6 handled the load and how it maintained respectable MPG throughout.

I see you have a V-8 so your truck should have no issues (in my opinion) what-so-ever, but I would definitely follow DRC's advice just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

 

[Nuke]

I tow a 17' bass boat with my V6 and go 8,000 miles between oil changes using M1 EP oil so I wouldn't sweat your oil. And with your V8 you should have no problem towing. You may want to turn off OD when your climbing hills but that should be dependent on how the engine is pulling. If she seems to be struggling a bit, then turn off OD. Otherwise, watch your stopping distances and drive safe!

 

[MiRunner]

Ive lived in MN all my life until the last few months (but travel back often)

What brought you to MN and where abouts will you be living?

 

[JB.]

-When going through the several mountain passes I'll hit, should I trust the transmission to choose gears or should I down shift at grades?

Yeah, uphill mostly leave it in 4th. You want to give the transmission any opportunity it can take to lock the torque converter and reduce heat buildup and it won't do that in less than 4th gear.

 

[RPC]

Thanks all- good stuff.

I think I'm going to change the oil before, just to be on the safe side, and will probably look at a transmission service in the weeks following my arrival.


MiRunner- An advancement opportunity with my company, one that requires relocating to Headquarters in Minneapolis. I'm excited for the adventure of a new place but not so excited about the winters. I grew up in Colorado so I've got the bad-road driving down, but I hear the cold in MN is unlike anything I would have seen in CO!

 

[MiRunner]

Yes I'm down south now so no winters to worry about.

As far as snow. the 80's - 90's you would see quite a bit but that has since pushed on out east, the heavy snowfalls that is.

As far as cold goes be prepared to be in the below zero temps for weeks at a time and finally thawing out into the teens march/april.

It's not bad considering you really only need to be outside to get in your vehicle and get out to your destination. Auto starts come in handy.

There is ALOT to do as far as sightseeing and nightlife.

Check out uptown: Drink, Stellas Fish Cafe, Bar Abilene and Cowboy Slims

Check out downtown where there are endless streets of bars and clubs.