Need Advice On Possibly Towing My Rig

[Maz]

Need Advice For Possibly Having To Tow My Rig

We're moving to another state and I have a dilemma with how to get my '13 Trail there.

We're taking very little furniture per se, but my wife is adamant about keeping the dining room set and grandfather clock. The biggest trailers I can find to rent are 6 X 12 (actually 11' 7") and only 5'5" high. That's not gonna' cut it.

Some moving web sites suggest buying a trailer, then selling it on the other end. However there's nothing by us except new trailers, so with the depreciation and hassle to resell that's just not an option.

So after that long windup here's the pitch..........

Penske has an truck we can rent that's 7'8"X18' and 6'6" high. Assuming their trucks are set up for it, what are your thoughts on towing the 4 Runner behind? I see RV's pulling Jeeps all the time, but have heard towing a 4X4 with wheels down can be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or information, we've run out of ideas.

 

[KidVermicious]

Here you go: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/199450-flat-tow-trailer.html. The simple answer is, you can't flat tow. You might get away with it if you dropped both driveshafts? Easier to have one of you drive the moving van and the other follow in the 4Runner.

Other options? Put the dining set and grandfather clock on an open trailer, strap them down well and cover them with a tarp. Put the 4Runner itself on a trailer (Penske might not have a truck buff enough to haul the weight of your 4Runner plus a heavy car trailer). Put the dining set and grandfather clock in a Pod or similar and pay to have somebody else move it (might not be much more expensive than a Penske truck rental).

 

[wfo9]

Flat towing would be a PITA. First, you would need to hook it up with a proper tow bar, lighting... Then you would need to disconnect the rear drive shaft at the diff and strap it up to the frame.

They may be able to rent kits for the first part. Second part is actually not a big deal.

 

[Jetboy]

If you can find a ramp location to load/unload (like a commercial loading dock) - penski 26ft trucks are big enough you could just put your 4runner and all your stuff inside w/o a trailer. The big penski trucks are serious trucks, no problem with a 5000lb 4runner inside. I think they're good for 8 or 9klbs of load in the back.

For $250-300 for a one way, I don't think you'll find a cheaper way to do it. But the loading and unloading may be a PITA.

Otherwise just rent one with a car-hauler. I don't think it's usually super expensive to add a trailer. They are heavy duty diesel trucks, so they'll pull your 4runner pretty easily.

 

[vailTRD]

If you can find a ramp location to load/unload (like a commercial loading dock) - penski 26ft trucks are big enough you could just put your 4runner and all your stuff inside w/o a trailer. The big penski trucks are serious trucks, no problem with a 5000lb 4runner inside.

And if you can't find a loading dock, just get creative! opcorn:

 

[ShooterF16]

I've seen lots of Penske trucks towing a vehicle on a trailer. If that an option, go for that.

Did I miss if you have another vehicle? Can your wife just drive the runner?

I highly advise AGAINST putting valuables in an open trailer with a tarp. Tarps flap around and will scrape and wear items underneath, no matter how tightly you think you have it strapped down.

Just my experience from 10+ moves with the military, including (hopefully) my very last one this summer.

Cheers

 

[jwkilgore]

Otherwise just rent one with a car-hauler. I don't think it's usually super expensive to add a trailer. They are heavy duty diesel trucks, so they'll pull your 4runner pretty easily.

I'll add an emphasis here... once you get to trucks this big, make sure you get a diesel!!! Even if you think everything will fit in a slightly smaller and cheaper gas burner, fuel costs will eat you alive. I drove the largest gas-burner available at the time from Jackson, MS to Kansas City a few decades ago. The fuel costs were well over twice the rental cost. I should have paid a few more bucks for the larger diesel.

It hasn't been stated, but flat tow (or even 2-wheel tow) means the tranny is turning without the input shaft turning, which reduces lubrication. Or something like that. Yes, you can do it, but it might hurt your transmission. Fix for a one-time trip is to disconnect the drive shaft going toward all grounded wheels. You also have to worry about lights. Now lets have a half-dozen people talk about how they flat-towed their vehicle for a zillion miles with no problems...

Best option: Have your wife drive the 4R and you drive the truck. Buy a set of "family channel" 2-way radios for communication if you think you'll be in areas with poor signal.

If she also has a car, look at towing the lighter one. If hers is a FWD, then it's a no-brainer... tow hers on a 2-wheel dolly.


Next best option: verify with the rental company that you can do it, and tow the 4R on a flat trailer behind the truck. Again, tow the lightest vehicle.

I never thought about just getting a larger van and pulling the vehicle inside, but that could also work. Triple check all dimensions.

 

[ST1FLER]

Drive it!

 

[KidVermicious]

If you can find a ramp location to load/unload (like a commercial loading dock) - penski 26ft trucks are big enough you could just put your 4runner and all your stuff inside w/o a trailer. The big penski trucks are serious trucks, no problem with a 5000lb 4runner inside. I think they're good for 8 or 9klbs of load in the back.

Oh oh oh, see if they'll upgrade the truck with remote controlled ramps off the back so you can play Spy Hunter!

 

[Range]

You still haven't mentioned why you're deciding not to drive it.

 

[Panzerpatty]

There are Penske trucks with lift gates too. I rent them all the time for work. Be sure to make a reservation if you go this route OP.

If you can find a ramp location to load/unload (like a commercial loading dock) - penski 26ft trucks are big enough you could just put your 4runner and all your stuff inside w/o a trailer. The big penski trucks are serious trucks, no problem with a 5000lb 4runner inside. I think they're good for 8 or 9klbs of load in the back.

For $250-300 for a one way, I don't think you'll find a cheaper way to do it. But the loading and unloading may be a PITA.

Otherwise just rent one with a car-hauler. I don't think it's usually super expensive to add a trailer. They are heavy duty diesel trucks, so they'll pull your 4runner pretty easily.

 

[philsey]

My son just rented a big-ass Penske box truck. Modern, clean, powerful diesel. When we picked it up at their yard, there must have been 6 dedicated car trailers sitting in their inventory. The agent said ppl tow vehicles with these combinations all the time ... "it's what they're for".

Unless you're skilled at backing tho, you want to be darned sure where you park a rig like this.

 

[jdtaylor42]

Yeah if you can't or don't want to drive separately (one in the truck, one in the 4R) then I say just rent a flat tow trailer. That's how we moved our car was pulling it on a flat trailer behind a UHaul truck.

 

[CoolMax]

Car Carrier Towing Instructions - Penske Truck Rental

https://youtu.be/ELsWssm64fE?t=38s

Maximum weight: 4,055 lbs.

 

[flyrv9]

As I understand it, grandfather clocks don't do well if you lay them down. So, will it fit vertically? Also second the diesel comment. I have moved using diesel and gas Uhauls and the diesel was much better. I last moved from Phoenix to Wichita in a 26' diesel Uhaul towing a 12' trailer. The diesel handled it no problem. Backing up was a PITA the one time I had to do it - took forever! If the 4runner will fit inside like suggested, you could then fill it with stuff.