Towing a 4runner behind a UHaul

Drexler McStyles

Drexler McStyles

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Im moving across country in a couple months in a uhaul and need to find out exactly how I do this. When I moved from Albuquerque, NM to Portland, OR I had to get a car carrier for my '83 Mercedes 380sl. Im hoping this time around with our 4runner that its a little simpler/cheaper and I can get away with a car trailer, where it just carries the front 2 wheels. Is this possible? Is there anything special I need to do with the transmission? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
 
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just make sure the tranny is in neutral! ive seen a car on fine behind a camper because they left it in driver and the tranny got too hot.

you most likely dont want the keys in it while your towing it. to load it on the trailer (front 2 wheels) put it in park and take the key out. remove that little cap by the shiftier lever on the panel (above P, R, N...) you can push that white clip in and it releases the shiftier so u can put it in neutral while the key is out.

i hope that makes sense and u know what im talking about. good luck with your move.
 
I believe those things are only rated to be CAR carriers. I tried once with my old Bronco and I couldn't get the straps that hold the front tires in place to fit.

This was quite a while ago and maybe things have changed - but I thought I'd offer my experience.

Good luck.
 
Pull your rear drive shaft if your going to use a car dolly. Not sure if these runner have the same problems as older runners but they have oil slings in the transmission and transfer case to keep the bearings lubed up.
Or just rent there car trailer and not have to worry about any of that.
 
I'd pull the drive shaft using a dolly. But if you have the UHaul truck, why not just get their auto transport? (full drive on trailer) easier to tow IMO
 
PitbullRescuer said:
I'd pull the drive shaft using a dolly. But if you have the UHaul truck, why not just get their auto transport? (full drive on trailer) easier to tow IMO
Click to expand...

We're moving from Portland, Or to Asheville, NC. I did the car carrier with a huge truck last time and it was a nightmare. Im hoping to have a less challenging drive this time. I dont want to get a car carrier if I dont have to.
 
The Uhaul dollys don't have trailer brakes. The car transporters do. This could be an issue for you if you're not towing with something really heavy. I would do a test run/rental before you leave for the big trip.

The uhaul straps are good for up to 31" tires.

All accounts i've read researching this topic say to unbolt the rear drive shaft, and the N of the Tcase is not sufficient.
 
You will want to disconnect the driveshaft, this was posted by Marlin on Pirate. This is for the older trucks, but I still wouldn't risk it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin Crawler
On all auto chain driven and manual gear driven t/cases, if it is towed in two wheel drive, the output shaft will turn, but there will be no way for the oil at the bottom of the case to get to the top where the output shaft is. On the chain driven cases, the input shaft turns the planetary housing which drives the oil pump. Gear driven cases use the input gear and low range gears to throw oil on the inside of the housing that collects the oil via gutters and directs it to the rear of the case by gravity. Both style of cases, must have the input shaft spinning to lube the output shaft, speedo gears, and rear seal of the t/case. The rear driveshaft must be removed.
Marlin
 
Dirtco said:
You will want to disconnect the driveshaft, this was posted by Marlin on Pirate. This is for the older trucks, but I still wouldn't risk it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marlin Crawler
On all auto chain driven and manual gear driven t/cases, if it is towed in two wheel drive, the output shaft will turn, but there will be no way for the oil at the bottom of the case to get to the top where the output shaft is. On the chain driven cases, the input shaft turns the planetary housing which drives the oil pump. Gear driven cases use the input gear and low range gears to throw oil on the inside of the housing that collects the oil via gutters and directs it to the rear of the case by gravity. Both style of cases, must have the input shaft spinning to lube the output shaft, speedo gears, and rear seal of the t/case. The rear driveshaft must be removed.
Marlin
Click to expand...

Is it difficult to remove the rear driveshaft?

Is there anyone here that has towed their truck before that knows FOR SURE, what needs to be done?
 
CAN-03runner said:
The Uhaul dollys don't have trailer brakes. The car transporters do. This could be an issue for you if you're not towing with something really heavy. I would do a test run/rental before you leave for the big trip.

The uhaul straps are good for up to 31" tires.

All accounts i've read researching this topic say to unbolt the rear drive shaft, and the N of the Tcase is not sufficient.
Click to expand...

I would think that a fully packed 17' Uhual truck would be heavy enough? Still sounds like I have to unbolt the drive shaft...
 
If the car hauler was a nightmare, the dolly is going to be worse. I've towed with both, the car hauler is much easier to work with.
 
When I moved from CA to UT I towed my 4Runner on one of the four wheel carriers. It scared the crap out of me at first; but by the end of the day I felt much more confident. On a multiday trip, you will probably feel fine on day two.

As folks have pointed out - no way would I use a two wheel dolly due to it not have any brakes. Plus the worry about lube in the tranny.

However, even though I have stock wheels/tires, I couldn't get two of the u-haul straps on the carrrier to go over my tires (or maybe you only strap two tires down, I forget). I am guessing that as they get older and the end frays, they cut them back or something.

What I had to do was use a second set of the straps that they had at the shop and tie them to the original straps to get them to be big enough to go over the tire. I guess removing the air from the tires might work too, but I am not sure of the safety of that.

I would STRONGLY suggest insisting on putting your 4runner on the dolly in advance of committing to renting from them to make sure it fits. The guys at the U-haul place I used were very helpful in getting me squared away - but it still took like 2-3 hours to get done, which was not great on a day when I had a 12+ hour drive ahead of me.
 
Trailer

I am considering trailering a 2006 4runner across country behind another 2006 4runner on a Uhaul car trailer. Is there anything I need to know before doing this? will I be able to travel 70mph? do you think it will be unsafe? :behindsofa:
 
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