towing a 5x8 uhaul from CA to VA

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qsg1119

New member
Hi peepz,

I am planning to tow a 5x8 uhaul trailer on my 06 4runner V6 sport edition from CA to VA. I will be installing the hitch from Toyota that i ordered next week and will travel the week after next. Unfortunately my 4runner did not come with a hitch when I bought it. My question is would I also need a tranny cooler for my long distance towing or does my 4runner already has a built-in tranny cooler? What would be the max recommended speed when towing? and how much would you think my mpg?

Basically the big items that I will put in the uhaul trailer would be my lcd tv, mattress, baby crib and other household stuffs that would be in boxes.

Need your inputs from you guys who does towing. tnx a bunch.
 
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qsg1119 said:
Hi peepz,

I am planning to tow a 5x8 uhaul trailer on my 06 4runner V6 sport edition from CA to VA. I will be installing the hitch from Toyota that i ordered next week and will travel the week after next. Unfortunately my 4runner did not come with a hitch when I bought it. My question is would I also need a tranny cooler for my long distance towing or does my 4runner already has a built-in tranny cooler?
Click to expand...

I don't tow much but i can answer the first part of your question. If it didn't have the tow package on it, it probably doesnt have a tranny cooler. I've read of some people towing without them, but better safe than sorry i say.

edit::bash: didn't see the v6
 
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Re: Re: towing a 5x8 uhaul from CA to VA

The V6 tow package doesn't come with a transmission cooler. Toyota states that it doesn't need one for anything less than 5000 lbs (which is the limit of the V6). That was the response of Toyota when V6 owners have contacted Toyota. In addition, Toyota even "claims" that it will void the warranty if you install one.


Are you installing the same hitch as the one that comes on the V8? Just make sure that you stay under 5000 lbs. Stop and weigh the entire unit (trailer and loaded cargo) to make sure you are under the 5000 lbs. I'd also check the hitch weight.
 
qsg1119 said:
Hi peepz,

I am planning to tow a 5x8 uhaul trailer on my 06 4runner V6 sport edition from CA to VA. I will be installing the hitch from Toyota that i ordered next week and will travel the week after next. Unfortunately my 4runner did not come with a hitch when I bought it. My question is would I also need a tranny cooler for my long distance towing or does my 4runner already has a built-in tranny cooler? What would be the max recommended speed when towing? and how much would you think my mpg?

Basically the big items that I will put in the uhaul trailer would be my lcd tv, mattress, baby crib and other household stuffs that would be in boxes.

Need your inputs from you guys who does towing. tnx a bunch.
Click to expand...

You should be fine without a tranny cooler. The 5x8 is a small trailer and it does not appear that you are putting many heavy items in it. There is no need to weigh the trailer, as a trailer weight of 5000 would be nearly impossible in a single axle 5x8. Unless you are hauling York dumbbells :D

Your main concern should be with the trailer. Make sure the tires are in good shape and that they match. UH is notorious for putting mismatched tires on their tires. You either want radials or bias-ply, but not one of each. Ask the UH to safety certify the trailer by someone who knows what a SC is.

For your truck, if you have maintained it all along, you will be fine. I'd suggest you increase the air pressure 5psi (37-40) while towing. Also, keep most of the weight in the trailer. Do not put a lot of heavy items in the back of your truck , it is better off inside the trailer where the 80-90% weight is supported by the trailers axle and only 10% by your truck. Although UH plasters 45mph stickers all over, you can comfortably do 65.

Older UH trailers have unique wiring, You may want to buy the 4-flat plug directly from them, its no more money than anywhere else and it will keep you from having to buy an adapter.

As for MPG's it will really depend on how fast you drive. At 65 you'll probably get 15-17.
 
I don't think it will be a problem towing a 5x8 trailer from Uhaul. I'm using 06 4runner SR5 4WD to tow a 5x8 trailer from South East to South to East Coast and now in Central. Lately, I towed 6x12 from GA to IL.

As for the MPG, about 1-2 gallons more

Regarding the tranny cooler, same feedback like Junglejim was provided by my dealer when I ask them about it.
 
thanks guys for all you inputs, I really appreciate it. This will be my first time travelling with a trailer so I really do not know what to expect along the way. if you have other things that I should check or precautionary measures I should take please let me know.

as for junglejim's question, I ordered the hitch specifically for a 06 4runner V6 Sport Edition from toyota. They said it is toyota recommended hitch for my 4runner and the same as the ones they put in the factory, though when installed it would look a little bit different from the factory installed hitch as my rear bumper does not have that cut for the receiver. I will ask them if the hitch can tow 5000lbs when I pick it up next week.

By the way my target mileage per day would be around 460 to 500 miles per day about 8-9 hours @ 60-65 mph with 3 stops in between. Do you think I would have problems overheating with my travel plan? especially in my first day as I would probably run on uphills and downhills in CA. Also, do I need to keep the gear in 4 at 4H always even after driving past CA which is mostly flat hi-way driving? What would be the best gear setup in flat hi-way driving?
 
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Through the hills and over the mountains I'd probably select 4th gear rather than Drive for some of it. Overall the 4Runner transmission is very smart but under certain conditions (40mph-70mph) it may shift from 5th to 4th and back to 5th frequently. If you notice it doing this just put it in 4th until the terrain changes to a more constant grade. Constant shifting is tough on the transmission.

Stopping the 4Runner and the trailer will heat the brakes quite a bit. When you get you have to stop come to a rest a couple of feet early and every few seconds roll ahead a few inches. Another thing is hold the brake pedal as gently as possible to prevent rolling rather than holding firmly. These tricks allow the rotors to cool more evenly and help to prevent warping.

If there
 
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Don't know if this was mentioned (don't think so) but be sure that you try to even out the weight of you load on the left and right side. Also, don't know exactly (hope someone will post it up) but there is a certain proportion of weight that should be in the front vs. back of trailer.
 
Jaebster said:
Don't know if this was mentioned (don't think so) but be sure that you try to even out the weight of you load on the left and right side. Also, don't know exactly (hope someone will post it up) but there is a certain proportion of weight that should be in the front vs. back of trailer.
Click to expand...

Most sources recommend 60% of the weight in front of the trailer axle.
 
installed the hitch two days ago...but it lacks the center support bracket that connects the rear frame behind the bumper to the top of the hitch receiver. the stealership said that the center support bracket is only for the V8 only and it says nothing about the V6. Planning to add this center support bracket to strengthen the hitch connection with the chassis. What is the best way to cut my rear bumper without messing the paint???
 
How much is uHaul charging for the trailer rental?

You might consider buying a new one yourself - I think they are around $1.5 - $2k.
 
qsg1119 said:
installed the hitch two days ago...but it lacks the center support bracket that connects the rear frame behind the bumper to the top of the hitch receiver. the stealership said that the center support bracket is only for the V8 only and it says nothing about the V6. Planning to add this center support bracket to strengthen the hitch connection with the chassis. What is the best way to cut my rear bumper without messing the paint???
Click to expand...

It'll be hard with bumper on the car and the hitch mounted. Without looking at it I would suggest some die-grinder action. I think the bumper material is too thick/dense to be able to do a good a cut with a razor-knife.
 
I am towing a Uhaul 5x8 from one end to the other of VA next weekend with my 05 V8 Sport with Tow Package. I have never used the T4R to tow with before and looked at the light hookup on the rig today and it is the strangest looking device I have seen.
 
Drove from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR.....with the larger Uhaul trailer.

Had no problem at all....and averaged 15 MPG. Keep it in 4th when in the hills.
 
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