Towing car 1,100 miles

[Moroney167]

Long story short. I need to get a 2003 TDI wagon down to Florida I am in NY. I have no problem going for trip. Best option I have is just rent a trailer from UHAUL so I can at least drive back empty nothing in tow. Think trailer is 1500#. Car is approx 3400# without actually on a scale just google searching. I have a load bar setup I hope fits on the trailer just to make more stable. Any input. I will take it easy for most part. 3 people in car little but if luggage being I won't be long. Starting to wish when I bought my work truck that I didn't go with a regular cab f350. As much as I love a crew cab would be damn nice right now

Guess lookin for a supportive, "nah she's good"

I'm running 275 E loads. Can do tire pressure up a maybe 55 in rear. If trailer I rent can use load bars that will be best. Otherwise I think I'll balance car best we can.

 

[Moroney167]

Edit. Trailer is 2,210#. Car is 3122#. So 5,332# total before passengers.

 

[NorthwoodsRunner]

Long story short. I need to get a 2003 TDI wagon down to Florida I am in NY. I have no problem going for trip. Best option I have is just rent a trailer from UHAUL so I can at least drive back empty nothing in tow. Think trailer is 1500#. Car is approx 3400# without actually on a scale just google searching. I have a load bar setup I hope fits on the trailer just to make more stable. Any input. I will take it easy for most part. 3 people in car little but if luggage being I won't be long. Starting to wish when I bought my work truck that I didn't go with a regular cab f350. As much as I love a crew cab would be damn nice right now

Guess lookin for a supportive, "nah she's good"

I'm running 275 E loads. Can do tire pressure up a maybe 55 in rear. If trailer I rent can use load bars that will be best. Otherwise I think I'll balance car best we can.

How about shipping your vehicle and just pay $600-$700 fee? The rental and toll on your T4R will cost you more than $600 in the long run.

 

[philsey]

How many of the 4 ppl are adults? If at least 2, I think I'd drive the VW - it would surely be safer, and probably cost no more.

Can the 4R tow that? Sure. Should you? Not so certain. Legally, you are way over Toyota's limit. In an accident, I could see issues.

With that hitch weight, 4 adults, and luggage, you'll HAVE TO do something about the rear springs = more cost.

 

[(none)]

A few thread on this elsewhere, popular consensus is drive as if you've towed before and you'll be fine. I'm planning a similar trip over thanksgiving, taking my mom's CR-V back to her from my place in GA to VA. I'm about the same weight loaded.
Preemptively, i've already added a trans cooler and airlift springs to help cope with the load. Both are under $100 each and (as long as you are mechanically capable) are able to be completed in your driveway.
Maybe some heads up for you, as you're towing a FWD car, you can also choose to use a dolly, that'll drop the weight significantly, just be aware that the dollys do not have the surge brake system (or any brake system) as the car hauler trailer has.

 

[Farcry305]

After passengers and luggage you will be over 6k. A friend of mine tows a 7k boat but that's 45 min drives. I'd ship it. You will be driving 50- 55mph from NY and it will take a long time. Up and down mountains and hills. lost time=money.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[BaddaBing]

How about shipping your vehicle and just pay $600-$700 fee? The rental and toll on your T4R will cost you more than $600 in the long run.

Ship it. I have been through this situation and shipping is the way to go. If there is an auto auction,( ADESA, Manheim) near you they have transports weekly that are always looking to fill a load. I bet you could get it shipped this way for $400-500. Good luck.

 

[Watchdogg]

If it is front wheel drive and not AWD, definitely try the dolly route. I assume your going straight down 95. Not really any mountains . It's pretty flat all the way down. very little tongue weight with dolly.

 

[vwmasstransit]

I agree with the tow dolly. Back in 2000 I towed a 79 Oldsmobile Cutlass from Charleston SC to Seattle with a 4.0 Jeep Grand Cherokee using a tow dolly. Just remember that you CANNOT back up. Or only a few feet at most. The 4Runner will do fine going straight south like that.