Towing my car...need some reassurance please

[stoker8]

Finally taking the big move back to Florida! Yay!

Here's the deal. My Supra weighs 3500lbs, the u-haul auto carrier weighs 2000lbs. I have a V8 4x4 2004 that I want to use to tow it. I'll be going from houston texas to cocoa beach florida.

From previous discussions and searches, it appears the 4runner will do just fine...right?

The hitch is a class 3...correct?

They recommend a max speed of 45mph?? I used the same auto carrier bringing it here (behind a u-haul truck though), and went 60-65mph. Should I be afraid to go the 70mph limit?

Also, where do I get the ball that goes into the hitch. I don't think I got one when I purchased the runner.

Any other tips, suggestions? I'm a towing noobie so any advice is appreciated. Should I not pack alot of stuff in the 4runner or Supra to keep weight down?

 

[UoD]

The hitch is a class 3.

The ball can be purchased from just about any U-Haul, WalMart, or auto store.

You should have no problem towing it. The speed thing is really up to you though. Towing heavy loads at a fast speed can get a little squirrely.....

 

[boston_kevin]

Definitely no problem towing that load.

Class 3 Hitch, with weight distributing, tailer brakes - might need to have the brake controller installed in your rig as well (UHAUL might have surge brakes on their auto trailers).

Doule or triple the distance between you and the car in front of you for extra stopping room.
If you are in the wrong lane and need to get over fast - DON'T. Go to the next exit and turn around.
Make sure the vehicle is secured with chains on the trailer and brakes/tranny are set (parking brake on, Tranny in Park or in First gear).

 

[stoker8]

Great advice, thanks guys. I'm feeling a bit nervous/anxious/excited and thinking things through correctly can be challenging when I'm like this.

Just checked the Uhaul website and the auto-carrier comes with a surge brake...so I should be set.

Any other advice? Precautions to take?

I'll have to take some pics of the toyota on toyota and post them up. Should be a lovely sight.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Check with U-Haul but I am pretty sure all there trailers have surge brakes. I think you will need a 2 5/16 inch ball with a 1 inch shank. Again check with U-haul to be sure. It will fit the factory receiver insert. Make sure you use some never sieze on the ball threads and use the lock washer. It you can find a ball with a hole near the bottom of the threads for a safety pin. They are the best. You may have to go to a RV place to find one thou. I would go ahead and pack the supra with some stuff but don't go crazy. Same for the Runner.

You will be towing in the cooler months so that will help out some when it comes to trans and rearend fluid temps. If you have not already changed your front and rear Differential lube to a quality synthetic now would be a good time. It does not take long for a drain and fill in the driveway. Anyway, Good luck and The other post were good info too. I don't think you will need a brake controller with the U-haul thou. The best thing would be to take your Runner to a local Uhaul and have them look it over and make sure everything will be OK.

 

[NCSCOTT]

1 more thing. If it were to start getting squirily on you it is not the smartest thing to slam on the brakes. Sometimes you need to get into the gas to pull it back straight again before slowing down gently. good luck.

 

[stoker8]

Knew I could count on you guys.

Thanks Scott. Very helpful.

 

[charlier180]

A few things to keep in mind:

- Try to remember that the trailer you are towing is WIDER than your 4Runner. Therefore you should try to keep the 4Runner somewhat CENTERED on the roadway with a bias towards the driver's side of the lane you are in. At toll booths stay centered.
If you have to put the 4Runner in park and open your door at a toll booth or the toll booth worker has to lean out of the booth so be it.

- When driving down the road (especially a two lane road) keep the trailer driver side as close to the center of the road as possible. Mailboxes, signs, low hanging trees and idiots parked on the side of the road are all possible obstacles you might encounter. Even if you do not encounter these obstacles be VERY CAREFUL that you do not get the trailer tires off the passenger side of the road. Do that and you have a potential disaster on your hands.

- Due to the total length of the trailer and 4Runner and width of the trailer you will have to get used to making WIDE turns. If you don't, you increase the chance that you will hit poles, signs and other vehicles at intersections.

- Always be thinking and looking ahead. You need more space to maneuver and stop.

- Only drive as fast as you feel comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, you are driving too fast.

- Before starting your trip, check the tire pressure on all trailer tires and your 4Runner. Check tire condition as well.

- During the entire trip check the chains and straps that anchor down the vehicle being towed from time to time. During the trip the chains and straps DO Loosen up and need to be re-tightened.

- Expect you gas mileage to go down at least 5-6 MPG when towing from what it normally is when not towing.

- Do not tow using overdrive it is not good for your transmission.

- Always be on the lookout for vehicles that are hiding in your blind spots on the sides of the trailer. Changing lanes with another vehicle in that spot can get very ugly.

Sorry if some of these suggestions seem obvious but they are things you learn to do or look out for every time you tow.

 

[Northof49]

As everyone is saying, weight wise you'll be fine.

Speed wise, I'd try it and see what feels best.

 

[boston_kevin]

One more thing.. Make sure you have a cover for the car you are The tow vehicle will throw up all kinds of road debris (and bugs) which can damage the paint or windshield on the car you are towing. And make sure that car cover is VERY SECURE... The last thing you want is having that cover come off the car when you are going down the road.

 

[Bluto]

I have 4000 to tow (boat + trailer).

What type of tire pressure should I run?


Is there some way to figure it out using the tire specs? I have the Dunlops. Max load of 2535 lbs at 44 psi. 80-90% max?

 

[Koz]

Make sure the trailer has brakes and use a brake controller.

Koz

 

[stoker8]

One more thing.. Make sure you have a cover for the car you are The tow vehicle will throw up all kinds of road debris (and bugs) which can damage the paint or windshield on the car you are towing. And make sure that car cover is VERY SECURE... The last thing you want is having that cover come off the car when you are going down the road.

Ok, this is scaring me. The Supra has 24k miles, all original, not a ding or scratch. I didn't use a braw when I pulled it here behind the uhaul truck and it didn't get a mark on it. Why would the Runner shoot debris up? Are you sure about this? I thought the Runner would block debris from hitting it. It does have mup flaps.

Also, I asked alot of people if I should put a car cover on it when I towed it here, and they said absolutely not. Said that the cover flapping around in the wind would damage the paint.

 

[boston_kevin]

The aerodynamics of any vehicle towing will shoot the air up over the vehicle and into what is being towed (not anything thrown up by the 4Runner). The weight of the trailer is part of the resistance, the other part is the added wind block from the trailer. I towed my '68 GT500 convertible (which is a show car) a while back and I used vaseline over the nose and windshield to prevent any bugs or things that shot up over the top of the tow vehicle, plus a tight cover over the top... Like your friends said about the cover, if it is it not super tight, like shrink wrap they put on boats, I would forget the cover because the flapping can damage the paint. If you are really concerned (which I would be now if I towed my car), I would be looking at renting a covered car trailer... Some places have these (not uhaul though).

A Uhaul truck has much worse aerodynamics so the little amount of air forced over the truck actually falls behind what is being towed, the rest is pushed aside. I've done this with other cars and this works fine without a cover.

 

[Uneek]

Blue painter's tape will work as well, to help protect the nose of the towed vehicle. I've read about people covering the front end of their brand new cars like that to prevent paint from chipping so they can get it clear bra-ed.

 

[Northof49]

Dear God don't put a cover on the Supra.....even a little bit of flapping will scratch the paint.

Painters tape on the front end sounds like the best idea so far.

 

[charlier180]

I would STRONGLY suggest that you Wash and Wax the vehicle being towed then use the blue 3M painters tape. There are a number of people that show their cars that use painters tape especially on the nose and lower hood of their cars. Most only use the tape when the trip to a car show involves a long distance or on roads that are under construction/repair.

Should you car take a stone or debris hit on an area where you taped be VERY, VERY careful when you remove the tape. The only down side to using the painters tape is that it increases the possibility that after taking a hit, a chunk of paint will stick to the paint and break off when you remove the tape.

If you can rent an enclosed trailer for your trip that is the best solution as long as you can get your car in and out of it without banging your doors on the inside of the trailer's walls. If you are looking to rent an enclosed trailer see if you can find one that is 8.5 feet wide and 20 feet long. Any longer than 20 feet and you may be pushing the weight limits of the 4Runner. Anything more narrow than 8.5 feet and you may have to climb out of the window of you car to get out of it.

 

[stoker8]

More great tips. Thanks all.

Whats up Northof49.

Well, I think tracking down a covered car transporter may be both difficult and inconvenient, although I agree it is the ideal solution. As I mentioned before, I towed it here behind a 12-14ft Uhaul truck and the car didn't get a mark on it.

Talked to a friend last night and he said he has some saran wrap like stuff I could use that should work good. Otherwise, where could I get the 3m painters tape? Home depot? Never used the stuff before.

Time is counting down...in a week I'll be down the road!

 

[charlier180]

Well, I think tracking down a covered car transporter may be both difficult and inconvenient, although I agree it is the ideal solution. As I mentioned before, I towed it here behind a 12-14ft Uhaul truck and the car didn't get a mark on it.

Talked to a friend last night and he said he has some saran wrap like stuff I could use that should work good. Otherwise, where could I get the 3m painters tape? Home depot? Never used the stuff before.

Finding an enclosed car hauler will probably not be easy but it can't hurt to look.

As long as the saran wrap like stuff will not peel off being out in the sunny warm day or cool night or rain you might be okay. Has your friend ever used this stuff on a car being towed on an open trailer?
The blue painter's tape will not come off easily even if it gets wet.

FYI, the 3M Blue painter's tape is available at Home Depot, Loews, Sears Hardware or just about any hardware or paint store.

 

[Northof49]

The ideal solution would be to put nothing on the car, but rather have a trailer with a protector on the front. No idea if Uhaul (or another company) rents such a thing, but maybe worth looking into. Would be much cheaper/easier than an enclosed as well I would think.

I'm thinking of something like what's common on sled trailers:

Some guys even fab up a cheapy out of plywood; works just as good...just doesn't last as long. If such a thing is available, that would be the hot ticket, as you wouldn't have to worry about the car.