Towing Question?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've got a 03 4runner v8 4x4. It has the lighter load hitch that came on the early models (I believe only the first half of the 03's have this hitch, it was updated mid-year), it just bolts on (not weight distributing). I'm looking at making about a 1000 mile trip pulling a 16 ft car hauler. 1/2 the trip would be an empty trailer, other half would be towing a 07 Camry, weighs about 3500 pounds. I don't have a brake controller or anything. Would I be safe pulling this load, or should I try to find another vehicle to tow with.

EDIT: should be 90% interstate driving, relatively flat for most of the trip.

 

[settytb]

Does the car hauler have hydraulic breaks like the uhaul one? Or does it not have anything? If it has the hydraulic ones like the uhaul one it isn't that bad...but with no brakes it can be kinda gnarly stopping...

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Well, what is the total weight of the Camry and trailer combined?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Don't know the answer to either on the trailer. I wanted to rent a car dolly from uhaul but according to them the 4 runner won't pull it. They base it off your vehicle weight which I don't agree with.

 

[ckiesz]

Hitch aside, I woundn't even consider pulling a loaded car trailer without having the brakes figured out.

An emergency had me towing home my brothers WRX on my brand new featherlite, before wiring the brake controller. Luckly it was only a few miles through town, felt like spiderman trying to stop a train.

Tows awesome now.

 

[MikeInNH]

Does the car hauler have hydraulic breaks like the uhaul one?

U-Haul has hydraulic brakes???? Last time I rented one of their trailers they had electric brakes. When did they switch??? And how is the hydraulic system actuated??

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The larger uhauls use hydraulic brakes, I used a 6x12 enclosed trailer not long ago that had them. I'll have to see if I can find out about the brakes, I would be borrowing the trailer from a friend.

 

[empty403]

Don't know the answer to either on the trailer. I wanted to rent a car dolly from uhaul but according to them the 4 runner won't pull it. They base it off your vehicle weight which I don't agree with.

Trailer brakes are highly recommended when towing anything over 3500lb that includes the trailer weight but you can do it without it - tough to stop. The full car trailer will have Hydraulic brakes, so you won't need a brake controller. You should be able to rent a car dolly which only carries 2 wheels. The Uhaul full car trailer is heavy duty and with the weight of the other vehicle, it will be more than the weight of your 4Runner. If there's a wind gust the trailer will drag you. Uhaul is just trying to not to get sued.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I may try calling a local uhaul dealer, but based on the online data they won't let me tow the dolly with the 4runner. I would think that this would be easily handled by the 4runner, but they base everything on the weight of the tow vehicle.

 

[12guns]

Your 4runner can pull it w/o a hiccup. Brakes are good and would be the smartest way to go, but I've towed a 5000lb boat/trailer plenty w/ no trailer brakes. I've even braked hard to see how fast I could stop in case I had to. Doesn't bother me a bit pulling w/o brakes, however if I owned the trailer or pulled it frequently I would have trailer brakes for sure. They help minimize wear on your vehicle's brakes too.
If you do tow it, be sure not to "sit" on the brakes at stop lights and such after hard brakeing. It can leave the dreaded uneven deposits and give you the warped feel.
If you tow it, let us know how the Napa pads do!
Good luck!

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've about decided just to drive it back. I could do it I'm sure, but this country boy doesn't like the idea of pulling a loaded 16ft car hauler through Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville. It's also about 200-300 extra miles just to go get the trailer, so probably just going to skip on that.

I did talk to uhaul about a dolly. According to the guy I spoke with, there has to be a 800 pound difference in the weight of the towing vehicle vs vehicle being towed. Apparently a v6 Camry is very close in weight to a 48 4x4 4runner, wouldn't have thought that.

 

[empty403]

I've about decided just to drive it back. I could do it I'm sure, but this country boy doesn't like the idea of pulling a loaded 16ft car hauler through Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville. It's also about 200-300 extra miles just to go get the trailer, so probably just going to skip on that.

I did talk to uhaul about a dolly. According to the guy I spoke with, there has to be a 800 pound difference in the weight of the towing vehicle vs vehicle being towed. Apparently a v6 Camry is very close in weight to a 48 4x4 4runner, wouldn't have thought that.

You can always tell them it's for a smaller car - focus, corolla etc

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thought about that, they require an inspection of the vehicle (both of them) before renting. They won't let me pick up just the dolly and load it myself, a dealer must do it.