U-haul Trailer

zsmithku

zsmithku

New member
I'm moving from Washington state to San Diego, CA in two weeks and am taking a a 5x8 enclosed trailer. The drive is about 1,200 miles so I'm wondering if I'm going to have an issues pulling it with my '99 SR5? The trailer weighs 900 lbs and I imagine I won't put in anymore than 2000 lbs. It's mainly just bedroom furniture and such. And the back of my 4Runner will be full of lighter items like clothes.

So am I going to have any issues or should I be okay?

Thanks.
 
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The only thing that may be a slight issue is if you have an auto, it may get a little hot. Most people that tow a lot with their runners get aux. tranny coolers. I really think you'll be fine the way it is, but if the center console area starts heating up more than normal, pull over and let it rest for a bit. Just make sure all your fluids look good before you leave, and take along lots of water!

And welcome to CA! I hope you hate the 2nd Amendment haha.
 
Hey you go where the jobs take you these days. Just happens to be in sunny San Diego. But I'm big into sailing and golf so instead of only getting to do those activities 1/3 of the year, I will now get year round exposure. I live in eastern Washington so I'm thinking the drive will actually be pretty flat for the most part. Hoping I don't overheat or do anything worse. But I guess I really don't have a choice. I need to pull a trailer.
 
I have yet to rent a U-Haul where the tire pressure was even close. I have never rented one where even one tire was within five pounds of the placard... Be sure to check that.
 
I rented a 5x8 with my 99 SR5, don't let it get into overdrive and you'll be fine. So keep the O/D off
 
zsmithku said:
Hey you go where the jobs take you these days. Just happens to be in sunny San Diego. But I'm big into sailing and golf so instead of only getting to do those activities 1/3 of the year, I will now get year round exposure. I live in eastern Washington so I'm thinking the drive will actually be pretty flat for the most part. Hoping I don't overheat or do anything worse. But I guess I really don't have a choice. I need to pull a trailer.
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yeah i hear you. If you take I-5 its super smooth form portland to the CA border with a couple minor passes the worst will be the Siskiyou summit and to Redding, then it will be soo boring form Redding to San Diego on the 5. ha
 
The woman I bought my '98 SR5 from did almost the same thing, I think it was Seattle to LA. Towed a trailer with the 4Runner, said it was just fine. I personally don't have any towing experience with mine, but if it's been done once, I daresay it can be done again.
 
Victor said:
I rented a 5x8 with my 99 SR5, don't let it get into overdrive and you'll be fine. So keep the O/D off
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So, you will have close to 3,000 pounds. I agree, keep the Over drive off and also put the ECT button on, (if you have one). I would also stop a lot on some reststops to cool down the transmission, maybe every hour and a half.

The transmission on the 4Runner is durable and should be fine. Stopping also gives the trailer a rest, the wheel bearing in the hub can get hot.
 
1. increase your tire pressure. Go up at least 5psi.

2. Plan to load the trailer with the heaviest items over the axle.

3. There is no need to take it out of overdrive unless you find the engine/trans hunting between gears. On the flats, you will be fine in o/d. Anticipate upcoming uphill and downhill stretches, at which point youll want to build up momentum and choose a lower gear for the hill climb and hold a lower gear on steep downhills.

4. Definitely get a tranny cooler.
 
I've pulled almost every u-haul trailer they offer at this point lol. The longest was about 1000 miles. Nebraska to California, we went around most of the larger mountains and went through Wyoming instead of Colorado, but we had no problems. On that trip we went for at least 10-12 hours a day. and i'll be honest we didn't really stay with in that speed guide line i could see in the mirror. I do have an aux trans cooler, and it was winter, so overheating wasn't going to be near as likely. But even in snow and ice the 4runner pulled the trailer through the snow like a champ

We have also used the 4runner to move locally more than a few times. including pulling over the 5k lb weight rating for a couple short trips with some cars on the u-haul trailers.
 
brian2sun said:
Most people that tow a lot with their runners get aux. tranny coolers.
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Every 3rd gen owner should install a trans cooler and bypass the stock cooler to avoid the "pink milkshake of death". Does not matter if you tow or not.
 
I pulled the same trailer, with about 500 lbs less than you from Oklahoma City to Washington DC, it was a good ride. Going through the Appalachians took a while but with proper towing techniques it was uneventful trip. Good luck and enjoy San Dog. Gas Lamp district is outstanding.
 
Hey thanks for all the replies guys. Glad I asked the question. The Trans Cooler sounds like a must so I will do that for sure. Any recommendations on which ones to buy?
Thanks again.
 
zsmithku said:
Hey you go where the jobs take you these days. Just happens to be in sunny San Diego. But I'm big into sailing and golf so instead of only getting to do those activities 1/3 of the year, I will now get year round exposure. I live in eastern Washington so I'm thinking the drive will actually be pretty flat for the most part. Hoping I don't overheat or do anything worse. But I guess I really don't have a choice. I need to pull a trailer.
Click to expand...

Since you are from eastern Wa, go down thru hermiston in Oregon, and take the road down thru bend and whatnot. It will avoid most of the cascades and it will be pretty level till you meet up with I5 in norcal. If you follow it all the way to where it meets in norcal, i think you'll actually avoid the steep pass all the way at the top end of the state as well. And it will be a very pretty drive this time of year. Plus you'll avoid half the popo nazi's...just dont speed too bad in oregon. (i'm originally from halfway between yakima and tri-cities)
 
The local auto parts store has a Hayden brand Trans Coolers so I think I'll find the equivalent of that brand so I don't have to order it online. Thanks again.
 
I installed a Hayden Trans cooler #677. Install was pretty easy, minus the trans fluid that sprayed all over my driveway (thank goodness it was cold fluid...)
So now fluid runs into my radiator, then into my add-on trans cooler, then to the transmission. I would imagine this should help keep my fluid cooler while I'm pulling the trailer.
Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.
 
Ha yaaa about that. Smith you want to bypass the radiator so just hook up your in and out lines to the bypass and you will be done and wont have to worry about fluid contamination problems. Just dooooo itttttttttt.
 
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