Which way should I go with a trailer???

[4Runner4TW]

Hey fella's. My girlfriend and I are moving to Seattle, WA!!!! We are so excited to be getting out of the desert. She actually lived there for 5 years before college, I have never been to this part of the country at all. However I am from Maine so I know I will adjust to the climate fine. I can't wait to get out of this heat! Anyway, onto my question.
We will be pulling a trailer with our 99 4Runner, 3.4L. I booked the 6x12 from U-Haul for the sole reason it has 2 axles. We could get away with the 5x8, but I like the feeling of supporting more weight with the trailer axles and less with the truck. Plus it will be nice to have the extra space when loading. When we moved from Sedona, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ we needed more space so it took 2 trips. Can't do that this time.
As you all know, the 4Runner is not the most power truck ever. I want to take the route that will be easiest for the 4Runner. Google comes with two routes, but I'm not sure which would be best. I'm thinking the coast route because its closer to sea level, cooler air, more cities/towns in case something goes wrong. The suggested route takes us up through Neveda, part of Idaho and into Washington. I'm worried this way may have more mountain passes and looks much less populated. Also the higher elevation and higher temps could affect gas mileage and engine performance.
Which way would you go? Have any of you gone these ways/or part of these routes? I've read towing stories, but what is your experience with the 4Runner on long trips with a trailer this size? I'm not worried about pulling a trailer, I used to work for an RV dealership so I have a lot of experience pulling trailers ranging from pop ups to park models (12 feet wide, 15 feet tall).
Thanks for all the input! We don't leave until September 30th so we have some time to prepare.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

either way its going to cost you a butt-load in gas money and you're going to need to go sloooow, like no overdrive. I'd just pick whichever route that takes you by scenic or interesting places since if you're like me you'll want to stop and let the old girl rest.

 

[Forrrrest]

I would hop over to california anf take I-5. Speed limit is 75 and its all flat through california. I can make it from the bay area to washington in a day easy.

 

[Forrrrest]

Actually i hink its 70 but i forgit ou will be towing to 55 the whole way for you. If you really want a scenic and fun drive take hiway 1

 

[RS Dude]

Go I-5. Best fuel economy.

 

[zooroadbaja]

I've taken the I-5 all the way to SF which is flat the whole way expect going over the pass.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Take the Not-nevada route

 

[downpour11]

I usually take I-40 over to bakersfield. No traffic. So if you take I-10 to Quartzite/Parker, go up to Havasu then jump on I-40. Just bypasses LA and riverside traffic. Then you can hop on I-5 through bakersfield. I've driven that way from tucson to oregon at least 10 times, much easier.

 

[4Runner4TW]

Glad most people are seeing the I-5 route as best. I will definitely by pass LA. I planned on hitting the area late at night. I prefer to drive at night when it comes to these types of trips (I've drive cross country 10 times now).
I know gas will be a killer but I figure it will be cheaper than renting one of their trucks and towing the 4Runner (although if I had the money I would do it that way).
I have 6 days with the trailer and I'm thinking it will take about 3 with cautious driving and lots of stops.
This will be the first time on a long trip when I'll be glad to stop. Back in June I took the 4Runner from AZ to FL and back in a 1 week period and tried not to stop at all. My girlfriend and our dog didn't like that haha.
As far as the 4Runner goes, all I need are tires. My Michelin's are pretty low on tread. I have plenty to make it to Seattle, but I think I might get them before just to be safe. I also want to get a scangauge II so I can keep an eye on the truck.

Actually I do have one major issue, the trailer lights do not work. I have flashers and brake lights but no running lights. I need to trace the wires back and see whats going on. Anyone else ever have that issue?

 

[Montreal2013]

I resolved a similar issue I had when towing, the lights didn't work at all on the trailer. I googled it and replaced the little black box behind the rear plastic panel in the trunk that connects a few wires. Maybe it's called a relay? It's really common and It was an over the counter part at the auto parts store. I don't remember what the part is called but you can google it, worked for me.

 

[4Runner4TW]

I resolved a similar issue I had when towing, the lights didn't work at all on the trailer. I googled it and replaced the little black box behind the rear plastic panel in the trunk that connects a few wires. Maybe it's called a relay? It's really common and It was an over the counter part at the auto parts store. I don't remember what the part is called but you can google it, worked for me.

I was hoping it wasn't that. Hopefully the back is easy to take apart.

 

[PNWRunner]

I live in Seattle, and have made the drive from Seattle to Sacramento many times. Its a pretty good drive once you get out of Cali. If CHP sees an out of state plate, youre done for.

Also route 2 goes through a mountain pass in WA. Its not really a big deal, but I would stick to the coast.

 

[J. B.]

I usually take I-40 over to bakersfield. No traffic. So if you take I-10 to Quartzite/Parker, go up to Havasu then jump on I-40. Just bypasses LA and riverside traffic. Then you can hop on I-5 through bakersfield. I've driven that way from tucson to oregon at least 10 times, much easier.

Good advice here...

Have a fun drive.

As long as you're not driving 70+mph with that trailer, CHP won't mess with you.
Just be careful and try not to be like all those semi-trailers who go from the right lane to the left lane to pass another slow semi going about 60mph while all the traffic on the left is doing 80+........

 

[Kraze]

I was hoping it wasn't that. Hopefully the back is easy to take apart.

Here you go: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/10694-install-help-trailer-light-converter.html

 

[4Runner4TW]

Here you go: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/10694-install-help-trailer-light-converter.html

Thank you so much! This is perfect!

 

[A.Wilson013]

I would also vote hopping over to Cali and heading up I5. Especially if you're driving at night.

Best of luck, I am sure you won't need it.

Stop by Dupont WA- I'll buy you a beer. Or coffee... Since you'll be in the Puget Sound area, and driving . Exit 118 off I-5.

 

[the great him]

I live in Seattle, and have made the drive from Seattle to Sacramento many times. Its a pretty good drive once you get out of Cali. If CHP sees an out of state plate, youre done for.

Also route 2 goes through a mountain pass in WA. Its not really a big deal, but I would stick to the coast.

idk about that CHP thing... i go down to cali at least once a year and have never been bothered by them, and i do 75-80 most of the time... ive never felt picked on by OSP or CHP for having out of state tags, and i drive to Grants Pass Or at least once a month...

but yeah they might not cut you a ton of slack for someone with a trailer. just be smart. also the northern cali and southern oregon areas have a few good climbs. basically from Redding Ca to Cottage Grove Or you will be up and down the mountains. the siskiyou pass is the big one at the border of Or and Ca. but it is deff manageable. i have climbed all most all of those passes fully loaded with food, camping gear for two, spare parts and tools for a weeks worth of camping and wheeling, tipping the scales at over 6k lbs doing 65mph, yeah i had the throttle pinned and it was in the summer in the heat but i never over heated and my tranny stayed nice and cool as long as i had the air flow to help. i wasnt towing a trailer, but i was loaded down to the max.

in the fall or winter you shouldnt have any issues with overheating at all -i didnt in the summer. just make sure you cooling system has good coolant in it, and you have good brakes -have you done the tundra brake upgrade? if not i would do this before, and make sure you have a external tranny cooler(the 70264 is ok if you run it along with the radiator, but if you chose to bypass the radiator then id suggest using two of those in series) other than that yeah you are good to go.

when you pass through portland hit me up, ill second the A.Wilson013 idea for a drink.

 

[Blackdot]

I just did this myself this week. Cedar city Utah to lake Stevens wa. I also pulled a 5x8 trailer. I took the second route and the 4runner did great. Honestly the only time I was nervous was the more busy parts of the route due to having to brake because of careless drivers. I-5 through Cali, Or, and Wa can be super busy and maybe pretty stressful. I feel slower speeds with mountainous terrain wins over traffic. Good luck with the move.

I should say that I am on stock brakes but being a five speed negotiating the Mt passes was not bad at all. Also with my scan gauge my temps never exceeded 210. I hope your AC works well.

 

[PNWRunner]

idk about that CHP thing... i go down to cali at least once a year and have never been bothered by them, and i do 75-80 most of the time... ive never felt picked on by OSP or CHP for having out of state tags, and i drive to Grants Pass Or at least once a month...

CHP doesnt patrol Grants Pass. A few people in my family have been stopped between Chico and Redding for 5 over. No the officer is not cutting us slack by saying its only 5 over, it was literally 5 over. Nobody is going to travel 2 states away to fight a speeding ticket. You may get lucky, but I dont try and gain any extra ground through the top portion of Cali anymore.

Safe travels!

 

[4Runner4TW]

I would also vote hopping over to Cali and heading up I5. Especially if you're driving at night.

Best of luck, I am sure you won't need it.

Stop by Dupont WA- I'll buy you a beer. Or coffee... Since you'll be in the Puget Sound area, and driving . Exit 118 off I-5.

I just might have to take you up on that!


As far as cops go. I will be driving conservatively. I don't want to risk hurting the truck at all. They can pull me over if they want; I'm all legal.
I don't have the tundra swap but the brakes have less than 10K on them. Next time I need brakes I will do the swap; I didn't know about it prior. And the A/C works great! Even in these hot AZ summers the truck cools right down.