flynhighaf23

so i live in new mexico and i'm planning on driving out to phoenix to pick up a car this weekend. i am planning on taking my truck with a flatbed trailer out there and hauling the car back. the car is a toyota mr2 and it weights around 2700-2800lbs. i plan on leaving saturday night when its cooler outside and coming back sunday night, again when its cooler.

i just did a recent tune-up consisting of new spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, pcv, oil change w/lucas oil stabilizer, and finally a can of good 'ol seafoam. the truck runs much better then before and i'm sure the gas mileage has improved some.

should i worry about towing with this truck? i have to drive roughly 1,000 miles round trip and i don't want any problems....ever! i estimated if i get 20mpg it'll cost me like $150 on gas to get there and back, but i don't really know what kind of mileage i should expect there or back (i'm guessing on the way back the gas mileage will suffer towing that extra weight). any info is appriciated!! thanks, casey.

Elton

its going to be real slow im guessing the fastest it will go is about 57mph

flynhighaf23

i don't mind going slow on the way back...as long as i make it! i just need to be back monday morning for work. i wish i could leave friday night just to make sure i got time, but i gotta work saturday...it never ends!

Elton

also im thinking all that weight might fry your clutch

kdawghuntnfish

I had a 2wd 84 toyota with a 22R and a manual transmission and have pulled a trailer that weight about 3000lbs loaded. I basically had to leave it 4th gear the whole trip and even had to shift down to 3rd to climb some steep hills. It wasn't a fun trip. Stopping was also pretty hard on the brakes and the truck was to light to stop the outfit. I have since learnded my lesson and use a bigger truck, but if that is the only truck you have.... Pray for no wind!!!
Good luck

JamesD

On my 87 4x4 with the 22r, I had a tow dolly towing a 69 Pontiac LeMans. It towed it but it was a pain starting from a stop. I had to ride the clutch a little but once you get going, it isn't so bad. Also I had to keep the rpm's up to get it to go and shift since it would bring down the rpm's due to the weight. I would also suggest a tow dolly. Less weight than a trailer. You shouldn't have much problem with that route. The LeMans was roughly a 3600lb car so with the MR2 and the tow dolly, you are probably looking at 3000lbs.

James

lookmomnobrains

a friend pulled a filled to the hilt 4runner to PA from long island on a dolly trailer with his ex cab 22r p/u. he said he did most of the trip in 3rd hear at like 4 grand but hey....the motor is still going. this was 4 years ago.

bktaco

i did a 500 miles tow from san diego to reno once, with a filled up uhaul. it had to be at least 3000 lbs altogether. same as all you other guys, the going was slow especially from stop. but thats what gears are for. you will probably be ok. check your breaks and break fluid before you go. stopping the way you want to is more critical than getting going IMO. good luck!

flynhighaf23

well guys, i had my GF ask her grandpa if we could use his truck and he said we could. i just didn't feel 100% about taking my truck. so we'll be taking a chevy 2500 duramax diesel. i do have to pick up the flatbed trailer with my truck though, i gotta pick it up and take it over to their house.

thanks for all the help anyways guys, and good info too!

Elton

nice with that truck you wont even no its back there

flynhighaf23

yea, i just got back and your right i didn't even feel the extra weight behind me! i caught myself getting upwards of 90+ mph from time to time and i had to slow it down to be safe. fun drive, now i'm tired and going to bed...

Elton

lol you should drive one with a few mods there fast for being a big truck also i want to see pics of the mr2

rswords

a 22r wont pull a greased string out a cats @ss...

I should know I cuss mine all the time!

spirtlanimilbus

i had a basset hound who ate a roll of saran wrap once.... we had to pull 3 feet of ĊĊĊĊty saran wrap out of his ass... i think my 22re would have pulled it out pretty well.

i use my 94 2wd to pull trucks out of the woods all the time..... i towed an 89 4wd on 39.5's and an sbc through 6 miles of semi hard pack sand and another 50 miles home on state route 40 on an elastic tow strap. poor bastard broke his flywheel.. my 2wd is on 31.10.50s and has a stock 3.42 gear also.. no locker or posi... it was a bit of a struggle but i got him home.... thats what friends are for...