Hey everyone, just a quik question. We are moving at the end of Sept to the other side of South Dakota (Rapid City) and we are considering our options. I have a 94 4runner 3.0L 5 spd. with a factory rebuilt engine with about 10,000 miles on it, the rest of the truck is pretty mechanically sound. We figured either pulling a 6x12 uhaul trailer or getting a box truck and pulling the 4runner behind it. With the trailer being about $350 cheaper that is the way I am leaning. the trip is about 400 miles. Mostly flat land some hills and mountains the closer you get to Rapid city.

Just want some input from other toyota guys so I can make a good decision on this one. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

Your runner should handle it well enough, given it's healthy and willing. I've pulled similar loads before with my pickup and outside of some adjusted driving, everything was on par. Save yourself the $$!

 

how much does the trailer weigh? I am pretty sure the truck is rate at 3500 pounds
do you have a class 3 hitch?
Good brakes?
stock size tires? if you have 33's it is gonna suck

 

Uhaul has some funny rules about trailers .

You did double check that your good to go with your vehicle.

Just take your time driving long distances can cause your vehicle to use more oil and other things once it gets heat soaked .

Remember it is not a race

 

Empty trailer weight is 1920 lbs, max load is 2480 lbs, and I don't think I will that much weight.
Not sure on the hitch, PO painted the hitch and covered the sticker, and I don't know much about hitches just by looking at them, lol.
Brakes are only about a year old with a little over 5,000 miles on them, 6x12 trailer has the hydraulic surge brake system.
Tires are 30 10.5 15s 80% tread (it has the 4.56 gears, from what I have read that means came stock with 31's).

 

I will be going to the U-haul dealer within the week, I am sure they will tell me if I have a properly rated hitch or not, and if my vehicle is ok to pull the trailer ( I don't see why not). With all the overheating problems with the 3.0 just wanted some input on towing. I know the basics, slow and steady, brake early, etc, With as much money as I had to drop to get the rebuilt engine (should have went 3.4, didn't know better when I did it) just don't want to overheat or mess up the new engine. Again Thank you for the comments and help any and all input is appreciated.

 

I recently rented the 6x12 enclosed trailer at uhaul. They rated my 94 22re 5spd at 5000lbs, it's pulls fine brake are a little scary so take your time.

 

You should be fine across the flatlands of S. Dakota. I've pulled my 2500lb camping trailer across the Colorado Rockies multiple times with no issues. Just don't try to set any speed records - I'd plan about 65mph on the freeway, slower on the side roads.

BTW, the sticker on the hitch on my 4Runner says 3500 lbs. but it's an aftermarket one.

 

I towed 5100lbs with a 22re 5speed. I took my time (45mph max)and everything went fine.

 

5000 lbs with a 22 r , that's impressive. I do it with a 3.4 and its no picnic.

 

I've pulled a 4x8 utility trailer with about 3/4 cord of firewood several times. The truck definitely isn't a speed demon. With 33s and 4.10 gears, it never made it over 65 mph. Now with 35s and 5.29s, it can pull much better.

The trailer has no brakes, but as said, braking early, and leaving plenty of space in front of you and you're fine. The stock bumper is rated for a 300 lb. tongue weight, with 3000 lbs. pulling capacity. I've always used that as the basis for towing anything.

Does your truck have the brake controller to control the hydraulic brakes of the trailer?

 

i have a 3.0 5 speed truck i can usually maintain 70 depending on area. The lil enclosed trailers your talking about I dont believe they have anything bigger then a 4 way which its only means, if any, would be a already installed hydralic brake system on the trailer itself... I've never seen a 7-way(which would help with electric brakes, but again would need brake controller) on trucks these size, not that I couldnt install one its just with a single axle dont see it much... You'll def know if it has hydralic brakes mounted on the tongue it has a breakaway hook attached to it... I run rv business and see all types of them but when its a lightweight trailer usually dont have electric brakes or hydralic brakes.. all depends on the trailer manufacture