Hey guys,
I have a 03 DB-cab, 4x4 Tacoma with no transcooler. I am heading to Ky from VA. My drive is about 13hrs, roughly 830miles. My question is, i will not be towing anything on the way there, but on the way home i will have my 5x8trailer with my yamaha raptor and dirtbike on it. As far as preperation, what should i do to get my tacoma ready for this trip. I am planning on driving straight through both ways with of course my fuel stops. Any suggestion on making this drive the easiest possible on my TOY would be greatly apprciate. Also with my 5x8 trailer and atv and bike, do you think it will be alright with no transcooler up and down the mountains of WV. Thanks.

 

I would say to just check/top off/ replace fluids and check out the tires for air pressure and anything dangerous and youre good... maybe an alignment if needed.. not sure on the tranny cooler with the weight of your trailer and gear.. someone will chime in on that im sure

 

Don't push too hard hill climbing and watch your temperature gauge. I tow 3000 lbs often and all I usually do if I know ahead of time is to tank up with either 89 or 91 octane. Seems to give me a "seat-of-the-pants" increase in pep. Oh, yeah... a nice tall thermos of coffee helps, too!

 

Learn what turning off overdrive is for. If you don't already know, it's so that your transmission doesn't downshift so often. Fewer shifts means a happier tranny. And as said above, don't push too hard, and watch the temp.

 

I guess i should of stated the trailer i will be pulling, is a very light open trailer. I would say maybe 500lbs. I can easly pull it by hand around. Its has a mesh steel frame and steel mess floor. Thank you guys for all the inputs, just trying to take it easy on my Toy. I am attaching a photo of my trailer if someone would like to take a look. Thanks again

 

Good point. I do that too. I also turn ECT to "POWER" mode which will prevent you from lugging the engine by shifting at a higher RPM for a given engine load.

 

as already stated, check fluids, and tire pressure. that light of a trailer i wouldnt even worry about it. just watch gauges.

dont forget:
lots of RockStar energy drinks,
Ipod wiht enough music
cheese-its / chips / sunflower seeds.

i do 12 to 15 hr drives depending on which parents house i goto, after about the first 6 or so hr it becomes a blur. if you get tired pull over at a rest stop walk around strech, go pee etc. makes a huge difference. get plently of sleep the night before, you dont think about how tireing driving is, but after 13 hrs your exausted.

 

Buy a couple cans of Skoal and you won't have a problem staying awake

Seriously though, I drove from San Diego to El Paso, TX straight and didn't have a bit of trouble either way. No tranny cooler, driving through the desert at ~2500 rpm average. Keep yer tailgate up. Change your oil when you're done with the trip.

 

watch out for the
definitely stretch when ya stop. run around the station and dont mind the stares.

 

are you driving alone? cause i would say if you are, take a friend.. its easy to swap out drivers plus you have someone to talk to.