My wife and I are moving to Alaska from Minnesota and would like to bring her car with. Does anybody know if I were to use a trailer type car dolly to pull my wifes car, would my truck handle it. I have a 93 4runner 3.0 v-6, I'm not so worried about the engine but I've been told that my truck is to light to pull another car using a car dolly..Any feedback would be welcome..Thanks....

 

I personally will not tow another car/truck. I know my vehicle could do it but god is it hard on a rig like ours IMO. I can see our rigs towing utility trailers, boats, or tent trailers but cars or trucks seems harsh. I wouldnt personally do it but thats my opinion. Blue

 

Depending on what kind of car she has I'd say you'd be alright. My biggest fear would be the engine and keeping the tranny cool. I'm not sure what sort of terrain you'll be crossing between there and your destination. If it's mostly flat and you take it easy, i think you'd be alright. I've towed a 3400 lb car on a tandem axle trailer before (Uhaul) behind a 95 4runner. Definitely wasn't fast by any means, and was quite doggy pulling out and merging, but I had no control issues other than the lack of power. If your rig's in good shape (good shocks, tires, brakes, fluids, etc.) then I would do it, assuming your towing a fairly light weight car.

 

The motor should be fine...when it comes to towing a lot of the stress is taken by the tranny.

You should be alright....

Mike

 

I agree that it should be ok. The V6 is rated for 5,000# with the auto, 3,500# with the 5spd.

 

Did you hear this from one of my posts or did you hear this somewhere else? The reason I ask is because I could have sworn the brochure said the same thing, but the manual and lots of people online say they're both rated 3500lbs. If you have proof of this, I would sure like to see it.

 

I think the auto's are also 3500lbs becuase the trailer hitch that came factory on my rig says maximum tongue weight is 350 and towing capacity is 3500...not sure why they would put a 3500lb trailer hitch on a truck that can haul 5000 but if I can haul 5000lbs switching to a different hitch is no concern to me

Fink

 

I have to ask the question: Why tow it? Why not put one or both vehicles on a train and leave the driving to someone else? You are talking a REALLY long way to drive, even moreso to tow.

By the way, I didn't see where you mentioned what type of vehicle your wife has. Is it a little Mazda Miata, or a Ford LTD? The size/weight of the vehicle would make a difference.

When you factor in the fuel, stress on your tow rig, the stress on you and your wife, I think it might be worth looking into other options. I think a train would be pretty fun.

I am interested in what you eventually do.

Where in Alaska are you going? What are you two going to be doing once you get there?

-Scott

 

I towed a pretty heavy load, (4) 4wheelers and (3) bikes plus gear (5000lb ish) and 4 people over 2000 miles with my '91 runner, and it handled it fine. Even i heavy cross winds it wasn't a problem, and the brakes seemed up to the task, just don't plan on stopping on a dime.

 

Are you in Alaska yet? If so, how did the move go?

 

I've told 2 cars for about 30 miles after, break downs at the race track. O only got 2wd, and it hauls the cars no problome. I do moniter the engine before, during, and after the tow. Not to sure about a long haul though. I suppose the TRD trans coller could help out, make sure you have all new synthetic fluids in everything. IE...trans, oil, transfercase, front and rear diffs. and maybe even lucas rac and pinion in the power steering pump.

But thats just my 2 cents, I would never tow a car from Hawaii to alaska

 

That would be tough! Unless you have one of those amphibious 4Runners...

Anyway, FWIW I towed my '86 Mazda 626 (~2200 lbs) with a Uhaul dolly for 1000 miles with no problems. I have a '98 Tacoma, 3.4l, 5spd, rated for 5000 lbs. I think you could do it as long as the truck is in good shape and the car isn't a land yacht. Don't expect to break any speed records though...

 

This is a little off topic but related. Could a 2wd reg cab 5spd 22re tow another 2wd reg cab on a uhaul dolly? According to the owners manual it could but trailer brakes would be required. How are trailer brakes connected? It would be a 400 mile trip.