Distance trip hauling another vehicle

[jmw101]

Helping move my daughter to the northeast for her post-college career start. We decided to haul her 4Runner with my '21 LC. 1,200 miles towing the 4Runner, and total trip mileage about 2,600 miles.

Truck performed very well. The LC is stock except for a RedArc TowPro brake controller (not used on this trip, as the hauler had its own "automatic" brake system). The stock 200s certainly squat when lightly loaded, and def squat more with a loaded trailer. I didn't get the suspension work/other stuff done before this trip.

Mileage was OK. Averaged 11.5 towing the trailer about 1,200 miles, and then averaged 17.5 on the trip back without the trailer. Pic at the gas station was symbolic but, as I've stated before on this forum, MPG is overrated. It is the adventure and the times with others that counts.

The only real stressors were exceptionally heavy rain at one point in northeast Texas and the amount of 18-wheeler traffic on I-40. Many of those absolutely fly and made me nervous coming down some elevations in Tennessee with them on my tail in the rain and pressing hard (even with me in the right lane).

Trip was successful. Avoided some damage running over something on the trip back at 10pm in the rain. I believe it was part of a pallet or a couple of boards nailed together. Hit it in traffic, in the dark, and in the rain. Fortunately, it stayed flat on the ground as we went over it. No visible damage to the truck and no negative affects on balance/alignment that I can feel. Just needed a fresh pair of shorts at the next refuel.

First time for me towing a car hauler-type of trailer loaded, but no major surprises. Notch another win for the 200.

 

[urinalcake]

Those U-Haul trailers tow so well! My trip was only 400 miles when I drove to buy my truck, rented a trailer, and towed my car home. 13.8MPG all interstate driving.
AHC doing its thing keeping the truck level even with the tongue weight. My R weight 3800 lbs.

 

[Zill]

Helping move my daughter to the northeast for her post-college career start. We decided to haul her 4Runner with my '21 LC. 1,200 miles towing the 4Runner, and total trip mileage about 2,600 miles.

Truck performed very well. The LC is stock except for a RedArc TowPro brake controller (not used on this trip, as the hauler had its own "automatic" brake system). The stock 200s certainly squat when lightly loaded, and def squat more with a loaded trailer. I didn't get the suspension work/other stuff done before this trip.

Mileage was OK. Averaged 11.5 towing the trailer about 1,200 miles, and then averaged 17.5 on the trip back without the trailer. Pic at the gas station was symbolic but, as I've stated before on this forum, MPG is overrated. It is the adventure and the times with others that counts.

The only real stressors were exceptionally heavy rain at one point in northeast Texas and the amount of 18-wheeler traffic on I-40. Many of those absolutely fly and made me nervous coming down some elevations in Tennessee with them on my tail in the rain and pressing hard (even with me in the right lane).

Trip was successful. Avoided some damage running over something on the trip back at 10pm in the rain. I believe it was part of a pallet or a couple of boards nailed together. Hit it in traffic, in the dark, and in the rain. Fortunately, it stayed flat on the ground as we went over it. No visible damage to the truck and no negative affects on balance/alignment that I can feel. Just needed a fresh pair of shorts at the next refuel.

First time for me towing a car hauler-type of trailer loaded, but no major surprises. Notch another win for the 200.

View attachment 3453377

Glad to hear the beast did well!!

 

[Supra Turbo]

Those U-Haul trailers tow so well! My trip was only 400 miles when I drove to buy my truck, rented a trailer, and towed my car home. 13.8MPG all interstate driving.
AHC doing its thing keeping the truck level even with the tongue weight. My R weight 3800 lbs.


View attachment 3453547

Is that a Ferrari badge on the Volvo..?

 

[JohnJB]

Is that a Ferrari badge on the Volvo..?

More like a prancing moose.

And since this thread is now partially about Uhaul trailers. Here’s another

 

[Heckraiser]

Is that a Ferrari badge on the Volvo..?

 

[jmw101]

Those U-Haul trailers tow so well! My trip was only 400 miles when I drove to buy my truck, rented a trailer, and towed my car home. 13.8MPG all interstate driving.
AHC doing its thing keeping the truck level even with the tongue weight. My R weight 3800 lbs.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the trailer towed. And rental was roughly $350 for the entire trip. I believe that was for 5 days, unlimited miles.

One thing that I got a kick out of was a sign at the U-Haul location that said "Any vehicle can tow a trailer."

I get that's their business, but we've all seen plenty of examples of the opposite. Maybe any vehicle can tow; doesn't mean that they should. And that's before we get to the drivers. Heehee.

Cheers, everyone. Thanks for the interaction.

 

[TeCKis300]

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the trailer towed. And rental was roughly $350 for the entire trip. I believe that was for 5 days, unlimited miles.

One thing that I got a kick out of was a sign at the U-Haul location that said "Any vehicle can tow a trailer."

I get that's their business, but we've all seen plenty of examples of the opposite. Maybe any vehicle can tow; doesn't mean that they should. And that's before we get to the drivers. Heehee.

Cheers, everyone. Thanks for the interaction.

I've used their gear a number of times and agree they are very well built and tow great.

Caveat on the "Any vehicle can tow a trailer", IIRC their webpage does have built in checks to validate a tow/towed pairing and will not allow certain configurations. In racing circles, it's not unheard of people putting in a miata as a towed vehicle to get under the bar, even if their race car is something much heavier. Not sure how the insurance could play into it if there were an incident, but just saying there are checks.

 

[Heckraiser]

Any vehicle can tow this:

 

[mobi-arc]

Any vehicle can tow this:

View attachment 3453829

Do they still rent these? I used one for a 2 week camping/road trip about 10 years ago but I haven't seen them for a while. Nice lightweight design and no problem towing at speed.

 

[bloc]

The only thing I'd add is double check the tire pressure on their trailers before you hit the road.

We had a uhaul car hauler blow out a tire in north texas with my rolled 80 on top and my friend's brilliance bringing a spare that fit saved our ass. When we checked the other three tires they were dangerously low.

There is a ton of liability in this so most of the high-traffic locations will be on top of it, but it's still an easy thing to verify and could prevent a huge headache.

 

[MikeDeadly]

Just for reference, what speed are y'all towing at to get 11.5 mpg?

 

[marketShark]

I swear the trailer probably weighed more than the truck itself

250ish miles roundtrip, some 2 lane, some 4 lane divided.

Firestone helper bags FTW!