basic trailer/towing questions
 

I'm at a point where I really need to invest in some kind of enhanced towing capability. My 07 Toyota highlander is rated to tow 3500lbs. Is that enough to install a good 2" Reese hitch and pull a 356 project on a rented car hauler ~50 miles one way? Will the transmission be able to handle it?

TIA

Is this a one time thing? If yes it should, just keep it out of overdrive and hold speeds to 50-55.

GVWR = trailer + cargo + hitch. You're at the limit but I'd do it. Is it down Highway 61?

brakes! just make sure there are a very good electric or surge brakes. most rentals have surge brakes, make sure they are sound. lastly, if you go to get a car trailer with that particular vehicle it's very likely they will NOT even rent it to you. a decent trailer rental place (uhaul) has very strict guidelines on what size vehicle they will allow to tow one of their trailers.

Is this one project the only use you anticipate for the hitch? If so, I would hire a roll-back and have them move your car. That can't cost much more than having a hitch installed. If you have other uses for the hitch, go for it. Fifty miles of overload won't cook your tranny, but be VERY CAREFUL about stopping this rig.

Your Highlander has enough motor and transmission, and enough brakes. A well-balanced trailer won't put more than 200 pounds on the tongue, which isn't much different than a fat chick in the third row seat. It will handle it just fine. Electric brakes would be MUCH better, but it depends on the trailer and then you'd have to wire and install a good controller.

Just be careful of the tail wagging the dog.

I'm with wdfifteen. If it's just once or twice, just pay to have it moved or rent/borrow a truck that's already set up.

Towing.........
 

Why not just go to Uhaul and rent a truck and car hauler for a couple of hours. It will cost much less than buying a trailer. Later on, you can upgrade your tow vehicle to something like a Ford Diesel F250 and get the trailer if it is still needed. I think you can rent the car hauler for 1/2 day for around $50. Adding the truck for a half day will add maybe another $35 - $50.

Yep. You'd be exceeding the tow rating by a large margin. You're not even close. A dual axle car trailer can weigh over 2,000 lbs easily. Not a good idea.

You may be able to due it, if everything works perfectly fine and there are no surprises. Throw in a sudden stop, the need to swerve, and you are asking for trouble!

My $0.42,
-Z-man.

Thanks, guys.

My 356 is a stripped shell on a borrowed shop dolly right now. I'm trying to get it to the guy who is going to do the restoration work. There is no way to get it on a uhaul type trailer since it has no wheels. I'd gladly pay someone to move it for me, but no freight or towing company is going to touch it as is. I tried renting a full size truck with a hitch from Hertz they would not rent to a non-commercial/business owned account :(

Honestly, I cant see myself needing to tow a car more than 2-3 times a year. I've been getting by for the last two years with borrowed trucks, rented or borrowed utility trailers, and help from friends & family. I may end up swapping my daily driver out for something that can pull a little more weight and rent the car haulers & utility trailers as needed.

Ask a guy with a tilt bed. Offer cash and flexability One of your locals will do it.
It's much easier to load a dolly on a tilt bed then a trailer

Transmission temperature is the key. See if you can view the fluid temp with an OBD2 device.

That's a different story. You don't even need a car hauler to carry a 356 shell. A flat bed trailer should do just fine.
Know anybody in the lawn care business? One of their lawnmower trailers would be perfect. They might be looking for a couple of bucks this time of year.
A moving company might even do it.
Too bad I'm so far from Hwy 61. I'd help you move it with my trailer.