Towing 914 with Tacoma

[wndsnd]

Has anyone towed a 914 on a uhaul trailer with a standard 4 cyl 2010 Tacoma? No towing package but I have a Curtis hitch that is rated 5000 lbs mounted to the frame.
Just making sure I am not pushing my luck.

[IROC]

I think you're pushing your luck. I tow my 2400 lb 911 on a 1000 lb aluminum trailer with a 3.4L V6 Tacoma (with a factory towing package and transmission cooler) and it is barely adequate. It accelerates and goes down the highway acceptably, but the brakes are marginal (even with electric trailer brakes). IIRC, a U-Haul trailer is very heavy.

Is this a "one-time-only-just-get-the-car-to-the-house" type of tow? No hills, etc? If so, then you're probably OK, just take it easy. If you're going to do this on a regular basis, I would opt for a better tow vehicle. YMMV and all that.

[Z-man]

^ what he said.

[wndsnd]

Yes this is just to get the car home. Approx 3 hours of highway driving. The Uhaul trailer is 2200 and the car 2000. The GVW on the truck is I think 4900. What about a tow dolly? Since the car has been stored for over 20 years, I would hate to destroy the transmission or something.

[VincentVega]

Make sure your brake fluid is fresh and leave plenty of room. Check the manual, I would not engage overdrive assuming you have a slushbox. It'll be fine.

[GH85Carrera]

Pick a route with the fewest hills!

[LakeCleElum]

Do the car Dolly thing, it's lighter than the trailer. I towed my 911 on a tow dolly both ways over a mountain pass with the Toyota 3.0 V6. Was able to easily do the speed limit (60 with a trailer) and just gear down for the inclines.

I sure wouldn't do it every day, just moving 2 911's between houses for winter storage. I used a 4 cyl for years to tow 2 snowmobiles.

[rick-l]

You can go to the u-haul web site and there is an app to see if they will rent it to you for this combination.

go here
U-Haul rentals: Cargo, utility and car trailer rentals
make up a pickup zip code and hit get rates. Then enter your vehicle

[emcon5]

As long as it is relatively flat, it should be fine. Not something I would do all the time, but for a one time deal go for it.

[vash]

if it is such a short trip..why dont you rent a truck with it?

hate to sacrifice safety for a few hundred bucks.

[Mark Henry]

Uhaul car trailers are big heavy units, can you rent a car dolly?
This is my light car trailer behind a four banger, even this is pushing the limits.

[Seahawk]

I have towed a lot of stuff with my 1999 4 cyl Tacoma: it was for 6 years my only farm truck.

The key really is the trailer brakes and can your truck use them? Trailer brakes are essential for this run. Also, how much have you towed? That is important: not a slight, but tow time is important when you're towing at the margins.

If not, local only, 150 miles is a road too far, even with all due regard for safety, etc.

Again, the truck will tow it (the engine and trans will be fine), it is, as always, control of the load behind you.

The dolly may not be the answer on wheel bearing that have been stored for 20 years.

I'd rent both a truck and the trailer as Vash mentioned.

[billh1963]

Even with a flat terrain you will be pushing it. I just brought back a 914 parts car on a uhaul trailer from Northern Alabama (close to Chattanooga)...the first 20 miles coming home had a series of steep hills and switchbacks....glad I had my 2006 turbodiesel F-250. I don't think a lesser truck would have made it. The uhaul trailer itself will be a load on a 4 cylinder.

[red-beard]

Use a tow dolly, but back the 914 onto the tow dolly. Lock the steering wheel. I towed my 914/6 from San Diego to Houston this way with my Jeep Cherokee (6 cyl). The front discs will warp on the Jeep if you are not careful on the breaking. Check your brake setup.

[Tim Hancock]

I towed a Ford 9n tractor on a lighter tandem axle landscape trailer a couple times without trailer brakes with my old '99 Tacoma 4x4 auto 4 cyl. Power was not an issue, but braking was marginal.... it was by no means safe.

That said, it is your call.... could go fine, but it could end up with you rear ending someone in traffic.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I towed a Ford 9n tractor on a lighter tandem axle landscape trailer a couple times without trailer brakes with my old '99 Tacoma 4x4 auto 4 cyl. Power was not an issue, but braking was marginal.... it was by no means safe.

That said, it is your call.... could go fine, but it could end up with you rear ending someone in traffic.

I agree, come to think of it... back in the early 90's I towed that '67 bus (in my pic) from Manassas Virginia (BugOut) to Toronto (560miles) behind my old Toyota 2.4L(22R) 2wheel drive P/U with the same trailer.

[racer]

Look around on the highway.. there are a lot WORSE choices than where you stand. As long as Uhaul will let you (sometimes they ask too many questions about what you tow) then go for it. Be slow.. be safe.. plan ahead.. You will be fine.

[wndsnd]

Thanks All,

I think I have to have it pulled out and flat bedded. The tires are all flat and the brakes siezed. I think I made a $1700 mistake. I just posted on 914 World a couple of pics with mouse included!

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by wndsnd

I just posted on 914 World a couple of pics with mouse included!

Got a linky? I don't see it on 914world.

[wndsnd]

Woops!

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