If you want to guy a trailer, check with Derek at Trailers Plus in Olympia.....I bought a 24' car hauler for an great price that I couldn't beat anywhere.......They will deal with you too.....Give em a call...

Chuck Pigue

Truckin,

I'm leaving soon for Memphis, Tennessee.  I've got a Dodge 3500 and I'm pulling a 24' 102" wide enclosed car hauler full of goodies, close to 7000 pounds.  Don't sweat it, just take your time, keep to the posted speed limits for your trailer, and if your trailer has electric brakes, make sure you had a brake control and test it prior to leaving.  Make sure your trailer axles, etc are lubed and service (if your renting) and that your Toyota is hopefully equipped with a tow/haul selection on your trans. 

Vehicle maintenance is important and a good phone number if the trailer brakes down.  As for parking it, just make sure you have good quality padlocks to lock it up (try the hockey puck style if they will work) or a least ones that have a protected shackle.

Mountains, take your time and just watch your brake useage.  You'll do find....Have fun in Texas cause I'm going to have a blast in Tennessee....even though I'll miss the WBC.....they will always be here and our friends forever....


Chuck Pigue

Jon, fastest way is I-90 TO I-25 south to 87@ Raton N.M. Next best way is here to Boise, Id. to Chyanne, Wy. and I-25 S.  I-5 through Calif. is longer than 2 hours. At least for me it always has been. And I have made the run to south of Lubbock many times. Even made it in 29 hours once( Puyallup to Lamesa, Tx.) thats hard though.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Nightbasser

Go thru Billings MT and then down through South Dakota & the Badlands.  Very scenic and good roads.  don't forget to visit Cabella's in SD just before you go south along the Nebraska border to KC MO.  Then SE to Paduka Ky and across the boarder to TN.  Your home!  Took me 2.5 long days pulling a bass boat to a tournament in TN about 5 years ago.  Great trip but wish I would have had some company to talk with.

Smitty
AKA Dune Hopper

Take the most scenic and/or shortest route and enjoy the road trip. Don't worry about snow, it's spring. It won't last long if it comes.

Now what about the possibility of snow in the mntns (1st wk of April)... that wouldn't be fun.  I am actually considering taking I5 all the way down, then cutting across.  It's 2 extra hours but i would imagine the conditions would be much milder.  Any thoughts?

Small hint--when passing, wait until the  vehical is half way in your right mirror before moving back in. And wide corners.                                                                       Nightbasser  Former Texcan

I see ya pulling a 5 X 8 enclosed u-haul. Ya won't even know its behind ya. Just remember to pull into the truck with trailers section of rest stops. Practice backing while ya got it, short tongue trailers respond faster than bass boat.

Thanks guys - looks like that's what we'll do.  Might even buy the trailer if I can find a good used one. 

It is an automatic.  I know enough to turn off the O/D.  But when do you down shift?  Do u downshift every time you are going down a steep mountain?  And you downshift if you struggle going up, right? 

Thanks, Jon

Truck,
  When I was 16 years old and my dad and I were headed to Lake Powell, (6hr drive) on a Friday night, he gets sleepy and says " Mark, can you finish the drive ."  Hands me the keys, with a stick transmission, and off we go for the next 3 hrs, I am towing my dad's brand new Ranger bass boat.  I was nervous as hell, my dad, he's sound asleep.  Not a care in the world.
  Moral of the story, don't sweat it, it will be a piece of cake.  Rent a small U-haul trailer and go.

Mark

I agree with Larry, you should be fine.  Auto trans or manual?  You're going to get about the worst gas mileage you've seen while driving your Tundra, but you gotta get r done.

The rental trailers are good and safe as they are enclosed and lockable, they also are airstream for the most part and track well behind your rig. should be fine and your truck should not even notice the weight.

Hey guys.... I need some advice.  We are moving back to TX, April 1st.  We are considering towing a trailer back w/ us, but I am not real comfortable towing bc I haven't done it much - just once and a little bit at the boat ramps.  My truck is a 2001 Toyota Tundra (only 70k miles on it) that is rated to tow 5000lbs - already has hitch and all.  We are not moving that much stuff maybe 5 pieces of furniture and some housewares (but it definitely wont fit in my bed alone).  Anyways what do yall think.  Would it be practical and safe (1st time tower) to tow a trailer through the mountains down to TX w/ my truck.  I am also concerned about parking at the hotels we will be staying at for 3 nights.  Let me know what you think... any advice is appreciated!

If I do decide to tow... at least it will be good practice for when I get a boat.  (ofcourse I will practice w/ this trailer before we load it too.)