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.

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 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.

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?

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

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