Can somebody help me with a tow question?

Cal-to-NH · 02-28-2016, 04:41 PM

Upon my relocation to Lake Winni, I was planning on driving to NH from Cal by towing my 2002 Mustang behind my 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4. I bought the truck with a tow package to tow my some-day (hope) pontoon boat. The new Tacoma with the tow package I have gives a 6800 lb tow capacity. My last truck that I owned for 16 years had a 5300 lb capacity and I used it to comfortably tow a water-ski boat to an annual neighborhood lake-excursion in the Sierras every year (450 miles there and 450 miles back). I have done my share of towing, launching/recovering watercraft, etc.. in my day and figured this would be OK to do.

I looked at the tow-bar option but that looks like well over $500 after purchase, install, etc... - all for a one-time use. Then I figured a cross-country car-transport service - low estimate is $950, and finally a tow dolley rental from U-Haul ($255 - one way assuming 10-days rental), so I figured this would be the way to go.....

I started to look at the U-Haul site to rent a tow dolley where the front tires are elevated and the brake lights, etc... could be safely and reliably connected. I typed in my tow vehicle and the vehicle to tow and the site indicated that the configuration was inappropriate. I saw a "chat" tab so I chatted with a U-Haul professional who indicated that the Tacoma curb weight was inadequate AND the tow dolleys are made for FWD cars, not RWD, as all Mustang's are. He also commented that the brake system designed by U-Haul would not function properly using this configuration and irreparably harm both the truck and the U-Haul equipment. He could not comment further because the brake system is patented.

So I am a bit stymied on where to go with this.

Is there anyone out there that has ideas about either this method I was looking at or perhaps other options that I haven't considered? Right now, it's looking like the car transport is the way to go unless there are other things to consider or explore.

I figured many of you on the lake have your share of towing experience. Above all I don't want to worry about safety. My wife and I have "tag-teamed" cross country drives many times, and I don't want to worry about any cut-corners....

Thoughts????

02-28-2016, 04:41 PM	#1
Cal-to-NH Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 110 Thanks: 15 Thanked 55 Times in 26 Posts	Can somebody help me with a tow question? Upon my relocation to Lake Winni, I was planning on driving to NH from Cal by towing my 2002 Mustang behind my 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4. I bought the truck with a tow package to tow my some-day (hope) pontoon boat. The new Tacoma with the tow package I have gives a 6800 lb tow capacity. My last truck that I owned for 16 years had a 5300 lb capacity and I used it to comfortably tow a water-ski boat to an annual neighborhood lake-excursion in the Sierras every year (450 miles there and 450 miles back). I have done my share of towing, launching/recovering watercraft, etc.. in my day and figured this would be OK to do. I looked at the tow-bar option but that looks like well over $500 after purchase, install, etc... - all for a one-time use. Then I figured a cross-country car-transport service - low estimate is $950, and finally a tow dolley rental from U-Haul ($255 - one way assuming 10-days rental), so I figured this would be the way to go..... I started to look at the U-Haul site to rent a tow dolley where the front tires are elevated and the brake lights, etc... could be safely and reliably connected. I typed in my tow vehicle and the vehicle to tow and the site indicated that the configuration was inappropriate. I saw a "chat" tab so I chatted with a U-Haul professional who indicated that the Tacoma curb weight was inadequate AND the tow dolleys are made for FWD cars, not RWD, as all Mustang's are. He also commented that the brake system designed by U-Haul would not function properly using this configuration and irreparably harm both the truck and the U-Haul equipment. He could not comment further because the brake system is patented. So I am a bit stymied on where to go with this. Is there anyone out there that has ideas about either this method I was looking at or perhaps other options that I haven't considered? Right now, it's looking like the car transport is the way to go unless there are other things to consider or explore. I figured many of you on the lake have your share of towing experience. Above all I don't want to worry about safety. My wife and I have "tag-teamed" cross country drives many times, and I don't want to worry about any cut-corners.... Thoughts????