Can a 2014 Tacoma 2.7L 4 cylinder single cab tow a 5x8 U-Haul trailer?

I am planning a drive from California to Idaho and back. I noticed my hitch rating is 3500 pounds, and I’ll just be carrying boxes of clothes, which shouldn’t be more than 1800 pounds. Does this seem okay to you? Is there anything I should watch out for?

The single axle boxes can weigh up to 1000 pounds and have 3300-pound gross weight axles. You should be fine, but make sure to load it so the center of gravity is just ahead of the trailer axle. If you don’t, the trailer may sway behind your truck, especially on the highway.

It should pull just fine. I towed a 5x8 packed with boxes, furniture, and tools in my 2011 Tacoma. It wasn’t great on steep hills, but I managed. I wouldn’t hesitate to do what you’re planning with your truck.

Also, my truck had a receiver hitch, not just a ball on the bumper. Proper loading is crucial, especially on highways. It helps with keeping control, especially when changing lanes or stopping quickly.

If you’re worried about it, you could always rent a U-Haul for the trip and avoid the stress.

Pulling a trailer is easy, but stopping could be the tricky part, especially with a smaller engine.

The 2.7L engine might struggle on steep grades when loaded. Try to map out a route that avoids steep hills when possible. If you do hit any grades, drop down a gear and stop often to cool down the engine and transmission. It’s a good idea to take breaks too.

I moved out of Oregon with a 4-cylinder and a U-Haul trailer. Oregon’s scales are often on, even when unattended. I was close to 10k with the trailer. I can confirm, the engine doesn’t like steep grades, even moderate ones. I had to drive in 2nd gear at 35 mph on the continental divide with the engine screaming at 5k RPM. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought except on the steeper hills.

Just do the math and check the weight limits. That’ll give you your answer.