[Buzz123]

I wouldn't worry at all about the Appalachian hills. I'm from the Mountain State, West Virginia, and the highest "mountain" is less than 5,000 feet. Many towns in the west are much higher than that. On the freeway you probably wouldn't go much over 1500 ft. It can be a little hairy on a few two lane country roads, but you wouldn't be doing that. I've driven to and from WV several times, and I usually take the southern route which means eventually you'll be on I-40. I forget who pointed this out, but the Midwest, especially Nebraska and Kansas, is the most God-Awful boring drive in the U.S. I've crossed the Rockies, and the Wasatch, and I can say that the are beautiful, but not pulling a trailer. I made it to Las Vegas in 1964 towing a trailer with a little 1962 Dodge Lancer, and there was no I-40. It was on Rt 66. It was no problem on the southern route (except my car's rear end made funny noises after that. Ha.) If I was the OP I'd take the quickest route to Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle, and go west, young man...on I-40 to Kingman, AZ, then take U.S. 93 to Lost Wages. I think it's more scenic, but I know others might not appreciate the same scenery I do. For sure, when you aren't towing a trailer, take the northern route when you go home to visit. Go up I-15 to I-70 going one way, and come back I-80 to I-15 to enjoy more of what the west has to offer. You'll soon be convinced you should have been born here.


PS: I resent being called an Appalachian American. I'm an Alleghenian American. Appalachia is a tribe of Indians in Florida of all places, and the Spanish misnamed the southern end of the Allegheny mountain chain when they followed these Indians on a northern hunting trip. They were called the Alleghenies long before they became known as the Appalachians. In fact, when JFK was running for office and used that term to describe all of us, especially coal miners, we all said, "Huh? WTF? And we aren't depressed either, Jack."

[Packrat1]

Be sure also to check your hitch height and make sure that the trailer tongue is level so that the trailer tows properly. You may not be able to figure that out until you have the trailer with you if you are renting the trailer. You may have to buy a different height adapter either higher or lower to achieve a level ride.

Also make sure your load doesn't bottom out your truck's springs or makes your trailer tongue not level once you have filled the trailer. If it does, you may want to consider air shocks or air bags to level the load. Can't tell you how many people I see towing overloaded trailers with the rear of the vehicle almost hitting the ground. This is very dangerous and can cause trailer sway. Whatever you do don't wait until the day before your trip to check the hitch and wiring etc..

Additionally, be sure you buy an extra sturdy lock for the trailer door as well as the trailer hitch. Thieves look for vehicles parked in motel lots with trailers to break into.

[twoeeyy]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I wouldn't worry at all about the Appalachian hills. I'm from the Mountain State, West Virginia, and the highest "mountain" is less than 5,000 feet. Many towns in the west are much higher than that. On the freeway you probably wouldn't go much over 1500 ft. It can be a little hairy on a few two lane country roads, but you wouldn't be doing that. I've driven to and from WV several times, and I usually take the southern route which means eventually you'll be on I-40. I forget who pointed this out, but the Midwest, especially Nebraska and Kansas, is the most God-Awful boring drive in the U.S. I've crossed the Rockies, and the Wasatch, and I can say that the are beautiful, but not pulling a trailer. I made it to Las Vegas in 1964 towing a trailer with a little 1962 Dodge Lancer, and there was no I-40. It was on Rt 66. It was no problem on the southern route (except my car's rear end made funny noises after that. Ha.) If I was the OP I'd take the quickest route to Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle, and go west, young man...on I-40 to Kingman, AZ, then take U.S. 93 to Lost Wages. I think it's more scenic, but I know others might not appreciate the same scenery I do. For sure, when you aren't towing a trailer, take the northern route when you go home to visit. Go up I-15 to I-70 going one way, and come back I-80 to I-15 to enjoy more of what the west has to offer. You'll soon be convinced you should have been born here.


PS: I resent being called an Appalachian American. I'm an Alleghenian American. Appalachia is a tribe of Indians in Florida of all places, and the Spanish misnamed the southern end of the Allegheny mountain chain when they followed these Indians on a northern hunting trip. They were called the Alleghenies long before they became known as the Appalachians. In fact, when JFK was running for office and used that term to describe all of us, especially coal miners, we all said, "Huh? WTF? And we aren't depressed either, Jack."

thank you BUZZ. This is the route we have decided upon.

[twoeeyy]

Originally Posted by Packrat1

Be sure also to check your hitch height and make sure that the trailer tongue is level so that the trailer tows properly. You may not be able to figure that out until you have the trailer with you if you are renting the trailer. You may have to buy a different height adapter either higher or lower to achieve a level ride.

Also make sure your load doesn't bottom out your truck's springs or makes your trailer tongue not level once you have filled the trailer. If it does, you may want to consider air shocks or air bags to level the load. Can't tell you how many people I see towing overloaded trailers with the rear of the vehicle almost hitting the ground. This is very dangerous and can cause trailer sway. Whatever you do don't wait until the day before your trip to check the hitch and wiring etc..

Additionally, be sure you buy an extra sturdy lock for the trailer door as well as the trailer hitch. Thieves look for vehicles parked in motel lots with trailers to break into.

We own the trailer so checking height once it is completely loaded will not be an issue.

[bayview6]

Originally Posted by twoeeyy

We own the trailer so checking height once it is completely loaded will not be an issue.

How are you going to check the weight of the trailer fully loaded?

[Camaro5]

Originally Posted by bayview6

Why not I-80 to SLC and then south to Vegas?

That's why I asked about how that route was to drive. My wife, who does not want to drive through the mountains, would prefer the easier southern route. I've gone that way before and it is easy. I've never taken I-80 to SLC and then 15 down through Utah so I wasn't sure how that part of the drive would be.

We will be in no particular hurry so time is not a factor. I just want to get there with the car she's driving still in one piece.

[twoeeyy]

Originally Posted by bayview6

How are you going to check the weight of the trailer fully loaded?

there are a few scales not far from where we live that for 5.00 we can check the weight.

[bayview6]

Does your 2014 Tacoma 4x4 have a V6 engine?

[tazz]

I don't think anyone mentioned it already but if your car starts to overheat on an upgrade open the windows. turn off the AC, turn on the heat full blast.

[twoeeyy]

Originally Posted by bayview6

Does your 2014 Tacoma 4x4 have a V6 engine?

yes it does