Wow, I'm glad I asked you guys. You all have actually given me suggestions that I didn't even think of. I've never taken a road trip so this is all new to me let alone relocated, so this is all new to me. I'm definitely taking everyone's advice in here and making a list of things I should do or have.

By the way, I read in another thread about someone using a transmission cooler for their car (I actually never heard of it until this post). Would any of this stuff be necessary in this case and/or is it expensive to install?

 

the car has a factory trans cooler on it which is part of the lower radiator. you really don't need anything more unless you are pulling a trailer. if you overload the trunk keep in mind the tire pressure changes but nothing to necessitate a transmission cooler. make sure you have ample fluid in the transmission, and use only genuine toyota type T-IV auto trans fluid!

 

The transmission cooler is only necessary if you're going to be towing in excess of 2200 pounds. If you aren't, then you're fine with the OE cooler. Buying a transmission cooler is about $80 at your local Autozone/Advance Auto Parts/etc. and installing it basically involves rerouting a hose, and mounting it to something, but other than that, nothing too complicated.

 

Yes I'll be pulling a small 5' by 8' foot trailer. The heaviest item will probably be my TV. The rest is just a few electronics and boxes of clothes. That said I image the weight will be less than 1000 lbs.

 

The last thing I pulled was a 6x12 uhaul from NW Chicago burbs through rush hour traffic in Chicago to the University of Illinois. 4-5hr trip. Defiantly heavier than what you plan on hauling and I have no aftermarket cooler. I might get one later after i decide to haul a boat and a racecar on an aluminum trailer..

I take 10-14 hrs trips frequently. I make sure my oil is at a good level, check my trans fluid, tire pressure. I've driven with the gas light on and its not fun if your in the middle of no where. Then I start singing the Diana Fox running on empty song.

Although you should have the habit of checking your car over every time or every other time you fill you car up.

 

The Denver to Atlanta drive isn't bad as far as driving terrain goes, so long as you go east through Kansas and then head south once you hit St. Louis. I did the trip last year when I went to Disneyworld, and there aren't any steep uphill grades as i recall. Once you get to Tennessee, it is pretty much just downhill stretches.

 

That's me right there lol. I like to see how far I can push it and see what kind of mileage I'm getting.

 

I use a really simple system, since you have to stop to pee every few hours anyway, when the tank gets down to half, just fill it back up! - then you always have at least 1/2 a tank, and are at least 250 miles from running out of gas, so what's the problem?

 

YoshiMan thats exactly the route I planned to take. Taking I-70 through Saint Louis and then heading south through Nashville. I haven't mapped out the exact highways yet but that's pretty much the route I'm considering.

As for the gas light or running out of gas situation, it sounds like maybe I should get 2 five gallon jugs and fill them up as a precaution.

 

no way! - that's crazy! - the route you are taking, you are never more than 50 miles from gas at ANY hour of the day! - just gas up when you are at 1/2 tank or even as low as 1/4 of a tank.

You are not traveling through outer Mongolia here! - it's the Interstate, here in USA, there are 24 hour convenience stores and/or truck stops every 20 or 30 miles!

 

Cowboy is right, i have driven that route many times and there are plenty gas stations along the way thru Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia....

 

I don't think you need gas cans since a couple of ppl obviously know the route your likely to take but no one but you knows your driving habits so if your like I USED to be( now I try to fill my tank at halfway no matter where I'm driving ) just make sure your topped off before going through the wee hours of morning.