# Pulling a 5X8 trailer from Indiana to So Cal. Do I need to have a transmission flush? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** terrain, gmc\ **Created:** [July 4, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572 "2017-07-04T00:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cccookie47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cccookie47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cccookie47)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/1 "2017-07-04T00:20:09Z")
I’m pulling a 5X8 trailer 2200 miles, from Indiana to So Cal. Do I need to have my transmission flushed before I leave. I have no current issues with my 2013 with 60K miles; just want to be safe. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/2 "2017-07-04T00:21:42Z")
> [@cccookie47](#): > > ; just want to be safe Look at the service schedule in your manual. That way you can cover all the bases. ---
**Author:** ![cccookie47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cccookie47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cccookie47)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/3 "2017-07-04T00:42:11Z")
I believe I read it should be like 60-100K miles. I just turned 60K, but didn’t know if flushing it would help with the towing? Ill check the manual…thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/4 "2017-07-04T01:19:35Z")
Do you have a towing package? If not a transmission cooler would be a recommended add on.l ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/5 "2017-07-04T01:21:19Z")
I’d have a ‘drain and fill’ done, not a flush. How much is your tow rating? What is the total weight of the trailer PLUS contents? You’d be surprised how much stuff weighs, easy to overdo it. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/6 "2017-07-04T01:54:36Z")
The number one enemy of automatic transmission fluid is heat. And towing with an automatic transmission creates a lot of heat. Have a transmission fluid flushed to exchange 100% of the fluid before this trip. A drain and fill only removes 30% of the total amount of tranny fluid. This would be the same as only removing 30% of the engine oil and replacing it before the trip. And who would do that? Tester ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/7 "2017-07-04T02:31:21Z")
I agree with Tester and will only add that if the vehicle were mine I’d install a transmission fluid cooler if the vehicle is not equipped with a towing package. July in the Southwest combined with mountainous terrain can be tough on the fluid due to heat. ---
**Author:** ![cccookie47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cccookie47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cccookie47)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/8 "2017-07-04T02:58:53Z")
I’m not sure what the total weight of all will be. I only have one chair, a small drop leaf table & the rest is boxes. Not sure either about the tow rating, but I was going to rent a UHaul & was told my vehicle could tow a 6X12. I am going with a 5X8, which will be pretty full I’m sure, just so it wouldn’t be too hard on my vehicle. I have an appointment already; just wanted someone else’s input. Thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![cccookie47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cccookie47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cccookie47)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/9 "2017-07-04T02:59:49Z")
I do have a towing package. Plan on going the southern route to avoid most of the mountains. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/10 "2017-07-04T03:10:07Z")
It’s leaner. Suggest to ask your shop tech to take a look at the fluid, and check the odor. If there’s any signs of it being burned or showing signs of that, change the fluid. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/11 "2017-07-04T03:32:50Z")
Your owners manual will have the towing capacity. Find out what it is. Don’t trust UHaul to tell you the right amount. Which engine do you have? ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/12 "2017-07-04T04:47:24Z")
With a towing package I think you will be fine. If it were me, I’d still flush the transmission fluid and give it a fresh start. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination, check the trans fluid, and discover that it is now a bit brown in color. I don’t think you will have an issue with the Terrain pulling a 5 X 8 trailer. My GMC Sonoma with the 4.3 V-6 is rated to pull 5000 pounds and if the baby truck can yank that much around then so can your Terrain. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/13 "2017-07-04T10:52:09Z")
I might guess it’s more important to flush the AT fluid AFTER the trip, to get the possibly damaged fluid out. Any other opinions on this? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/14 "2017-07-04T13:26:03Z")
A Terrain is a CUV a bit bigger than a Honda CRV. Not very big or powerful. ---
**Author:** ![cccookie47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@cccookie47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cccookie47)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/15 "2017-07-04T13:56:48Z")
Thank you so much! ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/16 "2017-07-04T14:02:27Z")
The fluid already has 60k miles no it and should have been changed already; assuming it has not. Towing may finish it off before the destination. The OP has not stated which engine they have. The spec I looked at shows a 1500 pound rating for the 4 cylinder and a 3500 rating for the 6 cylinder. I’m assuming (again) that with a tow package the vehicle has the 6 cylinder. Assuming this 5 x 8 is a U-Haul those are comparatively lightweight. Also assuming it’s not being loaded down with sash weights the 4 will pull it but will likely struggle in the mountains. The 6 should pull it with no problem although it may also bog a bit on the uphills; and there will be uphills. Just less of them. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/17 "2017-07-04T14:16:54Z")
I have the 2003 4.2 6 cyl engine and have never had a lack of power issue towing my boat, that I am sure must weigh more than the load the op is talking about. I have not towed it in the mountains, but up some pretty good hills, and never once thought ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/7/7212901edbfd641dddc1fd57081db2c53f810152.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/18 "2017-07-04T16:12:34Z")
DO NOT FLUSH! I would install a transmission cooler and have the fluid drained and the pan dropped and the filter changed. Use an independent and capable transmission shop. not a chain. ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/19 "2017-07-06T12:57:33Z")
> [@ok4450](#): > > Also assuming it’s not being loaded down with sash weights You’re showing your age @ok4450. Yosemite ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pulling-a-5x8-trailer-from-indiana-to-so-cal-do-i-need-to-have-a-transmission-flush/105572/20 "2017-07-06T13:03:18Z")
Probably of more concern than the weight is the sail area of the trailer. Not only will this be an issue driving forward, it is a big factor in swaying when there is a cross wind. Be sure to have adequate tongue weight when you load your cargo.