Hey y'all!
I'm likely gonna be helping some friends move this coming summer, headed from Las Vegas to Denver. Since we're strapped for cash, it's looking like the most economic option would be to saddle my 2009 4x4 with a small U-Haul trailer and pack all 5 of us into the cabin.
I have a high-rise topper on my bed, so I'm not worried about cargo space. But I've never towed with my truck before, and certainly not on the highway. I've also taken some shorter (2 hour) trips with a person in every seat, and it was cramped but manageable. We're all quite close, so the lack of personal space isn't such a concern. Plus, 3 of my friends are pretty short - 5'4 or shorter. I'm thinking the short ones can fit okay in the rear jump seats and the middle bench seat, while me and the taller friend take the normal seats.
Am I crazy for thinking this might work? If we absolutely have to, we can afford more comfortable options. But it would add ~$700 to the trip bill.
Any opinions would be appreciated, whether you think it's a good idea or not. I'd also appreciate any tips on how I could modify the cabin to make it more manageable for the trip (I was thinking about adding a temporary bungee net "headrest" to the middle seat) and anything I ought to know about driving with a trailer for the first time, particularly in the mountains.
If you have experience doing a cramped road trip, that'd be especially great to hear about!
EDIT: For reference, I have the 4.0L SOHC engine, the 44D 5-speed automatic transmission, 3.73 ratio axles, and an open differential. I also have the 5280lbs payload package