Maxed out with ski boat. Performance?

I am new to the Tacoma and love it! I have a 2011 SR5 4.0 V6, but not the TRD tow package. My manual says I am rated to 3500lbs. I have a trip coming up this summer which I want to tow my cousins Mastercraft ski boat, which ways 3500lbs, as well have my 12' aluminum boat on my cargo rack over my box. The truck will have our gear in the box. I realize I would be maxing out my truck. Just wondering if anyone has experienced their taco maxed out and how it preformed. On the trip there is is two fairly descent mountain passes to cross.

 

You should be rated at 6,500 lbs.. I am guessing a Prostar 205 (3,500lbs)? We have had 6 Mastercrafts in our family. Great boats.

 

A v6 that can only tow 3500 lbs? WTF??? Hell my 4 banger is limited to 3500 lbs. Gues they really aren't making them like they use to, huh? I doubt the factory tow package is going to add 3000 lbs to the towing capacity of the v6's. I think you may have read something wrong in there.

 

Thanks for responses fellas. I am a little hesitant to pack this load on, being a commercial pilot I pay very close attention to limitations. It is not for certain that the Mastercraft needs to go, but going to the cabin I want all the toys there. I have another boat which weighs 2000 lbs, but not nearly as nice as the Mastercraft! I will have a close look at it. My cousin who owns the boat, towed it for the first year with a V6 Jeep cherokee, he said it definently knew it was there but never ran into any real trouble. @ toyotatacomaTRD it is a 205, and they are sweet ass boats!

 

I just towed my Four Winns 205 (20ft) from Cincinnati to Lake Norman NC. The boat is about 3500lbs and guessing the trailer is another 1000. That in combination with gas, gear, 4 people, luggage, and a couple of coolers I think I had to be close to 6500lbs. I would strongly suggest getting a trans cooler especially with that terrain. I averaged about 10mpg the whole trip but the truck really had no problem running 70mph. A few hills slowed me down and the trans. was running in 3rd gear and I never shifted it out of 4th gear. With this much weight I would suggest adding air bags or maybe a new leaf pack to stiffen up the rear suspension. I just added the Dakar leaf pack and didn't bottom out once on the whole trip. Overall I was really impressed w/ the power and performance during the trip but take it slow. Its a lot of weight behind you and make sure the boat trailer have trailer brakes that are working. This is what i towed for 8 hours.

 

FYI Four Winns boat trailers per the fourwinns.com site states the trailer is 800-1000lbs. I would say that on a Mastercraft boat the trailer is atleast that much as its probably a tandem axel.

 

dhk...I am kinda figuring along the same lines that I don't have to much to worry about. My cousin who owns the boat says I should be fine. I do agree that there is a bit of ass covering with the 3500lb rating. The trailer is about 600lbs and my cousin says the weight of 3500lbs is with the trailer included. I have a class 3 hitch rated to 5000lbs and trailer brakes. I am thinking that I can do it as long as I am not driving the sh!t out of the truck with this load on. I also love the disclaimer on the bottom of your post! Lol! Thanks

 

For 6500lb towing capacity toyota recommends:

V6 Tow Package: Class 4 Hitch, Transmission and Supplemental Oil Coolers (Transmission Cooler not available on Manual Transmission models), 130A Alternator, Heavy-Duty Battery, 7-Pin Connector with Converter

You don't say how far you are towing, however if you have an automatic i would STRONGLY recommend a transmission cooler at minimum.

 

Is it really expensive to get the factory tow package or something? or at least a good hitch installed? Little ski boat trailers dont have electric brakes do they?

 

V6 Tow Package:4 Class-4 hitch, transmission and supplemental oil coolers (transmission cooler not available on manual transmission models), 130A alternator, heavy-duty battery, 7-pin connector with converter

 

yeah i saw that after i posted. were tow packages that involved back in the 1st gen days? i didn't know i had all that stuff...

 

You can add a decent aftermarket class 3 receiver for about $125 if you install it yourself. Uhaul will sell you one and install if for you also. Wiring can be done by yourself with good ol solder and heat shrink or you can add a flat 4 connector that's plug and play for about $30. If you have a trailer with brakes, it becomes a little more complicated with the wiring and brake controllers but not too bad.

 

Is it even possible to buy too much power? (Tim the Toolman grunting laugh).

For the OP:

I think you'll be fine if you take it easy and give yourself room. Also, previous towing experience will be the most important factor of success. That thing might pull it but you still gotta drive it

 

Plug and play aftermarket harnesses for a flat 4 connection are very easy to install and do not require tapping into any wires. Factory kits are overpriced, you can get the same ones elsewhere much cheaper and I wouldn't recommend splicing wires unless you know what you're doing. If it's done properly, there is no downfall to splicing.

 

he doesn't have the tow package at all. he's just towing with his bumper. an actual tow hitch would double the capacity in this case

 

isnt the bumper only rated for like 25 pounds