Pulling a Boat question- 2014 DCSB 4x4

FTFY. You don't want to run up too close to your max capacity.

 

Dang Auburn fans..

 

Then search any of the bazillion threads on here about towing. Learn something instead of being lazy.

No such thing as stupid questions, only stupid people that ask questions

 

I am not an engineer, maybe someone else will chime in, but i think those big heavy tires and pulling that weight could put a strain on the transmission.

Just food for thought.

 

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!

 

Get you transmission levels checked too. Sports with tow packages seem to come from the factory low.

 

Calm down soldier!!

 

Good call I will do that

 

22 feet, over 6000 lbs with fuel and gear. tows great, even with all of the extra weight and bigger tires on my truck. longest I towed it was 1000 miles from Virginia to florida. trailer brakes actually failed on that trip and it still towed well. drive smart and have fun.



after arriving in florida

 

How something tows is completely subjective.

I think towing at or close to capacity on a Tacoma would suck and I would never do it. Individuals who think otherwise I feel have never owned a heavy duty truck or have an extreme amount of patients compared to I lol.
If you have experience towing heavy and you don't mind it, then you probably will be fine. If you are more like me and hate it then you'll likely prefer a full-size.

I just think it's totally subjective so it's hard to judge how you would feel towing it by just what other people say or do.
I find it amazing what some people will do, like the last poster with big wheels, armor, and towing at capacity regardless of those mods. I would be curious @colinb17 how many times you had to stop for gas on that trip. But then I bet Colin would find it amazing that I find a full-size necessary for towing his rig.

Do what's best for your personality and experience OP.

 

15 gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the bed, tied into the factory tank, so I have to stop for bathroom breaks before I run out of fuel.

you are correct, it is extremely subjective. I find it far from amazing that some people find it necessary to tow anything beyond a landscaping trailer with a full size. and I don't blame you. a full size with an 8k to 12k tow rating would tow this boat like a dream. I've towed this boat with a sequoia (equivelant to a tundra). it does make a difference. but I enjoy towing with the Tacoma, and will continue to do so, as it suits my needs well.

 

SWEET!
I wish it was cheap and easy to put in a 30 gallon tank in the Tacoma. Could drive forever without stopping!!

I grew up with full size trucks so that's what I'm used to. It's hard to downgrade but if my Tacoma was my only truck I'd do what I could to make it work and maybe suck up the discomfort more. I still will avoid towing at all costs though haha. I usually only do it if I'm paid to.

 

I can definitely see how downsizing to a Tacoma would be difficult to do if all you've ever towed with was a full size.

it also greatly depends on equipment setups. I don't mind the surge brakes on that boat trailer because the Tacoma has very strong brakes. however, if you had a lesser braking setup, electronic brakes would be a must. I towed my uncles Kubota tractor on his utility trailer a few years back, with a brake controller. probably in the 5000+ lb range with the trailer and tractor. it was amazing how well the electronically controlled brakes worked. you could essentially stop the truck and trailer with just the trailer brakes. so pair that with the Tacoma brakes, and you could smack the passengers forehead on the glovebox.

with my soft off road oriented suspension, I also run airbags for towing. between the air bags and the tandem axle trailer that lessens the tongue weight, I don't get bounced around or bottom out at all.

so to conclude for OP, based on the last few posts:

you're truck can tow the boat, but make sure you can tow it. the truck could be rated for 15,000 lbs, but if you're going to be stressed out the entire time, it will never be worth it. all of the aftermarket towing accessories in the world (air bags, spare fuel tanks, weight distributing hitches, brake upgrades) don't mean a thing if you aren't going to enjoy it.

 

Their practices must be more successful than yours.

 

Thank you sir!! I definitely will not be stressed towing it!! I am way to chill and laid back for that to bother me and have towed boats before. I just wanted to have some input from you all and those pics and the weight you just provided me with is perfect!!

So I have some options:
2007 Laguna C-240 SC w a 250 Mercury Verado (140hrs)
2007 Key West 23' 250 Yamaha
1990 Hull Cape Horn 21' 2006 Suzuki 175 (450hrs)

I am new to the boating world and wanted your input on these 3 that are for sale around my area.

 

or
https://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/5665644579.html

 

The towing capacity on most Tacomas equipped like yours is around 6500 lbs. But you also have to consider the max combined weight rating. Once you factor in the weight of the truck, accessories added to the truck, passengers, cargo in the truck, tongue weight, etc. most people exceed the combined weight rating before they exceed the towing capacity. Check this out and have your truck weighed. Determine the exact weight of the boat.

The larger tires effectively reduce your axle ratio further limiting power and towing capacity. The terrain is also a factor. In mountains, especially high altitude, you really need to reduce weight or get a more powerful truck. Your engine loses about 3% power for each 1000' above sea level. Crossing the Rockies your engine will have more than 30% less power than at sea level.

If the estimate of around 4000 lbs is accurate I think you'll be OK if you don't load the truck too heavy with passengers and gear. Having towed near that weight with both a Tacoma and full size truck you are getting close to the point of justifying a bigger truck.

 

yes please....

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000-DORADO-23-102688681

 

Other questions to ask youself would be how often are you towing? Are you going to trailer the boat all year? Or is it going to be a drop the boat in and leave it slipped up in the water for the year? I know my Tacoma I would have no issues towing that rig around if it wasn't constantly. I.e. Leaving it in the water all year or trailering it with a short commute to the water. If I was going to be taking long road trips with a boat like that I would want a full size. Just my subjective opinion

 

One other thing to consider is are you going to be able to take the boat OUT of the water? You will be trying to tow the wieght of the boat along with the resistance of the water on a wet boat ramp. To late at a boat ramp to consider that out. Carry some sort of tow chain or rope just in case you need a little help on the ramp.