Will a new tacoma pull my boat safely?

I have a boat with a trailer that weighs roughly 6000lbs.

I am considering buying a brand new Tacoma and I am wondering what everybody's thoughts on here are regarding towing that kind of a load?

I tow it about 10-15x/year 400mile round trip


If I were to add a mild lift and tires, what are your thoughts on that affecting towing capability?

 

That's at the edge of ability for these trucks.

Trip isn't long or short, but you'd be better off with a full size. You'll get abysmal MPG out of the Tacoma when towing that, as well as performance.

Full size will do it without breaking a sweat and deliver better MPG while doing it, and likely when not towing as well.

Tacoma MPG sucks. Sucks more when towing loads bordering on too large.

 

That's pretty heavy although within the limits. However, once you add fuel, gear, friends, etc... you'll go over what the truck is rated for. Then you have to pull that thing up the launch ramp too. I'd look for a bigger truck.

 

If the trailer weight is below the truck's tow rating, it is safe. The tow rating per SAE J2807 standard is based on acceleration (i.e. how heavy of a trailer the truck can tow while merging onto a highway or climbing a grade at acceptable speed). The trailer needs to have good brakes.

That said, you will be working the powertrain pretty hard. And since the truck will be a ton lighter than the trailer (4200 lb curb weight), trailer sway will be uncomfortable - "tail wagging the dog" as they say. I'd recommend a bigger truck, Tundra with the 5.7L V8 or F150 Ecoboost.

 

I was afraid of that, after having a company full size 4x4 truck(truck, fuel, maintence paid for) for the past 8 years or so....

I now get a Ford Escape...

So I have to buy a truck of my own. Was hoping a Tacoma would be the answer as I would only drive it as my weekend truck.

Here's what I'm towing:
2016 Moomba Mojo, 4-wheel disc brakes on the trailer

 

You'll be happier with a full size. As the other stated, yes, it can tow it. However, performance, mileage, and ride quality will suffer.
Nice boat though.

 

I'm thinking that's the path I'll have to go down. But damn the resale value of an F150!

and thanks, we love it.

 

Do you think changing the gearing will help much?

 

Very nice boat! Already covered but I'd say go for a fullsize pickup. Even just having 5 big dudes in my truck, it seems a bit sluggish. I can't imagine towing a huge boat in the back

 

Have you checked out the Tundra? Crewmax, short bed, 5.7L, 4x4 (I'm still tryig to decide if I want to trade in my paid off truck and start making payments again).

 

Yeah, I have. I just dont want to drop that kind of $$

 

Id go ahead and buy a F-150 or something along those lines tacoma is awesome but that boat dry is almost to heavy not to mention wet

 

not what I wanted to hear... But thanks for all the feedback

 

Better to hear it now rather than buy the tacoma and be disappointed later!

But if it were me I would probably still get the tacoma and rent one of U Hauls f150s for $20 a day or whatever it cost now days when I wanted to use the boat lol

 

With that boat, I'd look at a full size. My personal choice, currently, would be an F150 3.5 Eco super crew. However, they just changed to a 10 speed auto. Only other thing is the truck HAS to be color matched to the boat & trailer. Nice ride...

 

Hard to find a lime green F150 ;-)

Tht 10-speed only comes standard n the limited, and an option on the platinum, not available across the board. I just want crew cab, center console, 4x4. Dont need the seat massagers

 

I'd say your pushing it but I pulled my sailboat all the way back from Lake Sunapee NH to Rockland ME (230 miles or so)with my tacoma. I had no problems. Only issues I've had was getting it in and out of the field in the spring and winter with the mud. Clutch wants to slip a bit. I'm pulling about 4000lbs. If your going to tow a lot I'd go full-size. Especially if your going to trailer launch it.

 

Sounds like a pain. I love my Tacoma but if I were going to pull all the time i would by a full size. Just coming from a trucker that pulls 100,000lbs every day. You can never have to much power. Lol

 

I agree with all the above. I just wanted this to be a fun truck that I can build and make my own. No other truck lends itself to that quite like the Taco's

 

Windsor,

I saw in another post, you made comments about improved towing with airbags. I would most definately install firestone bags with the onboard compressor, maybe regear, slight lift with bigger tires

How much did that improve your towing?


I am talking about this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-at-the-limit.454811/