2.7L pre runner towing

Hey guys. So I’m new to this forum. I recently just bought a 2012 prerunner with a 2.7L 4 cyl. I got this truck due to the fact I wasn’t planning on doing any towing. However, recently I just bought a wakeboarding boat weighing a total of 3,250 with the trailer. Do any of you have any experience towing something similar with a 4cyl Tacoma? And what are your thoughts about backing it up and down the boat ramp? I guess what I’m trying to say, is can this be done? Or am I completely screwed. Help!!!! Thanks guys.

 

Howdy
I pulled a 20' pontoon boat all around Maine to diff lakes and diff. Boat landings weight about 3200 lbs. With no problems. 2014 4cyl. Access cab. 4x4

 

This makes me feel a little better. I’ve been losing my mind as everybody tells me my 4 banger isn’t going to pull 21 foot boat. I’ve had my doubts.

 

I don't think you're going to like towing that much weight with the 4 cyl. It will take a long time to get up to speed and you won't be able to pull out in any traffic. You will struggle to get up hills and maybe even ramps. I would recommend a full size truck with a V8 if you think you will be towing it often.

 

Yup it's no speed demon but 3rd gear (auto) 60 miles an hour on interstate
Was fast enough for me.

 

@Badrock how often did you use 4WD to pull it out of the water?

 

@JL8Jeff unfortunately, I think i May have to go that route. Have you done much towing with a 4cyl?

 

If you only need to take it a short distance without a ton of speed or traffic it should be fine. But stopping that much boat will be pushing it's limits in my opinion. Come from a water skiing background and I felt more comfortable in a full size v8 truck (chev suburban) I don't need to tow anything anymore and thats why I have a 4 cyl taco now.

What boat did you get?

 

Don't use any ramps that are too steep or super slick since you are 2wd.

Pg 223 of your owners manual starts some good info on the topic of towing, and how the wt should be distributed. 3500 is tops, but then you have to consider cargo, etc as well for the overall view.

Don't have an owners manual?

Here ya go. https://www.toyota.com/owners/resou...e&csrfToken=15626379333887977830198747902699#

 

@takomajake 1998 brendella calabria not too heavy. Also might be towing a Bayliner Capri 2050 LX every now and then.

 

Heck yeah congrats! Nice to see something other than a malibu or mastercraft every once and a while. You should be good if the ramp isn't too steep. Just give lots of extra time to stop.

 

I never had to use the 4 wheel drive to pull the pontoon boat out of water .just put it in low gear.

 

Yeah, I have 2 boats and I'm usually towing one of them each week. I used to have a 2009 Silverado reg cab that towed great with the 5.3 but it was totaled. I'm usually only going 10-15 miles but have made a couple of 50 mile runs with my sprint boat which is probably a little under 2000 lbs boat/trailer and it's ok but you need to pay attention to traffic since you can't make any quick moves. With the weight you're talking about, it will be miserable to tow any distance. Even if you had a V6 Tacoma, I would recommend a V8 full size for that boat.

 

I would look to installing some aftermarket engine oil and transmission coolers for your truck. I would also look for a decent trailer tow hitch aswell.

 

I have a 1st gen 4x4 single cab with 5speed (lighter than yours but also has less HP and torque). I've towed between 2500-3000 pounds with it on ~200 mile round trip drives. It's not fast but keeps 60-65 w/o much trouble even on hills. I use 4lo on the ramp mainly so I don't need to slip the clutch as much to get going. Not an issue with an automatic.

On the subject of 4wd, one of the reasons why lots of trucks end up in the water (if you have an automatic) is when you set the parking brake and put it in park at the bottom of the ramp while you're in 2WD, you're only being held in place by the rear tires which can be in the slippery stuff in the water. The hidden advantage of 4wd is when you have it engaged, the transmission and the rear-only parking brake will try to prevent all 4 tires from turning.

 

I have a 2001, 2wd, 4 cyl. I tow my pop-up camper and single jet ski. Unless you're 4wd, I would avoid steep cement ramps when launching your boat. Cement may be slippery due to algae. Your truck will be a dog going up hill and having to slow down for people who get in front of you sucks too.