Towing with the 4cyl 5 speed

I got a friend at work the other day that asked about towing with his 07 AC 4cyl 5speed. I dont know anything about towing so im coming here. I know ratings are there for a reason but with this specific situation is this an absolute no go or could this work? He has a trailer hitch on the back and he just bought a new boat and trailer. I know the towing capacity is 3500lbs. I guess his new set up is 5000lbs. But he is wondering if he can still tow it being that he is only going to transport it less than 5 miles down the road from his house to a boat launch. It is completely flat coastal road. His tailer hitch is rated for that weight or more but he is just curious what would happen to the truck. I didnt really know, if with this specific situation it would be "alright" or not, so fire away.

 

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i think it would be ALRIGHT if its not far... just drive slow... like under 35. is it a really busy street?

he will probably burn his clutch too, might want to think about air bags

 

If it were me, I would do it... slowly and carefully.

 

4cyl, 5 speed, 4x4 here. I tow a 16' boat, I'm sure it weighs a lot less than your buddies - I work the clutch everytime I pull the boat out of the water. I know I've taken some miles off of the clutch. Just something to think about.

Mike

 

I have a 4cyl 5spd 4x4 and agree that the clutch is going to feel it. I towed about 4,000lbs last week and it was not the most fun. Granted I am not in a coastal flat area. Once you get it rolling it's ok, and stops fine.

 

How much do you think your boat weighs? Is it fiberglass, aluminum, fishing boat, fish 'n ski or what? Outboard, inboard, horse power?

Just wanting to know because I am gathering some info for myself. I figured that I wouldn't be hurting the clutch any more than being stuck in stop and go traffic on an incline... do you pull it out in 4 wheel low? Most boat launches around here are pretty easy.

 

Kravchenko,

It's an aluminum boat, 35hp outboard. Wood floors/decks, dual batteries, livewell - a nicely set up fishing boat. I'm not sure of the weight, never really knew it was there when towing it with a full size V-8, but it gives the 4cyl a workout. I'm sure if I had the 6 it wouldn't be an issue. I'm going to give 4-lo a try this year, steep launches are where I run into issues.

The truck will tow the boat at highway speeds (acceleration is slow), but you will lose speed on the hills. I generally downshift when I approach hills to keep the rpm's up and not bog it down.

I also tow a Hyde driftboat - that rig probably only weighs around 1000lbs. No issues there.

Mike

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll pass the stories along.

 

So just to update anyone that was curious. My buddy successfully towed his boat gear and trailer with no issues at all. Like was stated before he had an AC 4cyl 4x4 5 speed. Total with boat, trailer, gear, with gas the weight was coming in roughly around 5500lbs. Towed to the gas station (about 2 miles) then to the boat launch (another 2 miles) and then back home again. Towed it out at dead low tide on a steep ramp that was covered in sea growth because of low tide. Put it in 4 low. Chalked the wheels so he wouldnt have to catch it rolling back and pulled rite up the ramp with no issue at all and no burning out the clutch. Just figured id pass the info along in case anyone was wondering what can be done. Below is a pic of the boat being towed. 21' parker

 

Launching a boat that is nearly or heavier than your truck and you have the opportunity to follow it into the water, especially is you don't have trailer brakes, or the ramp is wet and/or slimy.
Taker 'er slow, and have a person on the ready to let the boat off of the trailer in a hurry.

 

Dont worry man. Definetly noted. Thats what the thread was about. He was kinda worried about the set up. So everything was taken with extreme caution because he doesnt want anything happening to his truck or boat. It was all taken very slow and he would have not attempted it if he knew it was a huge risk to his truck, boat, or anyone around.

 

not so much towing as hauling but my truck was able to carry this, i'm sure its about boat weight.

 

nothings chopped sir ;p notice how high the front end is, the back is sitting on stock bumps, my tires are low pros so it doesnt look like its on bumps

 

Epic boat anchor! I LOLed. But the question begs to be asked. Who owns a Tacoma and has need for a boat anchor of this sorts? Not to mention the chain is almost too perfectly wrapped around the shaft, the shadows on the links are wrong, and you have decided not to tie down such an item at all.

To quote Joe from Family Guy when watching Peter crash the Petercopter in his front yard: "How do you afford all this stuff?!?!"

 

dont need ties when u can only do 5mph.

yes

 

The chain is attached to the bar of the anchor and is wrapped around the bar. If that anchor was attached, the chain would not hang down, but up instead.
Around five or six of those links would exceed our bed capacities.

 

You haven't watched an idiot launch, have you?

 

"Put it in 4 low."

In 4 low the small Toyotas punch way above their weight at low-speed towing. With low range there is no reason, ever, to ride the clutch for more torque.

BTW: I've also discovered that my 2002 Tacoma 2.7 4X4 planes through deep snow pretty well in 4th gear, low range, at about 4000 rpm. All you need is a safe place to stop at the other end, and no corners.