Boat towing & snow - SR5 or TRD off road?

This^

 

I think the Offroad has a brake booster for the ATRAC system

 

OP, to give a meaningful answer we'd need to know more about what you plan to tow and how far. If you're certain on getting a boat that is near the top end of the tacoma's capacity and if you're towing far; I'd seriously consider a bigger truck. Otherwise pick the package you like as the differences in how they tow or drive on a snow covered road are relatively minimal.

 

My last boat was a 24' offshore fishing boat that weighed close to 10,000 pounds loaded. I wouldn't even attempt that with my Tacoma. Current boat is 24' inshore skiff, maybe 5000# fully loaded. My SR5 tows it like a champ. It all really depends on the weight of the boat as opposed to the length.

 

This. Look at them all. Buy whichever one makes you happy.

 

What 21' bass boat is less than 2500 lbs., towing weight?

 

Big boat = Big truck, these are mid size trucks & will do OK with bigger boats in flat country. Up & down hills, Passing on the highway, fine with stuff in the 3500# range ( bay boats, inshore, bass boats ect) get big or fighting hills you will be underpowered & maybe putting a lot of stress on the tranny if an automatic. For the springs- Why worry? If you are dropping more than 200# of tonge weight you likely need to redistribute the weight on a trailer. That said, you're probably gonna be ok up to the 20-22' range, bigger that that they start to get heavy. I do like that back-up camera for lining up the trailer when hooking up. Will likely save me some bumper or tailgate damage .............

 

The sport has progressive springs.

The offroad and sr5 share the same springs.

 

Pretty sure you've got it backwards. Everything I read says the off road has the progressive springs.

 

The Offroad has hydraulic brake assist and it's not just for ATRAC, it's every time you apply the brakes. I could tell a big difference when I was test driving vehicles with and without it. Not sure what year they began using it.

The ATRAC has EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), not sure how this works as I haven't used my ATRAC yet.

 

Sr5. It's capability is the same as the offroad and costs less. With the extra coin you saved you can upgrade theseat covers to leather on your own and add some helper springs to the lacking stock leaf springs to help prevent sag when towing the boat.The Narrower tires on the sr5 cut through snow like butta. Considering you didn't buy a used one where the tires were already upgraded. You don't need an elocker for the snow no matter what people tell you. I've just driven my sr5 through a record breaking winter for snowfall and it was more than capable for 1 foot snow falls.

 

TY for all the help. This is a great forum. I really appreciate it. I dont have a boat yet but I'm planning to get a center console, something light'ish, maybe ~5000-6000lbs, and tow it 1 hour one way on a relatively flat highway. It seems like from your comments that the SR5 is the right choice (i.e. similar capabilities for what I need it for and more coin in my pocket at the end of the day). Im glad the 2014 SR5 package includes the camera. I nearly pulled the trigger on a 2013 TRD off road last year, but the backup camera non-integration stuff turned me off. Also still waiting to find a good 0% financing deal etc. TY guys.

 

I don't think you'll ever see 0% on the Tacoma. I wouldn't hold out too long. They don't usually put their best sales incentives on it because it sells so well without it. I got 1.9% 18 months ago from Toyota which was about as good as it got. Not sure if rates have gone down at all.

 

2013's SR5s have tha backup camera in the rearview mirror. I think 5-6K is going to be heavy but doable. That's total weight, right? Boat, trailer, engine(s), fuel, gear, beer, etc... Is this a pull it to the dock and leave it there for the season type of thing or are you planning to pull it every weekend? If it's the latter, I'd personally consider using a larger truck.

 

I have nothing to add, but this made me laugh.

 

Having taken a look at the SR5 vs the TRD off road, I also decided to checkout the Prerunner 2X4 V6, which is like $6k cheaper. Do you guys have any thoughts on the Prerunner vs the 4X4 SR5 in terms of towing (both say they have a 6500lbs towing capacity, but will one be better than the other)? Also, as 4X4 would be great in the snow, our other car isnt a 4X4 and we survive (not ideal, but doable). It would be nice to have 4X4, but for $6k, I need to rethink that part. The 2013 Prerunners were not available in the northeast last year, and I just found this out. What do you guys think? Thanks.

 

Not sure I'd be wanting to try and pull up a wet, slippery boat ramp with 2wd truck. Could get pretty hairy. Also a front wheel drive car and a rear wheel drive truck are totally different beasts in the snow. If you live in the northeast, I'd get the 4wd.

 

If I was gonna be towing a 6k lb boat and driving in the snow during the winter I'd get a bigger 4x4. The taco is nice but seems like it isnt gonna fit the bill for you. (my opinion)

Tundras are nice but they are expensive as shite.

 

Yeah you make a solid point about the ramp. The other thing I really like about the Off Road package is the electronic controlled diff. Decisions.... Are there any other items on the accessories side you feel are necessities? I'd like to get the roof rack for fishing rods etc. I'd also like to get a tonneu cover for the snow. Any other things I should think about? TY guys.

 

"must haves" for me are all aftermarket.
-window tint
-weather tech floor mats
-bike rack/carrier
-recovery/tow strap

also the ABS dissable switch is pretty handy in the snow. these trucks like to not stop when there is ice/snow on the ground. Ive slid through a few intersections.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...comas-w-o-vsc-locking-diff-write-up-pics.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/57877-disable-abs-heavy-snow.html