towing

my yota is an 01, 4 banger with 270000. currently I tow a 3200 pound boat with it and it has a hard time. capacity says up to 5000 pounds. I don't tow it often or far. it's been suggested to me that the transmission will more than likely go out on me if I push to hard. others have suggested that it should be fine. I wanna tow it more but am concerned, but also would prefer not to get another truck. ideas and suggestions would be appreciated!

 

You have the 2.4l/2.7l 4 cylinder? Hate to break it to you, but the towing weight limit on those engines is 3,500 pounds. Only the 3.4l v6 can tow 5,000 pounds. (According to the manual)

You should be fine but you definitely should get a transmission cooler if you're pushing it that much.

 

You have 270,000 miles !! you have a auto trans??

Trans cooler is a given

I hope the boat trailer has brakes

Your planning to be dragging a 3200 pound boat is this with all the other goodies one might take along on a trip or is that added weight not figured in.

there is towing a few miles to the water then there is towing hundreds of miles and home again

While I love my Tacoma it for sure is not my choice for towing

I can only hope your on top of maintenance

 

You need to consider a new truck, or another, lighter boat.

 

You're likely right at your limit at best. You say the truck is having a hard time, there's no internet opinion you'll be able to show the truck that will change its mind.

 

With a 3500 lb weight limit and a 3200 lb boat you are almost certainly over your limit. The thing that people forget is that there is also a COMBINED weight limit of the vehicle and trailer. It is no uncommon for the trailer to be 1000 lbs below the max rated weight but once you factor in for passengers and gear inside the vehicle you are over loaded.

You need a bigger truck, or at least one with more towing capacity. But if you rarely tow,do it for short distances and on level terrain at low elevation you'll probably be OK. Just don't overload the bed or passenger compartment of the truck.

 

Sheesh, I tow a 2500ish lb camper trailer with my 3.6L. While I dont consider it "overloaded", with all the other stuff I bring along, I certainly wouldn't want ANY bigger of a trailer...

As others said, you are almost certainly over your weight limit. You need a larger, more powerful truck.