Towing my boat

Greetings-

I have a 24' boat w/ with trailer, full belly of gas, and gear ~5500lbs, give or take a 100lbs. I've never weighed mine but have read same boat weighs in at 5200lbs w/ full load and others say 5600lbs.

Really want a '17 Tacoma b/c 1)I like the look and 2)I can park it in my garage vs full size.

--Concerned about being so close to tow capacity of 6400lbs.
--Towing guide I'm using has '17 engine as 4.0L V6 but new Tacoma's have 3.5L V6
http://webcontent.goodsam.com/trailerlife.com/digital_editions/TrailerLifeTowGuide2017.pdf

From what I've read on this site, sounds like Tacoma can handle the load but still bit concerned mainly b/c I dont want to drop $30k on a truck only to find it cant handle it down the road, no pun intended.

And curious if anyone using 3.5L V6 (vs 4.0L V6) has any drop in towing performance?

Would appreciate any feedback.

Cheers.

 

Short distances will be fine

 

Yes. I should've mentioned that most of the towing will be short distances on flat terrain. However, plan to take it on some trips to lakes in the region that has hills (Mid-Atlantic region) ie going to Deep Creek Lake this summer. 200 miles one way, with some climbing.

I see trucks w/ a "tow mode" button. Do you have to be in tow mode anytime you are towing or just for more strenuous parts ie climbing or pulling out from ramp? Does Tacoma have a "tow mode"?

 

hills will suck. I have the 4.0 litter older motor 06
I pull my 20 ft boat and fully loaded for camping. It dose pull it but hills suck and brakes suck. if it was me I would get a full size, I wish I had one and my boat is much lighter. but with the 500lbs of armor and all the gear its probably close to 5000lbs total load. like said above it will do it, but you wont like it.

 

Use ect button and drive in 4th gear

 

I have a 24' formula speed boat. On a saturday shes freighted with shit runs about 5750 ive been towing it with my taco all around town. I live in NH where it is steep hills and constant speed changes. She does great in ect and s mode. Boat launches are minimum of 6 miles away and gas is in the opposite direction. Your good!

 

What is ect?

 

I believe it stands for electronic controlled transmission or something like that. Changes the shift points to maximize power. At least that's what I understand.

 

Yeah, I looked it up. Thanks! I wish that I had it on my 2015

 

Sounds fancy. My o6 has no bells and whistles.

 

Maybe get some Sumo Springs. I bought a pair but have yet to install.

 

rear suspension upgrade or air bags will be a must. also the brakes if you doing steep grades. i run the

$192 Power Stop K137-36 Front Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit, Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads and Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors For Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma 6 Lug

Power Stop K137-36 Front Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Kit
and coming down a long grade i had to pull over as the brakes over heated and i had sever brake fade. not fun heart was racing. as for the rear i have the all pro expo leafs and after two yrs of pulling the boat those have started to sag with the weight. I used to run air bags those will work great for stock height .Im now thinking of going with the big brake kit as that shit was scary coming home . Either that or full size truck for the boat.