4cyl boat towing

I have a 15’ mako proskiff 1700lbs and my tow vehicle is a 2020 Tacoma SR 4cyl 4x2. Will is make it up and down a boat ramp? What’s the best method of towing the boat? ECT and auto LSD on ramp?

 

The 4 Cylinder will have enough grunt to pull a 1700lbs boat out of the water. I do it occasionally. ETC won't do much for you, as that function only holds the trans in the current gear for longer before it allows an upshift. Your truck is going to start out in first gear from a stop either way, and once you get to the shift point, you are well out of the water by then. An LSD would definitely help but if the ramp is steep and slippery you may still lose traction. Throw a couple of people in the bed for better traction or ask one of the 4X4s at the ramp to pull the boat out of the water for you (they love showing off the their 4X4s capabilities). I've had to do this, back when I had my 2 wheel drive Chevy, a slick ramp, and a much bigger boat.

If you are going to do much towing, and don't have the towing package, keep an eye on your trans temp.

 

It can get dicey without 4wd, if you fish when it gets cold and the ramps are icy. I agree that you may want to watch your transmission temps especially if towing any significant distance in the heat.

 

SR - both o my rear wheels power

havent had issues in usual scenarios

something i carry if dicey situs are anticipated

5 gallon bucket of coarse sand mixed 50/50 with rock salt

spread by hand.................provides great traction

not enuf salt to worry about rust .................wash & rinse as usual

 

Great thanks guys I taking my boat out this Saturday we’ll see what happens

 

It will really depend on the ramp you use and the conditions on the ramp. Marine growth on a ramp can be very slippery and if it's a steeper angle then rwd could be difficult. Our ramp is pretty flat and fresh water with no tide on the river so I never need to use 4wd unless there is a lot of mud (which I usually shovel off ahead of time).

 

I've towed my 2500 pound bowrider with my 98 (2.7L 4x4 manual) many times. Power wise it's fine getting up and down ramps - w/o a torque converter I have less torque coming off the line than an AT. As many said, it's the condition of the ramp could be the deciding factor.

 

Maybe I'm just stupid but how do you check your transmission temp?

 

You will need some type of scanner to read the computer. I have the ScanGauge II and had to add the pid for the auto trans temp and converter temp. I think the Ultra Gauge will read it as well.

 

Thank guys it went really well. The tip about the auto LSD easing into worked. No slip out all. When I was retrieving boat it was raining but the truck did great. Didn’t even notice it back there. ECT power was on the whole time and I flipped off VSC and auto LSD light was on. My ramp is great though. All concrete with grooves. On imperial river. Launched at high tide

 

Also, Torque app works, with a simple add-on PID.