appropriate use

Hi all,

I have a 2015 TRD w towing package. Recently bought a sailboat. 4100 lbs including trailer. Will need to make 2-4 trips between Central Oregon and Anacortes/year. Distance of 400+ miles each way over a not too bad mtn pass each way.

Question on my mind is this: I know I can tow it with my Tacoma, but in the long run would I be better off "upgrading" to a used F150 or Tundra or something else with better tow capabilities if I'm planning on hauling that weight over that distance a 2-4 times every year?

Tacoma has been super reliable and I love it. Just don't want to love it to a premature death by abusing it. Realize many different opinions on this, but curious if others have loved their tacoma like that over a long period and how it has worked out.

Thanks

 

Upgrade trucks. You'll hate that drive pulling it in the Toyota that far.

 

Have you towed a sailboat over a long distance before?
Does the boat have a swing keel?

Of all the things you can tow without a commercial rig, a sailboat might be the sketchiest, IMO.

 

It's a small boat with a swing keel. 23 ft and 4100 lbs. I towed it that distance once, but behind a Ram 2500 - felt fine. Towed it locally with the Taco - felt fine as well, but low speeds and no big climbs.

 

Being able to get that weight low on the trailer makes a difference. And less crosswind vulnerability, too.
I don't own a 3rd Gen. So I can't say if it's gonna be a shit show, or not. But a full size 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck is pretty good at those medium loads

 

The Taco's getting up in age. Don't know the mileage, but it's not a bad time to start thinking about a replacement. Or at least you know what you need when it is time to replace it.

2-4 times a year isn't a ton; whose Ram 2500 were you using? Is it more practical to rent or borrow a truck for those trips, vs. driving a 1/2 or 3/4 ton all the time?

Personally, I'd try it once just to see, knowing I'm going to burn a whole day getting up there. Just plan to go much slower than normal in the twisty stuff and hills. I towed about that much with my 4Runner, about half the distance and through some smaller mountains (Appalachians). It was stressful, but it's not too bad if it's infrequent.

I'd also use an UltraGauge or similar to keep an eye on transmission temps, that will be concern #2 in the mountains (#1 being control of the vehicle). I assume the trailer has brakes at that weight, right?

 

Side question: why is the boat so far from the port? I know the San Juans are amazing, but there's also water closer to Bend.

 

Pulling a 4k load is doable but no fun. For anything more than a short (slow) trip, trailer brakes are key.
Ask yourself what happens when another driver cuts into your safety gap as you are on the brakes?

 

It's a dual axle trailer with trailer brakes. I would get a weight distribution hitch if I did it. It doesn't seem that squirrelly towing it, it's more that I'm worried I will fry my transmission or put too much strain on the engine

 

My dual axle flat deck car trailer I've towed thousands and thousands of miles loaded with a SxS and heavy utility quad, fuel, etc. It weighs 4000 to 4500 depending on what extra I throw in. I always towed in 4th (until I regeared). My biggest concern would be the side wind on the boat. The weight I would not be concerned about. I've hauled a couple lighter weight single axle trailers, and they were both miserable to tow in comparison. So yeah, take a drive at HWY speeds and see if it feels comfortable, but don't worry about the engine/transmission as long as you shift into 4th (or 3rd on really long climbs where you hear the transmission shifting 3-4-3-4-3-4).

 

As many have said before, let the engine do the work and not the transmission.

If it feels good for a local tow, then give it a try - just don’t be in a hurry.

 

Just tow it one time up and back then decide if you want to keep the Taco. That’s the only way you will really know.