Manual Taco Drivers: Towing Boat/Boat Launch

Hello all,

Long time taco admirer and soon to be taco owner. This past summer my brother and I restored a 1981 Mako 213 CC (true fishing machine). I was towing and launching it in my Mazda SUV. Now that the restoration is complete, Im planning on trading in the family SUV for a Tacoma (2017-2019). I love driving manual, so naturally, I want a manual truck.

MY QUESTION:
Are there taco owners here that launch and retrieve boats with manuals on steep launches?
Is it worth the risk of potential roll back?
Any tips and tricks when towing a manual?


I have never towed with a manual before, but my daily vehicle (mazda speed 3) is a manual and I have been driving it for 4 years.

Thank you.

 

Parking brake is there for a reason.

 

Right, and that's what I figured. But when retrieving a boat on a slippery launch, the half second release of the ebrake to first gear (at least I feared) could cause slipping. And like I said, I have never retrieved a boat with a manual transmission (i can do it in an auto with my eyes closed), I just wanted to make sure I wasn't over thinking anything before I purchased a manual taco.

 

Put in in 4H/L if you're nervous. Get into 1st with the clutch down, let up the clutch until you feel it bite, release the HB.

NBD.

 

Also what i figured as well. Thanks for the response, appreciate the info.

 

This.^
With the parking brake on, put it is 1st gear, give a little throttle, let the clutch up and when it starts to grab release the parking brake. You get zero roll back. I’ve done it hundreds of times, no problem.
I’ve always liked stick shifts but for several years now I’ve had auto trans. I now prefer an auto for towing. I’ve never had any problems launching and retrieving my boats with a stick shift. However compared to an auto I think a stick is a PITA for towing, launching/retrieving , towing in heavy traffic. The only advantage I see with a stick for towing is using the gears to slow you coming down steep grades and mountains. Other than that an auto is way better and easier for towing.

 

I launch and retrieve a bunch every summer with my 6 spd, lots of ramps from gravel to steep concrete and slimy blacktop. I agree with above posts...you may need to “cheat” with the hand-brake occasionally but it’s no big deal. I’ve got a 16’ aluminum cc, so my boat is obviously a lot lighter but even fully loaded with a weeks worth of family camping gear the truck doesn’t mind! Long live the manual transmission!!

 

I test drove a 2018 TRD sport today, pretty much did all hill starts. I had it in 4 lo and got to 2500/3000 rpms and eased the clutch till it caught and released the E, and no rollback.

I get that towing in a manual may be more difficult, but my fear is that I would get an auto for towing, yet 95% of the time I'm driving the truck, I am not pulling the boat. Would hate to sacrifice the chance at a manual for that reason, and after the test drive, it seems like towing shouldn't be an issue for the manual at all.

 

Just downshift with the automatic, works exactly the same as a manual transmission.

 

I’m obviously very aware of that but it works better and slows you down more with a manual tranny. That is the only slight advantage a stick has when towing. Other than that it’s a pain in the a$$. I spent many years and miles towing things with a manual.

 

Clutch start cancel if you're that worried. Haha.

And yes. Hand brake if you need it . If it's very slippery, 4wd if you must. But repeat after me. I will only pull out straight on paved boat launches and not turn.

I've never had issues. Steep launches or sand bottoms

 

And im assuming the no turn part is because if the wheels twist traction is reduced and you'll slip?

 

You'll bind your 4wd.

 

Just read an article about 'binding.' Could you elaborate though? never heard about this before. Thanks.

 

Binding is where the u joints, axles, and diffs don't rotate good because the wheels are turned on dry pavement. Normally in 2wd everything is unlocked/open and when you go around a turn your wheels can rotate at different speeds. 4wd hinders this. You'll know if you bind, trust me.

I towed many boats for many years with manual trans. Save the frustration/embarrassment at the ramp and use the e brake and 4 lo every time to bring the boat straight up the ramp. Once you're up the ramp switch back to 2wd and carry on. Pulling up the ramp in 4 lo will save your clutch and reduce the stress on all of your drivetrain components. I am also overly cautious. I'm sure I could get away with 2wd in some circumstances but I'd rather not make a fool of myself at the boat ramp on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in summertime.

 

Thanks for explaining. Ive seen enough posts on Qualified Captain to know that sinking you car off the launch is not the move.

Regardless, in the article I read about bind, it said that "If you are dropping it down into 4lo, then you will have more torque multiplication (more power), but the extent of that is limited to traction. 4lo is typically for getting stuff pulled out where you need the torque multiplication and have enough traction to use it." How much is traction compromised in 4lo?

And also, when youre off the ramp and towing the boat home you use 2wd?

 

I'm very familiar with Qualified Captain. One of my favorite Instagram pages.

That verbiage means you can only apply your torque until your wheels start spinning. One your wheels spin, you are no longer applying torque. 4 lo definitely multiples the usable torque because of the gear reduction. I'm sure there is a calculation for it but I'm not smart enough for that. So your traction isn't compromised necessarily, but you might be able to spin the wheels easier due to the increased torque. I see how that last quote you posted might be confusing. Hope that cleared it up.

Yes, once I'm off the ramp and on level ground I tow the boat in 2wd.

Also, nice boat by the way. My neighbor had one we used to fish all the time. Great riding hull, but his trim tabs were not setup right and they moved too fast. He sold the boat before fixing that. I wish he would've kept it and repowered it. It had an Optimax on it that ran okay, but wasn't a great motor.

 

Unless your wheels have the option to slip, like on sand , dirt, ice, snow, you should avoid using 4wd and turning the wheel, or avoid using it at all.




Launches are straight though so you'd be ok if you need it. But I'd suggest just leaving it in 2wd hi and practice using the hand brake. So happy the thrid gens included those.

 

Find some dirt/gravel before towing and see how 4 Lo and 1st gear feel. It doesn't take a lot of accelerator.

 

So when I test drove it, I took it to the steepest hill around the dealership (way steeper than any launch), and it was raining so the asphalt was wet. I did 6/7 hill starts, I used 4lo and started in 2nd gear and let the e go when the clucth caught around 2500rpms. Should i start it in 1st over 2nd in 4lo?