Towing Boat down the East Coast/ through Applachians

This summer I will be towing a 19' CC Bay Boat w/ a t-top down from Boston, MA to Hilton Head Island, SC and then back a week later. I have a 2008 4x4 v6 double cab with about 140k miles (no issues runs mint). I have done this same trip with a 17' Lowe duck boat without issue. Has anyone made a similar trip with something this size? the Appalachians in Virginia are steep and weather is unpredictable when traveling close to a summit, this area would be the portion of the trip in question. I am trying to gauge if my truck has the salt for long distance incline and decline towing of a good sized boat
*the boat is a shallow V, not too beefy

thanks,

 

Since you're doing it in the summer, I wouldn't worry. Should be fine. If it was winter, then I'd be very cautious about really good weather forecasts and keep the travel to daylight hours. Those hills can get really dangerously slippery in bad winter weather, and I sure as heck wouldn't want to have a trailer when its bad.

 

I think it would be alright. Whats the weight loaded up on the boat/trailer? Keep an eye on the transmissions temps(assuming your automatic) while going up inclines for a long period of time. Most likely you will be towing it in 4th most of the time, especially on them inclines. I would recommend a scangauge or something to monitor them temps.

EDIT: And welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

The key piece of information you left out is the weight of the boat and trailer. It’s all about the weight.

 

We can come up with a sane "rough guess" based on the details he did give.... a 19 foot "not too beefy" probably runs about 2500-3000 pounds. A moronically heavy 19 foot might weigh 4000 on the outside, and a ski boat might way 2000.

 

Welcome aboard. If the set up is about 4500lbs you should be ok. Just keep it in 4th gear

 

I tow a 19’ boat around 3,000 miles per year. My set up is around 4,500# loaded up. I’m towing with a 2014 DCSB and have been pleasantly surprised at how well it handles it. Obviously, a Tundra would be better but the Tacoma handles it fine. As others have mentioned, I stay out of overdrive.