is 3500 lb towing enough for me?

[HeavyTwenty]

Repairs for my 2003 Civic are about half of what its value is, so I'm probably just going to sell/scrap it and buy something new. I negotiated a good deal on a Tacoma with 2.7L but it won't be available for a month so I'll continue searching. I'm interested in a truck that will last me at least 10 years and suit my future needs. I've been kayak fishing for about a year but I've been itching to try out larger vessels. I'd probably start off with a craigslist 14-16' jon boat, but I'd imagine I'll ride that for a year or two before wanting something bigger and better. Do you think the Tacoma w/ 2.7L 3500 towing capacity will be enough? Or should I consider a truck with a v6?

[paleus]

I would get a V6 tacoma. The I4 tacomas are pretty underpowered and don't get really any better fuel economy than the V6 because they are working so hard, especially if they are towing something. A 17 foot aluminum boat is around 2500 lbs dry, that's getting awful close to the max capacity for an I4. I drive a doublecab V6 Tacoma and it tows a 15 ft aluminum mod v like it's not there.

[Brent Christian]

Would get a v6 my uncle has a tacoma with the v6 any pulls a 18ft triton like its not there

[HeavyTwenty]

2 hours ago, paleus said:

I would get a V6 tacoma. The I4 tacomas are pretty underpowered and don't get really any better fuel economy than the V6 because they are working so hard, especially if they are towing something. A 17 foot aluminum boat is around 2500 lbs dry, that's getting awful close to the max capacity for an I4. I drive a doublecab V6 Tacoma and it tows a 15 ft aluminum mod v like it's not there.

What's your opinion on doublecab vs access cab? I was thinking about access cab because of the extra 1 ft bed length and I rarely have rear passengers, but if I could store my 7' rods in the doublecab while pond fishing, that would be tempting. 

[Ratherbfishing]

2 hours ago, paleus said:

I would get a V6 tacoma. The I4 tacomas are pretty underpowered and don't get really any better fuel economy than the V6 because they are working so hard, especially if they are towing something. A 17 foot aluminum boat is around 2500 lbs dry, that's getting awful close to the max capacity for an I4. I drive a doublecab V6 Tacoma and it tows a 15 ft aluminum mod v like it's not there.

Took the words right ought of my mouth.  I had a 2.7 liter Tacoma (standard cab) and it worked pretty hard (and didn't really get any better fuel economy-even when it wasn't towing).  It was a decent truck otherwise but if you are serious about towing-go with the V6 or find something else.

[Further North]

I'll put a contrary opinion out there: If the manufacturer has it rated @ 3,500 lbs, it'll tow 3,500  lbs - they can't afford the liability if there's a problem.

Will you like it?  I don't know...

For reference, I tow an '05 Crestliner CMV 1850 with a '14 Ford Escape; the Escape is rated for 3,500 lbs...my boat, as it's rigged right now, tops out (full tank, gear, batteries...etc.) at about 3,100 (most of the time it's lighter than that as it's seldom got a full tank).  The Escape tows it just fine, zero problems, and some of my trips are hours long.

[Al Wolbach]

On April 4, 2016 at 3:23 PM, Further North said:

I'll put a contrary opinion out there: If the manufacturer has it rated @ 3,500 lbs, it'll tow 3,500  lbs - they can't afford the liability if there's a problem.

Will you like it?  I don't know...

For reference, I tow an '05 Crestliner CMV 1850 with a '14 Ford Escape; the Escape is rated for 3,500 lbs...my boat, as it's rigged right now, tops out (full tank, gear, batteries...etc.) at about 3,100 (most of the time it's lighter than that as it's seldom got a full tank).  The Escape tows it just fine, zero problems, and some of my trips are hours long.

I would also consider what impact towing, at near max capacity, will have on a vehicle after several years vs say towing at 50 per cent capacity. May shorten the life of the vehicle?

[Junk Fisherman]

On 4/4/2016 at 0:09 PM, Brent Christian said:

Would get a v6 my uncle has a tacoma with the v6 any pulls a 18ft triton like its not there

I have a V6 Tacoma and I tow a 17.5" semi-deep V with a 70 hp and I can tell it's there.  It tows it without problem overall but I feel it when accelerating or going up big hills.

To get the OP's question, if you know that you are going to be upgrading to a tin bassboat in a few years, I would not buy a new 4 cyl Toyota.  There's a good chance you won't be happy with the performance and want to get a bigger truck.  If you are buying a used Tacoma then you won't take a big depreciation hit when you sell so you can upgrade your truck if/when you need to.  Overall, I am a big fan of the Tacoma.  

While I agree North's premise about towing capacities, I wouldn't want to tow a 3000 lb boat with a vehicle rated for 3500 lbs.  If it's a 1-time deal or you only fish locally, fine but not if you taking multiple 3-4 hour trips every year.  I just think you are taxing the engine too much.  

[FluffChucker]

I also agree with Further North (as I also pull my boat with an Escape).

Personally, I would avoid the 4cyl Toyota if you plan on getting a boat down the road. I don't know if you're in the market for new or used, but if you're looking for new I would take a good hard look at the GMC Canyon (or Chevy Colorado) w/ diesel engine. It may be overkill on the power for anything you'd need to tow with it, but the gas mileage (23 avg, 20/29 - city/hwy) is superior and it's in the same size class as the Tacoma. It will also be a bit more expensive, but could be worth it in the long run. The Canyon is likely going to be my next vehicle as well as I was overly impressed with the it when I test drove it.

[Further North]

10 hours ago, Al Wolbach said:

I would also consider what impact towing, at near max capacity, will have on a vehicle after several years vs say towing at 50 per cent capacity. May shorten the life of the vehicle?

Hard to say...but I towed campers well beyond 50% of the capacity of my tow vehicles for a long time without any noticeable effect on vehicle longevity.  One was an Isuzu Trooper that made it to 420,000 miles before it finally died.

I think that taking care of your vehicle, and not abusing it has a lot more effect than whether we choose to tow at 80% capacity...if we think that 80% is near max capacity.

[wpwarhawk]

I had a 2012 Tacoma "low boy" extended can with the 2.7L and 4 speed automatic. It was a great little truck, and pulled my Stratos 176XT just fine. In fact I hauled it up here to Arkansas from Fort Worth and averaged 16.5 mpg for the trip.  I usually got 23-25 mpg empty. 

I traded boats and now have a deep V with a full windshield, both boats weighed about 2500 pounds on the trailer, but the deep V and that windshield catch a lot of air, and that combined with the steep hills up here made the Taco struggle.  I swapped the Tacoma for a Honda Ridgeline, which pulls the deep v boat just fine. 

You asked about double cab vs extended cab  I've had both and the extended cab has one annoying feature, it's noisy.  I don't think there is any insulation in the rear doors.  It sounds silly, but everyone noticed it and it really got old on long trips  

 

 

 

[paleus]

On 4/4/2016 at 1:56 PM, HeavyTwenty said:

What's your opinion on doublecab vs access cab? I was thinking about access cab because of the extra 1 ft bed length and I rarely have rear passengers, but if I could store my 7' rods in the doublecab while pond fishing, that would be tempting. 

I've got a double cab short bed. There's really no room for normal sized humans in the back of an access cab. You can get a double cab with the 6' bed if you want the extra bed length. I put my 12' kayak in my 5' bed and haul it around no problem. I've never run into a situation where I needed a longer bed, but I have wished it was wider a few times.

[Junk Fisherman]

Good info in this thread.

With the Double Cab I can put 7' rods diagonal from the backseat to the passenger seat as long as there is no one sitting there.  The access cab is definitely louder than the double cab.  My dad has the access cab (we are a Toyota Family) and it is quite a bit louder than mine.  He has often complained about it while I have no issues with noise in my double cab.  

Just a note- the new Tacoma offers a moon roof option.  If I get another Tacoma (considering a Tundra), I will definitely get one.  

[Jtrout]

Just do what i did go for the tundra! It will tow whatever u want as far as future boat purchases. 

[Junk Fisherman]

13 hours ago, Jtrout said:

Just do what i did go for the tundra! It will tow whatever u want as far as future boat purchases. 

Unless you don't want such a big truck.  Why are they so big?  I loved the Tundra from about 10 years ago.  That was a normal sized full size truck.  I had a POS F-150 with an 8' bed and a cap which was perfect for fishing and camping.  But I live in the suburbs and would often drive in the city and the size of that truck was an inconvenience.  For me, the best compromise is a 4-door Tacoma with a 6' bed.  Still considering the Tundra with the access cab though.  

[HeavyTwenty]

6 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 But I live in the suburbs and would often drive in the city and the size of that truck was an inconvenience.  For me, the best compromise is a 4-door Tacoma with a 6' bed. 

That's the exact truck I picked, with V6 + 4 wheel drive. Unfortunately every Toyota dealer said they're sold out, so I have to wait two weeks...

I was considering a Chevy Colorado, but the Chevy dealers don't seem to barter at all. "Our Colorados were truck of the year two years in a row so we don't need to lower the price."

I drove a 99 Tacoma from 2005 to 2014, so I just went with what I'm familiar with.

[detroit1]

My new Colorado is 4 months old, and it will be a couple of weeks before I pull my 16' Grumman (fully loaded 2500#). I assume there will be no problem...rated for 7500#. V6 ext. cab it's a sharp looking truck that I think is overpriced, but I don't really need a full size.

[Junk Fisherman]

On 4/9/2016 at 0:45 PM, HeavyTwenty said:

That's the exact truck I picked, with V6 + 4 wheel drive. Unfortunately every Toyota dealer said they're sold out, so I have to wait two weeks...

Sounds great!  Plus, they have increased the mileage so it's not as bad as before.  I want to get the 6' bed so I can get a cap and sleep in the back while camping.