What's more important when towing a boat?

[David P]

4 wheel drive, or v6 instead of a 4cylinder.

I'm sure from my previous thread, most of you know, I will be putting the boat in the back of my truck, and occasionally on longer trips it will be on a trailer. Most likely it will be a 12 or 14ft aluminum boat or jon boat.

I'd prefer a 2wd 4cylinder due to the few extra MPG , but I do worry about lack of power and all that.

If I were to get a tacoma or other truck with one which would be more important?

[burleytog]

Both.

4WD to tackle those super steep ramps.  Bigger engine to handle the hills.

[David P]

Both.

4WD to tackle those super steep ramps.  Bigger engine to handle the hills.

Considering it's a boat under 200lbs I'm not too concerned about ramps as if I'm with one other person, it shouldn't be too hard to lift up for a few seconds?

I do drive curvy roads that aren't too steep but they're up there, so I was leaning towards a v6.

[jdw174]

I drive a 2005 Tacoma w/V6 and pull a TR20 behind it.  It's not a 4wd and I have no trouble whatsoever getting up a ramp at the end of the day.  I do have electronic posi-traction that I can engage if I happen to slip, but it hasn't happened yet.  20mpg around town/back and forth to work.....24 on long trips.  About 15-16 while towing.  If you're using dirt ramps that can get muddied up or paved ramps that might ice up then I'd say go for the 4wd.  My personal choice would be the V6 for the engine, however.

[cart7t]

Pulling a boat around in the bed of your truck makes the question kinda moot.

Ramp steepness or composition isn't an issue since you aren't actually launching a boat.  There are dolly type devices that will allow you to off load your aluminum on level ground and move it to the water.

I'd go for best gas mileage.

[RobDar]

Both.

4WD to tackle those super steep ramps. Bigger engine to handle the hills.

I have never needed four wheel drive. Rear wheel yes, but never four. My van has always done just fine. I suppose that depending on where you are in the country...four wheel might be an advantage.  I know of some more rural ramps south of me that I might have some issues launching at if it were to be wet or muddy...but 98% of the ramps I have launched at, and I have launched at some real doozies, my rear wheel drive van has always been just fine.

I might go for the V6 though and here is why...

first,

comfort at expressway speeds.

second,

lightweight boat or not...you may get comparable gas mileage with the V6 ( when towing) because it will not need to work as hard to perfrom the same labor. Where I used to work the boss had two of the exact same van except one was a V8 and one a V6. The V8 got better gas mileage because it did not have to work as hard and did not run at as high of an RPM to do the same amount of work.

third,

what if in a few years you get a different boat? what if you come across a good deal or decide you want to upgrade? it is not on your mind right now, but considering that you will likely keep the vehicle a long time...if you are like me, until the wheels fall off, I might consider a V6 so as not to limit future decisions.

...and I do not know about the vehicle you are considering, but when I was looking...the difference between the V6 and the four cylinder was only about 3 miles to the gallon....or just over one gallon, or $3, per hundred miles...not really that big of a difference expense wise.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I pull my 12' 1964 (heavier than most) jon boat and trailer with a '99 jetta.  Tongue weight is like 30 lbs, don't worry about it.  You have had people in your car that weigh more (most likely).

[Taliesin]

With a boat that small I could still use my '02 Ranger (4 cylinder, 5-speed). LBH has it right that you've probably had bigger people in your vehicle.

A few things some people don't realize...

4WD lowers your towing capacity even though it may make it easier to pull the boat up the ramp.

Automatic transmission has better towing capacity than manual.

[surfer]

Considering the boat only weighs 200 lbs you can launch by hand no mater what ramp you pull up to.  So save your money on 4 wheel drive unless you plan on going off road to find a secluded lake.  As for the engine size, the boat weighs the same as your buddy in the passenger seat of your car.  You don't need a V6 for him either.

You dont need V6 or 4WD

[NJfishinGuy]

basically id say if you plan on using a trailer and backing down dirty areas even if its not steep get 4wd. 4cyl will be fine for that boat tho.

[327]

This question is pretty interesting. If you are just putting a boat in the back of a truck, and using cement launches... 2wd would be fine with a 4cyl. However, if you were planning on going off the cement at all, I would def. recommend a 4x4. I had a 4 cyl 2wd Tacoma and the tires would spin in grass even if it it was just wet grass. If you EVER plan to tow a bigger boat with a trailer, I would go V6 over 4wd. Although, it all depends on what you want to do. Thankfully, I upgraded to a v6 4x4 Tacoma. I haven't got to pull a boat with it yet though.

[Flatfish]

I have had 2 S-10's, one 2.2, 4 cyl, 5 speed and the other was a Ext Cab  with a 4.3 V6 5 speed, both of these got 25 mpg, both of these pulled the boat, a 16' Lowe with a heavier trailer than normal. The V6 only lost 2-3 mpg and the 4 lost almost 6 mpg and with the ac on any hill you were down shifting. I had more problem stopping than going with either one and that wasn't that bad either. My opinion woule be go with the V6, good mileage and a little easier on the engine when pulling.

[-badhabit-]

The V6 4wd option would be less wear & tear on the vehicle overall. It would also allow you to tow heavier loads if you choose to upgrade your boat in the future (or tow a friends boat).

I just bought a full size Ford 4wd with a V8 for that same reason (10 mpg). My Grand Cherokee with the 6 cyl (modified to 275 hp) pulls my boat fine in most places. But with the water being low in FL the trailer has to go past the end of the ramps sometimes which makes it a biatch to get out loaded (not anymore).

[Sam]

May I suggest not following the vehicle ahead of you too close?

I have learned that it takes a longer amount of roadway to slow down and stop the vehicle while towing the boat.

Also, I try not to go 80 MPH while towing on an interstate highway just to keep up with traffic.  I have been known to cut cross country over back roads just to avoid the interstates. Too many crazy drivers out there on our big highways to make me feel comfortable.

I also double check the hook up to the car.  I had the trailer fall off the ball one time and that's all it took for me to be extra careful.  Lucky for me it was the first stop sign out of my neighborhood when the trailer came unhitched.  I could have made the evening news had I been on the highway at 60 miles per hour.

Live and learn!

[fish-fighting-illini]

The single most important thing about towing a boat is for it to still be behind you when you arrive at the lake! LOL   ;D

[rdneckhntr]

I have a friend that's about to buy a 175 Pro team bass tracker with a 40hp...hes gonna pull it with a 4cyl 2wd ranger...just carry a couple bags of sand with u....