Could I tow long distance with a Toyota Tacoma?

[Bass Guy 365]

I will be purchasing a truck in the near future and I was wondering if a Tacoma would be able to tow a bass boat comfortably. I know that they can tow up to 6800 pounds with the tow package but being that it is a mid-size truck I am a bit worried when it comes to towing long distances (over 200 miles). I do not own a bass boat at the moment but definitely will in the future. I am open to getting an aluminum boat because it is lighter but I kind of want a fiberglass boat. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you. 

[gim]

Remember that the weight listed of the boat by the manufacturer does not include certain items like gear, fuel, accessories, or trailer.  So even if they list the dry weight at 1500 pounds, you will likely be towing significantly more than that.

 

If it were me, and I had a Tacoma listed to tow 6800 pounds, I would not exceed 75% of that weight.  Generally, the issue with towing is not necessarily the towing capacity, but its the braking.  Smaller trucks have more trouble braking in an emergency situation than bigger towing vehicles with a trailer behind them.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, gimruis said:

Remember that the weight listed of the boat by the manufacturer does not include certain items like gear, fuel, accessories, or trailer.  So even if they list the dry weight at 1500 pounds, you will likely be towing significantly more than that.

 

If it were me, and I had a Tacoma listed to tow 6800 pounds, I would not exceed 75% of that weight.  Generally, the issue with towing is not necessarily the towing capacity, but its the braking.  Smaller trucks have more trouble braking in an emergency situation than bigger towing vehicles with a trailer behind them.

Ya - if it's questionable if the tow-weight is getting close to that 75% limit - make sure the boat-trailer has surge brakes or at least electrically operated brakes that engage when the truck's brakes are applied.

 

15 minutes ago, Bass Guy 365 said:

I know that they can tow up to 6800 pounds with the tow package

I would personally have the brakes if the total towed weight was 50% or more of the towing vehicle's capacity...in your case, that would be 3400lbs.

[J Francho]

I would not use one to tow anything beyond a small aluminum boat.  200 miles is a long way - more than three hours driving.  I'd want a half ton pickup with the largest drivetrain package along with the towing package which usually includes a trans cooler and upgraded brakes.

[Deephaven]

Depends on how often you tow.  For instance, I move my wakeboard boat 2x a year.  For that I would not be terribly concerned, but if I were towing it 3x a week I'd make sure the tow vehicle was more robust.

[J Francho]

There's a ton of entertaining videos of undersized tow vehicles at boat launches doing all sorts of funny things. 

[BrianMDTX]

46 minutes ago, J Francho said:

There's a ton of entertaining videos of undersized tow vehicles at boat launches doing all sorts of funny things. 

You should have seen me back in the early 80s towing a 14’ MFG runabout with my ‘69 Camaro lol. 
 

NOT recommended! 

[TOXIC]

I am a good example of towing logic.  I never wanted to worry about towing and having transmission, power or braking problems.  I tow long distances as well.  My truck of choice in 2004 was a Silverado 3/4 ton HD, 6.0, 4.10 gearing and locking rear.  The HD got me an upgraded towing package with oversized brakes and tranny cooler.  I towed a NITRO 929 all over then pulled my current boat, a 21 foot Ranger.  Obviously I had no problems but I got 9-12mpg while towing.  When it reached 150,000 miles I went to the dealership and the new truck sales manager who is also an avid fisherman, assured me that the advances in 1/2 ton trucks since 2004 would tow my Ranger with no problems and get better mpg while doing it.  I ended up with a High Country, 5.3, 8 speed tranny, tow package, new in 2016.  I have been driving it trouble free since new.  I have towed multiple times from Virginia to Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida.  I firmly believe the difference is the 8 speed tranny.  My best mpg towing is 12-14, not towing 16-18.  I do miss the extra weight and braking power from the 3/4 ton but otherwise the 1/2 ton is fine.  The reason I went through this long explanation is that you will get close to the same numbers towing with the Taco if not even a little less mpg and you will be in a dicey situation.  If you want a glass boat of any size......18 foot or larger.......buy a new/used vs a new if price is a consideration 1/2 ton of your choice and sleep well at night.  

[Deleted account]

If it's a one time thing and you are an experienced driver with towing, yeah, as a regular thing, not a good idea, and if the route includes steep downhills or twisty roads then also no.

[E-rude dude]

Former Tacoma and Tundra owner.

For the price you pay for a Tacoma and the maintenance cost of a Toyota. You can buy a decent half ton truck. Ford, Chevy, Ram you pick. 
I used to pay $100 for Tundra oil changes because it was “special synthetic oil”. And everything on Toyota is “special synthetic” oil, grease, and gear boxes.

First time I had my F150 done $55

 

[WisconsinF]

I tow a 2003 Nitro NX882DC with a 2008 Chevy 4.2 in-line 6 Trailblazer LT. It does just fine. I go up north multiple times a year and round trip is usually 800-1000 miles. Just keep it out of overdrive.  I do agree that you need to have a trailer with very well maintained brakes.  

[K1500]

It is never a bad idea to have too much tow vehicle. Be sure to check the cargo capacity. Generally speaking, 10-20% of the towed weight should be on the tongue. For a 3,000 pound tin boat and trailer, that’s 300-600 pounds. Most trucks run out of tongue weight far before ‘towing capacity’ remember that with small trucks, it is easy to max out the truck with a stout buddy in the truck and some gear in the back. This is before the tongue weight gets applied. 
 

A quick search netted a Tacoma with an 1,155 pound payload. So...if you and your fishing buddy weigh 250 each and you have the usual 250-350 pounds of junk (cooler, gear, camper shell, etc) you have about 300-400 pounds of cargo capacity left for tongue weight. Add your lightweight boat and you are at or over max. Throw in a third passenger and you are maxed out before you even hook up. 
 

I’m not saying it can’t be done, I’m just saying to run the numbers first. I drive 3/4 ton trucks, because I am hauling a family of four and have truck steps, a camper shell, and gear in the bed while towing. I’ve never wished I was in a smaller truck, except when filling up the tank. My guess is you would be more comfortable towing with a newer 1/2 ton than a Tacoma.  

[A-Jay]

GMC's AT4 is a solid choice ~

A-Jay

[Kyle S]

Tacoma owner here.

I've got a 2010 Tacoma 4x4 TRD with a tow package. The tow capacity is somewhere around the 6,000lb mark.

I tow my 16' aluminum tracker every weekend without much concern. However...I wouldn't want to tow anything much heavier than what I currently am. On tracker's site, my current model is listed at 1,400 lbs package weight. 3 batteries, trolling motor, all of the gear and what not adds even more weight. As you can see i'm maybe a third into what my Tacoma is 'listed' to tow.

 

If it were me, i'd be looking at an f150 or like @A-Jay said a nice new AT4.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you go with, truck AND boat?

I should also add that a fiberglass rig with a more substantial outboard has been on my mind as of late. One of my main considerations is having to upgrade my tow vehicle...

[Bass Guy 365]

thank you all for the replies! I am new to asking questions on Bass Resource and I am not sure if you all can see my response or not but thanks anyway! I love the look of the Tacoma but it may be a better/safer choice to go with an F150. I am a fan of the Ranger aluminum RT series of boats but I also love Nitro!

[NHBull]

Not to beat a dead horse......

 

You could but there are better options.

 

I had a Tacoma and it pulled my 1775 impact just fine, but it was only a couple times a year for 50 miles.  If it was more often, a greater distance, or heavier boat, I would have bought a ford or chevy.

 

Good luck

[slonezp]

18 hours ago, E-rude dude said:

Former Tacoma and Tundra owner.

For the price you pay for a Tacoma and the maintenance cost of a Toyota. You can buy a decent half ton truck. Ford, Chevy, Ram you pick. 
I used to pay $100 for Tundra oil changes because it was “special synthetic oil”. And everything on Toyota is “special synthetic” oil, grease, and gear boxes.

First time I had my F150 done $55

 

You got hosed. I had oil changes and tire rotations done evey 5000 miles on my Tundra for 10 years at the dealership. 39.95

 

On my Super Duty gasser, oil changes at Goodyear are 30.00

[gim]

1 hour ago, Bass Guy 365 said:

I love the look of the Tacoma but it may be a better/safer choice to go with an F150. I am a fan of the Ranger aluminum RT series of boats but I also love Nitro!

I've got an F-150 that I use tow a Ranger RT178.  Its very efficient in terms of towing capability and mileage.  I get the same mileage whether I'm towing or not towing the boat.

 

I used to have a Ford Escape and I only used that SUV for one year towing the RT178 before I got rid of it.  It worked but the vehicle worked hard most of the time.  My mileage when towing was absolutely putrid too.  I never towed more than about 90 miles one way but I simply just got sick of using it for towing purposes.

 

Your Tacoma will be OK with a Ranger RT178.  If you buy a RT188 or RT198, or a fiberglass Nitro, I would upgrade to a bigger tow vehicle.

 

Kyle's advice above is great since he owns and uses a Tacoma with his 16 foot aluminum Tracker.  That's the best advice that exists IMO, from someone that is already doing it.

[Junger]

Drove 700 miles from WI to DC with a 3,000 package, part of which was through the Appalachians in my BMW X5 35D, rated for 6,000lbs. The trailer has surge breaks and I had no issues cruising at 74 most of the way. The BMW towing package and adaptations to the transmission coded and is not standard.

 

[TnRiver46]

On 4/8/2021 at 4:59 AM, A-Jay said:

GMC's AT4 is a solid choice ~

A-Jay

Yeah but you can pull a boat....... or an oak tree out of the ground 

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

Yeah but you can pull a boat....... or an oak tree out of the ground 

Boat - Yes.

Oak Tree Yes too, but only a very small one.

Those things are Tough ! 

?

A-Jay

[TnRiver46]

On 4/8/2021 at 10:20 AM, gimruis said:

  I get the same mileage whether I'm towing or not towing the boat.

 

 

 

I can pull a 300 lb boat with a v8 and it still makes a difference 

 

it’s very light but it’s still back there, catching the wind 

 

my new work truck has digital MPG on the dash and it went from 21.3 to 19 when I put the camper shell on. And it changes when I switch from a 32 foot ladder on the rack to a 28 foot ladder. That can’t be a 20 lb difference in weight 

[A-Jay]

On 4/8/2021 at 10:20 AM, gimruis said:

  I get the same mileage whether I'm towing or not towing the boat.

See now, 

I must not be holding my mouth right  ?

A-Jay

 

 

[gim]

You guys completely lost me.

 

My digital mileage has stayed at 16.9 to 17.1 mpg the entire time I’ve owned the truck. I start a new trip when I leave the house with the boat and it still doesn’t change.

 

My 17.5 foot aluminum bass boat isn’t heavy when all things are considered in the world of boats though.

[TnRiver46]

28 minutes ago, gimruis said:

You guys completely lost me.

 

My digital mileage has stayed at 16.9 to 17.1 mpg the entire time I’ve owned the truck. I start a new trip when I leave the house with the boat and it still doesn’t change.

 

My 17.5 foot aluminum bass boat isn’t heavy when all things are considered in the world of boats though.

It’s not the heavy it’s the wind resistance. Parachutes stop drag cars