Towing My Boat!

[Rangerphil]

I have a ranger 205 with a 225 merc. My question is I want to get a new truck and with gas so outrageous I was looking at Toyota Tacoma instead of the regular full size truck. Has anyone ever towed with one and if so did it handle the job?

[slonezp]

Don't know about the Tacoma but I had a V6 Dodge and it towed fine on level ground but was horrible in the mountains. I have a Tundra now and it doesn't even know the boat is on the back.

[Jig Man]

Take it for a test drive with the boat hooked up behind it then you will know.

[Rangerphil]

Never thought about that! I guess if they want to sell a truck they will let me.

[bandsr4me20]

I have a toyota tacoma v6 and pull our 18 ft fish and ski with a 175 with it just fine. I have mud tires which makes the gas mileage absolutely horendous when pulling it (9-10mpg) but it pulls and stops it just fine.

[Fishing Rhino]

It's going to take the same amount of energy to pull any load. While manufacturers like to boast about their fuel mileage being the best in class or whatever, when you look at the EPA mileage sticker, they are all very close. My '07 GMC has the 5.1 engine with "active fuel management". It switches from 8 to 4 cylinders, when it doesn't need the power of all 8. Whoop de do. It gets only slightly better fuel mileage than I did with my 01 GMC with the 5.1 engine.

The problem with any engine is this, the more work you make them do, the less efficient they become. You may find a smaller engine which gives better mileage when not loaded or towing, may get worse mileage than a truck with a bigger engine when you hook a boat behind it.

I'm afraid there is no economical way to haul a boat behind a tow vehicle with fuel prices as they are let alone getting higher.

It depends on how much your truck will be used as a tow vehicle or just a daily runner. Whatever you choose, make sure the truck and brakes can handle your rig. A tranny cooler is a must on any tow vehicle.

[Rangerphil]

I absolutely want safety first my problem is I run my truck more than I tow my boat. So I am looking for something good on gas but also has 4 wheel drive and can tow my boat around 20 times a year.

[ww2farmer]

I have a buddy that tows a 20' boat, 225 OB, with a Dodge Dakota with a V6, he drives like a maniac and it stops the boat fine. Not saying thats the way to do it, just giving you an example.

[weezy109]

Depends on where you live. There are mountains around here that you could not get over towing a big boat with a v6. I had a norriscraft 1900vee with a 225 pro max i bet you could have towed with a mini. That thing weighed almost nothing. I have a big Dodge ram with the small V8 and couldn't tell it was back there.

[Fishing Rhino]

I absolutely want safety first my problem is I run my truck more than I tow my boat. So I am looking for something good on gas but also has 4 wheel drive and can tow my boat around 20 times a year.

That being the case, I'd get something that gets better mileage without a load, with adequate brakes. Even if it burns a bit more gas when towing, it will be more economical over the course of a year because you do not do a lot of towing.

[jdw174]

I've towed my TR20 with a Tacoma for 7 years with nary a hiccup. I regularly get 19mpg around town and as high as 24mpg on a trip (V6/5-spd auto). Make sure you get the towing package.

[South FLA]

I have tow a Bullet 21 RDC, a Ranger 185 VS, and a Proline 23.5' all with EASE using my Nissan Frontier which is very similar to the Tacoma, gas mileage suffers dramatically I go from about 17-20 MPG to 12 MPG towing the Proline, but you will have NO problem towing it with that Tacoma.

As a side note, don't over look the Nissan Frontier when test driving midsized trucks.

[Rangerphil]

Sounds great thanks guys!

[Goldstar225]

I have a Tacoma doublecab 4.0 V-6 w/5 speed auto. It doesn't have the tow package so I'm limited to 3,500 pounds tow capacity. With that being said, it tows my 17 foot Bass tracker better than my previous truck (Silverado crew cab 4.8 V-8). The tow package for the Tacoma only adds about $650.00 to the price of the truck but then the truck is equipped with:

Class 3 hitch

Higher output alternator

Larger battery

7 pin trailer wiring harness with brake controller

Anti-sway control

Engine oil cooler

Transmission cooler

120 volt outlet in the truck bed

Tow capacity is bumped to 6,500 pounds

[Hooligan]

It's going to take the same amount of energy to pull any load. While manufacturers like to boast about their fuel mileage being the best in class or whatever, when you look at the EPA mileage sticker, they are all very close. My '07 GMC has the 5.1 engine with "active fuel management". It switches from 8 to 4 cylinders, when it doesn't need the power of all 8. Whoop de do. It gets only slightly better fuel mileage than I did with my 01 GMC with the 5.1 engine.

I'm afraid there is no economical way to haul a boat behind a tow vehicle with fuel prices as they are let alone getting higher.

I disagree with that, quite a lot. I get better mileage by 5-7MPG when towing than many of my fishing partners pulling the same rigs.. In economy that's a substantial range, let alone when under towing load. When I drive the diesel, my economy is effected by, usually, only 2-3 MPG when towing versus no load.

There are extremely economical tow vehicles out there, particularly in terms of towing a boat. I know of several people that are getting 28MPG out of their diesels when towing. That's plenty of economy.

[Fishing Rhino]

I disagree with that, quite a lot. I get better mileage by 5-7MPG when towing than many of my fishing partners pulling the same rigs.. In economy that's a substantial range, let alone when under towing load. When I drive the diesel, my economy is effected by, usually, only 2-3 MPG when towing versus no load.

There are extremely economical tow vehicles out there, particularly in terms of towing a boat. I know of several people that are getting 28MPG out of their diesels when towing. That's plenty of economy.

You may disagree with it, and I will concede diesel engines get better fuel mileage than gasoline and the mileage does not drop off as much when towing. Now, let's factor in the several thousand dollars cost for a diesel option (6500 to 7000 plus), and the cost of diesel fuel per gallon vs gasoline, poof, advantage gone.

Diesel fuel costs 40 to 60 cents more per gallon, than gasoline.

Fuel mileage by itself means nothing. You have to factor in initial cost, the higher cost of fuel, then see how long it takes a diesel powered pickup to reach the break even point, assuming that you do.

One more note. The person who started this thread was asking about a Toyota Tacoma or similar truck. My answer was directed at his particular inquiry.

I'm curious. Do you have one of those sticker on the back window that says "Real trucks don't have spark plugs"?

[J Francho]

I see tons of guys burn up their V6 toy trucks and SUVs towing full size bass boats all the time. Yeah they work, but if you doing any distance, you're ruining your truck. If you are at all concerned about gas mileage, cost per mile is lower as you go bigger, to a point. My 1/2 ton with the 6.2 gas engine, and towing gears gets 22 mpg cruising, and 14-17 towing. The 3/4 ton diesel is a little too pricey for my daily driving needs, but if I towed 24/7 it would be the better choice. Down the line, GM is supposed to be coming out with a diesel six for the 1/2 ton platform. There's your bass boat tow vehicle.

[Hooligan]

You may disagree with it, and I will concede diesel engines get better fuel mileage than gasoline and the mileage does not drop off as much when towing. Now, let's factor in the several thousand dollars cost for a diesel option (6500 to 7000 plus), and the cost of diesel fuel per gallon vs gasoline, poof, advantage gone.

Diesel fuel costs 40 to 60 cents more per gallon, than gasoline.

Fuel mileage by itself means nothing. You have to factor in initial cost, the higher cost of fuel, then see how long it takes a diesel powered pickup to reach the break even point, assuming that you do.

One more note. The person who started this thread was asking about a Toyota Tacoma or similar truck. My answer was directed at his particular inquiry.

I'm curious. Do you have one of those sticker on the back window that says "Real trucks don't have spark plugs"?

No, the first statement I made is concerning my half ton Ford with a 5.4L Triton, which I'm getting around 20 when pulling the Triton. When I hook it up to the diesel on longer road trips, is concerning the second part of my statement.

As such, I stand by my original statement. I have friends with Chevy's, Ford's, Dodge, and there's a substantial difference on dollars spent on fuel between the three. All of the guys with the 5.4, 6 Speed, and 3.73 rear are getting considerably better mileage than other vehicles in the same class.

They're not all the same is the point.

Also, JF, I saw a write up about that very thing somewhat recently. Ford and Toyota are said to have the same options in development. If Toyota brings their I5 with 355 Horsepower and 620 odd torques, I'll be driving a Tundra, make no seconds about it.

[J Francho]

If Toyota brings their I5 with 355 Horsepower and 620 odd torques, I'll be driving a Tundra, make no seconds about it.

Hopefully that butt ugly, Camry with a thyroid problem gets a makeover by then. That, and a bigger gas tank.

[00 mod]

I can help with this a little bit I think.

My scenario: 2007 Toyota Tundra with 5.7L V8, towing a 1648 with 25 hp

My Buddy: 2008(now 2011 Toyota Tacoma with V6, towing 1648 with 20 hp

Now you ask, how can I compare our boats to your much heavier glass boats. I cannot. But what I can say is this:

Both of us fish the same club lake every weekend. It requires an almost flat pull, no strains on anything, just a simple crossing the Mississippi River bridge, and a boat ramp. Oh yea, the boat ramp is concrete, but getting to it is a dirt/mud road.

My buddy loves his Tacoma, and puts many more miles a year on it, than I do my Tundra. My 07 has 84,XXX and his 08 Tacoma he just traded in had over 130,XXX. His complaint is that when he crosses the Mississippi River bridge the winds blow him across lanes sometimes! He also complains about the winds coming off the flat Arkansas rice fields blowing him sideways sometimes. I have never had these problems. I get 13.5 MPG towing or not. My daily route to and from work I drive 5 miles. Gas is not an issue for me. He gets 17-18 MPG on his daily driving but in the same range as myself 13-14 when towing. Neither of us, both 4WD have had a getting stuck in the mud problem. So for him, the Tacoma is the right choice. For me, I LOVE my Tundra.

Jeff

A picture of the bridge I am talking about!

[bwell]

I see tons of guys burn up their V6 toy trucks and SUVs towing full size bass boats all the time. Yeah they work, but if you doing any distance, you're ruining your truck. If you are at all concerned about gas mileage, cost per mile is lower as you go bigger, to a point. My 1/2 ton with the 6.2 gas engine, and towing gears gets 22 mpg cruising, and 14-17 towing. The 3/4 ton diesel is a little too pricey for my daily driving needs, but if I towed 24/7 it would be the better choice. Down the line, GM is supposed to be coming out with a diesel six for the 1/2 ton platform. There's your bass boat tow vehicle.

I dont agree that you need a big bad manly man truck to pull a boat, and also dont agree that calling these guys V6 trucks toy trucks either... There is absolutley not reason to for that, maybe not everyone can affored the latest and greatest Chevy truck that came out. I know a guy that has been pulling a 19 ft bass boat in his Tacoma for 6 years now and not a single problem.

Now maybe you should have said it depends on where you live??? See, here in IL its very flat, no need for a big engine and big brakes... Grated I do have a full size truck, but at times I wish I had a midsize that could do the same thing and get better gas mileage around town.

[grampa1114]

I dont agree that you need a big bad manly man truck to pull a boat, and also dont agree that calling these guys V6 trucks toy trucks either... There is absolutley not reason to for that, maybe not everyone can affored the latest and greatest Chevy truck that came out. I know a guy that has been pulling a 19 ft bass boat in his Tacoma for 6 years now and not a single problem.

Now maybe you should have said it depends on where you live??? See, here in IL its very flat, no need for a big engine and big brakes... Grated I do have a full size truck, but at times I wish I had a midsize that could do the same thing and get better gas mileage around town.

I tend to agree with you...Bwell...Having towed for 35 years with enough truck to do the job but liveable when not towing. I tow 2500lb of Triton Bass Boat to Champlain probably two or three times a year. Otherwise just local towing...I manage this with a "Toy" Jeep Liberty, capable of towing 5000lb, getting 14-17 mpg. Perhaps Mr. Francho could take off his blinders and see that we have to commute with these vehicles the rest of the time and enjoy the benefits of smaller engines and their better everyday fuel consumption.

Grampa

[Diablos]

I towed my 1500lb boat in my sig for 2 years with a 4cyl Subaru Forester rated to 2400lb.

I never had one issue including stopping and did a few trips of 300 miles+ round trip through elevated altitudes.

I buy vehicles capable to tow what I own and not going to a get a bigger vehicle and sacrifice daily driving.

I now own a Mazda CX9 with the tow package which is rated at a conservative 3500lbs

[bwell]

We have people in our club that even use their mini vans and have no problems lol. People that you "know" that are burning up their tonka trucks must be morons and dont take care of their stuff.

Some people feel the need to have the biggest and baddest, and put their nose up at others that dont...

[bwell]

Hopefully that butt ugly, Camry with a thyroid problem gets a makeover by then. That, and a bigger gas tank.

I would much rather have that butt ugly "Camry" that a Chevy... lol you must be pretty proud that Chevy finally came out with a decent truck with a little more power...