Towing with Tacoma?
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
link.net...

"brian" wrote in message
news:pGMnc.20797$ph.4155@fed1read07...
.............. I am looking at something around 17'-18' in the Ranger
line, .........................My real concern is my tow vehicle. I have
a low
miles 2000 Toyota Tacoma
4-WD PU and am concerned that one of these boats may be too heavy for
my
truck.

Any experience?

I tow a 18.5 Skeeter ZX185 w/ a 150 HP motor with my 97 Tacoma 4WD 6
cyl, with no problems. I could use trailer brakes though, and I would
have them if I were to buy again...


I have been looking at the smaller 155, R-60 and 175 Ranger models with
4-stroke lake compliant motors because of my concerns about weight, but
a
lot of guys like yourself are reporting satisfaction towing 18 ft.
models
with their larger motors. I would prefer the larger boat for its added
stability both as a fishing platform, and for more comfortable (and
faster)
ride on large water.

I will be sure and have surge brakes at the very least as I will be
doing
lots of mountain towing. Some of it at very high altitudes 8-9K plus!
The
trailer brakes should make the stop side of the question moot, but as
you
know the Tacoma while a great truck is not a rocket and from my
experiences
hauling heavy loads (gravel) have doubts as to how well the truck will
do
long term. Do you tow over many grades? Can/could you pretty much cruse
at
65mph (freeway) over most hills you come across?

brian

I used to tow with a 4.3L S-10 Blazer. Towed my boat rig fine, on the
lower
elevations, but going to the 5000' and above lakes, it labored. My rig
weighs about 4400# on the trailer and full of fuel, with the camp gear
aboard. The Tacoma may have problems with the 8000' passes if the boat
weight is above 2000#. My last tow vehicle was a 99 Expedition, towed
fine,
burned about 12 mpg when towing and 16 on the freeway not towing. New rig
is a Chevy 2500 crewcab, shortbed diesel 4x4, have not towed with it yet,
but with a palomino popup camper at about 1000# is getting about 14.5 mpg
average for crooked, hilly roads and 70 mph on the freeway. Will tow in
two
weeks for the 1st time. Needed 500 miles before towing and after weekend
trip I have a 1000 miles.
Bill

Thanks for the reply Bill. With what all of the guys that have posted on
this, I am getting the opinion that I am going to be underpowered for sure
with an 18' fiberglass boat. As I am not a tournament fisherman and tend to
fish smaller lakes your experience with the little Chevy just reinforces my
original feeling that smaller (in my case) is probably better, I'll probably
try and find a boat in the 15-17 ft range with trailer brakes. If it works
for me and the wife fine. I can always sell the rig later (boat or truck or
both) once I have enough experience to actually know. Buying used allows me
that option.

Your truck sounds powerful enough and big enough to be really comfortable.
The diesel with its MPG's is a good option I think. I towed a popup all over
the west some years ago. Really enjoyed those adventures. I was pulling with
a Jeep CJ at the time. I set the trailer up on top of its springs for more
ground clearance. Worked well, but was hard on the integrity of the Colman
when we towed it back into the bush. Have fun..........

brian