Do I have a big enough truck?

Addicted2Koke · 02-24-2010, 03:45 PM

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 3.4 ltr...From what I can tell, it is rated at 5,000 lb towing capacity.

I was curious if my truck would be able to tow a 16' fiberglass boat as my truck is 2wd. I am not worried about the launches as the ones I want to use are not bad ones. I am more worried about long trips and up/down hill driving while towing a boat.

foxer · 02-24-2010, 03:50 PM

Shouldnt be a problem. Go to a weigh station and check the weight if your worried.

hookumhi · 02-24-2010, 03:50 PM

That sounds a little lite in the butt to me . But I'm one of the types that likes to play it safe rather than sorry. just my .02

Addicted2Koke · 02-24-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxer

Shouldnt be a problem. Go to a weigh station and check the weight if your worried.

Wasn't sure that I could do that, thought it was for big rigs only.

cmb1998 · 02-24-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addicted2Koke

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 3.4 ltr...From what I can tell, it is rated at 5,000 lb towing capacity.

I was curious if my truck would be able to tow a 16' fiberglass boat as my truck is 2wd. I am not worried about the launches as the ones I want to use are not bad ones. I am more worried about long trips and up/down hill driving while towing a boat.

I towed a 20ft Bluewater Ski Boat with a 350IB (3800lbs empty) for years with a 1996 Tacoma 4x4. Many trips to Chelan and Shasta that were over 1000 miles. Never had a problem. It actually towed better than my tundra...but not as well as the v10 f350.

I wouldn't launch a boat with a 2wd truck though. Wet tires, sand, and a heavy boat don't make a good combo for pulling a boat out of the water. I have seen many trucks stuck (including a 2wd taco last summer). If you have the TRD package with the rear locker your probably ok though.

Later,

Chris

FanOFishin · 02-24-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addicted2Koke

Wasn't sure that I could do that, thought it was for big rigs only.

If the weigh stations don't work you might be able to go to a scale at a nearby landfill and get weighed, I've done that before in Cowlitz County.

shawn b · 02-24-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addicted2Koke

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 3.4 ltr...From what I can tell, it is rated at 5,000 lb towing capacity.

I was curious if my truck would be able to tow a 16' fiberglass boat as my truck is 2wd. I am not worried about the launches as the ones I want to use are not bad ones. I am more worried about long trips and up/down hill driving while towing a boat.

no prob your toyota wont even know you are towing that little boat

Addicted2Koke · 02-24-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn b

no prob your toyota wont even know you are towing that little boat

It's kind of funny, that's why I ask...Some people say no problem, others say it's not a good idea.

easydoesit86 · 02-24-2010, 09:00 PM

I'd just check your tires on your truck, add up the load rating for them, then figure how much extra weight you have to play with. Togue weight is probably less than 500lbs, but the added sway will hurt if you have a lower rated tired.

YoungBuck28 · 02-24-2010, 09:42 PM

We towed a 23?ft travel trailer with our Toyota T100 that has the same engine. Your boat should weigh much less than that and you'll do fine. Only thing I'd worry about is two wheel drive if you'll be using unimproved boat launches.

YoungBuck28 · 02-24-2010, 09:42 PM

nvm i read your first post. You will be just fine w/ your yota

cubsfan · 02-24-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addicted2Koke

It's kind of funny, that's why I ask...Some people say no problem, others say it's not a good idea.

You'll know it's back there, no doubt. But I'd imagine you're fine. Maybe get some trailer brakes or something. A sixteen foot boat should be not issue, even if its a little heavy set. My buddy hauled a 17' Olympic with a ranger, no problems at all. In fact, it did well.

MattPark · 02-24-2010, 10:53 PM

I don't care what 16' boat you have, it won't be 5k. You will be fine.

Tire ratings are for the weight on the tire, not the weight towed, and again, you are golden.

justfish · 02-25-2010, 08:04 AM

You really need to go weigh your boat/trailer,don't guess. If your within your tow rating you should be good to go as far as pulling. Stopping is another factor, any thing over 1500 # should have it's own brakes.

Ramp traction might be an issue also, a locking rear diff would help.

Sgt.Slaughter · 02-25-2010, 11:48 AM

funny u ask as i just bought an 18ft Fiberform i/o that i plan on towing with an 02 4runner limited i think same motor...3.4 4cam v6 haven't launched yet but i figure take it easy and use 4wd low when launching should be fine...the thing that worries me more is the wheelbase length with the boat/trailer being longer than the vehicle....i go to tri-cities o sat. to pick the boat up and i'm gonna borrow my folk's 02 tundra just to be on the safe side in the gorge

NW DuckHunter · 02-25-2010, 11:43 PM

My concerns would be your transmission and your breaks. As far as the trans I would add an auxillary cooler. And for the brakes maybe add some crossed drilled rotors with some high temp pads. Other than that try it.

catfishman89 · 02-28-2010, 12:21 PM

I drive a 99 ford escort with a 130 hp 4 banger and tow my 14 foot 800 pound klamath over mountains with no problems. V6 has plenty of torque just watch your speed with that sticky pedal.

Fishnchips · 02-28-2010, 08:04 PM

That Toy should do just fine! Just make sure you situate your boat to give you some tounge weight. Maybe transport with gear moved forward in the boat or put it in the back of the truck bed.

Make sure you have good brakes on the trailer. That pickup doesn't have much lead in the arse to keep things tracking right in a hard-braking turn.

As far as launching and recovering- Toyota rear ends are very easy to work on (very similar to a Ford 9"). Might want to look into a locker or limited slip, ($250-600). Some Toyotas came with LSD (limited slip diff). TRUE 2WD, not open diff, should give plenty of traction on most boat ramps.

+1 for transmission cooler if it's an auto! * Local wrecking yards have great deals on coolers, Ford full sized pickups have some NICE units on them. I have one on my Chevy!
$60+ at the auto part store or $10 for a used one...
I think it's better to install the cooler downstream of the stock one if it's inside the radiator. This will allow your trans to warm fine but also provide added cooling when you need it. If you have a small external one already, I would mount a larger one in parallel next to it.

RiverJohn · 03-01-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addicted2Koke

I have a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 3.4 ltr...From what I can tell, it is rated at 5,000 lb towing capacity.

I was curious if my truck would be able to tow a 16' fiberglass boat as my truck is 2wd. I am not worried about the launches as the ones I want to use are not bad ones. I am more worried about long trips and up/down hill driving while towing a boat.

Automatics actually help on those little trucks, manual tranny's coupled with 2wd may will help you fry your clutch on the ramps.

You will smell it !!

Been there done that.

Toyota makes great trucks though.

Maybe it will get you by for awhile.

GOOD LUCK !!

sarg88 · 03-02-2010, 07:40 PM

i've towed my 22 foot alumaweld intruder with our 4runner v6. no problem for power at all. little loose on the sway due to low side wall rating on the tires. I wouldnt sweat it. my boat dwarfs our 4runner.

AlseaAssassin · 03-03-2010, 11:28 AM

I've got an 95 Taco with the 3.4 V-6 and it yarded my 19 foot whitewater around for 2 years. That being said the tranny is making some interesting sounds these days and the breaks went as well. If your not towing all that much I'm sure it will be fine but (at least in my experience) my truck is not the same as it once was due to towing my sled. I ended up getting a seperate tow rig and use the Yota for commuting now. I wouldn't trust the tow rating as even towing my DB at 60 will over heat the auto tranny. Get a cooler as others have mentioned but it is a light truck.

Chrome Bumper · 03-03-2010, 12:27 PM

If you are under 5' 6" tall you will need a much bigger truck.

No Fish Left B-hind · 03-03-2010, 12:52 PM

Maybe an excuse to get a bigger truck???

fishkisser · 03-03-2010, 02:16 PM

You never seem to have a big enough truck ...

Just Fish · 03-03-2010, 02:50 PM

I think a 1/2 ton pickup like ford, chevy you get the point should be the min as a tow vechical for your boat.

Twoshottom · 03-03-2010, 07:12 PM

I think it will work fine especially with a 6 cylinder.

Have your buddy get in the back of the truck for a little weight when you pull out of the boat ramp.

fishgetter · 03-04-2010, 07:40 AM

If you have to ask it is not big enough. Nothing is worse than not being able to pull your own boat out of the water because of a steep, slimy, wet ramp. May work most of the time, but there may be issues ahead.

Good luck!

weekender · 03-05-2010, 10:05 AM

Is it a 5 speed or an auto? Those things are kind of slugs with an auto. I would know, I drive a 4 runner with that motor. It's crazy what you see people dragging down the highway. I had a 19' NR that was around 4500# on the scale and I didn't like towing it behind the 4runner. I always got there, but I never felt like I was doing my rig any favors.

skaha · 03-05-2010, 10:29 AM

--nice to have stuff... I put air ride suspension in, not to try and increase load but to level the ride plus good tires.
--found the air ride handy when picking up top soil etc. again just to level load.
--also a little air reduced wheel hop on a tight corner with no weight in the back

--agree with adjusting hitch weight.. move boat position on the trailer to get decent load on the hitch.

--that boat should be no where near 5000 lbs you might even want to add some weight to truck bed over wheel wells .
--I had factory installed tow package..( hitch and tranney cooler) be cautions of adding tranney cooler unless you know what you're doing they can be hooked up the wrong way and cause more damage than good.
--toyo's stock cooling system is good enough for recreational haul.
--I am comfortable with towiing around 3000 lbs, 17.5 ft boat with serge breaks on my tacoma.. gas mileage about 18 mpg

--this is all fine tune, try it like it is first.

luv2catch · 03-05-2010, 11:37 AM

Pretty sure the Prerunners come with locking rear diff., at least all the Prerunners I looked @ had it. Also, he said the launches he'll use are not bad, so that's not much of an issue anyway.

What type of weight are we talking about for a 16 ft glass boat? 1k - 2k? If so, you should be more than fine. 3k or 4k, may want to look for another solution. I'm ignorant as can be when it comes to knowing the weight of boats. But I am reasonably familiar with these trucks and what you've got should be fine if it doesn't weigh over 2500.

dog501 · 03-06-2010, 08:39 AM

I tow a 19 ft Arima hard top with a 115 4 stroke and 8 hp 4 stroke with my 03 4 runner and it does just fine. My Arima weighs around 4000 lb on the trailer.

RiverJohn · 03-06-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dog501

I tow a 19 ft Arima hard top with a 115 4 stroke and 8 hp 4 stroke with my 03 4 runner and it does just fine. My Arima weighs around 4000 lb on the trailer.

4X4's do great on the slippery ramps. Not so sure a little Tacoma 2wd pickup is a fair comparison.

4Runners are awsome overperformers, wife drives one.

Surfnsully · 03-07-2010, 03:29 PM

I have a toyota tacoma 2006 4X4 and towed my 16' Clacka to Montana and back last summer and had ZERO issues. However, a two wheel drive would be difficult on some ramps. Good Luck.

Lars · 03-07-2010, 07:33 PM

If you have to ask then no.

1pump · 03-15-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Wasn't sure that I could do that, thought it was for big rigs only.

Most permanent (not jump) scales are on 24/7, even if they're closed and the shack is locked up. If you pull in you'll see the digital display mounted on a pole in front of you. You'll have to do axle weight, but that's just basic math.
I'd probably avoid using one if it was open just out of courtesy.