Is a Tacoma enough to tow a 2008 XLV

[Beas]

I'm new to all of this, so pardon the dumb answers. Yall can make fun of me too, it wont bother me . I bought a Tacoma last year with hopes of getting a wake boat in the near future. Obviously it worked out and I ended up with a 2008 XLV GG edition.

the math... 2020 Tacoma TRD off road 4x4, its rated to tow 6300-6800#s. The boat is 3600#s, maybe 4600#s with the trailer. So, obviously, I'm in the range.

I have no experience towing, but it doesn't feel all that comfortable. No problems getting it in and out of the water, but I can't envision driving 4 hours on the interstate to take it to a lake out of town. It just feels like its straining the truck.

Do I need to bite the bullet and upgrade my truck, or is that just the feeling towing that weight?

Thanks for any input.

[Jason1975]

based on tow rating you should be fine, but I am not sure you want my opinion. My rule for towing is always bigger is better. I never exceed 60% of my tow rating. Meaning the most i would tow with a 10k tow rating is 6k lbs. But thats just me. My thought is exactly what you said, just add'l wear on my truck.

[2in2out]

Your Tacoma is feeling the weight. I towed a double jet ski trailer with two Honda aguatrax on it, with a total weight of 4300 on high Sierra roads (6000ft). It strained with that weight and the width of the trailer didn’t allow for good rear view vision for merging in and out of traffic.

Braking was another issue. Contact surface of the tires was less because the tires we were running were less than many half-ton pick-ups. Traction on the ramp or beach launching was another issue.

Depending on how you set your Tacoma up, front wheel contact may be affected by the tongue weight making steering difficult.

I would suggest that you look for a larger tow vehicle if you are going to spend that much time on the road with your boat.


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[HFarr]

I didn't know that a Toyota could tow anything. THERE! Now the ice is broken, so now let the brand battles begin!

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[HFarr]

In all honesty though, your tire choice and rear pressure makes a big difference in how it "feels" when driving. Also if the Toyota has any sort of lift kit or different spring/suspension package on it. Like a Baja kit that would soften the ride. Do you get much squat when hooked up?

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[sandm]

dry weight is 3600. add gas, oil, gear, etc and you are easily 4k(and remember some boats don't include options in dry weight and for some, tower was an option). add trailer and now at 5k.
now add all the gear in the truck, passengers and that vehicle is likely at or over capacity.

will it tow it? sure. will it put an extra load on the tranny? will it stop if you need to? those are the questions you should be asking.

flatland in wisconsin a mile to the ramp where we used to live? absolutely all day long.
towing up grade 15 miles to the lake in boise or 20 miles to the ramp here at mead? I'd sell it in a heartbeat.

had a 99 ford ranger 4.0 4x4 when we bought the supra back in 07. lighter boat than yours. 2nd trip to the lake outside boise, once we got back I was at the lot buying a half ton truck. I knew it was not going to last towing.

[Beas]

I'm in a good spot to make the switch. Bought at a perfect time last year when the dealers seems desperate. It has 19k miles on it now and my trade it offer is more than I paid for it.

I don't do a ton of towing. It stays in the neighborhood marina, but I just took it out to clean a few weeks ago and took it out Saturday because of Ida.

I guess the answer is, if I want to feel comfortable making trips and being on the road with the boat then I need to upgrade. If I'm cool with just keeping it in the marina then I'm probably good?

Though the legroom in the backseat of the Taco is crap...my 3 kids aren't getting smaller!

[Holdmybeer]

Your Tacoma will be fine, but like everyone is saying, could lead to additional maintenance. Oil changes, shocks, tires etc.

If the trailer has brakes, even surge brakes, that will help save the trucks. Use any type of tow/haul mode that Toyota offers. Do not tow in Drive, use 4th or 5th to keep yourself in the power band and the cooling system working. It will only get 9-10mpg but this is expected.

I towed 6hrs to Norris this year with my Mojo, and the whole house worth of gear. The yukon is rated at 8300 and I was pushing 8K fully loaded. It only sucks to getting to moving and stopping, so take you time and go slow.

When pulling out of the water, do not be afraid to use 4x4. The front wheels will always be on dry pavement and helps. Where are you located? Altitude kills power so that might be part of the problem also.

If you can upgrade then to it. Most trucks are fetching a premium but the problem is you have to buy the new one at a premium.

[Beas]

I'm in Mississippi so no altitude issues. I do drive it in 3rd, then bump up to 4th.

Boatmate trailer does have the surge brakes.

I've always put it in 4x4 to get the boat out.

Being new to this boating scene....everything is a mystery and a new experience for me. I just don't like the added white knuckle driving. If upgrading to a Sierra or a Tundra gives me one less thing to worry about I'll probably do it.

I just didn't know if my concerns were valid or not.

[2in2out]

I'm in Mississippi so no altitude issues. I do drive it in 3rd, then bump up to 4th.

Boatmate trailer does have the surge brakes.

I've always put it in 4x4 to get the boat out.

Being new to this boating scene....everything is a mystery and a new experience for me. I just don't like the added white knuckle driving. If upgrading to a Sierra or a Tundra gives me one less thing to worry about I'll probably do it.

I just didn't know if my concerns were valid or not.

Do not upgrade to a Tundra. The experience will be lacking. The F-150 ecoboost is where I’d put my money if going new.

If used is your path, stay away from a tundra. You’ll pay too high a price going in, and the experience will leave you wanting.


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