50 replies to this topic

[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.