Am I crazy for considering this?
- Thread starter Tejas
- Start date
DavidR1
New member
Dang, what the heck are you towing? Must be a large boat or RV if for personal?
Either way, 4Runner isn't going to work for this. Best off to buy a used huge pickup for your towing duties. Maybe even rent if it is only for a limited time?
No half-ton truck chassis will ever match that of a true HD. The F-150 can tow 12,500lbs but it doesn't mean that it should. Brakes, transmission, and the frame itself factor in a lot more when it comes to heavy weight.
Yes, a large off-shore boat. A diesel HD is the only answer here, no half-ton will ever do for this job, period!
I am considering buying one as a third vehicle now, a stripped down trim model to keep the cost down.
Don't forget the two FJC Trails Teams, three Super Duties, countless Jeeps, and a few classics like the 1972 Ford Bronco I had ten years ago, the cars are another story but I am done messing with those. I am a car nut so I know why I like to keep it fresh, but part of me thinks I will never be fully happy with any one vehicle.
The 4Runner is listed in the classifieds as we speak, I am testing the waters on the private sale "as is" versus the trade offers I have already received from a few dealers.
I am ok with hanging onto it for another year, but I am also content with selling it any day now. Neither direction has won me over just yet. If I continue to mod it then I'll likely stay interested for another year or more but I know in the end that it'll go on down the road one day so why bother and throw that money away? Both sides have valid arguments.
More comments like that and I just might have to keep it lol.
ChrisJHarney
New member
If you like tackling technical, narrow trails in comfort, you could do a lot worse than a built 4runner. If you need a rock crawler.......well, seeing what you've built over the years I can safely assume you probably already know what you need by now.
Buying a low trim truck with the towing power you need seems like a really good idea financially. If you're concerned at all with residual value of a vehicle over time, you can't do much worse than a premium trim 1 ton truck. On the other hand, a well maintained low or mid level truck holds it value much better.
GripT4R
Banned
I have no use for a truck that isnt a 4runner.
In the future ill build another race car, but ill be able to tow it with the 4runner.
Now its the wife, dog, and myself. We do plan on having our first child pretty soon, and the 4runner will still be great for a kid.
Go get a truck if you need one.
In the future ill build another race car, but ill be able to tow it with the 4runner.
Now its the wife, dog, and myself. We do plan on having our first child pretty soon, and the 4runner will still be great for a kid.
Go get a truck if you need one.
Agreed, the top trims plummet fast, after all, the only difference between the top trim and work trim trucks are all of the electronic gadgets and interior furnishings/appointments. I will add a low option base model truck when the time comes.
I came from a 2013 Tundra Rock Warrior.
I understand. I wasn't towing an off shore Cat/Vee whatever you got, but I was pulling race car trailer and supporting gear.
All told about 7K. This was out of the range of the 4runner, hence the Tundra choice back then. Tundra towed ok at that level, but man it required a bunch of planning and soft hands and feet on the controls.
I can't imagine 18K, wouldn't you be in an F550 Top Kick type range?
I went to a 4runner as I needed to get to work and back in 1 tank, including day care drop off and pick up. I sold the trailer, but still have the race car.
Do what you want.
Good thing about the 4runner holding value, you won't lose too much more if you hold onto it for a year. Esp since the 2020 is minor improvements yet again.
I understand. I wasn't towing an off shore Cat/Vee whatever you got, but I was pulling race car trailer and supporting gear.
All told about 7K. This was out of the range of the 4runner, hence the Tundra choice back then. Tundra towed ok at that level, but man it required a bunch of planning and soft hands and feet on the controls.
I can't imagine 18K, wouldn't you be in an F550 Top Kick type range?
I went to a 4runner as I needed to get to work and back in 1 tank, including day care drop off and pick up. I sold the trailer, but still have the race car.
Do what you want.
Good thing about the 4runner holding value, you won't lose too much more if you hold onto it for a year. Esp since the 2020 is minor improvements yet again.
The last boat was a 38' with triples, the next one will be slightly longer and will have quads. With the hull weighing over 12,000lbs before any electronics, rigging, accessories and the outboards weighing 600+ (depending on model), these things get heavy fast. That weight doesn't include the 44' triple axle trailer or rods/reels/tackle, fuel, water, and ice either.
I need to sit back and wait until the time draws closer, then I can snag a truck when it's go time once again.
I’d be shopping for a 1 ton dually with an 8 foot box at that weight. That’ll give you plenty of extra capacity for passengers, cargo, etc. A SRW 3/4 ton diesel is going to be maxed out at 18K and once you’re loaded to fish - I imagine you’ll be at 20K plus with quads and a 40’ plus offshore hull/electronics - that’s a lot of boat! Will you need oversized permits for that beast?? I personally don’t like to tow at over 2/3 of the max rating. Saw your Pro listed - sweet ride! GLWS.
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Horsethief
New member
With a boat that large, would you be better off just docking or mooring it? All my friends with boats do that. Then again, those are sailboats and we're in the northeast, so it may be a completely different situation than what you have where you are.
If that's possible though, maybe you could just have the boat moved in/out for the season and not need to buy a tow rig for it.
We only tow it a few miles so the dually is over kill outside of those 30 minutes lol. They ride like absolute dog crap when not loaded down and it's a beating to live with one for daily use. I would be maxed out on paper with the 250/2500 but the truck is more than capable of handling it.
The listing is more or less just testing the water, I doubt I sell it haha.
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If we could get a slip with a hoist for the boat where we fish then yes it would be sitting at the dock. There is only one place that can handle that size boat in a lift and as you can imagine it's a hot commodity and there's a wait list many years long. I refuse to put bottom paint on a CC and leave it in the water like a yacht, oh the humanity lol.
Years back we had a twin inboard diesel 38' boat with a covered hoisted slip that was supposedly up to the task for that kind of weight. One day we found out otherwise when we got a pic of the back end of our boat sitting in the water and the bow pointing skyward. Talk about your heart sinking, that was a messy situation with the marinas insurance and lawyers.
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Toffees
Member
I'd buy a used F250 and keep the 4R. You'll spend on maintenance, but save about $30k off the face of it, and it should get you where you want to be with minimal inconvenience. It won't be as sexy as a brand new beast, but $30k in your pocket can be sexy too.
I spoke with the misses about this at length last night and we touched base again this morning and she agrees that it makes more sense to keep the 4Runner, continue to build it and use it as a daily/beach vehicle/weekend adventure rig and then add a lower trim diesel truck next year or when the new boat comes.
So after all of this research, truck shopping, constant back and forth and continually doubting myself, I can finally put this issue to bed. The 4Runner listing has been withdrawn and she will get to stick around.
Now I need to get back on track with the build and decide wether or not I should move forward with the interior stuff first (sleep platform, electrical, drawers) or go ahead and put some King's under it to make way for the bumpers and winch?
So after all of this research, truck shopping, constant back and forth and continually doubting myself, I can finally put this issue to bed. The 4Runner listing has been withdrawn and she will get to stick around.
Now I need to get back on track with the build and decide wether or not I should move forward with the interior stuff first (sleep platform, electrical, drawers) or go ahead and put some King's under it to make way for the bumpers and winch?
