Anybody Towing a Boat Out There?

[kilojuliett]

Hi folks,

I am sold on the 4Runnner. I just cannot figure out which model to go for; a 2008 V-6 / V-8/ 2WD / 4WD. I am in Arizona so it is really hot in the summer! I will be towing a gross weight 3300 lb. boat. Two adults plus camping gear in the car. We have lots of hills in AZ plus the usual challenges at the launch ramps. No off roading but the average trip length to a lake from my neck of the woods will be 3-5 hours on good paved roads with long hills. Anybody care to chime in? Can I get away with a 4-6 2WD or should I bit the bullit and get a V-8 4WD?

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have the V6 in Florida and do some towing. The V6 will absolutely do your mission. A V8 would be my choice in AZ for you mission especially if those 3-5 hour rides are at fast highway speeds (75-90mph). The temps and elevations of AZ would leave the V6 needing to be run if 4th gear a good bit is my guess.

As far as 4wd is concerned, that's your preference. The V8 4wd would provide a wondefully stable, all weather platform for your adventures.

Just my 2cents Good luck.

:cheers:

 

[14 snow]

I tow boats and snowmobiles with my 4 Runner. I currently have an 08 V6 4WD. My last one was an 03 V8 Sport.

Both trucks tow well however, for comparison sake, I slightly prefer my old V8 as I found it shifted less than the 6 and had more torque.

That being said, both will do, you may not need or want the added expense of the V8.

 

[Muskie Junkie]

I would recomend the 2wd V6. Not only are you going to save money on the initial purchase but you'll save a lot of money in gas. I have a 3000 lbs boat and the V6.

Look at it this way, fast forward 8 years and 100,000 miles. How many of those miles did you NEED 4wd and how many did you NEED to have the extra power of the V8?

If you're like the rest of us, most of your driving is garden variety to work and back stuff. Where you don't need either 4wd or a V8.

 

[NDRYDEN123]

here's my $0.02. as far as the motor goes, I would go with the v8. I've towed countless boats of all sizes and weights and the torque of the v8 was well worth it. as far as gas goes, the worst I got while towing was around 16 mpg. when not towing, I get around 18 to 19 mpg. about the 4wd, if your not going to ever use it, don't get it. but with that said, I've seen 2wd vehicles spin tires trying to get up boat ramps. mine has 4wd and has never spun out going up ramps. that's just my opinion, but regardless of what you do, you are going to be buying an excellent vehicle.

 

[ssnider]

I have a V8 4wd and would not want to be towing a boat bigger than 15ft with a V6 2wd. I towed this 19ft whaler (not sure on the weight) this summer a couple of times and did not have extra power to spare. I have never towed with a V6 so i am not sure what the torque is like. Pulling this out of the water at a wet slimy boat launch I was very happy to have the 4wd. You see 2wd trucks spinning their tires all over the place. I think the 4wd is a must with towing.
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[boston_kevin]

I tow a 4200 lbs boat and trailer plus gear with my V6 without any issues. This is the 3rd year I have towed this setup (22' boat and dual axle trailer) and never had any problems with long hills, but then again, I don't race up or down hills either. I gear down going up/down hills and generally avoid overdrive and stay under 70. My recommendations would be to add a transmission cooler if you go with a V6 as the V8 has an external cooler in addition to the internal cooler the V6 has.... Especially in the heat, this would be highly recommended!

As far as towing, V6 versus V8, it has been discussed at length here, but the V8 has some extra torque and HP that may help with very heavy loads, but under 5k, you probably won't notice much of a difference. When you are not towing, the V6 does do better on fuel, no question about it.

 

[inshore4runner]

go with the v8, a 3000lb boat is not light by any means. you dont need the 4wd, unless you plan to do some offroading. my neighbors old v6 ranger with a manual tranny would yank his HEAVY 17 keywest up the ramp no matter how wet it is.... with my v6 i tow a 15 key west with a galvanized trailer, and hardly feel it back there. but my total weight is only around 1500-1700 lbs. and for towing you will definately want street tires, they will get you much better traction at the ramp.... hope this helps, i live on the coast and work at a tackle shop, so i tow mine and my neigbors boats frequently.....

 

[97hb]

I tow a 2200lbs boat with no problems V6 4X4. Also tow a 2300lbs car with tow dolly no problems. I have towed more than 4hours one way. Just always make sure you have fresh trans fluid, change mine pretty frequently.

 

[sbbamafan]

My boat, trailer and gear weighs in at about 4300# on the scale. My '06 V6 tows it better than any truck i have had including a Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd and a Dodge Dakota 2wd. FWIW - both of these trucks had V8's. The 4R is a towing machine. I have towed my rig about 4 hours (with hills and mountains) and have never really wished for any more power. I bought my 4R because I simply wanted the most fuel efficient vehicle that could haul my rig and get the best mileage. The only other vehicle I considered was a Jeep Liberty - what a POS! My mileage is about 50% better than either of the trucks. I have no regrets and I will tell you that you couldn't go wrong with either engine. As for 2wd vs 4wd, that is a judgement call. I kind of wish I had it, but not for towing. I have never had any problem at all at launch ramps. The 4R has a number of traction control devices that will keep you from getting stuck and they do a marvelous job. Again, none of these measures even come into play at a ramp. The only reason I would like 4wd is because I want to play in our annual or semi-annual 1" of snow. I also would not mind trying offroading a bit.

 

[4RunnerFan]

I also think the V-6 would work well. That's what we have to tow our 2800# rig here in Minnesota. No mountains as such, but lots of rolling hills. Ours has 4WD, but we've never needed it at the ramp, and we've launched over 20 times at a dozen different launches and have yet to need it. The 4WD comes in handy, however, in the winter. By the way, we tow primarily in 4th gear, using overdrive only on downhill and level roads, simply because that's what the owner's manual insists upon. Perhaps we could have used overdrive more often, but shy to do it since we don't have a transmission cooler. Still managed to get 18 mpg at 60 mph with a strong cross wind on a 212 mile trip this summer.

 

[maine runner]

I highly recommend 4x4 for ramps. Have pulled dozens of boats out for owners with 2 wd tow vehicles. Would pick a V6 4wd over a V8 2wd

Ssnider - The 1990-91 Outrage 19 hull weighs 1250 + engine (350)+ fuel (500) + gear (150) + trailer (450). ~ 2500 lbs minimum. (I own an '91 Outrage 17)

 

[cmb]

boat tow

Kevin we just got back from a 1000 mile tow with our 08 V6 4x4.Went to Canada on a fishing vacation. We stay at a cabin where you better have 4 wheel drive if you even want to get your rig TO the launch ramp.I was mindful to keep the tranny in lock-up all I could,(4th gear up the hills and below highway speeds) the 4R was as capable as my 06 Tundra with the 4.7 on the highway, and better when off the road.We had to consider the 90% on the road mileage we'll get, verses a little more 'seat of the pants power ' when we tow.I think we made the right choice for us.Our boat weighs in at 3500lbs or so.

 

[ssnider]

Thanks for the weight breakdown Maine Runner

I think I am going to need my V8 and 4wd when I pull my new project out of the water this weekend. The trailer just weighed in at 1,200 lbs and the manual for the boat says its appox. 4,000lbs. 5,200 will be the most I have towed behind the 4runner so far but I think it can handle it. The interesting part is going to be stopping since the drum brakes are shot. I think I will be fine since there are no hills where I need to take it.

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[OtherGuy]

my '04 V6 2WD tows a 18.5" triumph without any problems. i did add a transmission cooler and airbags. crappy pic, but the best one i have so far.

 

[thumper]

I just got back from a vacation in Phoenix, so I'm pretty familiar with the roads and hills you'll be driving.

If I were you, I'd strongly suggest the V8. With the weight of the boat you'll be towing, getting up those hills will give your truck quite a workout!

As far as the 4WD, it'll depend on your boat ramps. I wanted 4WD around here because we had a drought last year and the lakes were so low, we had to back down the ramp really far to get the boat off the trailer. Not having 4WD would have made it impossible to get back out of the water. Ask me how I know