First Towing Test for my 5th Gen

[Fuzzylogic]

I pulled the flats boat (Talon with a 150 Evinrude) out to the river today. This is the first towing test for my new T4R. I had some concerns about how this would work out. My Titan hardly noticed the boat, even on our dirt/sand boat ramp on the St. Johns River.

The boat isn't light. It's a Talon tunnel hull, with lots of gear and a tower station. Filled with gear, ice in the cooler and gas (as it was today) with the trailer the weight probably approached 3,800 lbs. That's certainly not pushing the limit for the T4R. But, it is a good representation of what many of us will do with our vehicles.

Well...in have to say, the v6 is totally up to the task (if I were in North Carolina...maybe it would be challenged more by the hills...but it would probably be ok). It had plenty of torque for accelerating onto the highway and keeping up with traffic pulling the boat. I also had quite a bit of gear in the cargo area. I can say that the rear end did not squat badly at all. And the suspension felt great.

Here's another test that it passed with flying colors...Our boat ramp is comprised of sand/dirt. I always use 4 Lo in this situation...better for the equipment...but, it's not an easy extraction. However, it literally idled out of the hole, pulling the boat up the unimproved ramp without a single slip.

I'm more impressed every day with this thing's capabilities.:cheers:

 

[philsey]

Thanks for a nice report. I'm a boater, and always watch for towing experiences.

 

[Fuzzylogic]

Thanks for a nice report. I'm a boater, and always watch for towing experiences.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. I can't figure out how to do it with my iPad. Still learning how to use it.

 

[TTown]

Thanks for the info. It is probably my one concern for the vehicle. We don't have a boat now, but have been talking about getting one.

 

[Fuzzylogic]

First Towing Excusion Pics.

Thanks for the info. It is probably my one concern for the vehicle. We don't have a boat now, but have been talking about getting one.

OK..finally gave up trying to do this with the iPad...Here are some pics...

 

[Fuzzylogic]

Thanks for the info. It is probably my one concern for the vehicle. We don't have a boat now, but have been talking about getting one.

This little guy supervised our activities...

 

[Fuzzylogic]

Thanks for a nice report. I'm a boater, and always watch for towing experiences.

Well...I do have some experiences that should have ended up on America's Funniest Home Videos. Years ago, I had my Dad's boat out for the weekend. The bilge pumps had failed (of which I was unaware). On the way home from the river, we were caught in an epic Florida rain storm. All of God's water landed on the highway we were traveling.

I had not removed the drain plug after recovering the boat. So...here I am trying to figure out why my Dad's Suburban couldn't pull his 21' Regal bow rider more than 40 miles per hour.

I am the person that proved that you can sink a boat on a trailer on dry land. I don't know how many gallons of water a 21' bow rider can hold with the plug in and a burned out bilge pump. But, I can tell you it takes about 25 minutes to drain the water out.

By the way...this should have been a case study for trailer manufacturer. It should have collapsed under that weight.

 

[Riser]

Great pics


Holy hell about that croc!

 

[Fuzzylogic]

Great pics


Holy hell about that croc!

LOL! No...that's just a little alligator, not a croc. He was only about 3 feet long. We have much...much larger ones here than that!

I haven't seen any crocs on the river. We do have them in South Florida in the Everglades.

 

[oakjefferson]

Love it, almost the exact weight the boat we're getting will be. Never towed before but one of the reasons I bought the 4runner was for this. Can't wait to give it a try

 

[Titanpat57]

That's pretty cool!

p.s. so far your like the 3rd-4th Titan guy I've run into here..still miss it all the time (except the gas bill)..but a hell of a lot less since the 4Runner!

 

[Antman]

Yup, I came from a Titan with the big/tow package too. It was a beast, but I'm completely satisfied with my T4R's towing capabilities as well! I pull a Scout 162 Sportfish to the launching ramp at least once per week.

Nice boat ya got there!