Towing Boat With V6

[kerryst]

Good day to all!
Thanks to the cost of gas my wife convinced me to go with the 2008 SR5 V6 with the maximum tow capacity of 5000#, ( I do average around 21.5MPG) This week I ran into a sweet deal on a boat which I can not let slip buy. The boat with trailer/motor/gas/misc. will run around 2800#. The boat is 18' and total package length says 20' 10". I have a 5000# hitch and dont plan on driving for more than 100 miles one way at any given time. My main question is will it put too much wear and tear on the truck and will it be less of a comfortable ride? I have noticed that my 4runner feels a little loose with a little wind, will having a boat make the situation even worse?

Thanks in advance!!!

Here is the boat information:
http://www.mako-boats.com/boat/?boat=2812

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Good day to all!
Thanks to the cost of gas my wife convinced me to go with the 2008 SR5 V6 with the maximum tow capacity of 5000#, ( I do average around 21.5MPG) This week I ran into a sweet deal on a boat which I can not slip buy. The boat with trailer/motor/gas/misc. will run around 2800#. The boat is 18' and total package length says 20' 10". I have a 5000# hitch and dont plan on driving for more than 100 miles one way at any given time. My main question is will it put too much wear and tear on the truck and will it be less of a comfortable ride? I have noticed that my 4runner feels a little loose with a little wind, will having a boat make the situation even worse?

Thanks in advance!!!

Here is the boat information:
http://www.mako-boats.com/boat/?boat=2812

T4R's are very durable, the boat is well within limits. Try 4hi when it's windy or towing, it'll help with the stability. Verify the tires are inflated properly. Not many refer to the T4R as 'loose'. I guess it depends on what you were driving last; the loose comment is why I suggested checking the tires.

2800lbs is heavy enough that some surge disc brakes would be nice. I think Toyota recommends/requires trailer brakes over 1500 or 2000lbs.

Bottom line is enjoy your new ride, enjoy your boat, you've got a great setup. :bigok: When the T4R has 90k on it the only way you'll know that it's towed the boat is the knicks in the bumper from backing into the trailer:lmao:

There's some extra maint for vehicles that tow, abide by the towing maint schedule.
http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/index.php



:cheers:

 

[kerryst]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I am not sure what you mean by 4hi. I dont own a 4x4 so I would figure 4L would give the vehicle more power/control. The loose feeling I am describing is possibly due to the fact that I had a Mazda 6 that hugged the ground. I also have an F150 with a wider track. Both of these felt less "shaky". When you are in the 4runner and the wind is blowing 15+ MPH to the side unlike my other cars you can really feel it push you. Possibly due to the larger body area of an SUV and shorter wheel base compared to a full size truck. I guess the more inflated the tires, the less stable?

 

[phil123]

That's a sweet bay boat. Your 4runner will have no problem towing it. The only thing I would be cautious of if you are towing at highway speeds is your transmission jumping in and out of overdrive. If this happens just manually shift to 4th and leave it there to avoid the excessive heat that all that shifting creates.

I've got a 2003 V6 and I've towed a boat weighing around 3500 lbs many times with no problems.

 

[boston_kevin]

I regularly tow a 4200 lb boat/trailer with my '04 V6. There are a couple of recommendations if you plan to tow this much regularly...

1) Transmission cooler - about $300 installed or $150 if you do the install. Cheap insurance against overheating the transmission.

2) Add the V8 tow hitch - increases your tow capacity to 6700 lbs and adds additional frame mounting points for the hitch.

As far as 4Hi - a lot depends on the conditions. Rainy/Snow - use 4Hi. Other than that I haven't noticed too much difference when towing this load. I always use 4Hi on the boat ramps, or 4L if it may be slippery (like low tide or really wet ramps).

Tow mirrors help, but I found the mirrors on the 4runner are adequate for seeing around most boats. Just make sure your trailer is in good condition and keep a good distance in front when driving to give you plenty of room to stop.

As far as ride comfort - yep, you will sacrifice some ride comfort as the springs have to take that weight too. It will be noticeable, but not unpleasant. Gas mileage will go down to about 10-12 while towing - so plan your gas stops accordingly.

 

[sbbamafan]

Man - Boston Kevin said almost EVERYTHING I was gonna say. I, too, have a 4200# boat/trailer that I pull. It is no sweat. As for brakes, you should have them. The trailer likely has surge brakes. I prefer electric which means you would have to add a controller. Also - check your state law regarding trailer brakes. Almost all require brakes at something less than 3500#.

There are also a couple of aftermarket hitches that have a higher capacity too. My HH 70411 has 6,700# capacity. That is why I got it.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I am not sure what you mean by 4hi. I dont own a 4x4 so I would figure 4L would give the vehicle more power/control. The loose feeling I am describing is possibly due to the fact that I had a Mazda 6 that hugged the ground. I also have . Both of these felt less "shaky". When you are in the 4runner and the wind is blowing 15+ MPH to the side unlike my other cars you can really feel it push you. Possibly due to the larger body area of an SUV and shorter wheel base compared to a full size truck. I guess the more inflated the tires, the less stable?

I missed that you had a 4x2, disregard my 4HI comment

"...an F150 with a wider track... Possibly due to the larger body area of an SUV and shorter wheel base compared to a full size truck." Those items contribute to the T4R having less comparitive stability.

"I guess the more inflated the tires, the less stable? " I was thinking oppisite if you were talking about loaded sway. You have a point if you're talking about empty in the wind.

In my signature click on swaybar bushing upgrade.

:cheers:

 

[kerryst]

Thanks for all of your advice! Looks like I will have plenty of ways to spend my money this fall. All for a worthy cause however.

One more question if you dont mind:
When I purchased the "T4R" they didnt have a silver w/tow so I had them install one as part of the deal. Wished I would have waited so I would have that custom look "cut in bumper". I was wondering if anyone could tell me what type of bumper (hitch) I have? The only thing I remember is the words "tundra tow hitch" on the work order. Can't seem to locate anything on the net that is a perfect match. Thanks again!!

Here are some pics:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what type of bumper I have? The only thing I remember is the words "tundra tow hitch" on the work order. Can't seem to locate anything on the net that is a perfect match. Thanks again!!

Type of bumper?

 

[boston_kevin]

That looks like they installed the V8 hitch which gives you additional towing capacity. Just remember, you don't have an external transmission cooler so if you do a lot of towing, especially on hills, you could see some transmission heating or some warnings.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That looks like they installed the V8 hitch which gives you additional towing capacity. Just remember, you don't have an external transmission cooler so if you do a lot of towing, especially on hills, you could see some transmission heating or some warnings.

:iagree: 100% in spite of the fact Toyota says it's OK to tow up to 5000lbs as is...

 

[CAD-Man]

Let me start this post by saying I'm not trying to pick a fight or cause trouble. I'm just stating facts based on owning several tow vehicles and towing several trailers over the years.

When stating changing a hitch from one weight rating to a higher weight rating increase the towing capacity of a given vehicle is incorrect. Towing capacity is generally based on the weakest link in the vehicle drive train. Which includes such things as transmission, front and rear differentials , drive shafts,engine and suspension. I would say on a 4Runner, I think, the transmission and differentials are the same between the V8 and V6 models. So I would say the main difference is the engines and the torque available for towing. I may be wrong in the sense that the transmissions may be rated differently as far as towing capacity between the V8 and V6 but you may get the general idea. So in conclusion remember there is a lot more involved in towing capacity the just the hitch rating.


CAD-Man

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Let me start this post by saying I'm not trying to pick a fight or cause trouble. I'm just stating facts based on owning several tow vehicles and towing several trailers over the years.

When stating changing a hitch from one weight rating to a higher weight rating increase the towing capacity of a given vehicle is incorrect. Towing capacity is generally based on the weakest link in the vehicle drive train. Which includes such things as transmission, front and rear differentials , drive shafts,engine and suspension. I would say on a 4Runner, I think, the transmission and differentials are the same between the V8 and V6 models. So I would say the main difference is the engines and the torque available for towing. I may me wrong in the sense that the transmissions may be rated differently as far as towing capacity between the V8 and V6 but you may get the general idea. So in conclusion remember there is a lot more involved in towing capacity the just the hitch rating.


CAD-Man

You are correct, period.

The T4R w/ a V6 can tow 500/5000lbs or 6*0/6*00 with a weight distributing hitch. If you have a V8 with a V6 hitch you give up several pounds of capability as the V8 hitch can handle 600/6000 or 7*0/7*00lbs with WDH.

The heavier hitch allows for more comfort on the tongue weight but doesn

 

[DHOWARD]

I'm pretty sure that you have a trans cooler. check to see if there are 2 smaller hoses running into the radiator from the transmission. My 03 has one ane I also run a secondary as well (inline with the radiator cooler) V6 should be fine with that boat. mines 17 foot, not as heavy but still around 2000#. make sure that the trailer is set up right, specifically the tounge weight. should be 10-15% of the total weight (boat and trailer) combined.

airbags in the rear coils can be added if there's sag in the back end.

 

[CAD-Man]

When people mention adding a transmission cooler, they are usually referring to an auxiliary transmission cooler. All automatic transmission vehicles have a transmission cooler built into the radiator. Some vehicles, such as a 4Runner V8 have a factory auxiliary cooler, I had a 1994 Blazer that I use to tow a 4500lb travel trailer. This vehicle had a factory auxiliary transmission cooler, I then added a second larger cooler to help when towing. One thing to be careful with when adding an auxiliary cooler, you can cool your fluid too much where it can be harmful to the transmission. Automatic transmission require the fluid to be maintained at a certain temperature range in order to function properly. Some auxiliary transmission coolers have temperature bypasses built into them so the proper fluid temperature is maintained. This is the kind I had added to my Blazer. Sometimes a little research is need when adding these coolers to make sure it is perform the function as needed.

CAD-Man

 

[NCSU TL]

I'm new to this forum and am looking into purchasing a 07 or 08 T4R. The main reason I'm looking into this suv is because I do plan on purchasing a boat one day. The boat I am looking into says its dry weight is 3270lbs. I'm thinking with the trailer and a full tank of gas and other supplies it will weigh more than 5000lbs. If i get a weight distribution hitch do yall think I will be ok or should i invest in the V8? Thanks for any help

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'm new to this forum and am looking into purchasing a 07 or 08 T4R. The main reason I'm looking into this suv is because I do plan on purchasing a boat one day. The boat I am looking into says its dry weight is 3270lbs. I'm thinking with the trailer and a full tank of gas and other supplies it will weigh more than 5000lbs. If i get a weight distribution hitch do yall think I will be ok or should i invest in the V8? Thanks for any help

Yes, the V8 will be well worth it. Welcome to the forum, let us know what you get.

:cheers: