On selecting a tow vehicle

[Full_Monte]

Hi Guys...Happy New Year!

I'm considering a do-it-all vehicle. I have a couple of big trucks (F250 and F350 diesels). But fuel prices are killing my interest in driving them much. I'm considering a Honda Pilot or a Subaru Outback. The Pilot tows up to 4500 lbs and the Outback 3000 lbs. I'm also considering replacing my 15 ft. Gregor with something a little larger. Do any of you
aluminum boat owners know what your boat and trailers weigh? If so, please tell me what size and type boat you have and the total weight. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Petty4life]

i've pulled my 17ft glass boat with my trailblazer i dont like to but in a pinch it does the job, pulled it from cedar city to Ogden. i usually pull mine with a suburban but im also looking into replaceing with a truck.

 

[SuperD]

Monte, don't look at towing capacity alone, which btw is little more than can the vehicle move on flat ground. Suspension and stopping is going to be a big issue if you were to haul anything bigger than what you've already got. My boat and trailer set up weighs approx. 3500 lbs. I hated hauling my boat when my tow vehicle was a V8 gas powered pick up (1500). I would venture to bet that a set up like you've got now weighs in at around 1000 lbs, plus or minus a 100.

 

[Kokaholic]

YOu should probably look a little bigger than what you have mentuioned. Dave is correct in that you need to consider the breaking situation especially if you go larger withyour boat. Pulling the hills that we have around here, the summer heat, added weight in our boats and such.

Im selling my F-350 and going to a tundra. for the boat i have and even when I upgrade, this truck will sufficintly pull, handle and control this boat.

I will be putting my 5th wheel on here for saale soon also101goodpost101

 

[SilverBullets]

I've got a Toyota Tacoma V6 Double Cab 4X4 and it pulls a 15' Smoker Craft Alaskan (that's fully loaded) just fine. I don't know the weight of the boat but I pull it up a pretty steep mountain road to get up to Paulina Lake and can't even tell I'm towing anything. The towing package includes transmission and supplemental oil coolers, 130A alternator, and heavy duty battery.

 

[Kokaholic]

SB,

I have thought about the Tacoma and I still might consider one. I know that the tundra would do teh job. Thanks for the input on the101goodpost101 Tacoma.

 

[SilverBullets]

If you do go for the Tacoma make sure it's got 3 leaf springs in the rear plus a overload spring. Toyota has a tsb (toyota service bulliten) that upgrades the rear at no cost with an additional leaf due bottoming out issues with a load. I've got the 4 leaf pack (plus the offroad model upgraded suspension) and it handles the loads well. Another thing to concider doing is the rear differential breather modification for water crossings and boat launches where there's a chance of sucking up water through the breather. The modification routes a breather tube up higher so there's no chance of getting water in the gear oil. If your buying new have them throw in the OEM bed mat as part of the deal. The composite bed is very slick and the bed mat holds everything in place...I highly recommend it.thumbsup

 

[Full_Monte]

I just checked. The 4x4 Tacoma has a 6500lb. towing capacity. That's pretty hefty. What mileage do you get with the Tacoma?

 

[Kokaholic]

That's. Pretty impressive Of a tow package, I'm interested in milage also, wonder the difference in manuel vs automatic

 

[agitator]

HAPPY NEW YEAR Back at you ..... I to agree with the breaking most important thing I have also decideded to keep my big truck for the camper and go withe the TUNDRA .... myself I would stay away from the honda (cheap breaking system) We have had some nasty problems with them in the past backing there autmotive product up .

 

[SilverBullets]

That's. Pretty impressive Of a tow package, I'm interested in milage also, wonder the difference in manuel vs automatic

I've never checked the milage but from what other's say they get around 18-20 mpg (the automatics get a bit better milage than the manuals.) I've got a small lift , larger tires, and a few other add-on's so I'm sure my milage isn't as good. Some of the guys with the manuals are haveing issues with them...something about a throwout bearing?

 

[Kokaholic]

Good To know. I will more than likely end up with a Tundra. Want that extra towing ability so when I hook onto a North River it will tow it just nicely

 

[gonefishing]

I have a neighbor with a new Tundra. It has more towing compacity than my GMC 2500 with the 7.4 L It also has more HP and better milage. If you check out the specs and stats on the Tundra, you'll find they are a pretty impressive all around tow vehilce.

I have not wore my truck out yet, so I will keep it until it cannot do the job anymore. My boat is weighing 4700 lbs loaded and my 5th wheel 5700 lbs. I would like a truck that could pull them both together but have found you could accomplish that with a late model motorhome for the same price, if not less. So, I am sticking with what I have.

Paid for and still working. I'll spend those payments on gas for going fishing.

Good luck on finding the new trucks! tooexcited

 

[nofish]

I have ben really happy with my duramax, it gets around 18 mpg which is not the best but it will pull and stop anything I own. I would rather have to much truck than not enough. Just my two cents.

 

[agitator]

Good To know. I will more than likely end up with a Tundra. Want that extra towing ability so when I hook onto a North River it will tow it just nicely

That will work just fine Mark .... My new North River will look very nice behind your truck . That will give me and the boy plenty of time to check out the ins. pools to find a builder your so sweet . I knew I count on you101goodpostworthy12

 

[twisted lines]

Same day I picked up my Tundra; a 4-5 day old Tundra came back traded in for a Tacoma because it was way too much for him. Me I am wishing for the factory blower

 

[Kokaholic]

Man what's a girl to do! Decisions, decisions

 

[rebelsportsman]

if you are gonna go with a 1/2 ton pick up, the ford f150 is the best bet. the new ones get about 22mpg. they have enough power to pull and are plenty safe to drive. i will not let go of my f250 diesel. it may only get 18mpg, but i don't have to worry about what i am pulling or if i get hit, i have plenty of metal around me for safety. i just do not like toyota at all. i would even drive a dodge before i ever get a toyota.

 

[DLM]

I have a tacoma 4x4 extended cab with a v6 and I tow a 15'7" Alumaweld Talon that weighs (with trailer) 2,000lbs.

The pickup has plenty of power and seems to handle the boat just fine, even in emergency braking situations, such as early morning pedestrian deer.

Mileage is about 17-19 mpg without the boat, never wanted to know what it was with the boat.

Any larger boat and I would want a larger rig.

 

[skyhammer]

I bought my Tundra the first week they came out in Feb.,07. It tows my boat(3500lbs with trailer) with no problems.
When I drive to Paulina, I have a half a bed of firewood, plus the bed and the boat are loaded with camping gear.
With that load, plus me and dog and the rear seats full of suff I am right at the GVWR.
Power is no problem with the 5.7,4:30 rear end and 6 speed, but I have hit the legal GVWR limit.
Toyota says that I can tow up to 10,300lbs, but it is nearly impossible to do that and stay within the GVWR.
In order to stay within the GVWR, you could have nothing in the bed, and no passengers.
My Tundra weighs 6030lbs, with just me, my 10lb dog,full fuel tank and 50lbs in the bed.GVWR is 7200lbs, that leaves me with 1170lbs before I hit the GVWR, so I am right at the legal limit on my Paulina trips.
My gas mileage is fairly good empty, 15 where I live and when I travel to the flat lands, I get 20.
Going to Paulina, starting at 500' and ending up at 6000' plus, I get 10mpg towing the boat and gear the 500 miles.