Towin' With Our Toyota:

[Wake Bandits]

I've always been skeptical about towing tandem axel trailers with mini trucks.
But the new Toyota Tacoma is more of a mid-size truck and has a tow rating of 6500 lbs.

We suffered a blowout on our GMC 2500HD in Shreveport Louisiana, and the body shop wanted a month to replace the fender and rear bumper from the catastropic damage.

Our new boat arrived early, so we decided to press the Toyota into towing service to and from Parker and the 909.

The Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner tows teriffic.
The V6 plenty of snot on the hills. Averaged about 14.3 MPG.
I added the rear rubber springs, kinda like rear bags, and they helped alot with the tongue weight.

Click on pic to see the rear rubber springs installed:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/th_TowinwiththeToyota.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/tpc123/?action=view&current=TowinwiththeToyota.flv)

[Lunchbox]

How much HP is the Toyota putting out?

I have a Honda Pilot that I tow with putting out about 260 HP out of a V6 and she's kind of a pig uphill... My trunk is also only rated at 4500 lbs. It does o.k. around town, which is very flat, but when I get to the hills it's hard on the Pilot.

Who else tows with a V6?

My new 22Ve will be a couple hundred pounds heavier than my 20V... I'm kind of concerned that it will take a toll on the Pilot...

LBX

[kko]

the brakes is going to be the weakiest link. just take it easy on those and you should be ok.

[deanwarwick]

we tow with a volvo V70R =] its a turbo charged box with a 2.6 v6. tows our 20i pretty easilly up or down hill, its a real tank XD

[Wake Bandits]

How much HP is the Toyota putting out?

I have a Honda Pilot that I tow with putting out about 260 HP out of a V6 and she's kind of a pig uphill... My trunk is also only rated at 4500 lbs. It does o.k. around town, which is very flat, but when I get to the hills it's hard on the Pilot.

Who else tows with a V6?

My new 22Ve will be a couple hundred pounds heavier than my 20V... I'm kind of concerned that it will take a toll on the Pilot...

LBX

260 HP on the Toyota.
The Pilots have a brutal drivetrain, you should be OK.

[anhaney]

We are looking at trading in the Nissan Titan for the new Tundra. That turck is built to kick the but of the American Manufactures and I am scared to think it will.

I may be contributing to the cause. I will know on Tuesday if I can make it happen or not.:D

[hoopykat]

I tow our 20I with an '03 4.6L Ford Expedition, and we've had good results...about 12 mpg on a good day. I am looking at an F250 diesel though...just love the torque...our ambulances have the diesel engines and they haul ***....

Mike

[sparky216]

hmmmmm. You guys are making me think my 8.1 is overkill.






















yea right:D

[Timmy!]

We are looking at trading in the Nissan Titan for the new Tundra. That turck is built to kick the but of the American Manufactures and I am scared to think it will.

I may be contributing to the cause. I will know on Tuesday if I can make it happen or not.:D
I looked at the new Tundra and then I saw a review on them that said their posi-traction/locker rear end was no good for a wet boat ramp. I guess on a wet boat ramp it still allows one wheel to slip. No bueno!

[aredub]

The new Tundra tows my 24V great. I have the 5.7 4wd Crew Max and have yet to need 4wd at the launch ramp. MPG is about 9 with the boat and 14 unloaded. However, I am always in the gas (always).

[Timmy!]

I would be on the gas all the time in that truck too! Lots of power!

[ragboy]

hmmmmm. You guys are making me think my 8.1 is overkill.

I think it is probably overkill for any boat by Tige. I have a sierra with a 5.3, and it tows my 24Ve well, I would prob prefere the 6.0 if this was my primary tow vehicle.

The 8.1 we have in the yukon XL is the tow beast, but we got the 8.1 because we have a 27 foot travel trailer and that needs the 8.1. If it wasn't for the trailer, I think I would have looked for the 8.1 in the yukon.

That said, I love the 8.1, even without towing, it is the smoothest power I have ever driven.

[Jason B]

I've never used 4wd to get my boat out. I LOVE my Tundra. I've got 170k and it still rides like a Cadillac. I absolutely pound the truck--always towing something MX or boat related and I've never had a hiccup. I've put new struts in the front and had the 60k service done that's it! Oil changes roughly 5k or so. I'm not soo good on maintanence:p
I'll buy another one for sure.

[helmut]

My buddy pulls his MC with a mini van. No hills in florida and ramps are very mild.

[Timmy!]

I can tell you first hand that the 5.3L is not the way to go here in Colorado if you plan on driving on the interstate, hence the reason I got a diesel. Maybe I'm just too picky, but I would like to at least be able to do the speed limit while towing my boat and not have the engine at max rpm's trying to do so at the slightest hill.

[Paublo]

Lunchbox
Personally I would never tow a 22Ve with a Honda Pilot. Figure the boat is over 4000# with even a little gear and gas. The trailer is 1000#. You have surpassed the capacity. The capacity rating is also with only 2 people in the vehicle. The Pilot is a front wheel drive, and you are towing where highs are regularly over 110 degrees. It will pull it for awhile, but plan on going thru an engine, transmission and brakes- if you use it very long. Just my opinion.

[Lunchbox]

Lunchbox
Personally I would never tow a 22Ve with a Honda Pilot. Figure the boat is over 4000# with even a little gear and gas. The trailer is 1000#. You have surpassed the capacity. The capacity rating is also with only 2 people in the vehicle. The Pilot is a front wheel drive, and you are towing where highs are regularly over 110 degrees. It will pull it for awhile, but plan on going thru an engine, transmission and brakes- if you use it very long. Just my opinion.

This is my concern as well... However there are a couple of caveats: I do have the 4WD Pilot which helps, and I do have the factory towing kit which includes a power steering cooler and a transmission cooler. With my 20V in 110 degree heat my temp gauge was never above normal. It got a little rough when going up steeper hills and that's why I'm concerned...

There is also a discrepancy on the weight of the 22Ve on the website and in the brochure. At least there was before I brought it up with my dealer about a month ago. They were going to bring it to Tige's attention at the dealer meeting a few weeks ago but it doesn't look like it was fixed. I believe that the brochure is correct in around 3600-3700 lbs. Website has it listed at close to 4000. Does anyone know the true weight of the 22Ve with trailer?

LBX

[chpthril]

This is my concern as well... However there are a couple of caveats: I do have the 4WD Pilot which helps, and I do have the factory towing kit which includes a power steering cooler and a transmission cooler. With my 20V in 110 degree heat my temp gauge was never above normal. It got a little rough when going up steeper hills and that's why I'm concerned...

There is also a discrepancy on the weight of the 22Ve on the website and in the brochure. At least there was before I brought it up with my dealer about a month ago. They were going to bring it to Tige's attention at the dealer meeting a few weeks ago but it doesn't look like it was fixed. I believe that the brochure is correct in around 3600-3700 lbs. Website has it listed at close to 4000. Does anyone know the true weight of the 22Ve with trailer?

LBX

I think the website is correct. 3900#'s and some change DRY WEIGHT, I dont think this includes tower either. Figure a tandom axle trailer will be around 1400#'s

[TeamAllen]

Doesn't 4WD take away the towing capacity?
It adds more weight to the vehicle with all the extra drive train.

[ragboy]

Technically, that is true, also less power to the wheels with a 4wd. But nothing compares when you need the traction. I live in the mountains with a steep driveway. End especially in the rain and snow, 4wd is absolutely necessary. Although I have never needed it on the ramp. I 12" wide nitto terra grapplers on both my trucks, and the Yukon XL 2500 has the locking differential.

[whitlock87]

Technically, that is true, also less power to the wheels with a 4wd. But nothing compares when you need the traction. I live in the mountains with a steep driveway. End especially in the rain and snow, 4wd is absolutely necessary. Although I have never needed it on the ramp. I 12" wide nitto terra grapplers on both my trucks, and the Yukon XL 2500 has the locking differential.
Man I guess I am spooled.
My truck only gets wet when I wash it, and I don’t think it ever been in anything colder then 45f.. :D
I have never had a need for 4wd. I drive an expedition, so there is some extra weight on the rear wheels. Never had it slip yet (knock on wood) I have seen a guy in a really nice Toyota 4X4 slide into the lake. But he had really large knobby tires and it just could not grab the ramp. Also the more it slipped, the more gas he gave it. I think that was one of his big mistakes. Ended up having the ranger pull him out with there truck. It was funny.
Oh ya to top it of he had a brand new X-star.

[anhaney]

So what you are saying is that 4WD on Toyota is worthless also. I would have put it into 4WD to get out. When you do this is locks up the whole drive system. I guess he does not know that part.:D

[Jason B]

This is my concern as well... However there are a couple of caveats: I do have the 4WD Pilot which helps, and I do have the factory towing kit which includes a power steering cooler and a transmission cooler. With my 20V in 110 degree heat my temp gauge was never above normal. It got a little rough when going up steeper hills and that's why I'm concerned...

There is also a discrepancy on the weight of the 22Ve on the website and in the brochure. At least there was before I brought it up with my dealer about a month ago. They were going to bring it to Tige's attention at the dealer meeting a few weeks ago but it doesn't look like it was fixed. I believe that the brochure is correct in around 3600-3700 lbs. Website has it listed at close to 4000. Does anyone know the true weight of the 22Ve with trailer?

LBX


LBX,
I think if you have to worry about 3-400# you probably would be best served avoiding using it if you can. I went through the same thing w/ an S-10 wheere I stayed RIGHT under the limit and still fried a trans and the motor started going after 60k. You have a nice vehicle w/ the Pilot; if you use it to tow too often it will not stay nice.

[teachercop]

Regardless what the brochure states, it matters what your boat actual weighs when you hitch it up. Fill the boat tank up, put your boards and equipment you usually carry and take it down to a truck scale. Often, if you explain your need, they only charge you a nominal fee, like $5.00 for a non-certified weight ticket. It is also an excellent opportunity to verify your tongue weight.

The first year of our Tige, we towed with a 19993 Toyota 4Runner, 5speed, 4X4 with the 3.0L V-6. It worked, and met our goal of satisfying our towing needs for the first year until we moved into the V-8 arena. Made numerous trips up to 300 miles ventures. Still have the 4Runner, replaced the clutch, 170,000 miles.

If memory serves, 4Runner tow capacity was listed I think a 5,000, the boat fueled up with stuff weighed in a 4800. There were probably times we may have exceeded I suppose. Worked with what we had available.:02:

[anhaney]

Toyota kills he competition on price and quality. It is sad but it fits the budget. Might have a new one tonight. I have a TITAN for sale if anyone wants one. $24,500 and it has 26,000 miles on it. It towes great. I just have to replace vehicles ever two years because of my employment contract. The TITAN is a great truck also.

http://www.toyota.com/tundra/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_TUNDRA_INDEX

[raythompson]

The problem with towing with any vehicle is the vehicle infrastructure. Towing with a vehicle that is a unibody is never good. You can easily warp the body and cause other alignment problems. A frame, with the tow point attached to the frame is best. The drive system is bolted to the frame and the towing is from the frame. There is no stress on the body of the vehicle which is really thin metal.

Next factor becomes weight. If the vehicle cannot place enough weight on the road to provide the necessary traction then towing, and stopping become difficult.

The engine and drive components must be kept cool. A transmission cooler (seperate, not built into the radiator) is a must to keep the transmission cool. A seperate engine oil cooler is also highly recommended. That oil can draw a lot of heat out of parts of the engine where there is no water jacket. Water is mostly around the cylinders where oil gets into the engine internal working parts.

A higher ratio rearend is also helpful. It will keep the engine RPM's up while pulling out of the water. This will result in more torgue and less wheel slip up the ramp. Top end speed is affected some and surely mileage will suffer. But the transmission will work suffer less strain as more torgue is absorbed by those big gears in the rear end.

[ikonxone]

i am long time lurker and planned on getting a boat this past summer, but the time wasn't right and i wasn't sure if i should get a 20v or 22ve. i should be picking one up around february unless i wait a little longer.
i have noticed there is some concern with towing with a v6. i live about 10-15 mins from lake mead so my trip is relatively short. i have been wanting to go with the 22ve, but the rating on my FJ is 5000lbs. should i stay with the 20v since i didn't really think about the gas and equipment wait? i will be adding a tranny cooler before towing since it's an auto.

[mtnsmith]

There is someone here that tows a 22i with a fj cruiser and it seems to do fine. Since you are relatively close you will probably fine on power. My concern with something smaller is always the wheelbase and weight of the vehicle. Both of those help handling in an emergency braking and maneuvering situation.:02:

[Lunchbox]

i am long time lurker and planned on getting a boat this past summer, but the time wasn't right and i wasn't sure if i should get a 20v or 22ve. i should be picking one up around february unless i wait a little longer.
i have noticed there is some concern with towing with a v6. i live about 10-15 mins from lake mead so my trip is relatively short. i have been wanting to go with the 22ve, but the rating on my FJ is 5000lbs. should i stay with the 20v since i didn't really think about the gas and equipment wait? i will be adding a tranny cooler before towing since it's an auto.

You'll probably be fine, but you are in the desert like me and the extreme temps can be a big problem... I'm probably going to get a 4 Runner with a V8 so that I can pull my new 22Ve. I got my hands on the police report today, so hopefully in the next couple days I'll have my check.

Now is also a great time to buy because Tige is throwing crazy incentives at dealers to get rid of the '07's... Don't procrastinate any longer!

Drink the Kool-aid, Buy a Tige!

LBX

[xpjim1]

i am long time lurker and planned on getting a boat this past summer, but the time wasn't right and i wasn't sure if i should get a 20v or 22ve. i should be picking one up around february unless i wait a little longer.
i have noticed there is some concern with towing with a v6. i live about 10-15 mins from lake mead so my trip is relatively short. i have been wanting to go with the 22ve, but the rating on my FJ is 5000lbs. should i stay with the 20v since i didn't really think about the gas and equipment wait? i will be adding a tranny cooler before towing since it's an auto.

With a 22Ve you will be over the weight rating . 3982 boat, 1300 trailer, 100 tower, 320 gas and lets say 100 for gear. Thats about 5800 pounds. Then you would be pushing the gross combined vehicle weight rating. with a 20V you would be just over 5000 pounds.

I have a Silverado HD and I tow 11 miles to the ramp in the summer in 115 - 120 heat. My trans temp hits 225 in that short tow pulling out in the afternoon.

IMHO for Lake mead you need at least a 22 foot boat but I do not think safety wise the FJ is the tow vehicle for it

[Lunchbox]

Well I have a solution for my particular situation... I'm buying a new tow vehicle in the Spring... I'm probably going to get a Pathfinder. Nissan just put the V8 model out for '08 and it's capable of handling 7000 lbs. I drove one yesterday and it was really nice. My problem is I need an SUV with a V8 so I can travel a little further than just my local lakes. My wife will drive it 95% of the time and she doesn't want anything too big. So my choices are Toyota 4 Runner (which I don't like the look of) and the Pathfinder. So I'll pick one up early next year when there are more '08's on the lot...

For me... Problem solved...

LBX

[dogbert]

Take a look at the Durango or a quad-cab Dakota. I used to tow my boat with a V8 Dakota with no problem. It's far more capable than the 4Runner or Pathfinder

[zad0030]

Have you considered a toyota Sequoia? Tows 6,500

[Lunchbox]

Sequoia is too big and the wife doesn't want a "truck"... She wants a small SUV... I know that small is a relative term here but you have to think in terms of a woman... Sequoia looks like driving a Semi in her eyes... As far as the Durango that dogbert recommended, I'm a fan of the Japanese cars for some reason... I have an Infiniti right now (which Nissan makes) and I like the fit and finish of the Pathfinder, reminds me of my Infiniti... The V8 in the Pathfinder is very powerful and will suit our family very well.

P.S. - She's going to read this and I'll catch hell for it but oh well... :rolleyes:

LBX

[Paublo]

My daughter bought an '07 with the 4.0L and absolutely loves it. It seems like a very solid vehicle. It should handle the 20V very well.

[TeamAllen]

Can you get a Toyota Highlander with a big enough engine?

[JGParis]

I tow my 20V with a 2007 Toyota Tundra (5.7), and it pulls like a mule. We pull alot up to Broken Bow (Very Hilly) and it never seems to hurt it.