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Anyone towing a 17' CC with a Tacoma 4 cylinder. I am only three miles from the ramp so I am not looking at long hwy tows. Any opinion on the 5 speed transmission vs an automatic. I will have to buy a new truck soon and am looking for the fuel economy, but still pull my Sea Hunt 17.2, Suzuki 90 HP, about 2500 # loaded to the launch ramp.
Susan,
You should be fine. Some pull a lot larger boats then yours with the same truck and FJ Cruisers.
Remember it's not just the pulling that is important, the stopping can be more important.
I am considering a Tacoma, long bed, 4 door with tow package to tow a Triton 240 LTS with a 250 Verado and use for the daily commute so fuel economy is important to me also.
Go automatic.
Read this thread to ease your mind if you haven't done so already.
Anyone towing a 17' CC with a Tacoma 4 cylinder. I am only three miles from the ramp so I am not looking at long hwy tows. Any opinion on the 5 speed transmission vs an automatic. I will have to buy a new truck soon and am looking for the fuel economy, but still pull my Sea Hunt 17.2, Suzuki 90 HP, about 2500 # loaded to the launch ramp.
It's pretty simple:
1. Determine the manufacturer's maximum tow rating with the options installed on the vehicle. If you're buying new and there's an optional towing package, get it.
2. Determine the weight of the boat fully loaded with fuel and anything else you will be carrying. And the weight of the trailer. The best wat to do this (the only reliable way) is to take it to a public scale and have it weighed.
3. Subtract the weight of the boat and trailer from the maximun tow rating.
If you end up with a positive number, you're fine. A negative number, you are not.
BTW: The automatic transmission is better for towing than a manual transmission and clutch. Not just the towing, but pulling the boat out at the ramp.
Susan,
You should be fine. Some pull a lot larger boats then yours with the same truck and FJ Cruisers.
Remember it's not just the pulling that is important, the stopping can be more important.
I am considering a Tacoma, long bed, 4 door with tow package to tow a Triton 240 LTS with a 250 Verado and use for the daily commute so fuel economy is important to me also.
Go automatic.
Read this thread to ease your mind if you haven't done so already.
Let us know what you decide, and what ever you buy we will need photo's.
Good luck,
Jeff
Oh... I'm THAT guy eh? lol
If I can pull my boat with my FJ, you can pull yours with your 4banger taco. My boat, ready to fish, is probably 8k and I get get it to the ramp just fine. You aren't even over your tow capacity. I did install a 30,000 gvwr tranny cooler though, to be on the safe side
BTW: The automatic transmission is better for towing than a manual transmission and clutch. Not just the towing, but pulling the boat out at the ramp.[/quote]
why is the Tacoma automatic transmission better for towing than the manual? I realize it may be easier for the driver to pull the boat out of the water with an automatic, but is there a difference in actual performance? I have a 97 6cylinder manual Tacoma 4x4 and i must say, it has been GREAT for towing my 18ft Neptune.
BTW: The automatic transmission is better for towing than a manual transmission and clutch. Not just the towing, but pulling the boat out at the ramp.
why is the Tacoma automatic transmission better for towing than the manual? I realize it may be easier for the driver to pull the boat out of the water with an automatic, but is there a difference in actual performance? I have a 97 6cylinder manual Tacoma 4x4 and i must say, it has been GREAT for towing my 18ft Neptune.[/quote]
My guess is that for the majority of people, using an automatic transmission allows for less chance of error. If you're very proficient with a manual transmission, I can't see the automatic having any advantage whatsoever.
Btw, manual tranny on a boat ramp is easy - you just need to get familiar with your e-brake operation.
Toyota Tacoma
