[oldsocks]

I searched the archives and read some of the old posts, but I want to make sure about a few things.

I have a 95 toyota xtracab 4x4 V6 5spd all stock w/ 120k. I'm looking at buying a flats boat and will tow the boat in my local area. However, I will also make frequent trips to a place about 220 miles one way. The boat is small 16ft and light around 1,500 lbs (boat,motor, trailer). The trailer does not have brakes.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Should I get another vehicle or will mine be fine? On automatic trannys, they often have a transmission cooler and is this something that I need to have on a manual tranny (pardon my ignorance)?

My local trips will be about 30 miles each way, and I intend to use this boat several times a week, and make the long tow 440 miles round trip almost every weekend during the spring and summer. So, let me know what you guys think. I understand that there will be wear and tear, but I don't want to destroy my tranny or engine.

Also, I would really like to hear any first hand experiences with this.

By the way, I'm glad the forums moved from delphi. For some reason, I had continuing problems with logging in, and I just gave up on it.

If anyone needs a 87 4runner in Alabama for parts, let me know... [email protected]

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pete]

A friend of mine tows a Parker 18ft center console with a '99 V6. It's a heavy boat; dry weight is almost 2000lbs, so picture at least 2700lbs fully loaded. And that doesn't include the trailer. OD is off if there are any hills at all, but he gets where he's going. It's a tall boat so there is definitely wind resistance as well at speed. It works, but a Tundra would be nice.

With a '95 you may have the older 3.0 V6 which I've never towed with or even gone for a ride in a truck that has one, but a little flats boat behind your truck should be fine even over long distances. The trailer not having brakes shouldn't be an issue. It's just not a very big boat.

I think your manual tranny will be an advantage in regards to durability, but again I'm not that knowledgable on the older trucks.

 

[tacd44]

the V6 is rated up to 5000 lbs. I flat towed a lifted Jeep Wrangler from the SF bay Area to the Sierra Nevada with no problem. The YJ is around 4000 lbs. I had no problems stopping. You'll be fine w/o trailer brakes. You might not even feel the trailer behind your Tacoma.

Tranny coolers are for auto only, not manuals. There is no ATF in a manual, just gear oil for lubrication. ATF is used for power transfer in the torque converter which is why it gets hot. I think the aftermarket coolers are an upgrade from the stock coolers in the radiator.

Make sure you get the right size ball. It's either 1 7/8", 2", or 2 5/16". It will probably will be 2". You'll need wiring for trailer taillights and brake/turn signals. I installed a trailer wiring kit. It plugs in both sides of the wiring harness without cutting. Very easy. It also combines the brake/turn signal for the trailer.

Also you'll need chains. I suggest two chains criss-crossed under the ball to cradle it if it were to come off the ball.

A class 3 hitch form U-haul is the best deal. Get the $5 gaurantee. Should be around $165 installed.

 

[grillmasterp]

I have a 95 toyota xtracab 4x4 V6 5spd all stock w/ 120k. I'm looking at buying a flats boat and will tow the boat in my local area. However, I will also make frequent trips to a place about 220 miles one way. The boat is small 16ft and light around 1,500 lbs (boat,motor, trailer). The trailer does not have brakes.

THe Tacoma (Even a 4 Banger) will be able to handle that load with with ease-
I tow a 19ft Mastercraft Skiboat comfortably without a problem - Looking at over 2500lbs.

 

[4BYnTacoma]

I searched the archives and read some of the old posts, but I want to make sure about a few things.

I have a 95 toyota xtracab 4x4 V6 5spd all stock w/ 120k. I'm looking at buying a flats boat and will tow the boat in my local area. However, I will also make frequent trips to a place about 220 miles one way. The boat is small 16ft and light around 1,500 lbs (boat,motor, trailer). The trailer does not have brakes.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Should I get another vehicle or will mine be fine? On automatic trannys, they often have a transmission cooler and is this something that I need to have on a manual tranny (pardon my ignorance)?

My local trips will be about 30 miles each way, and I intend to use this boat several times a week, and make the long tow 440 miles round trip almost every weekend during the spring and summer. So, let me know what you guys think. I understand that there will be wear and tear, but I don't want to destroy my tranny or engine.

Also, I would really like to hear any first hand experiences with this.

By the way, I'm glad the forums moved from delphi. For some reason, I had continuing problems with logging in, and I just gave up on it.

If anyone needs a 87 4runner in Alabama for parts, let me know... [email protected]

Thanks in advance!

My boat is about what your is and no trailer brakes as well. I have towed it once so far with my 04 Tacoma about the same distance you ar talking about. I left in fourth gear and just drove about 60ish the whole way (speed limit when towing is 55 is CA). Regaurdless of the speed liit I would still prob do that just for saftey reasons. I deff feel that boat back there when the wind gets going (much more then I did with my Suburban). I had to get used to the braking distance with the Tacoma as it was far greater then what I was used to in my Suburban. I personally felt the brakes on my Tacoma were bairley adiquit for the weight I was towing. I can't imagine what it is like with 5,000 lbs. My advice from personal experience is BRAKE EARLY.

 

[AZTaco]

I tow 2 Sea Doos (combined 1500+ with trailer, fuel and gear) to Lake Powell, through the northern AZ mountains and I've had no issues. I actually pass people on the hills. I leave OD on and don't touch the ECT button. I just take cruise off before heading uphill so it won't redline trying to maintain speed.

 

[CMB1998]

I searched the archives and read some of the old posts, but I want to make sure about a few things.

I have a 95 toyota xtracab 4x4 V6 5spd all stock w/ 120k. I'm looking at buying a flats boat and will tow the boat in my local area. However, I will also make frequent trips to a place about 220 miles one way. The boat is small 16ft and light around 1,500 lbs (boat,motor, trailer). The trailer does not have brakes.

Does anyone have any experience doing this? Should I get another vehicle or will mine be fine? On automatic trannys, they often have a transmission cooler and is this something that I need to have on a manual tranny (pardon my ignorance)?

My local trips will be about 30 miles each way, and I intend to use this boat several times a week, and make the long tow 440 miles round trip almost every weekend during the spring and summer. So, let me know what you guys think. I understand that there will be wear and tear, but I don't want to destroy my tranny or engine.

Also, I would really like to hear any first hand experiences with this.

By the way, I'm glad the forums moved from delphi. For some reason, I had continuing problems with logging in, and I just gave up on it.

If anyone needs a 87 4runner in Alabama for parts, let me know... [email protected]

Thanks in advance!

I have a 96 V6 4X4. 131K. I tow my 20Ski Boat all the time. Its near 5kLbs with all the gear. no problems. I have towed it to lake shasta twice (1200 Miles) and lake chelan (600 Miles) twice. never had any complaints.

Chris

 

[tacoted]

V6? No problem. I tow this kind of weight regularly and have no problems. I have a 4 banger. It is mountainous here, and you have to shift, but it just goes. My brakes do seem a little lacking, though. Start braking early.

 

[Porter91]

I pull a small camper with my V6 just fine up the mtn roads. The camper is only about 2,500 lbs and it does not have brakes. To be honest the breaking will be your only consern not the pulling. My camper pushed me down a mtn once when i was trying to slow down, it was a little scarry. I am looking to add some elictric brakes to the camper.

 

[4x4Tacoma]

I have a 3.4 V6 1995.5 Tacoma with 185,000 miles and i pull a tent trailer and 3 yz400 dirt bikes in the bed all the time, if not every weekend every other i do it with no problem and tackle the Cajon Pass in So Cal for anyone who knows where that is but the truck pulls strong u should have no problem.

 

[BMWTACO]

With the 98 V-6 5 speed I used to have I towed my fj40 on a heavy ass U-haul trailer from Philly to NH without any major issues. I would guess it was about 6000 pounds. I had to use low range once starting at a light going uphill at one intersection in New Jersey, the rest of the trip was fine. A friend of mine used to have an identical truck, and he towed a 24 foot ski boat everywhere with it.