Towing a 4,500lb boat?

So I’m looking at getting a 202 Lund Pro V GL with a 300hp motor. Estimated weight after fully loaded is around 4,500lbs. It’s a tandem axel trailer with trailer brakes. I have a 2016 4WD TRD off-road w/ 6 speed MT. No lift or drastic mods other than an aluminum skid plate. Any thoughts on towing this? I know a full size truck would be ideal but it’s not an option right now. Anyone else towing a boat about this size and weight. Thanks in advance!

 

Manual trans, heavy boat and boat launch nah fuck that mate

 

Yep.
And take it to the worst launch you know you'll be using..

My brother had to trade up his three month old Tacoma to a Tundra when a boat suddenly came into the picture..

 

I'd recommend the test @ColoradoTJ suggests, and include the ramp @jmneill suggests.

And have a buddy at the ready to drag you out if needed. Not saying you will, but no sense in hurting your truck.

Fail? Then don't buy the boat. Won't do much good sitting in the driveway if you scare the bejeebers out of yourself.

 

i towed my 1945 farmall tractor on my brother in laws two axle car trailer with my 2016 tacoma access cab, v6, tow package, auto trans, the tractor weights about 4500, the trailer probably 1000, so roughly 5500lbs, my truck towed it pretty well, gas mileage did suffer a bit , but i wasnt going far, up hills it did pretty good also i'd say you'll be ok with that setup.

 

Tow how far and how often?

 

About 30 miles to the lake. A couple times a week at least.

 

Now that’s a life to envy.

 

You'll be fine. People are all about statistics nowadays... I remember when times were tough as a child. My dad had to sell off his Ramcharger, leaving us with only two Chevettes. One was an auto, the other a manual. We used the manual to tow our tri-hull anywhere we wanted.

 

I fish.......A LOT! Lol

 

Not much of a fisher myself these days, but <insert appropriate hobby here> would be good to do that often.

 

Ok, laughs. That is worthy.

 

We towed it every weekend one summer, 86 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. One thing for sure, those cars lacked a lot but were really tough.

 

If its the v6 it'll be fine. If you have trouble with the boat ramp and 1st gear isn't low enough, there's always 4lo.

 

Shouldn't be a problem towing, I have an automatic so not sure how manuals are on a boat launch but towing should be fine. I tow 5700lbs (weighed at scales with all gear and halftank fuel). Not winning any speed races but it does fine and feels safe (dual axle surge brakes)

 

I don't think you'll have any issues PULLING 4500 lbs. And unless you really load the truck heavy you should be OK on payload. Payload is really the limiting factor with almost all trucks, even 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. Most Tacomas are rated for about 6500 lbs towing and about 1200 lbs payload. To be able to tow 6500 lbs you can only do it with a 150 lb driver in the truck and have no other passengers or cargo in the truck before going over payload. Realistically 4500-5000 lbs is the limit for these trucks.

I don't like a manual for towing though, especially with almost all modern trucks. Reverse and 1st gear aren't geared nearly as low as they were years ago. If you ever have to back a trailer up an incline you're going to put some serious wear on the clutch. I had to resort to 4 lo a few times with manual transmissions. You just have to be careful about not doing it on hard dry surfaces. An automatic negates that problem.

 

Using anything to help out in the rear?

 

No, stock. Tongue weight is about 570lbs and there's nothing in the bed. This was towing with three people and bed full of gear. Sagged some but didn't bottom out (or at least didn't feel like it was - I didn't look at the bump stops)

 

You’re good. You don’t need a bigger truck for that. Hopefully the ramps you use are good

Just be careful with that bad ass boat. I’m jealous. Take a pic when you’ve pulled the boat out of the lake.