Towing a boat

Hey guys, im new to the tacoma world but just got a 2013 tacoma 4x4 SR5 with a 6,400 lbs towing capacity. Using Cooper Discoverer A/T3's 245/75R16 M+S tires on my tacoma right now brand new. I have a 21'6 bay reef key west boat with a max weight of 3,400 pounds (full tank of gas + boat+ trailer). Ive towed it down the street before with no problems at all, however, I fish ALOT. A normal car ride with the boat is a 1 1/2 hour to 2 hour car ride to the ramp. My concern is that if im towing it this much (haven't included normally 2-3 people in truck + fishing gear) do I need to get a weight distribution hitch or break controller installed? Pretty much what should I put on the truck for the least amount of money that will get the job done with no issues day after day. Also what do you have to say about towing in 4th,3rd, 2nd gears? Have always had a big suburban and never needed to tow in any gears. Thanks for any help guys!

 

You can add all those accessories if you want to, but your Tacoma will pull that boat without any problem with the factory hitch. Others may disagree with me, but I pull a 3700 lb. Mastercraft ski boat with no problem.
Does your trailer have surge brakes? Those will always help.

 

It would be a good idea to add both of those. The main concern is braking. While towing your stopping distance will be over double the normal distance while completely loaded. Tow in 4th and the truck will be happy.

 

I pull a 4000 lb mastercraft with towing package receiver and brake controller. No issues here just don't be in a hurry. I don't believe I have ever felt my brake controller kick on hard.

 

Thanks guys for the advice! If I end up getting anything I will look into the brake controller as I have felt the need for one especially for emergencies. Thanks again

 

Been doing a lot of reading here in the towing section. Since boat trailers are in the water a lot, surge brakes make the most sense, no? And if my trailer does not have those, can they be an aftermarket add-on?

I'm taking delivery of a new boat in the next month or so. It's 2300 lbs with the motor, + the single axle trailer is another 1000 (I'm told), and then another 350 for gas (58 gallon tank), plus my fishing gear, ice in the coolers, etc... so I'm going to guess around 4000 loaded. I do have the tow package, so what I am hearing is I can safely tow that boat/trailer without the extra braking?

 

That's a lot of weight for the truck to stop using stock brakes without surge brakes. Typically the trailer needs the tongue to be able to activate the surge brakes by the weight of the trailer pressing on the the ram to activate the brakes. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

It does. I understand how surge brakes work. I'm told the boat 'tows well', and guys with trucks less capable than mine tow it with no problem, but I'd say the same thing if I was the guy selling the boat.

 

Brake controller for electric brakes? On a trailer that gets dunked in the water all the time? Is that smart? I'm not being a smartass (for once) I'm legitimately ignorant on these matters at this point. I am led to believe that electric brakes are great for trailers that do not go in water and surge brakes are better for boats.

 

Would you dress like a used car salesman too?

 

I have had no experience with them. Maybe someone else will chime in

 

Dammit... I already do. Right down to the cigar. *facepalm*

 

removed the surge brakes from my boat trailer, and installed new backing plates with all new electric brake set up. Stops great no problems at all just unplug before you launch and retrieve.

 

You should ask if surge brakes are an option. I would think that would be cheaper than a brake controller and installing electric brakes

 

Honestly I don't really know why the switch from surge to electric but many companies are switching. Probably a sealed system or something. My boat and trailer are 2015 models. NXT20

 

Well actually from a physics standpoint, it is the truck pushing backward on the trailer coupler. I.e. "an object will remain at a state of rest or UNIFORM MOTION unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force". In other words, the trailer and its coupler will keep on going forward (uniform motion) unless the truck pushes back on it.

The way to think about it is this; all speed is *relative*. We look at our speed *relative* to the surface of the earth. If you want to look at it from other points of view, you could just have your mind blown. For example, the earth (and the rest of our solar system) is moving towards the constellation Leo at 390 km per SECOND. In other words, nothing is ever stationary -- there is always something else against which you can measure motion and come out with a different answer. That means that we have no alternative besides considering the trailer's motion as balanced and uniform, so any change to it or to any part of it must be acting ON IT.

 

^^Mind. Blown. Great... I'm sure you pushed some useful information out of my head with that scientific blathering.

 

I just did a little research. If you're in California, CVC 26302 - Every trailer over 1500 lbs must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels.

It's going to cost me another $825 (and another week to delivery), but I've asked them to add surge brakes to my trailer.

 

Well back to the subject at hand

 

that's a good decision.