update to 'It can pull......can it launch a boat?'

Hi all---I've replaced my 2009 Tacoma with a 2017 so that it'll pull my new boat. The 2017 Tacoma will pull 6500 pounds, I believe, maybe 6800 pounds (I've read both). I bought my boat last weekend in Austin, TX. The boat is 4000 pounds and i figure the tandom trailer at 1500 pounds so I'm pulling about 5500 pounds with no fuel in the boat. It pulled the boat pretty well at 60-70 mph EXCEPT for one hill coming out of Austin. I was at a speed of about 40 mph, in two wheel drive, and it almost didn't make it up a steep, but small, hill. So I put it in 4 wheel drive to get out of the hilly lake region around Austin and it did well.

I got home, 200 miles away, and a guy looked at the rig and said 'is that boat gonna pull your truck into the water when you launch your boat?' Frankly, I don't know and I don't want to find out the hard way. Advice?

Above is my earlier post. Thanks for all the responses.....i never dreamed I would get so much advice so quickly. To answer some questions that might help: I've hauled a 16 foot boat with a 2009 Tacoma for 10 years to lakes 100-250 miles away and never had a problem towing or launching or getting a boat out of the water. But this new boat to me, a 2007 Crownline, is just a lot more boat for my 'new' 2017 4 wheel drive Tacoma.. Coming out of Austin I DID have it in S4 with that button on (don't remember what's it called). But i did all that AFTER I had trouble coming up the small, steep hill, which slowed me down to 20 mph or less....NO traction problem at all. The trailer does NOT have electric brakes, but I'm having those put on this week. My 5 hour trip home from Austin took me 7.5 hrs as I went slowly and methodically. It towed well as I took my time with slow accelerations, lots of space, etc. So I'm pretty comfortable towing the boat to nearby lakes which don't have much elevation around them. But the launch--THAT'S my big concern. Is the consensus that it should be able to launch ok in 4 wheel backing slowly? I've heard 'yes' and 'no'! Thanks

 

Find a hill to try it on that doesn't have a large body of water at the bottom of it. I'd want some evidence as opposed to having a wet truck cause some guy on the forum said it would be ok.

 

You might consider the 2 wheel low modification. Fairly straight forward to do and would be a good thing to do if you find yourself having to maneuver often.

 

I am not sure your electric breaks will last long on your boat trailer.

On the other hand, you won't have issues pulling your boat out, unless the launch is unusually steep. Launch in 4 wheel drive if you have to.

On the highway, at speed, I would stay away from 4 wheel drive, just gear down to keep it pulling.

 

is this a second thread about the same thing by the same poster?

 

Not all boat launches are created equal. Find a good one that isn't very steep to try it for the first time. I think you'd be alright as long as you have 4x4. Just don't back further in than you need to, just enough to float the boat.

 

Who said he has electric brakes ?

Every state has unique laws regulating brakes by weight. You need to know what they are.

Mark

 

yes, this was an update to my original post. thanks all for your help and advice.

 

If it is a matter of power and or gearing you are worried about there is a plug and play system to allow you to use the trucks low range with 2 wheel drive on dry pavement ,and still be able to turn without harming the truck at a boat launch. It is not designed for using on the highway but it will pull your boat out with ease and then switch back to normal 2wd .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743/

 

Are you saying that you put it in 4wd for more power? I'm not sure you understand how 4 wheel drive works. While it should provide better traction if you are slipping up a boat ramp, it isn't going to provide extra power unless you go to 4 lo which would greatly reduce your speed to about 10 mph.

 

Have friend with another truck and winch hook you up and let you go backwards to launch it? If you start to sink in pull you out?

 

lol
Hopefully I don't find this guy on one of those youtube boat launch compilation fails.

Dang I'd buy a full size american truck for a boat that size. If you need more power do the 3rd gens have SC's?

 

I would be hesitant to pull a boat that large out in 2Lo. The boat ramp is straight, use 4Lo. 4 wheels with traction are far better than only 2 anyway.

 

Just use 4 wheel drive, don’t be the guy who backs the truck in till the tail lights are floating. Only go back far enough to let the boat start floating. That’s all you need. Keep it in 4 low and you’ll have no problems at all.

By the way.....don’t put your truck in 4 wheel drive on the highway. This isn’t giving you any extra power. Try not to turn your wheels while in 4 wheel drive pulling your boat out either. You’ll bind the CV’s and cause problems. Just pull it straight up the hill and once your up go back to 2 wheel drive. Good luck

 

lol you can run quite a bit faster than 10 mph in 4 lo

 

Yeah, you are right. You should run 50 in 4 lo.

 

Depends on how far you are from the bar / liquor store, and when they close, obviously.

 

We have some pretty slippery algea and sea grass coated boat launches here on the east coast. Its great fun to watch a F 350 turbo diesel spinning all 4 sliding backwards blowing black smoke at low tide while his 30 foot Grady White drags it all to a salty grave. Even more fun when the rear tires hit the horizintal grooved last 4 feet before THE BiG DROP. By then the boat is floating, strap off and the rears catch causing the sudden foreward jolt. If it does climb the grade the trailer tires hanging off the drop do a good job of insuring a wrecker call which is off duty parked under the big red warning sign "SLIPPERY INCLINE"

 

That boat is too heavy bro. Put gas in it and you’re gonna add another 500 lbs to the weight.

 

I have a 17' 1986 Invader open bow rider ski boat. I think it's about 3500 pounds or so. I am able to launch at canyon lake (san antonio area) without too much issue... I do put the truck in 4low though, as it will realllllyyy struggle and bog down hard. But I haven't ever been pulled into the lake... yet