New Tow Vehicle

[TigeDuner]

OK in AZ. See it all the time, just not sure of the limits.

[TeamAllen]

No double trailers in CA and yes in Utah.

[my86stanggt]

If you have out of state tags you could always say the ol' "I didn't know" phrase. 50/50 chance of not getting a ticket.

[race fan]

It is legal in california but you need a commercial lic. I do it all the time.

[my86stanggt]

I would assume it's the same here in AR because there is an endorsement for doubles on the CDL. The safest thing to do is to call the DMV in the state you plan on driving to/through and asking them.

[harv]

I'm looking at getting a new (used) tow vehicle. I basically keep my boat at the lake all summer long on a lift and have used my dads Duramax to haul the boat 8 miles from my house to the lake 2 times a year.

I am currently looking at a V8 Toyota 4Runner. The specs show that it will tow up to 7,000 lbs with a tongue weight of 700 lbs. Does anyone have any experience towing with a Toyota?

I've also looked at the 1/2 ton Chevy's and Ford's, but after driving the Toyota, the others seem bulky. I must include that I am only 5'4 and 130 lbs. so any truck seems big and bulky to me.

Any info would be great.

[Randy509]

Harv,

If you are not planning on using your vehicle for towing purposes, you will be fine with a 1/2 ton pick up. Occasionally pulling a boat or trailer that does not exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle will be alright. If you are considering purchasing a vehicle for towing purposes it is a totally different story. You have to think about the long term performance of your vehicle such as, transmission, brakes, differential, etc.. My brother has a tundra and uses it to tow a 24 travel trailer on occasion. His vehicle does fine. However, when towing, he uses alot of fuel and has to allow for extra stopping distance. Not trying to confuse your decision, but people often base the opinion on initial cost of the vehicle and sometimes jeopardize their safety and the longevity of the tow vehicle. Just my thoughts. Good luck!


Randy

[harv]

The 4Runner is a little more expensive than the F150's (used) but I really like the drive compared to the trucks. I really like the Tundra but at the moment I have not been able to find a good deal on one. I will be on very few occasions be hauling my boat approx. 8-10 miles at a time. I have the 05' Switch V (3700 lbs + trailer) lets call it 5,000 lbs. to be safe.

I just don't know how well the 4Runner will handle pulling the boat. The trailer is a tandem axle trailer also.

[evil0ne]

I just don't know how well the 4Runner will handle pulling the boat. The trailer is a tandem axle trailer also.

For your situation, as long as you stick with the V8 4Runner you should be just fine.

[TeamAllen]

I have towed my boat with an 04 Sequoia 4X4, 03 Tundra, 01 V6 4Runner 4X4 and a 94 V6 T100. The only time we used the 4Runner it was for a short distance. Even so, I was impressed.

I would think you could find a Tundra for around the same price as an 8 cyl. 4Runner? With the new Tundra due next month I would think dealers would be trying to get rid of the current model.

[harv]

That's what I am actually waiting for. Hopefully a lot of trades will start coming in or the prices on the 06's will drop.

Thanks for all the input.

[Tequilasun]

For a short distance over flatish ground, 4 times a year? You could tow that sucker with a Mazda Miata if you wanted. You'd need to be nice to someone with a truck at the ramp to launch, but that's ok. I say get a sports car!

Seriously, the 4runner will be fine. I Towed our 22V with a 03 Ford Exploder Sport-trac V6 gutless wonder from Storage to the lake a couple times. It pushed me around a bit, but I wasn't going far, and it pulled up the hills fine...despite what the the blue haired ladies in the Cutlass Caprice thought..*(they flipped me the bird btw )

[Razzman]

That's what I am actually waiting for. Hopefully a lot of trades will start coming in or the prices on the 06's will drop.

Thanks for all the input.

That's exactly what GM is doing with the Silverado/Sierra Classic models. They'll deal big time on those but not on the new for '07 versions. I tried four dealers and not one would drop the price so i bought the Sierra Classic instead. Still a great truck at a fantastic price.

[NICKYPOO]

That's exactly what GM is doing with the Silverado/Sierra Classic models. They'll deal big time on those but not on the new for '07 versions. I tried four dealers and not one would drop the price so i bought the Sierra Classic instead. Still a great truck at a fantastic price.

That's the way to do it right there. Well done Razz.

[my86stanggt]

If your only going to use it as a tow vehicle twice a year and you use it as a daily driver I wouldn't get a V8 truck. I would get a smaller truck with a good strong V6 or 4 especially if your talking about the full size trucks being bulky. The small Toyota truck is more than adequate for what your describing.