New Tow Vehicle

[Moki]

Nice ride Razzman! I am going to take you with me when I go to buy my next truck -- sweet price!!!

[Razzman]

Nice ride Razzman! I am going to take you with me when I go to buy my next truck -- sweet price!!!

It's my wife you want to take! She badgers the heck outta 'em 'till they give in! Seriously it was/is a sweet deal.

[TigeDuner]

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.

Keep in mind that smaller trucks may not have the towing capacity required to pull, say a 24V, much less with a 4 cylinder engine up a steep or slipery ramp. Tongue weight may exceed the limits of the smaller economy truck also. If you are going to spend the bucks on the boat, don't skimp on the tow vehicle, or you may find you and your boat some place other than the water. Just a thought...

[talltigeguy]

I pull my 24V with my 1996 Toyota T100 V6.

I would never go further than 20 miles with it, and since it is a stick shift, I am glad I have 4WD to put her in 4 Low to get up the ramp. I would have gone through several clutches if I couldn't do that. So if you never tow a big boat far, you could probably get away with it, but you will never want to go far, if that makes sense.

When I go any further, I break out the powerstroke!

[yearroundboarder]

Does anyone have any experience towing with a Toyota?

Harv -

I've towed with a V8 Tundra and more recently with my wife's 2003 V8 Toyota Sequoia with the 4.7l. All I can say is that the Sequoia will pull fine, but without airbags in the back - you'll really feel the back end drop and notice a huge difference in the ride. Also, with both vehicles, the stopping distance was an issue. I think they might have upgraded the brakes on the newer models, but even through '03, the brakes (IMO) were not sufficient for the stated tow capacity. I now use a 2005 Nissan Titan and it pulls my '06 22Ve' like it's not even there. They too had an issue with the brakes in 2004-2005, but did a nocharge upgrade to mine after 15,000 miles (included new, larger & thicker rotors / higher performance pads) and I haven't had an issue since.

[harv]

I am still waiting and watching for the right deal. I'm still keeping the F150 in as an option. The nearest Tige' dealer is about 55 miles away, so if I have to haul the boat there I know the truck would really do the job well. I can always fall back on using my dad's truck also.

I hate trying to be patient though. I like to go buy what I want when I want.

[bschmaus]

I pull my 22V with an 06 Duramax. It pulls at 70 to 75MPH at about 18-19 MPG. It should pull my new 24VE very well.

[chpthril]

Harv -

I've towed with a V8 Tundra and more recently with my wife's 2003 V8 Toyota Sequoia with the 4.7l. All I can say is that the Sequoia will pull fine, but without airbags in the back - you'll really feel the back end drop and notice a huge difference in the ride. Also, with both vehicles, the stopping distance was an issue. I think they might have upgraded the brakes on the newer models, but even through '03, the brakes (IMO) were not sufficient for the stated tow capacity. I now use a 2005 Nissan Titan and it pulls my '06 22Ve' like it's not even there. They too had an issue with the brakes in 2004-2005, but did a nocharge upgrade to mine after 15,000 miles (included new, larger & thicker rotors / higher performance pads) and I haven't had an issue since.

Toyo's (SUV's) have always been "soft" in the rear ends. From the newer Sequoias, back to the 80's 4runners. They seem to sag alot at about 3/4 tongue wt, or with a load in the back. They ride great and pull good, but could benifit alot from some bags or helper springs.

I must say that my 02 Chevy Trailblazer (4.2L I6) has bigger balls than my friends 03 Saquoia V8. (we've both towed the same load and both agree)

[Tequilasun]

Toyo's (SUV's) have always been "soft" in the rear ends. From the newer Sequoias, back to the 80's 4runners. They seem to sag alot at about 3/4 tongue wt, or with a load in the back. They ride great and pull good, but could benifit alot from some bags or helper springs.

I must say that my 02 Chevy Trailblazer (4.2L I6) has bigger balls than my friends 03 Saquoia V8. (we've both towed the same load and both agree)

This is one of the big issues I have with my Avalanche. It has the torque/power to pull the 22v with ease, but it is soft in the rear too. It sags enough that I can't use a standard 2" drop hitch, I need a straight hitch, or better yet a 2" lift to keep the boat level.

I'm not really interested in bagging it out or stiffening the rear though, because we like the ride as it is. Trade offs I guess.

[chpthril]

This is one of the big issues I have with my Avalanche. It has the torque/power to pull the 22v with ease, but it is soft in the rear too. It sags enough that I can't use a standard 2" drop hitch, I need a straight hitch, or better yet a 2" lift to keep the boat level.

I'm not really interested in bagging it out or stiffening the rear though, because we like the ride as it is. Trade offs I guess.

If you go with an airbag w/pumps sys, you can fill up after loading trailer to bring ride hight back up, then deflate when not towing and you will have factory ride.

[mtnsmith]

Chpthril, how does your trailblazer do? We have been going back and forth from getting a 2500 or 1500 silverado, tundra, 4-runner, newer range rover (to replace my old one), and I was wondering about a trailblazer. We had one as a rental and I was pretty impressed with it. Plus we could pick one up for way less than anything else.

[evil0ne]

Chpthril, how does your trailblazer do? We have been going back and forth from getting a 2500 or 1500 silverado, tundra, 4-runner, newer range rover (to replace my old one), and I was wondering about a trailblazer. We had one as a rental and I was pretty impressed with it. Plus we could pick one up for way less than anything else.

I got my 3/4 Suburban LT with AutoRide for $16,500 with 100,000 mile $100 deductible warranty. I'm betting the difference between a TrailBlazer and Suburban wouldn't be that much on the used side.

[mtnsmith]

I'm looking for everyday driveability as well. A trailblazer is a little easier to get around in than a suburban. I already have a silverado and a range rover and would love something about the size of the range rover, just less expensive to repair. With just two of us (wife and I) a suburban really is too much vehicle. Thanks for the suggestion though. I also might keep the range rover and try to just get a bigger truck to do all the hauling, the reason I have been seriously looking at a 2500 duramax.

[bschmaus]

The Duramax kicks butt. You need to drive one and if you do you will own one. They are one powerful, fuel economic vehicle (for a pickup). Mine averages 19-20 MPG and pulls like the boats not even there.

[Domsz06]

sharp looking boat and truck!