ANYBODY TOWING WITH A TACOMA V6 OR A RIDGELINE?

[FISH2WIN55]

I have a 520 and want to get a truck with decent gas mileage. What MPG do you guys get without boat, and do these vechiles have enough power and braking?
Thanks,
Roger

[gt5bass]

Hey Roger,

I don't have any of the mentioned vehicles. But I did a little "Googling" and found out they don't seem to get any better gas mileage than my '05 V8 Avalanche - 18-21 mpg on the Highway, 15-16 going to and from from work, and 12-14 mpg towing the 521 when new. I now have 90K miles on it and I get 17-19 mpg on the highway and 10-13 mpg towing (part of loss was noticed when I changed tires to a different style...I will be changing back to the original shortly as I am due for tires). BTW...I usually tow the boat around 70mph when dragging up and down the state. I averaged 14mpg when I 'dragged' the boat (literally as I had two incorrectly installed axles on my trailer...came home to two ruined trailer tires), with an average towing speed between 70-75 mph, to Alabama a couple of years ago.

Hope the helps.

The Scourge
aka Gary

[BassManDan]

I'd lean towards something thats a little more robust than those two you mentioned. If it were a choice between the two, I would say Ridgeline, it's a little more vehicle than the Tacomas.

520's no slouch of a boat, and really having the braking power would be the most important. the bigger V6 motors would tow, but a small block V8 would probly be a bit easier.

Just my 2,
BassManDan

[Dan McKenzie]

I purchased a new ridgeline. It tows my 18 ft skeeter very nicely, plenty of braking power with 4 wheel disc brakes, my trailer has brakes as well. I bought the RTX?? the model with tow package, comes pre-wired with both types of plug ins, trailer hitch, transmision cooler as well as an extra fan on the radiator. I didn't need a truck in the classic sense since I don't haul anything more then yard clippings and an occasional run to home depot, the roomier cab (vs. tacoma) with with lift up rear seating fit the bill for me. Mileage has been what I expected, 20-23 on the highway, 14-15 towing, I'm going to shasta next week and theat should give me a better picture for towing milage. On the fly all wheel drive is perfect for any steep ramps you might encounter. I will say that I am a fan of the Tacoma, they are great trucks and I wouldn't put the Ridgeline over one, it really is a matter of taste and what you want from the vehicle. What truely won me over was the price, my Ridgeline with the tow package and its options and an 80K mile warranty was 10K cheaper than a similiarly equipped Tacoma, I paid $21.9 total (not including tax) from livermore honda. Ridgeline operating costs (oil change and tune up frequency) is lower than the Tacoma or just about anything else I could find.
If you really need a truck then the Tacoma will probably work just fine, if your looking for more cab space and versatility then you should certainly check out the Rideline. Looks go to the Tacoma with the Sport Package, very nice looking truck. Good luck, if you need a name for Livermore Honda PM and I'll send you the exact details.

[Paul W]

I have researched all kinds of vehicles. The Tacoma v6 and Ridgeline get about the same mileage my 2005 v8 Sierra does (15/19). I would rather go for a fullsize v8 if you are looking at these 2 vehicles. All the new v6 trucks get comparable mileage to a v8....you dont get any mileage improvements unless you go down to a 4 cylinder truck, which for you would be useless obviously.

Paul W

[BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER]

yes, I do,, or did, but I still have the Tacoma..

IMO, the Tacoma is a fantastic truck in almost every way.. but gas milage is not one of em... bout 18 not towing with the off road package.... I get better milage towing with my 5.7 Tundra.. go figure...

My boats a little smaller... 462 vs,, but I'd tend to think the Tacoma would be a little light on stopping power (or climbing hills for that matter) if you got a 520.


Gas prices suck.... but there's no way around it... unless you downsize to a smaller rig.... sounding tempting these days

[bassmonster]

It cost me 40 dollars to drive to clear lake and 70 to go to shasta from san jose in my Tacoma. Its not under powered but it is a V6 so you need a little momentum for a steep hill. I get about 17mpg towing. I just really didnt need a full size truck is what it boils down to.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

i do not have either vechicles but i do have a 4.3 v6 GMC sonoma. it is lifted by the factory w/ 4x4. i can tow from the city to berryessa on 12 gals. 150 miles round trip towing my old GLASS AND WOOD MONARK. i think i do pretty good!

stopping no problem i remember going down hill in the city towing the boat. i just serviced her. a little corolla suddenly stopped infront of me. i stopped and prayed at the same time. talk about quick wishes be granted. did not hit that lady. i got all disc brakes but none on the trailer.

Steven

[David Rogers]

Hey Roger,

I used to pull a 16 foot Skeeter that had a 150 HP Merc with a 2.4 Toyota P-Up, it had enough power to pull up the hills and out of the lakes but would smoke the tires some times, the big problem is stopping power, there is none!!!! I was almost killed a few times when I had to stop so I had to sell it, it was just broke in with 200K miles, yes that's true about those 2.4's at 200K they are just getting started, it ran as good when I sold it as it did when I bought it with 20K on it. V6 sport utility is just enough, you still better give yourself some room to stop though and that ain't no joke!!

[Jim Jr 77]

I recently bought a Tacoma 07 V6 TRD and also just aquired a new boat (used but new to me) and it tows my Charger Foxfire just fine and its almost 20ft....Dont know how much it weighs but I know its more than my old Basstracker lll ...

Here she is!!!! And I travel a bit when I fish gas milage is great specially in a V6 I take it easy when traveling....As when towing anything...She gets up 152 E just fine!!!!

Srry I dont have better pix...

[Champion Jon]

I got a prerunner 07 taco and I get 18 mpg traveling from rosevill to the delta, which is a flat drive. I got a 171 champion thow so its not a super heavy boat. Its got pleanty of power for passing. I tow at about 60-65 mph. Going faster makes the fuel gauge drop a lot faster!

Jon

[Tin Can]

I bet you could double the speed limit on Anderon in that thing eh Jim?

[bassinholic]

I got a prerunner 07 taco and I get 18 mpg traveling from rosevill to the delta, which is a flat drive. I got a 171 champion thow so its not a super heavy boat. Its got pleanty of power for passing. I tow at about 60-65 mph. Going faster makes the fuel gauge drop a lot faster!

Jon

I have a ranger 519 VX and tow it with my 03 toyota tacoma V6. The truck pulls the boat fine, of course you know its there when your towing it. I actually get better gas milage then my buddies full size chevy for he will usually get 10 MPG while I will get 14-15 MPG depending on speed. Usually towing I get over 200 miles per tank, but non towing I get around 310 to 315 miles to the tank.

Speed is deffinately the factor when towing your rig with one of these trucks, for I have done 70 MPH a few times and you can watch the gas needle drop. Love my truck, even love it more for its almost paid off!!

[Jim Jr 77]

I bet you could double the speed limit on Anderon in that thing eh Jim?

Been there done THAT...

Was all alone @ Anderson this last Monday before they shut all our lakes down!!!!!

I figured since no one else was on the water HECK WHY NOT......

Got her PUuuuuuurrrrr'n down Anderson @ 5500 RPM Still had a lil PEDAL LEFT TOO... Hitn'n 68MPH.... Was SCOOOOOOT'N!!!!!

35 MPH Speed LIMIT.....Pfffffttt who said that!!!!!....lol....

Jr

[Tin Can]

I know you did it, I read it on the other site.

[slemos]

I bet you could double the speed limit on Anderon in that thing eh Jim?

Yea I'am his DAD and he better be wearing his PDF.

[Tin Can]

I bet you could double the speed limit on Anderon in that thing eh Jim?

Yea I'am his DAD and he better be wearing his PDF.

Most definitely! You listen to your dad Jim!

[fishwithron2]

Tow my 18' champ with my 96 2/4 4 runner and get 16 towing ( 60 mph)and 20-21 hwy. Have 210,00 miles and so far engine and tranny still holding out.