4x2 4.0-liter V6 Tundra: Enough balls to haul boat?

[jazzwannabe]

I'm looking at the base model Tundra. Does it have enough power to comfortably tow a full-sized, tourney-rigged glass boat? Does it need any upgrades? I don't want to pay for more truck than I really need.

(There's very little traffic over in the vehicles forum, so I posted here.)

[swordfish]

The tow package would be a good option depending on the price, depending on the road grades you will be towing on it should be fine I would be more concerned with stopping power and not over taxing the tranny I have a V8 in my tundra 05 and it tows uphill at fast speeds The tundra is great but.... chevys are better on gas

[jazzwannabe]

What does the tow package consist of?

[milehi]

I live in the mountains and pull an 18' champ no problem with my 03 tundra. It is four wheel though.

[offduty]

I used to pull an 18'6" Ranger with a Ranger pickup with 4.0 V-6.
It had enough power to pull it but I was way over the tow rating of 1500 lbs with boat and trailer I was between 2500 and 3000 lbs.

I recommend a V-8 and staying within your tow rating. A boat heavier or close in weight to the tow vehicle does not appeal to me for braking reasons. Even with trailer brakes I am more comfortable with my Bronco than my Ranger for towing. I have towed my TR21 and old 185 Ranger with both trucks.

There are probably those who tow with lighter vehicles but if you have to brake substantially while turning, especially on a wet road it is real easy to jack knife a heavy trailer with a light tow vehicle. I would pay attention to tow ratings and weights of boat and truck especially if I was going to tow long distances.

Rich

[acm95301]

With tow package and if yor hauling a double axel trailer you will want trailer brakes too....otherwise no problem.

[Randy Walker]

I think that you would be just fine...ditto on what others are saying about taxing the tranny and watch the brakes. I will say this, I have pulled my 20I Skeeter with a V-6 and V-8 Tundra, and I got way better gas mileage out of the V-8...I just think that it does not have to work as hard in stop and go and up inclines, I did not realize the differance between the two until I swapped back and forth...I always use the V-8 now...

[StockOption]

Why get a V6 in a Tundra?

I wouldn't even think twice - get the V8 and you'll be far, far happier.

[ASD]

v8 only

[mark poulson]

I think that you would be just fine...ditto on what others are saying about taxing the tranny and watch the brakes. I will say this, I have pulled my 20I Skeeter with a V-6 and V-8 Tundra, and I got way better gas mileage out of the V-8...I just think that it does not have to work as hard in stop and go and up inclines, I did not realize the differance between the two until I swapped back and forth...I always use the V-8 now...

+1
I used to tow with a V6 150, but it worked hard.
I upgraded to a V8 150, with their Triton engine, and both the motor and tranny have no problems.
Both had two packages, but the V8 just doesn't labor like the V6 under load on hills.
Aside from making sure your vehicle is heavy enough to provide a safe, solid tow platform (there's a formula, I think its 1 1/2 time the weight of what's being towed, but I'm not sure), the wear and tear on an underpowered drive system will make your truck die an early death.
Going heavier/stonger than necessary is much better than going too light, and finding out too late it was a mistake.
One source you might try for advice is rental yards, which are pretty careful about tow vehicles and trailers, thanks to some spectactular accidents in the past.

[jazzwannabe]

Thanks everyone.

[brambo0311]

I have a 4.0 ranger 4x4 I tow a light 18' pro craft. It pulls it, but not great. And I need 4x4 low on steep ramps. If my trailer brakes fail it will push me through an intersection (not fun). About everything that can go wrong has. IMO a full size v-8 is the way to go, the smaller trucks just are not safe, at least mine isn't.

[DougH]

just get a Cummins or a Duramax and be done with it. Better mileage and enough truck to do anything you want...

[JTorre]

have an 2001 tundra V8. I pull a 18'8" ranger. I already went through 2 trany's. I hate the truck and wish I would've bought american instead. In my opinion, the truck is way underpowered and struggles with the result of a high gas bill. Go with a chevy, dodge, or ford........just my .02.

[npangler]

chevy half ton great gas milage better towing control.

[Roger Saraiba]

I had two american half tons and both went about 115,000 miles and started falling apart. I have a 06 Tundra with a V8 and tow a Ranger 520. I have had zero problems and have all the faith in towing and stoping my boat. I will tell you that the 07 and newer Tundras are superior in towing. You will hear sob stories from everyone who has had a bad vechicle my advise is to get a V8 and if buying used get it checked out by a mechanic.