New Vehicle in my sites - your opinon needed

[ash]

It looks like the Chevy Truck will not be long in our driveway. I really like the Toyota 4-Runner and will be purchasing used. The challenge is there are not alot of V8 4Runners on the market, but there are plenty of V6's does ANYONE have experiance towing their bass rig with a V6 or even better a 4Runner V6? Typical runs are Delta, Folsom, Berry, Orroville and Clear Lake (a few times a year) I know there is no substitue for HP, but there is also no substitute for spending within ones means. What say you?

[kb]

If I can help you with a Toyota don't hesitate to drop me a line and I will be happy to hook you up with Jeff Thompson at Thompson's Toyota. They have a used lot as well so if you see anything on their webpage you are interested in give me a yell!!

take care
Kent

[ash]

I dont see any 4Runners on their lot, but ill give him a shout especially if they will let me tow my boat behind one to see if the V6 has the cajones to pull.

[ScottyJ]

Hey Ash, I believe Zack Thompson tows with a V6 toyota. Get ahold of him and see what he says. I think his user name is Basz


Scott

[Ray Coleman]

I have a 2007 44 runner with a V6 and have towed a 20'problem Triton and a 19' Ranger lots of miles. My 4 runner is a 2007 wheel drive. I've never had a problem with launching or towing out in any ramp. When not towing I get about 20 mpg towing I get about 12.

[Ray Coleman]

Don't you just love typing on a cell phone. I will send a response on my PC tonight that makes sense.

[Rod Martin]

I have towed with several V-6s and a inline 5, not a big deal. Dont drive 80 and think about your braking early, helps if trailer has brakes.
Getting better mileage when not towing makes up for the few mins extra you may spend getting there with the boat.

[trophyfish]

I went from towing with a 2004 Yukon Denali AWD 6.0 ltr V-8 to a 2009 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab 4.0 ltr 4X4 V-6

Toyota
Pros:
Actually averages 20 mpg non towing
Tows ok on 'flat' hwy/roads, good luck going up Clearlake grade, it will be a slow ride up, but will manage.
Can two buddies 20+ft Nitro with 225 Opti 'OK' but passing is another thing
Tows my 19 ft Champion with 200 hp OK

Cons:
Comparatively can't match towing capability of V-8, Denali didn't feel like it was towing either boat and easy to pass with.

Denali V-8
Pros:
Can tow any size bass boat with ease
more size and comfort features

Cons:
gas mileage sucked avg 16 at best non towing

Guess it depends on what you are willing to sacrifice, power, passing or overall gas mileage when not towing.

[davet.]

How come nobody has mentioned the best of both, the Tundra?
I've had my 2000, 4.7 Ltr for 10 years now. It's approaching 200K miles and still accelerates and feels as crisp as the day I bought it. Never had any mechanical problems, never had any problems pulling my 19 ft Viper up those slimey delta ramps, ever.
I'll admit that the mileage (14 mpg) is not great, but I'll take that over being stuck on the side of the road any day.
I've had Chevy. My last Chevy had a fuel pump die and it's mounted in the gas tank, so I had to drop the tank, half full of gas to change it.
Then the alternator died, thank god for AAA towing. Then I blew a head gasket that watered down the oil until the engine fried, all at under 70K miles.
I've had an 85 Toyota 4WD for 21 years and 300K miles with no problem at all, still passes smog.
I knew at that time that my only salvation was another Toyota.
I test drove the V6's, up the El Dorado grade, but they were sluggish, so I knew a V8 was the only option.
I bought the Tundra 10 years ago and never looked back.
Accelerates up any hill, makes that cool V8 howl and never lets me down.
Check em out.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

I have a 2006 4runner. It's a "sport". above the SR5 but below the Limited. I have full time 4wd and also the v8 - 4.7ltr engine. I have loaded the truck with everything, the 2 kids, there stuff, the wife and the basscat for a clear lake trip... I had no problems...

the brakes and suspension is a lot better for towing if you get one on the 'SPORT" and "LIMITED". sr5 is only rated to tow up to 5000lbs as the sport and limited are rated to tow up to 7000lbs. I love the power and turning ratio while towing. I still have the 4 runner but now i leave it for the wife and kids.

Currently i am using my silverado 2500 crew cab. There are many great things about the 4 runner. it does the job very well, gas milage for me ave. 12-14 but i do 55mph. and it's a great daily driver. the suspension does dip slightly when hooked up to the boat.

The silverado is better balance when hooked up to the boat. a lot more comfortable because it is a wider and bigger truck. the 4 runner tends to get cramped. i don't know what you family status is but because of my kids and family vacations to the lake. we out grew the 4 runner in certain situations. good luck!!

the 4 runner


the basscat


another picture hooked up with the boat

[hasetak]

I would definetly go for something with a v8. I get 17mpg out of my 2011 5.7 l Tundra and 13.5 towing the boat & other stuff (car trailer, 26 ft camp trailer) with a lead foot. My 2006 4.7l Tundra did about the same with a little less capacity. The 2006 had 220,000 miles on it when I got rid of it, it was by far the most reliable truck I have ever had (2011 only has 45,000 on it). I never had a problem with it, 5000 mile oil changes and 100,000 mile sevice, it never threw a check engine light. Plus I got a 70,000 out of tires and 80,000 out of brakes. Not to mention both of them towed better than any other 1/2 ton pick up I have ever driven ( have towed with Ford, Chevy and Dodge). A v6 is probaly going to get you 2-3 mpg better unloaded, but you are going to suffer once the boat gets latched on plus you are really going to miss the power once you start to climb a hill. Hope this helps.

[basstratos]

I have a 5 speed 2000 Toyota 4 runner with v-6 and it tows my 18 1/2 Stratos with no problems, except going up steep grades, you definitely have to go over to the slow lanes. Pulling up over American Canyon by Marine World is a strain on HW 101 but going slow and take it is no problem. Fish the delta and berry all the time, no real issues but with v-8, then you will have no problems. Over the years, the suspension got mushy from all the pulling so I had to replace the suspension on them. Never had any problems pulling rig out, don't use the 4 wheel as my stick pulls out easily.

[sky88s]

hey ash,

I currently tow right now with an older 4runner a 97 to be exact..the power is definitely not there but the thing is really capable of pulling anything..i wouldnt settle for any v6 foreign or domestic if youre going to be towing more then 19ft..i cant imagine the stress on the transmission.

as for the v6 4runners..youre going to need to run a transmission cooler and the braking will need to be watched carefully..
now if you were to get a newer 4th gen 4runner and you do find a v8..then youre set brother..those things are really designed to tow just about anything..thats what i really want to get right there..

I also intended on selling mines because i wanted something with more power like a tahoe..but the gas really is a pain..especially since i still drive daily back and fourth from school..so i might just get some performance mods, do tundra brake conversions and settle with that for now with my 4runner..not to mention things are a little easier to work on yourself..

Kong

[ash]

Thank you everyone for your replies my wife and i have both been monitoring this thread and your input has definatly helped. The V6-4Runner is slightly underpowered but most of my fishing is on the delta, folsom, berry, orroville so it could do what i want - the tranny and breaking are one of my biggest concerns. She gets that there is no substitue for HP - so we are lookign at the Sequia V8 - the 4Runner V6 and V8 - i think a tranny cooler is a must as well in the 6 so that will be a part of my costs.

We are going shopping this weekend i've decided no matter what model it will be the 4th gen 4-runner and it could be a later year Sequia (up to 2006) , during our test driving this weekend one of my stops will be to Thompson Toyota, thanks KB. Ill let you know how it shakes out and my feedback on the deal. With this being a primary family truckster and my tow rig it needs to fit us well in everything we do. If you have more feedback please keep it coming.

[baitfish]

I have two Sequoia's '01 2wd & '06 4wd. They have been great cars(160k & 117k miles). The mpg on both are not good, but I am sure you realize that getting an 8cyl. The difference in mpg between the 2wd & 4wd is small, if any, as I don't notice it. I pull a 21ft Ranger with the '06 and get around 10 mpg.

[Rod Martin]

I just blew thru 126,000 miles on my little chevy truck WITH AN INLINE 5cyl. I have a home in Fl. and one in Stockton. I tow to and from (and outside Calif. its done at 75 to 80 mph) only addons are elect brake box and set of air bags on back for load leveling. its a 4 door and gets 15mpg at 75 towing and 23 at 75-80 with the AC blasting out.
You should try 80mph with a pondtoon boat behind acting like a big wind wall.

The towing you guys do around here could be done with a 4cyl. if you only pull once a week to the lake. Fuel milage is only important if most of your driving is without the boat. Buy your truck to handle what you do most. then set it up to handle the other

[fishwithron2]

When buying the Toyota, include the towing package on it and it'll have your tranny cooler with it. I have 96 V6 SR5 4 runner and towing I get 16 mpg (60 mph) and 21 reg. Car now has 235,000 miles orig motor, transmission and only replace misc parts that wears out. I do most of my towing to delta and have gone to Clear afew times. More HP would be nice, but you know where the steep climbs are so get a running start. I still make it over those hills around 50 mph+ .
The new 4 runner has about 90 more hp which should help.