Towing with a Toyota Tacoma 3.4 liter?

[skeet210]

Looking at buying a used Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner with a 3.4L V-6. Trying to pull an older model 2003 21' Bass boat. Anyone had experience with this type vehicle and it's towing capabilities? How is it going up hills loaded down and pulling the boat out of the landing?

[bassdogg]

Not something I would rely on. That boat will likely push that Tacoma around and would be a dog on hills. The 3.4L is on 190HP.
Maybe a newer model Tacoma with the 4.0L....

[ztownbassman]

I dont think it can pull it! I have a 18' boat and used to pull with a s-10 4x4 stick shift with a 4.3 and it struggled. That rice burner dont have near the ass my old s-10 did, not a recomendation.

[genemelow]

Dont try it. Youll end up in a waded up ball.

[william120]

I pull a 18 1/2 foot Triton with a Tacoma V-6 190HP with no problem. The boat you are describing is bigger, so you may get a different result.

[dallasdawg]

I pull a 2003 18.5' Skeeter TZX-190 w/150VMAX with a 2001 Tacoma 5-speed V6 4x4 TRD.

It pulls this boat fine, but I am not sure I would pull a bigger boat with it unless the trailer had brakes. You aren't going to win any races pulling and uphill can be slow.

If I ever upgrade to a bigger boat, I will probably move to a 1/2 ton truck first.

[jaredpointer]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ztownbassman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I dont think it can pull it! I have a 18' boat and used to pull with a s-10 4x4 stick shift with a 4.3 and it struggled. That rice burner dont have near the ass my old s-10 did, not a recomendation. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't know where you get your numbers for comparison, but the 4.3L S-10 only has 160HP with 235 ft pound of torque versus 190 HP and 220 ft pound on the Tacoma.

I've owned both, and the Tacoma was by far the stronger and faster of the two. not to mention, you can add a supercharger to the Tacomas and get around 250 HP out of that setup.

I don't think pulling the boat would be all that much a problem, but the brakes on those Tacos are a bit soft.

[skeet210]

Thanks for all the comments, I made some upgrades and it tows like nobody's business. Cold Air Intake, new exhaust, and a pair of drilled/slotted front brakes, and it is just like a full size. No problems.