Re: Tow vehicles
 

Tin, You never answered Phester's question. Did you find a boat in FL.?

Re: Tow vehicles
 

TinMan,
If you are still looking for info on transmission coolers for your Taco, check out www.yotatech.com for suggestions on what kind to get and how to install it. I have an 11 year old 4Runner, and have got lots of useful info from that website/forum.

Re: Tow vehicles
 

Like said before, if thats what you got then use it. if not and and you are in the market then buy fullsize.

I have a 4x4 sonoma with the 4.3 vortec that is putting out about the same hp. I, as yall know dont use my v20 yet, but I have had to tow it a few times to work on it and evade hurricanes and I HATE towin it with my truck. Also mine is just a hull!!....no fuel, windshields, outboard, gear etc....

I regularly tow my 18 wellcraft with it and its a heavy little boat. It does it, but it doesnt like to do it....go fullsize if you can, I cant WAIT till I can. ::)

Oh and lets dont even talk about stopping either one, especially in the rain. :o

Re: Tow vehicles
 

No, I didn't, but I have a feeling when I do find one it will be down there.

Re: Tow vehicles
 

Thanks PD, looks like a great site.

Re: Tow vehicles
 

I had a friend pull a 5000 lb trailer from florida to VA with that same truck year 2000 I believe. His was a 5 speed and he had no problems. Towing is really about torque not horsepower. You will be fine towing wise but read below.

BRING A GREASE GUN FOR THE WHEEL BEARINGS

BRING EXTRA WHEEL BEARINGS AND MAKE SURE YOU NO HOW TO CHANGE THEM OUT.

BRING A SPARE TIRE

FIND OUT IF THE TRAILER HAS BRAKES (my trailer is currently illegal over 3500lbs and no brakes)

I got a great deal on my boat (almost $6000 under retail) and the trip was from GA to VA and I would never do it again.

Most boat owners don't take care of there trailers. Over a 1000 miles on any trailer will almost always present some type of problems.

On my trip I lost one wheel bearing in a small little town at 9:00pm. I did not know the wheel bearing size but I had a jack and tons of tools in my truck. Got the boat to walmart and bought ever type of bearing they had none of them fit. By this time I looked like a greasy homeless person. Left the boat at walmart. Drove to ever truck stop no luck. Slept at walmart parking lot over night.
Next morning drove 50 miles to Bass Pro Shop. Got there waited to 10:00am for them to open. Changed the wheel bearing. Then I drove 500 miles at 45-50 mph stoping ever 50 miles to grease wheel bearings. I really like my new boat but I will never do that again.


just be careful and give yourself alot of time and I hope you are saving a lot of money.

Re: Tow vehicles & HEAR what Deshet says!
 

Amen brother deshet!

Great advice!

Before you drive a "NEW" trailer home - like anything over 50 miles - look at it very, very closely, the time and money you but in up front will save you ten times in return!

Look at
1) Tires - no problem until one blows at 60 MPH !
2) Bearings and axles - see deshet's post
3) Speings - see below
4) Brakes - you only need them when you want to stop!
5) Hitch and trailer structural - go ahead break a cross member - they on rust on the bottom!
6) Lights - cops love out of state trailers with no lights!

You heard deshets - now mine ....

I lost a spring on 95 northbound in North Carolina about 10 miles south of the VA border. Ok I pull off on exit, and find a"very helpful" gas station.... "Sure we can fix the spring - but you gatta leave it" so I do, and get back to Annapolis. This is saturday afternonn, and small things like family and work Monday becon! I drive back down the following saturday to pick up the boat (an Aquasport 17) and get charged $250 !!! When I asked why so high - I was told "well my boy here measured wrong the first time, and so he had to go back and get the right set of springs, and he he was on the clock on your job".
Now talk about getting your nortons in a vice!

So yeah - check out that trailer 5 ways to sunday!

C-Bill

Re: Tow vehicles
 

I had a 94 Toyota with the 3.0 V-6. It was OK from home to the launch 10 miles away, but farther than that I was uncomfortable. As mentioned before, trailer brakes are a must. I eneded up with a Tundra with the 4.7 V8. Huge difference! Gas mileage was about the same between the two trucks.

Re: Tow vehicles
 

Hey Tin, when I movedmy boat from Va to Fla I used a boat transport company, considering gas, time and wear and tear it was well worth it.

Re: Tow vehicles
 

I thought of that too, or renting a u-haul 1 way and towing with that.