It will certainly pull it. But, if its raining and you have to make a quick stop I'd rather be in a half ton.
Had a 2017 Tacoma when I got my ZX200. Was coming back from Leon in the rain and that was a scary drive. I immediately went and got a full sized truck after. My life is worth more than saving money. Just my 2 cents.
If you can't stop a load when you need to being able to tow it is irrelevant. I know Tacoma's are good trucks and hold their value well but to me I would get a 1/2 ton without hesitation.
I towed my Ranger Z118/Evinrude 150 with a double cab, V6, 4x4 Taco for four years before getting a 1/2 ton. It was fine. You definitely know it's back there, and you have to drive a bit more defensively (breaking distance, merging time, etc.) but it did the job safely. I'm not sure of the weight differences for comparison to your situation. I will say make sure the brakes are good, and you should service them more often than factory schedule.
For a younger driver who'll be going long distances, it may be better to consider a 1/2 ton...I think a Super Duty is overkill for a bass boat.
Problem with small trucks is stopping and sometimes getting in and out of ramps
I own a heavily modified 6.0 powerstroke, and a manual 5.9 cummins, and I dont mind towing with my wifes Tacoma at all. It actually brakes really well for some reason... at highway speed itll downshift to keep moving at 70 if its even remotely uphill, my diesels obviously dont do that but her car does just fine. Ive towed many many boats at the shop with her truck and its pulled every one of them. As stated above... drive safely, conservatively, dont expect to win a race, and give yourself atopping distance and youll be fine. Just had to add, is a half ton or more ideal? Of course it is. But I see your budget and your thoughts on reliability. Its not practical for all of us to drive big diesel trucks or even half tons. For what it seems you/him are trying to do. I think youre fine.
Last edited by T-racer @ Mallard Marine; 05/22/1902:20 AM.
I have towed my zx 200 many miles with my Tacoma. I recently towed a FX 21 with it but thought it was going to jerk my rear bumper of every time the trailer hit a bump.
I tow my Ranger RT188 aluminum with a 2017 Tacoma. It works fine, but I feel it hesitate a little on most highway inclines. My 2007 Tacoma had a 4.0 vs a 3.5 on the 2017 and the 4.0 did a better job towing (3.5 has higher rated horsepower). I would recommend something bigger.
Good point, starting in 2015 you couldn't get a 4.0 Taco anymore, one of the reasons I don't have a Toyota anymore. Looked at the Tundras but the 4x4's were just too thirsty. I look forward to the next gen Tundra, they are downsizing it back to the pre 2007 tundras, to me that was the perfect sized 1/2 ton truck.
Actually in 2015 Tacoma still had the 4.0. 2016 was first year for the 3.5
My son is graduating high school in a few weeks and we are looking at trucks for him to go to college in. I have found a nice 2017 Tacoma with the tow package that he is interested in, but I am wondering if it is enough to tow (safely) a ZX225. Toyota says it will tow up to 6500#, best guess on a fully loaded ZX225 is probably 3000-3100#, so the numbers seem to work out. I was hoping to get some feedback from anyone that might be using a Tacoma now with a 20' boat. Something about knowing the engine is v-6 still gives me some concern.
The trailer has surge brakes to assist in stopping if needed. My son will be fishing in college so there could be long distance highway travel.
Any feedback welcome, thanks,
If the Tacoma is what you want I think it will tow it fine. If you are concerned about stopping it you can always add electric trailer brakes to the trailer. If you do it yourself (it's not hard) you're looking at roughly $400ish.
I tow my Ranger RT188 aluminum with a 2017 Tacoma. It works fine, but I feel it hesitate a little on most highway inclines. My 2007 Tacoma had a 4.0 vs a 3.5 on the 2017 and the 4.0 did a better job towing (3.5 has higher rated horsepower). I would recommend something bigger.
Good point, starting in 2015 you couldn't get a 4.0 Taco anymore, one of the reasons I don't have a Toyota anymore. Looked at the Tundras but the 4x4's were just too thirsty. I look forward to the next gen Tundra, they are downsizing it back to the pre 2007 tundras, to me that was the perfect sized 1/2 ton truck.
Actually in 2015 Tacoma still had the 4.0. 2016 was first year for the 3.5
Well yeah, I wasn't thinking model year since they started selling the 2016's in 2015.
It will certainly pull it. But, if its raining and you have to make a quick stop I'd rather be in a half ton.
Had that very same situation once towing a Stratos 285 with a Taco. Wet, down hill, boat pushed me right through a four way stop. Luckily the other folks saw me coming and there was no accident. I would find a bigger used truck for a boat that size.
I wouldn’t waste money on a Tacoma. Find a FX4 F150 with the 5.0 or a super duty and you’ll have no worries.
umm, dont buy a FORD!
I tow with a FX4 F150 with the 5.0 and 10 speed and you won't find a better truck. Easy on gas too.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed. Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
You dont need a tow beast to pull a jet ski. Tacomas are just fine to tow with as long as you dont lift it (higher center of gravity) and dont put super aggressive tires on it (poor traction).
I am a full time guide towing a 26ft center console massive bay boat that weighs over 6500 pounds with a BMW x5 with the 3L diesel and the same 8spd transmission they put in Dodge trucks. 88,000 miles with 90% of that towing as a full time guide up and down the coast. I get 35mpg empty and 14 towing at 70mph....full oversized TTop. Had a 2500 Chevy and it tows, handles, and stops it better than that truck ever thought about. Wife got the x5 first. I towed with hers once and sold that truck to get my own. High performance brakes, high performance steering, high performance suspension, better traction control, lower center of gravity, shorter distance between hitch and rear axle....all make for a superior dedicated tow vehicle (up to about 7500 pounds) above that get heavier framed vehicle. Here is my boat and my buddies twin engine 25ft Ranger offshore boat. Thats about my max for this tow vehicle. Handles it all better than that truck ever thought about.
Yes the taco truck will handle a medium bass boat fine.
I towed my Ranger Z118/Evinrude 150 with a double cab, V6, 4x4 Taco for four years before getting a 1/2 ton. It was fine. You definitely know it's back there, and you have to drive a bit more defensively (breaking distance, merging time, etc.) but it did the job safely. I'm not sure of the weight differences for comparison to your situation. I will say make sure the brakes are good, and you should service them more often than factory schedule.
For a younger driver who'll be going long distances, it may be better to consider a 1/2 ton...I think a Super Duty is overkill for a bass boat.
Agree with M. Alexander.... I towed my Nitro Z-7 for 4 years with a Tacoma double cab with no issues. You certainly knew it was back there, but driving defensively at all times made for a very safe driving scenario. I tend to be very conservative about towing, and I was not pushing any limits at all.
"The hours a man spends while fishing are not deducted from those of his lifespan."- Unknown Author
