www.iFourWinns.com

Hello,

As a result of a teen driving mishap, I'm in the market for a new tow vehicle to replace my mint, 9-year-old Expedition.

I'm leaning toward a pick-up, but want to go smaller with better gas mileage (won't take much, huh?).

While I don't want to lose the ability to tow when desired, I really only need to tow twice a year, 35 miles each way. To a marina in the Fall for winterization/storage, from the marina to the lake where I moor the boat come Spring. For these trips, the boat has usually been stripped of most other weight (seat cushions, carpets, contents, life jackets, etc.)

I have a 2002 220 Horizon, tandem trailer with surge brakes. The 220 has a dry weight, with engine of almost 4000 lbs. Adding gas and trailer gets my total weight to approximately 5000-5500 lbs.

I'm looking at something in the Toyota Tacoma class. Will I have any issues here?

Also, can anyone comment on the wide variety of ratings you seen when looking at tow ratings? For example, in looking at the ratings for a certain Tacoma model, this is the listing I get,

Tacoma Access Cab 2WD/4WD 4.0L V6 3500*
Tacoma Access Cab 2WD/4WD 4.0L V6 6500 (z)

The (z) implies "with towing package". Does the addition of a towing package really almost double the capacity? If so, it appears this vehicle would work for me. While I wouldn't cut it this close if I were trailering on a regular basis, given my use this seems to work....and no, this situation will not be changing during the time I'll own this vehicle.

Thanks,
Mark

Tacoma’s towing package includes 4.10 rear axel ratio, supplemental engine oil cooler, transmission oil cooler and Class-4 towing hitch. I believe a stock Tacoma only has a bumper hitch so towing capacity difference is correct figure. You should be ok with a few times you would tow your boat. Coming from Expedition double cab might be a nice to have.
If you do not wary about gas much I like the latest Tundra also….. Just in case you up length your 220 to 240……
Have Fun!

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I agree with Sushi. If it were me, I'd opt for the towing package. Sounds like you drive your trucks a long time; I do the same. Some of that stuff (tranny cooler, etc.) is very beneficial even if you never tow. Better to have a little more capability than you need than to bring it right to the limit. Also keep in mind that the tow capacities on most trucks are exaggerated nowadays. My 240 weighs in wet at 6,500 on the trailer; my next truck will have a minimum rated capacity of 9,000#.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mark,

I tow a '99 horizon 220 with my 2005 Tacoma v6 w/ tow package with NO problems. Pulls and stops it like a champ. I compared the weight of our 2 boats, and yours comes in about 450 lbs. heavier than mine. (depending on engine choice: I have the 5.7 gsi dual, which puts my published dry weight at 3290)

As for towing package on the Tacoma. It adds: class 4 hitch, transmission oil cooler (for automatics), engine oil cooler, heavier duty battery and alternator, and the 7pin connector. So to answer your question, no, the package will not magically double your towing ability, but it will make it much safer and easier on the truck's longevity to tow that much. The things included are great to have anyway, and would be more expensive to install individually aftermarket.

Flying Sushi is mistaken, the tow package does NOT change axle gear ratio to 4.10, that gearing is only available on 4 cylinder models. Mine is geared at 3.73, and that seems to be just right.

Let me know if you have any questions about the Tacoma. I've had mine for 3 years/65,000 miles and LOVE it!

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1999 Horizon 220 5.7GSi DP
2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off-Road

Hayduke is correct.. 4.0LV6 Tacoma w towing pkg should have 3.72 grear ratio and not 4.10 which is only for 2.7L4 cylinder.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

All,

Thank you for the very prompt and useful reponses. Very helpful.

The good news is that my Expeditions damage is not as bad as feared so I should be good for another year or two after repairs. But I will be back in the market and this info will be needed. I do like the Tacoma (Next choice would have been a Ford 150)

BTW, my comment about doubling the towing capacity was based on the numbers above. I wouldn't think of getting a vehicle like this without the towing package. But I realize now that the jump in published towing capacity has more to do with the capacity of the hitch vs the bumber rather than engine, gears, etc as I originally wondered.