Towing a 22 Cruiser with a Toyota Tacoma ?
- Thread starter Lucky
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
The 22 I had on an aluminum double axle trailer weighed in at around 5100 lbs fully loaded. I towed it with a Toyota Highlander rated for 5000 lbs with no issues. I don't think you'll have any problems towing with a spec of 6500 lbs. Watch your payload weights however. I find that to be more restricting than the towing spec. Colby
Alyssa Jean
New member
I towed my 22 with a Taco 4wd for 3-4 years before trading up to the 25. Then went to the Tundra. Now i am back down to a 16 and back to a Taco 4wd again.
colbysmith
Active member
I don't think most boat trailer manufacturers recommend the use of weight distribution hitches. At least not on the size boats we're towing. Part of the problem is the additional stress on the single pole tongues, some due to the braking systems. Colby
I think the weight distribution hitch system would negate the surge brake operation because the movement of the surge sensing system would be blocked by the torsion bars.
I think for the Tundra, an airbag system would help level the truck, but the trailer weight is still going to be there, so watch the numbers.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I think for the Tundra, an airbag system would help level the truck, but the trailer weight is still going to be there, so watch the numbers.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
hardee":9c3bjhbv said:
Supposedly if you set up the WD hitch properly, surge brakes still work. WD hitches are normally not recommended for boat trailers, but there is one company that makes one for single pole trailers. Check with your trailer manufacturer before using it though.
I was wondering the same exact thing last month. After extensive research I drove 700 miles to get my new to me 22 cruiser with my v6 Tacoma with the tow package.
Other than loosing a bearing on the way home, the truck towed surprisingly well!
I do have a bit heavier leaf springs on my truck that I installed when I added 2.5" of lift to it. I did not have functional trailer breaks at the time though and wish I would have but still, I made it home fine.
My plans are to keep the Tacoma and the 22. I will be fixing the trailer breaks and should be good to go!
Here is a video of my 1,400 mile adventure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OOPrb2lNA&t=1145s
Other than loosing a bearing on the way home, the truck towed surprisingly well!
I do have a bit heavier leaf springs on my truck that I installed when I added 2.5" of lift to it. I did not have functional trailer breaks at the time though and wish I would have but still, I made it home fine.
My plans are to keep the Tacoma and the 22. I will be fixing the trailer breaks and should be good to go!
Here is a video of my 1,400 mile adventure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OOPrb2lNA&t=1145s
Barry Rietz
New member
The Toyota Tacoma comes in three different configurations; a standard two wheel drive; the Pre-Runner (two wheel drive); and the four wheel drive model. Each model has different tow ratings unless it was delivered with a "factory tow package" that included larger brakes and an oversized transmission oil cooler. So before you buy a Tacoma, or use one to tow your boat, check the vehicle VIN number to see how it was equipped and that it has sufficient capacity to tow the load.
Barry Rietz":2ivicuar said:
Barry is correct. I have a 2005 Tacoma Pre-runner 4.0L V6 doublecab long bed (nice long wheelbase) with the factory tow package rated to tow up to 6500 lbs. I towed my 22 up from AZ to WA over all sorts of mountain passes with an additional 400-500 lbs of stuff in the bed - no problem. Just take your time and to be in a hurry.
In the next few weeks I plan to use my Tacoma to tow my new Venture 23.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I towed my 22' Classic with a Tacoma rated to tow 6,500 lbs. Starting and stopping was no problem at all. I was pretty sure of myself until I was driving on an interstate and getting heavy gust side winds. The boat caught the gusts and would force the trailer tongue to the left then the boat would overcorrect to the right when the gust passed. Definitely a tail wagging the dog situation. White knuckle drive to and from the lake. The truck simply didn't have the weight to counteract the sail action by the boat in heavy wind. Sold the truck two weeks later. Great truck, but not for towing tall boats - in my experience and opinion.
My experience also when we purchased our C-Dory with already owning a Dodge Dakota. I loved my Dodge but after 3 months of towing the 23 Venture, the tail wagging the dog was my experienced too. Bought a full size truck and now all is well. I need to be fair because the 23 Venture weights about 550 lbs. more when compared to a 22 Cruiser while on a trailer, (trailer, boat, motor, fuel and water) but the comparison is close. I know there are people on this site that tow their 22 Cruisers with tow vehicles lighter than a mid-sized truck but for towing long distance regularly, I would not recommend it. The Tacoma or Dakota may be legal to tow with but having a larger more capable tow vehicle is comforting.