I've added up all the numbers for my '04 Gulfstream w/ twin 200's plus the trailer and gear. It all adds up to less than the 6500 lbs. of towing capacity I have with my '08 Toyota Tacoma. does this sound right to you all? am I over-looking anything here. is anyone else using a mid-size truck to tow a Gulfstream? I bought the boat while it was in the water so this will be my first attempt at towing it.
Towing a Gulfstream with a Tacoma
- Thread starter phishead
- Start date
Have you actually weighed it at a public scale?
Reason for asking is mine with twin 200's weighs 10,100 lbs. Admittedly, I tow with full fuel, ice in the livewell, etc.
The weight difference between our boats seems unusually large to me.
If your weight is what you have computed, I would think a Tacoma would be OK, although I wouldn't take it on long trips, over steep mountain grades, etc. I would also say 4WD is a must for the steep, wet ramps.
Reason for asking is mine with twin 200's weighs 10,100 lbs. Admittedly, I tow with full fuel, ice in the livewell, etc.
The weight difference between our boats seems unusually large to me.
If your weight is what you have computed, I would think a Tacoma would be OK, although I wouldn't take it on long trips, over steep mountain grades, etc. I would also say 4WD is a must for the steep, wet ramps.
I think your gulfstream will tow great until an emergency situation arises. Then I think it will get pushed around and beat up. I wouldn't do it regularly. Just my $.02
Those numbers don't seem to add up, unless perhaps the boat is completely empty in fuel.
I just towed a gulfstream 7 hours with a Ford 250 and I wouldn't want anything less than that, as these boats are heavy.
As earlier poster said you may be OK a short distance but I would not think you would want to tow it a lot.
If you must make sure you have good trailer with good brakes as the Tacoma would have a tough time stopping that boat.
Brian
I just towed a gulfstream 7 hours with a Ford 250 and I wouldn't want anything less than that, as these boats are heavy.
As earlier poster said you may be OK a short distance but I would not think you would want to tow it a lot.
If you must make sure you have good trailer with good brakes as the Tacoma would have a tough time stopping that boat.
Brian
My Gulfstream weights 8,000# on a scale with full fuel. Mine is a 93' and had twin 140 Johnsons when I weighted it. I have since repowered to larger motors. I towed with a 98' 1500 4wd Suburban and I felt I was pushing it. I now have a 2500 duramax and it does great. As stated before, it's the stopping not the going that's critical. If you are going down the street, like to a neighborhood ramp, you might be OK but anything more....get a heavier duty vehicle; these boats are heavy.
Wow....not really a good idea.
I tow my 208 every weekend with the same Tacoma 4x4, dont get me wrong it is a helluva truck but it will not be happy with a 232 behind it. My boat loaded is right under 6k lbs and the truck has no problem with it but I would go no larger without upgrading the truck. The brakes just cant handle it.
Now if your just going 2 miles to the local ramp on backroads you might be ok. With 4x4 that truck will have no ramp issues either given a properly distributed trailer.
Dont forget to take a picture of that rig, I thought mine looked lop-sided.
I tow my 208 every weekend with the same Tacoma 4x4, dont get me wrong it is a helluva truck but it will not be happy with a 232 behind it. My boat loaded is right under 6k lbs and the truck has no problem with it but I would go no larger without upgrading the truck. The brakes just cant handle it.
Now if your just going 2 miles to the local ramp on backroads you might be ok. With 4x4 that truck will have no ramp issues either given a properly distributed trailer.
Dont forget to take a picture of that rig, I thought mine looked lop-sided.