How much Truck..??

qcguy4198 · #1 08-31-2021, 01:46 PM

I have 23' Seacraft Sceptre with a 4-stroke 250 hp Yamaha on a dual axle trailer. I've been pulling it ( EASILY..) with my Tundra w/ 5.7 liter motor and full towing package. I'm starting to consider a new truck. Wondering if a Tacoma 6-cyl would pull it safely. I launch at local ramps so there's no long hauls or crazy launch points involved. I don't even know what the boat/trailer weighs. Looking for advice, experience...whatever you might be able to add.
Thanks.

jorgeinmiami · #2 08-31-2021, 04:34 PM

I have a Tacoma 6 cylinder 4 wheel drive truck and pull my 20 on a dual axle trailer with no brakes and I tow it 50 miles to my place in islamorada.
I would not tow yours behind mine unless it was real close to the ramp. The manual says it can handle 6500lbs but it’s not pulling it’s stopping it that matters.
I would stay with the Tundra

77SceptreOB · #3 08-31-2021, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgeinmiami

I have a Tacoma 6 cylinder 4 wheel drive truck and pull my 20 on a dual axle trailer with no brakes and I tow it 50 miles to my place in islamorada.
I would not tow yours behind mine unless it was real close to the ramp. The manual says it can handle 6500lbs but it’s not pulling it’s stopping it that matters.
I would stay with the Tundra

X2

I pull my 23' Sceptre with a 1/2 ton Suburban and wouldn't use anything less personally.

mnwnvc · #4 08-31-2021, 05:59 PM

I have owned and towed with both trucks. Stick with the Tundra, a bigger boat may be in your future. I have several thousand miles on both rigs towing my 20. Would never go back.

bumpdraft · #5 08-31-2021, 06:17 PM

I still remember clearly the time my friend and I took my 18 to the Keys a long time ago(late 80s). Wife needed our truck to take to work and we towed the boat with my friends S-10 Blazer. It was pretty new and in good shape. I was driving, going through Islamorada and it started to rain. The guy in front of us pulled a typical Keys move and hit his brakes and then put his turn signal on.i braked, but had nothing. I missed him somehow. I then wanted to get off the road and was maybe going 30 and slid right on by a gas station. Pulling and stopping are two different animals.

Xcomunic8d · #6 08-31-2021, 06:56 PM

Like another said it’s not moving it. It’s stopping it. And I’ll add controlling it. Tundra is plenty for your scenario (and what I would buy between 2). But I always recommend the biggest truck you can get in front of it that makes sense. Might want to consider what tail wagging the dog looks like. I’d run trailer brakes regardless. Short trips maybe you’ll be fine. I have mountains and long drives.

Tacoma’s legal… might work. But Tundra would be better and I’d bet one day you’ll want to take a long trip and won’t be able to.

Good luck on your decision.

joshmon71 · #7 08-31-2021, 10:37 PM

my 2002 tundra 4.7L V8, with headers and upgraded bigger brakes the 2006 size brakes, struggled with my 23CC + double axle trailer, on the rare occasions my trailer disc brakes (one axle) failed it was not a lot of fun stopping. between slow acceleration, some swaying, and braking, I would not even consider a Tacoma for towing a 23......

I have a 2016 Tundra now as well....peachy for towing but the MPG is horrid, towing or not!

qcguy4198 · #8 09-01-2021, 05:37 AM

Thanks for the replies. Fact is, the boat may not be a factor going forward as I'm using it less and less these days. That said though...I appreciate the comments from your experience and for as long as I am owning this boat..I'll stay with the Tundra. The stopping comments are the most helpful btw. Thanks again.

djisurfli · #9 01-18-2022, 10:54 AM

Sorry to resurrect an old thread here, not sure if you've pulled the trigger on anything to this point however I have some experience on the exact question at hand.

I have had two Tacoma's now, a 2016 shortbed and a 2019 long bed. I also have a Sceptre but with a transom mounted 225 etec and a hardtop. I've towed with my Tacoma a few times a year no problems with this little (by comparison) truck with little to no issues, with the towing package they're rated up to 7,800 lbs but as all have accurately stated its all about stopping. It has a tow mode (ECT Power) that holds onto the lower gears longer which is helpful. I also manually downshift the transmission while slowing for peace of mind sometimes though I've never had an issue stopping, and I have no brakes on my trailer. The only time I got plowed while stopping was my own fault coming downhill into an intersection with limited sight distance ahead, only needed to learn that lesson once. For local towing, to and from the ramp a few times a year or to the marina It'll serve you fine. I'm continually surprised at how much of a beast these little trucks are. That said I'm looking for a Gen 1 Tundra at lease end, hope it'll perform similarly...

Bigshrimpin · #10 01-20-2022, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmon71

my 2002 tundra 4.7L V8, with headers and upgraded bigger brakes the 2006 size brakes, struggled with my 23CC + double axle trailer, on the rare occasions my trailer disc brakes (one axle) failed it was not a lot of fun stopping. between slow acceleration, some swaying, and braking, I would not even consider a Tacoma for towing a 23......

I have a 2016 Tundra now as well....peachy for towing but the MPG is horrid, towing or not!

The new tacomas are basically the same size truck as the 2000 - 2006 tundras. I had 2004 4.7 tundra braking wasn't great, but it towed fine. The 5.7 Tundra tows the 23 much much better.