Thread:

Tow a 28' Magic Deckboat with 2011 V6 4Runner

Now I know this is a ridiculous setup...But here's the question. I plan on towing my boat to and from Havasu with my F250 Diesel...No issues there.

Here's the question...We leave our boat at a summer permanent spot at the Islander RV Resort in Havasu. This is the first year we have my wife's 4 runner and it is ALOT more comfortable ride to and from Havasu in her car than my truck. It is a V6, 4 X 4 Limited and is rated at towing 5K lbs. My boat and trailer is approx 7k-7.5k lbs.

How bad of an idea would it be to use her 4runner for launching the boat and taking it less than 4 miles every other trip on the streets to get gas?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated as my wife will be PISSED when I f*%k up her 4runner.....

Drive it nice and easy. When pulling out of ramps put it in 4 wheel low. Do not think I would drive over 35 or 40 mph. Make sure the hitch will hold it as well. And you might get a ticket also.

It would be better to buy an old K5 Blazer or suburban or even a standard cab 3/4 ton truck big block or small block powered and leave it out there. You are pushing it with that heavy of a boat and the 4 Runner. My 2 cents.

Well, if its just around town, we've towed 10k+ with our 03 tundra 4x4 before..
You have to allow for long stops of course.. but it doesn't have a problem getting from one place to another, even up excessively steep hills in four low..


I don't see why it couldn't pull it along the surface streets, for getting gas, launching or storage..

Thats a ton of boat, for a truck that size. I'd be afraid to try it. But report back w/ the results. Lol.

You'll be fine, but back down the ramp slow. I think that will be your biggest issue with a wet and slippery ramp.

Originally Posted by WMorton

You'll be fine, but back down the ramp slow. I think that will be your biggest issue with a wet and slippery ramp.

We tow about a mile with a 2003 trailblazer wheel drive. Same size boat for the same reason. It definitely doesn't have any wow factor but it does the job. We launch at Windsor and never have any problems.

You should be fine as long as you stay away from site 6, its pretty steep at that launch

So did you try it? You could just have the Islander launch it for you and leave it on the beach or in slip all weekend.