On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:26:46 GMT, "Don White"
wrote:
the local dealer is walking distance from my house. A couple of years ago
they bought a very big property and built a big sterile showroom. i went
down to see the trucks and all they had were overpriced crew cab types. The
Tundra was almost as expensive as a Sienna. I'd really like a 'Highlander'
SUV but they cost about $38k CDN. I'd have to end my 7 month retirement
and go find a job to afford that baby.
===========================================

I have the extended cab Tundra (4 doors, small back seat) with a
fitted cap over the cargo area, painted to match. From a distance it
looks like a large SUV and has many of the advantages at a much lower
price ( a bit over $30K USD plus $1700 for the cap). Those are three
year old prices of course. I can carry five people for short
distances, or longer distances if they are small or have a high pain
threshold :-)

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:26:46 GMT, "Don White"
wrote:
the local dealer is walking distance from my house. A couple of years ago
they bought a very big property and built a big sterile showroom. i went
down to see the trucks and all they had were overpriced crew cab types.
The
Tundra was almost as expensive as a Sienna. I'd really like a
'Highlander'
SUV but they cost about $38k CDN. I'd have to end my 7 month retirement
and go find a job to afford that baby.
===========================================

I have the extended cab Tundra (4 doors, small back seat) with a
fitted cap over the cargo area, painted to match. From a distance it
looks like a large SUV and has many of the advantages at a much lower
price ( a bit over $30K USD plus $1700 for the cap). Those are three
year old prices of course. I can carry five people for short
distances, or longer distances if they are small or have a high pain
threshold :-)


I understand the double cab version is pretty comfortable. Even in my
Tacoma, my 6' son is comfortable in the back, with the front seat at its
rearmost position.

"Pete McKinney" wrote in message
om...
Currently, I own a Toyota Sienna and am about
to replace my other vehicle. The Toyota website says the Sienna has a
towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Is this enough to pull a ski boat?

A very light ski boat, like a 16 foot outboard. I certainly wouldn't
recommend it for a good sized tournament ski boat.

Would there be a towing difference between the two vehicles, or should
they perform about the same?

There are several issues about towing that you need to consider.

When towing down a freeway the drag of the trailer will increase the load on
the car. In most cases a boat is fairly good in this regard as they are
fairly streamlined and low profile. A whole lot better than say a camping
trailer!

Wheelbase is another issue. When the trailer starts to sway, a short wheel
base tow vehicle can get pushed around pretty bad.

Stopping: It is one thing to take a while to get the load going, it is
another thing to take a while to get it stopped. If your tow vehicle is
light then trailer brakes are essential.

Getting the load moving: This is where boats are far worse than any other
type of trailer. Launching the boat is easy, but eventually you need to put
the boat back on the trailer and take it home. The boat ramp can be steep
and the boat can be loaded with people, gear, and possibly a fair amount of
bilge water. The car has to be able to get this load moving up a very steep
hill. Automatics generally do better at this, I have seen underpowered
manual transmissions just burn their clutch up trying to haul a boat out.

In general, the larger the vehicle the better for towing.

Rod

My 20' Malibu skier is 4200 lbs dry, with trailer...over the rating.

Have you looked at the Nissan Titan?

As for the difference between the two Toys, the longer wheel base will
favor...which is the Tacoma I believe.

Take care.

--
-Netsock

"It's just about going fast...that's all..."
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

"Pete McKinney" wrote in message
om...
I know I will be buying a boat in a few years and I'm considering what
I will need to tow it. Currently, I own a Toyota Sienna and am about
to replace my other vehicle. The Toyota website says the Sienna has a
towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Is this enough to pull a ski boat?
One of the vehicles I'm considering is the Tacoma, which also lists a
capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Would there be a towing difference between the two vehicles, or should
they perform about the same?

(Pete McKinney) wrote in message . com...
I know I will be buying a boat in a few years and I'm considering what
I will need to tow it. Currently, I own a Toyota Sienna and am about
to replace my other vehicle. The Toyota website says the Sienna has a
towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Is this enough to pull a ski boat?
One of the vehicles I'm considering is the Tacoma, which also lists a
capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Would there be a towing difference between the two vehicles, or should
they perform about the same?


A few things to look for that come to my mind:

- Unless you only pull on level ground and short distance, have some
buffer for the boat weight and towing capacity
- 4 WD helps with pulling boats up slippery ramps
- Low gears particularly help with pulling boats up ramps AND backing
and maneuvering a boat trailer (as long as you can disengage your hubs
for that)


Matt