Towing summary Houston to Florida towing Searay 205

Since sitting in a tropical storm figured I write something, lol. Total miles 580 one way. Boat and trailer weigh 4,800 lbs. Shorelander tandem axle (exceptionally stable trailer. Trailer bearings never got above 105F!!!).

2021 Tundra limited. Transmission cooler upgrade with original cooler offered. My speed was 71-75mph in S5. Outside temperature 93F. Trans temps stayed at 201f at 71mph and 203f at 75mph, never saw above 203f. Started raining, this had zero affect on transmission or engine coolant temp (195). Once or twice I forgot to shift to S5 and was in S6 but on hills I could tell engine lugging. S4 was way to low, engine raced. In S5 I was 2300 rpm at 72mph. Even when in S6 and transmission downshifting, like if you have cruise control on hill, trans pan temp stayed at 200F(actually dropped) while torque converter increased but for seconds, pan temp never spiked so I guess theoretically let it hunt because if you have cooler. it still maintains trans temp.

As far as towing experience I was coming from an F250 diesel. The diesel was never phased, AND held speed effortlessly, head wind had zero affect, acceleration strong, engine rpm low. The Tundra I could tell was working, on hills you have to give some throttle to maintain speed. Acceleration at speed with Tundra was slow, diesel was effortless. Tundra suspension is soft on a couple hard bumps I am pretty sure I hit the bump stops. Tongue weight was 450lbs, luggage in bed 250lbs. Passengers 600lbs. All that said once I decided or realized I didn't care if I hurt the Tundra it was a much better experience. I let the engine rev, I went the speed I waned and it did all I asked. Average mpg was 10.3 mpg at 73mph. My diesel was 11.4 at 77mph. Diesel more expensive so Tundra actually less cost to operate. The Toyota quality reared it ugly head, I realized raving the engine hurts nothing, all temps good, run it. By the time I got to Florida I am very pleased with the Tundra abilities. Once the boat was disconnected it was really a dream vs the F250.

My suggestion don't drive a diesel what you don't know you won't miss or compare. On the flip side not one single time driving the Tundra did I feel unstable or unsafe. At times I hit 80mph.

I 1000% support a transmission cooler (one offered on this site) before my cooler I experienced 225F with no LOAD!!! I never got above 205F with 4800lbs at 75mph, I guarantee I would have been above 260F without cooler. I was also shocked I didn't use 1 drop of oil. I checked oil before and when I arrived, didn't change. Toyota 0w20. I was going to change to 5w30 but said screw it. Heck coolant temp was 195 my oil didn't know how hot it was outside.

 

Thanks for the read. Hope the storm doesn't beat you guys up to badly or flood anything important. That's got to be right at or over payload, but good to see the Tundra wasn't unmanageable.

Couple questions:

1. What kind of hitch are you using?
2. Does your truck have the rear sway bar?
3. Next time you make the run would you consider running it at 60-65 and reporting anything that's different?

 

Thank you for the great information mad max, I’m kind of curious how much more a sea ray 215 weighs, (I think it was express215?)I was almost going to buy one of those boats and was wondering if my tundra would handle it

 

I have the TRD rear sway bar I installed. Again stability was a non-issue, even in cross-wind. I have the standard Toyota hitch which came with truck and then a Shorelander/Midwest tandem axle trailer. Sway was never a problem. As far as going 65mph you will want S4 or you will lug in S5. S5 and 2300 rpm was sweet spot. The Tundra would have zero issue pulling a 215 or 225. I have the 5.0 mpi with catalyst manifold which is an extremely heavy (weight wise) package vs outboard. I would demand a tandem axle trailer, they ride better, they handle better, the tires and wheel aren't loaded as much as single axle(note my bearing temperature 105F with IR gun). Last thing I want is on side of road in 95 F changing a trailer wheel bearing.

Again the Tundra had tons of torque off line, the difference at speed is when passing or merging don't hesitate to let it rev, its a double overhead cam engine, their made to rev. Going at 65 on I-10 and you are an obstacle. Even at 70mph people always passing, at 75 mph your holding your own. That being said who cares if everyone passes you, if you need to go slow go slow.

 

Enjoy your trip! Personally, I don't worry much about pulling abilities, I am confident that it will pull plenty. My biggest concern is braking, so how was the braking? Trailer have good brakes? Any unexpected events when you wished you had more?

 

Good info. Thank you.

So no WDH. That's pretty impressive. Do you think the WDH might help with the bottoming out you experienced?

I just follow the manual and tow in D with tow/haul pressed. I only put it into S mode if it's hilly and I want more control.

Yeah, I don't mind revving the engine. It's a gasser, not a diesel, so RPMs aren't scary for it. I generally tow slow for a bit better MPG, and if I'm the slowest thing there is I stay to the right and let them all pass.

 

My boat trailer has surge brakes which are different than RV brakes. Since boat trailers are submerged in water the electric brakes wouldn't work long. As far as my trailer brakes they work perfect. I did have to hit the brakes once or twice and stopped fine. Only problem with surge brakes is every time you start from a stop you hear the clunk from the tongue telescoping out.

WDH I am sure would help but minimal, air bags or helper spring probably more but I don't want to compromise ride 98% I don't tow. Oh a premonition, if you want great towing manners you have to have a stiff suspension, oh you want great ride, you can't have great towing manners since you want comfortable ride.

I know one thing I not selling my Tundra for a F250. What would really make the Tundra shine is more gears in the transmission to keep rpms at 2400 rpms regardless of speed when towing.

 

The WDH moving some of the weight off the rear should help some, and wouldn't compromise your ride when not towing. They aren't cheap or light though.

I am really hoping that the Falcon shocks that were delivered yesterday can buck the traditional truth of having to choose comfort or towing. Reviews have been good, and owners on here have good things to say, but it's hard to know. So many people can't say they bought a stinker and will say it's all sunshine and butterflies no matter what.