Towing 8000lb with SR model

I seem to have finally found a great boat that I love and want to purchase.The issue is that it’s a cabin boat and is on the heavy side. The dry weight base of the boat is 6100 lbs. but I had it weighed at a CAT scale. It’s 8000 lbs with a little over a quarter of a tank. The thing is that I have an SR model, so it’s rated for 8300.

I will say that it felt like it handled it extremely well. The braking was better than my current 3000 lb boat because this one has trailer breaks. My questions is whether this is okay? Do you think I’ll be okay at the boat ramp? I should be able to keep it just under the tow limit, but I’ve heard the SR is just a detuned SR5, so I think the drive train and all will be fine. Just wanted to get your thought. I could maybe take some stuff out to lower it a bit. I don’t know.

 

Does the SR have a transmission cooler? I think the rest of the truck mechanical should be similar to the higher trims. How about the weight on the hitch? Does the SR have a hitch? You will also need to wire in a brake controller and a 7 pin connector, assuming the trailer has brakes. There are many things to consider to get to where you need to be.

 

It has all of that already. I’ve already towed with it and it seemed to handle it. I’m just not sure about launching the boat. Not sure about transmission cooler though.

 

Good point, sometimes the ramps can be a bit slick from the algae buildup and steep as well. A single tire might struggle to get enough traction to pull the combo up. Perhaps a secondary pull, like a winch or rope to another vehicle if you get stuck. Look for flatter boat ramps if you can.

 

Gonna be a lot of boat at the ramp. Is your truck 4wd? That will help with traction issues.

 

Unfortunately no.

 

A boat slip is pretty nice

 

Yeah I know right?! I just already have a dry slip, and wet slips near me are sooo expensive.

 

The SR has the same transmission cooler as the other models. Only difference is ECU and Toyota wants to de-rate base models to get you to upgrade. Put it in S8 when pulling heavier loads so it doesn’t shift into over drive. Brakes, frames , axle ratios are the same with all new Tundra models. Even a little over 8300 lbs you’re not going to break the truck. Just watch payload as these trucks squat pretty easy without airbags etc. Power is fine as long as you don’t race stop light so stoplight. Stay in the right lane and it’ll do the speed limit on any road 99% of the time

For a brake controller get a curt echo wireless, connects between trailer and truck. Your phone allows you to adjust the gain and apply the brake manually to test it. If the connection fails it goes to the last saved setting. It’s simple and doesn’t require mounting a box or running wires as long as the 7 pin wire has the 12+ V wire at the bumper AKA the tow package is all you need and it’s plug and play.

 

Thanks! I will say that I got it up to 70 very easily! It certainly seems to handle it.

 

The truck can do it, sure. Add a full tank of fuel, cooler, gear, people etc. you're definitely over the ratings. Truck will still pull it and probably even do a great job stopping with help from trailer brakes. How it handles a surprise reaction to something on the road, who knows. And being 2wd, boat ramps could get sketchy fast. I wouldn't want to have to defend these situations in court or to insurance companies when something does go wrong.

 

Good points, also would check the load rating of the tires if you have the factory steel wheels. I put SR5 wheels with the larger 265 width tire and some all terrain winter rated Falken tires. Factory highway tires on the SR would be bad in a wet boat ramp most likely.

 

It already has all the gear etc. And I wouldn’t put people in it until I was there. The only thing would be that I couldn’t put a full tank in it. That definitely sucks.

 

I wouldn’t buy it. It’s 300 lbs off your recommended max towing capacity of your 8300lb SR capacity (which you should really never get 10%-20% close to as a rule). You also said you only have a 4x2. I would guess that at some point you will definitely run into a slippery boat ramp and you will be in some serious trouble.

I suggest you keep looking and find something lighter. You don’t want something that is constantly going to cause you to worry.

 

@Themechguy1 I believe you already know the smart answer to this, that’s why you’re asking. Trailer/boat weighs at least 1k more than the TV. People get into trouble on slick boat ramps even with 4x4, which you don’t have. At least 800# TW. Using a WDH? 4x4 would not be very helpful anyway with the Carolina squat you’ll have. The positive side is you wont have to worry about trans temps, because when your entire rig ends up in the water, temps cool quickly. Ultimately it is your rig and money. Choose wisely.

 

in a 2 wheel drive ....NO....in a 4X4. hell ya i would tow that

 

I wouldn’t go anywhere near a boat ramp with a 2WD half ton and an 8000lb boat unless I was very confident at that ramp with that truck specifically. We have some steep and slick boat ramps where I grew up and it doesn’t take a lot of boat to pull a 2WD truck on wet tires into the lake.

 

The 8000lb is with the trailer and a quarter tank of gas. I weighed it myself at a weigh station. The actual dry weight is only 6100.

 

I may just have it put in with wench at my marina.

 

I have the SR 4 by 4 with 7-4 pin connector and towing hitch but no tow haul and I was told no transmission cooler on the SR.
Where did you find yours so I can check to see if I have one?

 

I was told by Toyota service all the trims have the cooler except the SR. Why would Toyota put a hitch receiver and 7-4 pin connector on the SR and no tow haul, trailer brakes or transmission cooler. Seems to me like that it’s shady for them to say it can tow even 8300 lbs without a cooler or tow haul button

 

It doesn't make sense other than for marketing. The SR should have the highest payload but still limited to about 1,500 lbs. Some of their decisions seem pretty strange. If the mechanical items are all the same and the frame and chassis are the same it might come down to horse power and with the SR engine, that could be the difference resulting in the lower towing capacity The trailer brake controller should be something standard along with the transmission cooler. Those are harder to add afterwards. At least have a prewired brake controller with 7 pin connector so you can easily add the brake controller up front!

 

The SR is the entry level lowest cost option. If you want extra stuff, get the SR5. If everything is standard on every truck everyone has to pay for stuff they may not use. Plenty of people need a truck for the bed. Period. Won’t tow, won’t haul. Just want the cheapest configuration to get a bed for utility. The SR is for them. For 80% of truck buyers, some form of the SR5 has the stuff they want. Some people can’t or don’t want to pay for that version of the truck. Buy used and get the features you need at a lower cost.

 

Luckily for me, most boat trailers come with surge brakes. So I don’t need a controller. But now I’m curious if it has the transmission cooler.

 

Exactly!! My payload on the sticker says 1500 but the Toyota website says it should be 1940 and I don’t have any extra modifications. I agree trailer brakes and trams cooler should be standard. I don’t know why tow haul isn’t needed for 8000 lbs either. 8000 lbs seems heavy to me and it’s my understanding two haul helps with heavy load on Incline and engine braking on decline. I think it is all marketing to push buyers to the higher trims. I hope the SR can tow 8000 lbs without having the tow haul, trans cooler…etc

 

I believe the cooler is built in on all the 3rd gens. If pulling more than a few thousand pounds just put in into sport mode (S8). For really heavy loads just go down to S6-7. Non over drive gears keep the temps down.

 

Toyota engineer says SR doesn’t have the cooler

 

Toyota engineer says SR doesn’t have the cooler but it sounds like S mode prevents overheating. Now i need a video for dummies explaining how this S mode works lol

 

You bought the lowest trim, cheapest truck, but want it to have the features of the higher trim, more expensive trucks. It doesn’t. That’s why your capabilities are limited, because the optional equipment needed to increase the capability aren’t included in lower, cheaper trims.

 

First time buying a truck and they said I had tow package so i assumed I had everything to tow at least what it says it’s capabilities. My fault for not researching until after the fact and trusting the dealership to be honest. I would have brought a higher trim had I know my tow package was really not a tow package