"Fishing Car"?

My poor old (07) Tacoma finally bit the dust. After many years of hauling a boat, cleaning fish on tailgate, few poorly ended dates, a few lucky nights :), driven through tide covered roads a few times, shot at by a BB gun, rear ended by some kid, backed into by a soccer mommy, dented by jack knifed boat trailer and other adventures, a deer jumped into my path of travel and my truck turned into something from a Mad Max movie. Truck still moves but, I'm ready for a new vehicle. I thought of giving in and getting a car even though my inner circle says it's a bad idea and a blow to my manhood. Car would be economical fuel wise, but I can't go places I use to go fishing at (many happy fins clapping) and be tricky carrying my long rods. I'm still sticking to the Toyota brand. Be mainly pulling my little kayak. Can the modern Toyota car with them fancy CVT transmissions be able to pull a small yak on Harbor freight trailer? Any other brand suggestions?

For a kayak, yah, anything will be fine. If you are worried about traction, Subaru are pretty dang good with their AWD.

Do your research on that CVT transmission. I would not trust one to hold up long with any kind of towing.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

A small SUV like a Subaru with a roof rack would haul the kayak with no need for the trailer. If it is a option keep the truck do some repairs yourself, use for fishing, get a car for day to day fuel economy

I was in the same spot a few years ago right before the used car/truck market went crazy. I my Suburban had given out and it was time for something new. I really wanted a car but I really needed a truck. In the end I got a Nissan Pickup and it was the right move. I can pull my boat anyplace I want and if I want to hit a creek I can either tow my little Pelican two man bass boat or throw it in the back of the truck and haul it that way. I fish places in which a car would be no go.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whiskerwhipper

My poor old (07) Tacoma finally bit the dust. After many years of hauling a boat, cleaning fish on tailgate, few poorly ended dates, a few lucky nights :), driven through tide covered roads a few times, shot at by a BB gun, rear ended by some kid, backed into by a soccer mommy, dented by jack knifed boat trailer and other adventures, a deer jumped into my path of travel and my truck turned into something from a Mad Max movie. Truck still moves but, I'm ready for a new vehicle. I thought of giving in and getting a car even though my inner circle says it's a bad idea and a blow to my manhood. Car would be economical fuel wise, but I can't go places I use to go fishing at (many happy fins clapping) and be tricky carrying my long rods. I'm still sticking to the Toyota brand. Be mainly pulling my little kayak. Can the modern Toyota car with them fancy CVT transmissions be able to pull a small yak on Harbor freight trailer? Any other brand suggestions?

---

For almost 4 years I towed a kayak on a Malone trailer…sometimes 2 kayaks…….with a Nissan Versa. The car died at 266 thousands miles. I guess I was lucky. What died was the transmission…and I’m sure pulling that trailer helped in its death. A Toyota Rav 4 would be a good vehicle for towing a kayak…..as I’m sure many others.

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Agree with Cray on the CVT trans. IMHO they are junk.

Do a little research like Cray suggested but I would think you would be fine with most anything. Kayaks aren’t terribly heavy and the harbor freight trailers are light as well. Just check into it beforehand. My buddy pulls a couple kayaks on his harbor freight trailer sometimes with a Nissan Rogue if I’m not mistaken.

My 2003 Tacoma got totaled out for me this past February.
Since my wife has had to give up driving for health reasons, we’ve become a one vehicle family with HER RAV4 .
The guy that took out my Tacoma totally changed my life . I miss my fishing vehicle.

If you want to stay with Toyota check out the Rav4

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

My 2003 Tacoma got totaled out for me this past February.
Since my wife has had to give up driving for health reasons, we’ve become a one vehicle family with HER RAV4 .
The guy that took out my Tacoma totally changed my life . I miss my fishing vehicle.

---

I rebuilt a 24ft Center Console trailer for a 2006 Expedition several years ago. It was parked under a tree for 2 years broke down in the back of Diamondhead, MS. Rough inside and out, the 5.4 3 valve engines were lemons, original owners paid $8K for a new Ford engine to be installed but when it gave problems they parked it. I tore the engine down to fix but even all the spark plugs were frozen in the heads so I used my Bobcat to move it under a stall outside. Well 8 months later I pulled it out and mice had filled the top of the engine with acorns. Needless to say it was a challenge to resurrect but after a month of working on it off and on, 2 catalytic converters, numerous "Check Engine" lights to work thru it was put back on the road. Loosing the "Fishin' Expedition" now would be devastating. The thieves walk right by my Tow Beater for the new, bright & shiny trucks at the remote public launches. I say stay with the Tacoma, when y'all decide to get replacements, seems they bring fond and lasting good memories.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rojoguio

I rebuilt a 24ft Center Console trailer for a 2006 Expedition several years ago. It was parked under a tree for 2 years broke down in the back of Diamondhead, MS. Rough inside and out, the 5.4 3 valve engines were lemons, original owners paid $8K for a new Ford engine to be installed but when it gave problems they parked it. I tore the engine down to fix but even all the spark plugs were frozen in the heads so I used my Bobcat to move it under a stall outside. Well 8 months later I pulled it out and mice had filled the top of the engine with acorns. Needless to say it was a challenge to resurrect but after a month of working on it off and on, 2 catalytic converters, numerous "Check Engine" lights to work thru it was put back on the road. Loosing the "Fishin' Expedition" now would be devastating. The thieves walk right by my Tow Beater for the new, bright & shiny trucks at the remote public launches. I say stay with the Tacoma, when y'all decide to get replacements, seems they bring fond and lasting good memories.

---

Valid points.

If just towing kayaks, not an issue. If you think you’ll have a boat in the future, using a car is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. I had a similar dilemma.. I drive a Subaru WRX hatchback. Tried to make it work for my little jon boat, but just wasn’t worth cost of new transmission (not rated to tow anything). I tow with my wife’s Highlander now. I can relate to others on the forum in the same situation [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Look at the Honda Ridgeline..