I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma Doublecab Prerunner pickup truck with a V6, and I have a 17' Mako boat with a Honda 90hp 4 stroke outboard, the Hull weighs 1200lbs, and the outboard 385lbs, So I guess the whole package with trailer is in the 2400-2600 lb range loaded. I recently took it on a 400 mile trip to the Florida Keys over flat Florida terrain, with a bed full of camping gear and 4 adults, and witnessed HORRIBLE performance. The truck pulled ok, but with OD turned off, and holding about 65mph, I averaged 10.5MPG. I had friends with bigger trucks, and bigger boats do better. As a matter of fact, my good friend pulled a 25ft boat with twin engines behind a Diesel F250 and got WAY better mileage. So I figured the Toyota has to go.
I am buying a 2000 Chevy Suburban LT tomorrow. It has a 5.3, and my question would be. Do I want to put an auxiliary transmission cooler on it, or is factory cooling fine for the type of load I am pulling? It looks to have a tow package, it was owned by a Soccer Mom, who really had no need for the great big heavy duty hitch that is on it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jerry