Can I Tow It?

[Tightlines72]

Hey guys, I recently had to sell my truck and am now left with a 2012 Scion xB as my only vehicle. I have no interest in getting myself into a sticky situation while trailering a boat, as I've seen what that can lead to. I'm looking at purchasing a 16' fiberglass poling skiff with a 40 hp johnson engine that's an absolute steal but there's no point if I won't be able to launch it. I contacted the current owner and he's not sure of the weight on the vehicle. Is there any way that I'll be able to use my Scion to move this boat or am I going to need to bite the bullet and buy a junker truck/SUV for towing. I'll be using it in saltwater but most of the ramps that I would be using are in pretty good condition. Thanks!

 

[JoshOnt]

I can't find the towing capacity but by the looks of it I wouldn't tow anything with it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Right now the Scion is your only vehicle. Even if it is rated to tow some weight, why take a chance? Break down and buy a real tow vehicle. No one ever said owning a boat is cheap!

 

[alldodge]

Hey guys, I recently had to sell my truck and am now left with a 2012 Scion xB as my only vehicle. I have no interest in getting myself into a sticky situation while trailering a boat, as I've seen what that can lead to. I'm looking at purchasing a 16' fiberglass poling skiff with a 40 hp johnson engine that's an absolute steal but there's no point if I won't be able to launch it. I contacted the current owner and he's not sure of the weight on the vehicle. Is there any way that I'll be able to use my Scion to move this boat or am I going to need to bite the bullet and buy a junker truck/SUV for towing. I'll be using it in saltwater but most of the ramps that I would be using are in pretty good condition. Thanks!

Howdy

I also am unable to find the tow capacity of your vehicle. In reading info on the net, many have towed with them and most will not tow more then 1000 pounds, a couple have done the 1500 pound. That said the towing must also include what passengers and gear is in the car along with trailer, motor, gear and fuel. I would not suggest doing it with an automatic transmission.

You cannot even order a new scion with a trailer hitch

 

[smokeonthewater]

RTM... Read the manual.

The owners manual if you still have it will tell you how much and if you can tow.

Anything beyond that is nothing more than opinion.

 

[64osby]

I'm in the go buy a beater tow vehicle camp.

Last thing you want to do is tear up a daily driver that is not rated or under rated to tow, especially if it is your only vehicle.

 

[littlerayray]

I've seen Toyota Corolla 's tow 17 ft boats is it wise no let us know what your tow cap is on the scion worse case put it in grunt gear when pulling the boat out but I would most definitely get that trailer and boat weighed and if it is your only vehicle it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a beater tow vehicle to trailer it it could also serve as a backup vehicle

 

[TCATTC]

...and you may launch boat. trailer, and tow vehicle

 

[MRS]

Really?

 

[jayhanig]

What I've found on the net is that towing is not recommended. Some Scion owners have towed successfully with it but if you have an accident, the fact that Toyota does not recommend towing would make me very leery. I vote for buying a well used truck.

 

[NAT1VE]

Found some mixed opinions. some say "Nothing more than 1,000lbs.. and " Strictly no-towing with the vehicle." I would be hesitant on a boat launch, if it is wet or slimey, you're going to get yourself into trouble. IMHO buy a cheap truck or get yourself into an SUV. 4x4 or AWD would be most preferable.

 

[BillP]

It would help to know what your gross weight for the tow is. Then how far you want to trailer and what the ramp is like. All make a difference. Front wheel drive makes a poor lauch ramp tow vehicle and will lose traction on steep ramps a long time before rear wheel drive does. With that said, there are ways around this but I won't thread drift here. If you are only going down the road a mile or two and have a good ramp I would try the scion and buy something else if it doesn't work out. I don't know what the xb has for a drive train but my daugher's past scion tc was camry. Very durable.

For a yard tractor and trash hauler I bought a $500 junker 1993 geo metro about 10 yrs ago and added a hitch to tow stuff (boats up to 3000lbs around the yard) and for limited towing in town. It easily tows a 15' gheenoe with 5hp 4S on trailer at 45mph in town and about the same as driving with 4 people in the car....front wheel drive, 3 cyl 50 hp automatic. Still going strong at 150k but road towing is only 2-3 times a year and mostly for 500 lb lumber runs. I'm not going to be bummed out if it breaks from towing like you would be with a $$$ scion.

Good Luck,
bp