grapeape93

Considering buying a 42 fountain. Anyone towing a 42 with an f250? 7.3? How is it?

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

What year? Personally I think a 1999 or newer will nicely tow a 42. Especially if the boat sits on a quality trailer in very good condition. The truck also needs to be in very good condition without warn out parts. Older model trucks in exceptional condition will perform the task just not as enjoyable. Of coarse this advice is assuming the Tires are Heavy Duty, Suspension is set up to handle the weight, Proper trailer hitch and Hitch receiver, etc. Electric Over Hydraulic brakes would be highly recommended also.

I have a friend near you in Clio who tows a 46 Black Thunder with a very low mileage mint condition summer weekend tow rig only 99 F250 with modifications.

seafordguy

I felt like my 35' cafe was more than enough weight for my 2000 f350 crew cab dually. I wouldn't have wanted to have been in much less truck. Take it for what it is worth before this thread derails.....

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

It can be done, but you will be better off with a bigger truck eventually. That's a lot of tail wagging the dog.

A 2009 42' Fountain on an aluminum trailer will probably be 5,000 lbs, lighter than a 1996 42' Fountain on a steel trailer; so a lot depends on exactly what you plan on getting into.
A good friend is towing a 37AT with an F250 and the 5.4L/Auto. It's not ideal, but it's getting him by on local trips for time being.

79formula

I have a 2003 F250 7.3. I tow 8-12k with it daily. It does well. I would make sure to have a very good load range E set of tires on it.

bikepilot

With good tires and in good condition it should have no problem at all. My 1994 F250 7.3L tows quite well. Not as fast as newer ones, but just as solid and stable feeling. No issues with a 7k lbs toyhauler. Haven't towed a big boat with it only because I don't have one.

bustedbrick

I towed my 85 35' Mistress on a steel Myco and I felt it did great. '00 f250 PSD 6sp manual (for sale!!!). Logged several hundred miles, surge brakes worked fine (completely rebuilt) but had I kept the boat, EOH was coming soon. It certainly had plenty of power, that wasnt an issue. It does chew up tires though; lots of power being laid down to get the job done.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Also, the longer the truck, the better. A Crew Cab Long Bed will tow much better than a Standard Cab Long Bed/Extended Cab Short Bed (same length, shortest factory combo)

Need more info from the OP.

Pwraddr

True! That is why you see mainly CCLB duallys. Longer = stable.

242LS

iTrader: (1)

Towing my Cafe with a 2006 F250 (V10). Works great. My only complaint is the gas mileage.

Edit: steel Myco trailer with drive guard, so total is over 12K lbs