Tow Vehicles
 

Any thoughts on towing a 39 with the new F350 single wheel drive 6.7 diesel?

I realize that dual wheel drive would be optimal.

F650

My $0.02 is to find out how much it weighs for real, and compare it to the specs Ford publishes for the configuration your looking. They don't just make these up. If you're within specs, you're within specs, that's the way insurance will see it (heaven forbid).

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The single wheel truck would get pushed around during emergency maneuvers or emergency stops. At least get the dually if not the F650.IMHO

Sure you can, the question is do you really want to? I tow my 42 with a gmc 3500 lowered dually and 8.1. Diesel guys always brag but when going to NY we compared fill ups, based on the price of gas/diesel we were within a few dollars. Dually for stability if you can :)

Can't beat a dually......even an older one is the way to go. Just don't get the "old" 6.0L .....get from 2005 on I believe (or an older 7.3L).

Not if you have the elec/hyd brakes turned up on your trailer.

This boat is probably 14k to 15k on a trailer and a dually will be much more stable during emergency situations regardless of brakes.

That boat with a new myco (elect over hyd) you will be fine. Just double check what the trucks specs are so if someone pulls out in front of you (in a scenario where a big truck with air brakes wouldn't be able to avoid collision) the insurance company and the law don't try to peg it on you because you weren't "properly equipped." The other thing everyone misses is the hitch. Get the REESE class V Titan 18klb Receiver. The factory stuff is junk. Lastly, Don't forget about your plates. Most states go by GCWR so make sure your plates are appropriate for the total weight of the rig (I changed from 18k to 24k just to be safe).

I use a 3500 SRW Dodge to pull my 36' Apache on a steel trailer (between 13 and 14k lbs depending on fuel). The Exhaust brake makes a huge difference with control when braking. The boat is actually more comfortable to tow than my bobcat.

Now keep in mind this is all relative with respect to the amount of towing you are planning on doing. I tow the boat less than 1500miles a year so my set up works for me. If I was towing the boat 10k miles a year I would probably go for a 650, topkick, or kodiak type setup for comfort and less driver fatique.

We have a F 350 dually diesel to pull our 38 ft Top Gun, I also have a new 2011 F 350 gas SW, for long hauls. We tow from NJ to Fla,with the dually, with the dually it does not swae , single wheel does, that just my 02 cents

I have pulled my 36 cat with a one ton dually and a F650. The one ton is no comparison to the F650. The sway factor would be very different between one wheel and dually. I also agree it depends on how far and what roads you are on. On the way to Havasu, we went by many big trucks that would have blown a SW truck off the road. If you just tow a few miles to the ramp, it might be ok.

Way off on that weight, my 2000 42 Tiger with 1/4 tanks of fuel is only 12,700 on the trailer. I do agree with the stability of the dually though.

one thing to consider with a single wheel is under tow, if a tire drops off the road and you start swaying it is harder to recover as sidewalls will want to flex. you can set a trailer up as Dave said to help when braking but the stability for me was a key factor... it's piece of mind. .02 cents:)

Rob, That's what I was thinking about the previous weight number someone threw out. The Cig site lists weight at 9900lbs and a 227 Gallon Fuel Tank. I know my 38' Steel trailer is 3,037lbs (last time I scaled it). I am guessing you have an aluminum trailer which obviously would shed some weight.

Another variable is the trailer itself and the balance of the boat. I had both motors out of mine this winter and had to tow it a few hundred miles back and forth a few times while the motors were getting done and I can tell you mine tows much better with the weight of the motors in the boat even though I am much lighter without motors.

That is a good point about tires as well. People buy tires based on price rather than cost. Definately not the place to skimp IMO.

I am getting the impression that 39' Unlimited already has an F350 and is wanting to know if it will work with the new boat. If he is shopping for a new truck I'd say get the DRW all day long. The price difference between a SRW and a DRW is virtually non-existant.

If you are full on fuel, aren't you in the 14k range?

If I had the money to custom build a brand new 39 - I would find the money to get a truck that REALLY made me comfortable. Nothing smaller than an F-450, and probably try to find the right F650.

That's just my opinion, and it is easy to sit behind a keyboard and spend someone else's money!!!

Thats going to be ok. Your rig with trailer is what 12-15K?

It is not optimal but its for sure OK.

All the new rigs have sophisticated anti sway control that reacts way quicker than you can to a bad situation.

The dually gives you blowout protection which is survivable, but would be precarious.




Uncle Dave

Isn't the F350 dually and the F450 dually really the same truck as far as frames, suspension, engines etc?

Id say your fine with a f350 but im not the one driving. Meaning if money is an issue then get by with the 350. I've towed my 46 with a f 450 and did not feel comfortable, and is why I bought my f 650. I like knowing I can mash the brakes and stop as quick as a car. U think well how many times will I have to stop quick. Believe it or not people see a big rig and intentially try to get in front of it rather then getting stuck behind it. In my case I'm usually hallin ass and am all over a car that's thinking I'm going 25 in a 35 that pulls out in front of me.

Not sure that makes sense hauling a 46 but to each his own :rolleyes:

I gained so much more respect for 18 wheelers when I stared driving my F650. People do pull right in front of you and cut you off with this monster boat and truck. What are they thinking? Also, going 50 mph before a hill on the interstate in the right lane.

Correct, I ordered a F350 SW. Will pull at most 2k per year. Our 39 was weighed before it left the factory, 11,983 lbs, alum Myco 2600 lbs. Cig advertises 9,900 but actual weight is much greater. Billet hardware adds a lot of weight as well.


Thanks for the feedback

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Was that full of fuel or dry??

You will be amazed with these new trucks. It will tow your boat just fine. I pull a 13,000 pound 5th wheel with ease, could drive 80 if I wanted with 1 finger on the steering wheel. Sure a dually would be better but the people saying you can't or shouldn't use a srw havn't driven one of these trucks. the 2011ford is a bad ass truck. I'm amazed everytime I use mine.

Completely dry. They weigh every boat they build and document the weight before they ship.

I just picked up my 2011 Ford F350 SWD last week.....havn't towed the boat yet (Sonic 358). Did a lot of research before I bought it......it can handle my boat with no problem on the standard class 5 hitch......if I ever move up in boat size I have the 5th wheel option ready to go in the bed......all I have to do is install the actual hitch and the towing capacity jumps to 25,000lb range......oh and the trailer would have to be set up for it too........too me it was a no brainer because I use the truck as a daily driver for work.......I really wouldnt wan't a F650 to drive/park in NY all day........

Not to discredit your truck (they seem like fantastic trucks), but the fact that you're using a 5 wheel vs a std bumper pull makes a HUGE, HUGE difference. Everything else being equal, there's a night and day differnce between the two.


With that said, I'd prefer to have the DRW if towing were the only intended use for the truck, but there's no reason at all your new SRW shouldn't pull it just fine if it's needed for daily driving as well.

Congrats on the new boat and truck! :cool:

I never realized the 39 was that heavy. Add 1000# for fuel and gear your at 15,600#. I would want a dually at minimum if I were hauling to poker runs around the country.

Dually is the only way to go.

Having towed same 12,000 lbs. load many miles with a SRW truck and a DRW truck; GO WITH THE DRW hands down.

If you need something to use as a Home Depot/Lowes truck or around town; pick up something smaller and cheap like a single cab 1/2 ton or a long bed smaller truck.

Pulling a 42 OL Epoxy, had a Ford 3/4 ton crew shortbed with a 6.4, real thirsty. Pulled boat fine, but decided to go with a dually just to be safe. Love the new 2011s, definately an improvement over years past. Just my .02s

Beautiful truck Ben!

Thanks Alex, I really like the 2011s. My 06 Dmax was my favorite truck to drive as being able to tow, but also fun to play with quick cars at stop lights. The tuners make a huge difference.

I have the PPE tuner on my 07. It's got a ton of power, transmission won't keep up.

That is really sharp! :coolcowboy:

Thank you, really like it so far. 8000 miles and running.