What do you tow your boat with?
05-02-2012, 11:33 AM
#76
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I don't tow a lot. To and from storage twice a year. To marina and home (5 miles one way) about 4-5 times.
I would not tow long distances because I'm obviously over DOT limits and on a long tow they would probably nail me.
In terms of how it tows it really is fine. With the air bags and good set of trailer brakes and a good trailer it runs straight and does not wag the tail of the truck very bad.
05-02-2012, 12:52 PM
#77
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I'm ready if you are! 
05-05-2012, 08:14 PM
#78
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It has a 3.73 gear ratio. I added Ride Rite air system to rear end. Air up to 45 lbs when towing her. I also HD ratchet tie down bow and transom so she is solid.
I don't tow a lot. To and from storage twice a year. To marina and home (5 miles one way) about 4-5 times.
I would not tow long distances because I'm obviously over DOT limits and on a long tow they would probably nail me.
In terms of how it tows it really is fine. With the air bags and good set of trailer brakes and a good trailer it runs straight and does not wag the tail of the truck very bad.
I don't tow a lot. To and from storage twice a year. To marina and home (5 miles one way) about 4-5 times.
I would not tow long distances because I'm obviously over DOT limits and on a long tow they would probably nail me.
In terms of how it tows it really is fine. With the air bags and good set of trailer brakes and a good trailer it runs straight and does not wag the tail of the truck very bad.
5 miles is not really any strain on the truck either. I wondered if a truck could stand the strain of this for say 700 miles maybe four times a year or a little more, with this set up.
As far as DOT there is not a concern with the weight behind a chassis if it meets load regulations. A 3500 chassis of course can have only 3500 lbs on the rear axle. The trailer and it's load also must meet the trailer ratings and axle distribution. If all this is good, which you could with this set up, then DOT will look at the rest of the tow parameters like width and length. Yes a 400SS is over the mfgr recommended weight limit for 3:73 gears but that is not what the DOT enforces. They could care a less what the mfgr suggests for engine load limits. The tow limits change based on dive train equipment, power, gearing etc but that part is not a DOT factor. For example what a 3500 chassis was rated at in the 70's vs what it is rated at now is not a change in the DOT's rating but rather engine load limits of the mfgr. If an operator wants to burn up the engine and drive train that is on the operator. That is more of my concern; how much abuse before things start going south.
I'm confident that a 400SS goose neck tow could go fine with the Dmax and 3:73 but that is a few thousand lbs over the engine load limit. How much in excess of the engine load limit can the engine handle without a problem is my pondering?
Last edited by aquaforce; 05-05-2012 at 08:22 PM.
06-03-2012, 03:24 PM
#79
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[QUOTE=aquaforce;3680270]A 3500 chassis of course can have only 3500 lbs on the rear axle. QUOTE]
Not sure about that. My PSD Excursion empty has 4000 lbs on the rear axle, and that is the same as the SRW axle used in the F250 and F350 pickups. That axle is rated for 7000 lbs IIRC.
A crew cab dually probably has close to 3500 lbs on the rear axle empty. Those figures includes the weight of the axle btw.
Not sure about that. My PSD Excursion empty has 4000 lbs on the rear axle, and that is the same as the SRW axle used in the F250 and F350 pickups. That axle is rated for 7000 lbs IIRC.
A crew cab dually probably has close to 3500 lbs on the rear axle empty. Those figures includes the weight of the axle btw.
