Towing a 311
 

Hello Formula folks,

I am in love with the 311 Formulas. I currently have a 97 Crownline 225 CCR with a 454 MAG wipplecharged and am looking for a step up in size and comfort in rougher water, I like my current boat but its too small and not really a "speed" boat and is more of a novelty then anything else. When I finally sell it I am looking for a 311 with 454MAG/bravo1 setup and really need input on a tow vehicle as I know my current 2000 Tahoe will not do the job. What is the typical weight of this boat fully loaded? WHat are most people towing these 311's with? Looking to buy a newer truck and need to know what I should be looking at for towing rates. I figured a 1/2 ton will not be enough and have a few trucks in mind, I do not want a diesel.

2009-2011 2500HD 6.0 Silverado

2009-2011 F250

2009-2011 Ram 2500

I would buy a new Eco-boost F150 but I am afraid this boat is a bit of a stretch for that truck.

On a side note, are there any known issues to look for with the 311? transom or stringer rot?

not gonna get into the brand debate, that comes down to preference, for me I choose a GM for comfort and my regular maintenance that I can do myself the GM seems to be easier to work on. if I towed 24/7 I still believe Ford has the best platform. I pushed my 1/2ton to the limit with my 271, now I'm over the limit with the 303 and while I'm pleasantly surprised I only tow 1 mile to the ramp with the exception of 2/3 trips a year. the 311 is even heavier then mine and while some of these 1/2tons are cranking out the power to tow I don't believe they have the stopping capabilities that you will want.

As far as the 311 its like any older boat check the transom/stringers and the usual's, but unlike other manufactures you will find that the older Formula's look better then the other stuff half there age and alotta that comes down to owner's pride and of course the rest comes down to the builder.. Good luck keep us posted

You definitely need the 3/4 ton truck to do the job safely. I'd also strongly recommend electric over hydraulic brakes. They make a huge difference in stopping ability.

Depending on how often and how far you tow, don't take the diesel off the table. I went from a 3/4 ton Suburban with Vortec 8100 to a Sliverado 2500HD D-max and Allison trans. While the Sub. was a tank, the mileage was awful especially when towing. Now I'd never switch back.

Dave

I tow normally about 15-25 miles to our normal lakes, but plan to run the Mississippi and Lake MI once I have the bigger boat, those are 2hr drives. I also tow snowmobile trailers and we are looking for a 30' race trailer (enclosed) for our drag car. The wife will most likely be driving the truck since she will be only 3 miles from work, I just prefer to not deal with the diesel/women headache.

I'm all about a nice trailer and brakes, it does make the difference.

Another side note, did any 311's come with ac or heat? And what can be expected for speed with a mild pump gas build 454 around 450-500HP? Is 78-80MPH out of the question? I know they are not the fastest boats and are heavy but I want a boat that doesnt scare the wife and can run some decent speeds with enough room and comfort for two couples to sleep/dock overnight, the 311 seems to fit the bill for what I want to spend and the size I am comfortable with.

Diesel/women headache :lolhit: My wife drives my Powerstroke all the time, she was skeptical at first, but now I can't pry her out of it. She get's compliments everywhere. ( come to think of it, that's probably why she likes it so much! ;) )

AC and heat is easy to add if it's important to you. s022mag on the board has one with integrated heat and air.

It will take LOTS of power to get a 311 to 80 MPH. I would figure low to mid 70's with 450-500 HP. My 303, and 88242LS's 303 are both running in the mid 70's with 425ish HP and we are smaller and lighter.

Good luck with the search, they are great boats.

Sounds like enough towing to warrant a deisel. i dont think you will acheive them speeds with that hp the 311 woth 420/trs runs right at 70 so you will need quite a bit more hp to get upper 70's

Seriously, if your wife doesn't mind driving a truck go diesel. I can't speak for the other brands, but my D-max is VERY quiet. I was dead set against a diesel because I thought they were noisy and smoked a lot. Boy was I surprised.

You can't beat 350HP and 700 ft/lb. of torque when it comes to towing ~10K lbs.

Dave

You could look for an older 8.1L GM. I have a 3/4 burb with 3.73's. 14 mpg on highway, 8.1 mpg towing a 31' TT and I am right at the 17,000 GCWR. I forget the TT is back there sometimes, it tows really nice. 4.11's will tow better, but the milage really takes a bite. Oh, also towed the trailer through PA and WV, no problems so it does do hills. You do want a 3/4 ton.

Not saying it compares to a diesel, but I needed 12 passenger seating (4th row in burb) and towing the trailer. Burb or excursion was it and the burb used was about 10 to 15k less, that buys a lot of petrol when I do not drive it except while towing.

Now, if GM or Ford would come out with a diesel vehicle that will seat my family, I am game.

Brian

fixx
 

+1.. just make sure she knows what diesel is! you know honey the green handle at the pumps!!! so you dont end up with a tank of 87 or even kerosene like my friends wife did ..

Too bad the economy went to ****...

http://www.dieselpowernetwork.net/half-ton-diesels.html

Thats precisely what if worried about, she can be a bit spacey at times, I can just imagine the phone call now, lol.

A diesel Suburban would be in my driveway extremely fast, been talking with friends about that for years, small CI diesel with 300hp/500ftlb would be the ultimate tow rig for me.

I have a 88 311. I had a 2010 2500hd GMC with the 6.0 and 4:10's. While it towed fine you can't compare it to a diesel. I switched to a 2011 with the D-max and it's a world of difference. Plus they come with the exhaust brake which works great! I tow where there is a lot of hills. The wife shouldn't mind because the trucks are quiet and they don't smell like diesel. Also when you go bigger after the 311, you won't have to upgrade your truck. Good luck.

Youre gonna need a BIG truck
 

here,s the size comparison

I have a 2012 2500 4x4 with the 6.0l. 3.73 gears. tows my 292 fastech fine but near close to what I want to tow with gas. sh*tty mileage also when towing. 9.5 towing a friends 27 beak fever to biloxi and back to north alabama.

LC

I had a 02' 2500HD 6.0L with 4.10 gears, and even though it towed my 311 it was def maxing it out. It towed nice when it got moving but I still didn't feel 100% safe. The transmission would get a little to warm for me in 90 weather which is never good. I drove the truck daily too and the gas mileage was horried. I stepped up to a 06' 2500HD duramax and love everything about it. The 6 speed allison gives me way better fuel economy towing and non towing. It doesn't have an exhaust brake but the allison downshifts for you when your in tow/haul mode, which my gas motor didn't, and that helps the braking issue.

My gf loves driving the duramax and I like her driving it because I feel like she is safer in it then our accord.

As for the 311, one word, survey, survey, survey. Great boats hands down, but if your looking for upper 70's you might want to look for one with big power or move up to the fastechs. Mine did come with AC/Heat and it works great, I mean really great. I've never had a boat with AC and heat built in and all I know now is that my gf isn't going to let me get a bigger boat unless it has AC as well. We use the AC in july up at lake erie but I accualy enjoyed the heat more when we were up at erie at the end of ocotber.

You are def headed in the right direction with your truck selection, gas will get it done, but diesel will give you a lot more room to breath especiall if you upgrade. My 311 with 420's and TRS's comes in at just over 10k on the trailer.

Good luck!

I pull my 311 with an 08 F-250 PSD. Tows fine most of the time, will probably go to dually next time I trade. Some of the hills and curves pulling down to LOTO can get pretty crazy. That is the only reason I will switch. The 3/4 has plenty of power it just leaves a lot to be desired when making lane changes at speed towing over 10k. Hope this helps!

05 Escalade 6.0 air ride assist it works for what i need to to do.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC02082.jpg