Guys, question - Formula 353 weighs approximately 9500 lbs according to the Formula website. I'm thinking my tow vehicle is ok with hauling it dry as I assume 9500 lbs plus 2k for the trailer or 11,500. However, that's right up against the max capacity of truck which is 12k.

So the question is how much does the junk generally weigh? I'll assume fuel is 1k with a full tank which puts me over the limit. If I haul it empty what do you think the life jackets, beer, food, etc weighs?

I'm already closer than comfort, but the new truck will have to wait a while. Any thoughts are appreciated.

I easily have 800-900 lbs of gear on my boat, Lines, jackets, anchors, etc add up quick!!! Fuel is 6.5 lbs per gallon. If your trailer is steel it weighs more than 2K

I think you could put 1k lbs of STUFF on the boat quickly. I would bank on fuel being more in the 1300 range, but that math is easily done.

If towing full is not necessary there is NO reason to add 1300lbs to the boat just for fun....

I was curious also as my Ford excursion states the hitch/tow capacity is 12,500 lbs. with weight distributing equipment. I use an aluminum tri-axle trailer made by Magnum (Austin, Texas). I filled the boat gasoline tank to capacity (153 gals.). Other than required life vests, towels, bumpers, lines, two fire extinguishers and two anchors, we don't take a bunch of extra stuff. I drove the rig to the public scale. Boy, was I surprised!! I have 1,200 lbs tongue weight and 13,000 lbs. on the tri-axle group. I do use weight distributing equipment on the hitch. After seeing these results, I am going to travel with a much reduced load in the boat fuel tank and start filling up with gasoline near the ramp. Hope this info helps.

Thanks for the responses. This is very helpful. So it looks like if tow with empty tanks I should be at the limit of 12k if I assume boat (9500) + trailer (2k) and minimal gear.

That's closer than I'd like to be, but will get me through in a pinch.

What is everyone towing boats like this with? I thought I had a pretty tough truck (8.1 Suburban with 4.10 gears).

I guess there's lots of people out there over the limit. I would think that creates allot of legal exposure..

I towed a Formula 312 with the 3/4 burb with the 6.0 and 3.73......it felt OK and since it was the same chassis and brakes you have I felt even though I was over the rating, the important parts (chassis and brakes) we the same as your rating and acceptable to me. Later bought a 382 and not only did that truck struggle, it didn't feel safe either. Ended up buying a 4 door, 8ft bed, diesel dually.

We use a Ford Excursion 6.0 Powerstroke 4-wd. I installed Firestone Air bags on the rear axle and use weight distributing hitch equipment. It rides and drives well. A recent pull from Austin to Fort Lauderdale and back yielded an overall average of 12mpg. I also give alot of credit to the electric over hydraulic brakes on all three axles of the trailer.

My last boat was a 27 ft single engine cuddy. It had a listed dry weight of 6650 lbs. I ran it across the scales when I took it to the lake for the season the first year, and weighed the empty trailer on the way home. The actual weight of the boat as launched that first time was nearly 8200lbs. It only had an 82 gallon tank, so it wasn't all that much in fuel weight. I don't trust the listed weights at all.

Would be best to lighten your load as much as possible. I agree with not towing with very much boat fuel...

As for your next tow vehicle, Ram is working on getting rid of the DPF and EGR in the 2nd gen 6.7 Cummins. If they are successful the mileage and engine life will see substantial increases.

Diesel Dually

I don't think an insurance company would fault me for towing with my F350, which is why I went with the Dually. I rarely go more than about 5 miles to the ramp, but I felt better from a liability standpoint having the bigger truck. When the time is right I will move to an F450 or F550.