Towing a 31' with F 150?
 

Anyone have experience with this?
It`s a 31' Scarab .. 8000lbs. The trailer is an aluminum 6 wheel, not sure what the weight on that is.

I have air bags in the back and a Magnacharger for a little more ooompf .
The air bags help out quite a bit, no sag even with some heavy loads (Bobcat)


Off topic, if I could get this for $28,000 would it be a good deal?

"Posting this for my parents. They are selling thier 1990 31' Scarab (34' with the ski platform). The boat is maintained by me and my father so it's kept it tip top shape. tHe boat has also been drystacked it's entire life when it's not in use. You won't find one cleaner than this for the price. Boat is equipped with (2) 365hp 454cu in. bigblocks. Boat has just over 270 hours on it with the outdrives both replaced 6 years ago. They simply don't have time to enjoy it anymore. Price is $34,900 with the aluminum trailer."


thanx!

Tow Rating?
 

Is the scarab twins? If so I would say it is more than 8,000 lbs. Bottom line your truck has a max tow rating, if you are over that I would suggest not doing it.

Wannabe

Towing it back and forth on your property, sure go for it.

Towing it ANY (even short) distance on public roads? Forget about it.

See the first post in this section to find your proper tow rating.
See my signature for some towing advice.

If its a newer 04+ F150 with air bags for short distance I'd say maybe (but anything happens your in deep **** if over the max weight, thats a heavy boat and still have the trailer, check the gross vehicle weight for where you should be). If before 04' no way.

I'd see if you can borrow maybe a friends HD truck (f250 etc) if you know anyone.

Trade for an F250 diesel 4x4. You'll be glad you did.

The bags get me the towing capacity of a F 250, according to the specs the boat is 7300lbs, I`m good for 8000lbs. stock.. factory ratings are always on the safe side for warranty issues and such.

I know I`m crazy:evilb:

If the specs say its 7300lb then that means totally dry, no options weighed on a scale on pluto.

Add about 600lb of fuel (100 gallons at 6.3lb a gallon) and some stuff and you are at 8K -PLUS the trailer which is at least 1K (probably more like 12-1500 but well stay conservative)
So youre at 9K

This is waay up there for a 4 speed f-150, and requires a brake controller to be safe.

The air bags are great, but they dont substitute for a transmission cooler, larger radiator, and 3:73 or numerically higher rear end.

Stick to the GVWR on the trucks sticker or if you have an accident he insurance policy may not pay.



UD

Stick to the GVWR on the trucks sticker or if you have an accident he insurance policy may not pay.


That right there^^^is the #1 reason why you should get a diesel. They will NOT pay if you are overloaded.

I have a 2006 Dodge quad cab dually FOR SALE. 61,000 babied miles for $23,000. You might find a better deal but I've owned this truck since 22,000 miles and have had ZERO problems with it. You won't hardly know the boat is back there with this truck.

If that dodge is a diesel 4x4 thats a good deal.

Dammit! I know you guys are right.
I really don`t want to get rid of the truck, I`d rather get just get a smaller boat.
I`m not too crazy about Diesel.I`d have to get one with the new emission standards.

Yeah we are right. :lolhit:

In that case that's what you should do.

Even with the DPF and EGR valve they'll get better fuel mileage than a gas motor and be more reliable as well.

I have a 29' Fastech and pull it w. a 05 F-250 and it can be a stuggle sometimes with that!!!! 31 with a F-150......I think you are asking for issues... just my 2 cents.

you could allways get a 3/4 or 1 ton (preferably a 1ton) with a gasser.. you wouldnt get decent MPG, but it would be more safe then a 1/2 ton. Then you get to get the big boat.:evilb:

Even trade then ? :drink:


Quad cab


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...n/truck003.jpg

Your insurance company doesn't care about what the airbag manufacturer says you can tow with his kit added to your 150. Nor do they care about the supercharger. If something happens on the highway and you are exceeding your tow rating, your insurance carrier will throw you under the bus.

The first time you need to make an evasive maneuver you'll be damn glad you've got a truck rated to tow (and stop) the amount of weight you're towing. And, as someone else said, use the weight listed for the boat very conservatively. A 31' powerboat with twins can easily get 9-10K lbs loaded on the trailer.

Get a 3/4 ton diesel. You may not like diesels now but you will once you tow your rig with one.

Good luck and be safe.

Ditto what everyone else is saying. I have the same truck and HATE towing my 29 Outlaw with it. If I had to tow every time I used it I would have upgraded trucks already. Get a 3/4 truck or stick with a single engine boat....

I hated the idea of ever owning a Diesel Truck - UNTIL I got one. I will never own anything else now - and I don't even own one of the pleasant, quiet diesels - I own an old Rattle Truck (7.3 PSD)

I don't like towing anything without a diesel, i used to tow my car around with a 1/2 truck and now i look back and can't believe i did it, it's so nice to have the power to get up hills and change lanes and things, most people in cars will not move or let you over when towing.

Same exact sentiments.

Worse to worse, buy a SuperDuty with the gas V10 or the GM HD with the gas 8.1L/Allison transmission.

Nice looking truck. I've been both a Ford guy and a Mopar guy so I have no problem owning either one. The problem with a swap like this is that if I'm not mistaken both notes must be paid off, so one of us will pay more.

If you're really serious(which you're probly not lol) send me a PM we'll talk.

I used to tow my Formula 292 with a Nissan Titan was legal if I was not loaded with fuel.But it was a handful to drive bought a GMC 3500 dually 4x4 tow same boat at 75 and you don't even know its there.No way with the 150 in my opinion

I pull my 38 Scarab Flat deck with a 08 f-150 5.4L 4x4 towing rated for 10,000# It tows it with no problem around the city. Also have to use trailer brakes. I also pull my 31 Excalibur with the same truck Again no problem. I wouldnt be afraid to pull it.

Fords have alot more in them than what people give them cradit for.

I don't think that boat deal looks too great. I think you could get a newer Scarab in the 30's that would be worth the difference. Mabye a 29 with small blocks and then you could keep the truck?

This is probably a better deal.

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/class...age=out&id=168

Oh, and for a 31 with twins I'd agree you'll want a 3/4 ton truck. Both for the safety/control and liability issues. Newer 1/2 tons can pull it, but controlling and stopping are the tough parts. You could bet the 3/4 ton gasser and save a ton of money if you don't tow a ton or drive a bunch of miles.