F-150 Towing Capacity
 

Just bought a 35 Fountain Executioner, sits on an aluminum myco trailer, dry weight of the boat is 7600 lbs. I figure total trailer weight fully loaded is just under 10k lbs. Ford is telling me their new F150's with higher gear ratio (3.73) and 5.7 L engine can handle 11000 lbs. trailer capacity. I want to buy a truck to pull this boat to Florida from NJ in the winter, and back in the summer. Any thoughts on the F-150 for this? I really don't want an F250 or bigger, because other than the boat, I have no use for it. Any thoughts?

you can do it just remember that your gas bill for that truck is going to be higher than the bill for the boat. i would suggest a F250 with the diesel just because you will keep a constant MPG but its what you can afford

No way. You need a 3/4 ton truck for a twin engine big block boat.

The trailer is probably 2000lbs.
Fuel is 6lbs. per gallon.
Water is 8lbs. per gallon.

Then you have lines, fenders, anchors, tools, spare parts, coolers, batteries, stereo equipment, etc. etc.

Top if off with the fact that the only way you can tow the max trailer capacity is with NOTHING in the truck, no passengers, no cargo, NADA.

I feel like I put the same post up every week.

It will probably pull it, but it wont stop it worth a #!$*. When I bought my first boat (1987 scarab 30) I had a 1997 F-150 and I pulled it for about 2 months, but I live 2 minutes from the ramp. Its a white knuckle ride. Got smart shortly after and bought a super duty. No problems. I now have a Baja 29 Ol and pull it with a F-250 superduty (powerstroke). My good friend has a fountain 35L and pulls his with a F-250 as well, pulls it from KY to FL every year with no problem. I for sure would not even think about pulling the boat that distance with that little truck, I'm sure its over max trailer weight and probably tongue weight as well.

3/4 ton at the MINIMUM. I would get the dually for stability in crosswinds but that's just me. And make dam sure you get the exhaust brake you'll be glad you did...

I really don't want an F250 or bigger, because other than the boat, I have no use for it. Any thoughts?


Yes. You should not have bought that boat. Here's something else to consider when looking at a tow vehicle; if you get into an accident and you are overloaded, forget filing a claim with your insurer.

It also means that if your accident involves another vehicle, the fact that your insurer will disallow your claim means that their lawyer will take you for every cent you have. You may even go to jail if your accident involves serious injury(or even death) to the other party.

Here's what you SHOULD do;

1) Load the boat full of fuel, water and all the things you will have on the water.

2) Have the rig weighed on a commercial scale.

3) Research what truck will handle at least 1000lb more than the rig weighs on the receiver hitch.

4) Buy it.


[I'll save you some trouble by saying a 1 ton dually will meet all the criteria for a safe towing vehicle for your rig. For example, my 2006 Dodge dually is rated at 12,500lbs on the Class IV hitch. I'm sure the Ford has a similar rating].

BTW 4242 there is a sticky thread at the top of this forum. You'll find all the pertinent information you need in it.

This is going to be an argument.. what it comes down to is safety. I just traded my dooley in for a F150 fx4.. 5.4 litre, 3.73 gears and rated to tow 11800.00 It comes std issue with trailer sway control..read up on that at the ford site.. Now my trailers are 9-10k loaded and Ive always pulled them with my F250's and 350's..never a problem..pulled last week with this 150..guess what..it pulls it..stops it and does everything its suppose to do..but not as good as the 250 diesel...Now this is a 2010 model with all the proper stuff for towing..would I do this on a regular basis..yes in town and I always take my time.. For cross country or like when I pulled my NT..NO...Its always better to pull your boat vs your boat pushing you..If its close after youve broken it down to a T of exactly how much that boat weighs with fuel/water and add trailer..you make the call..but do whats right..safety always comes first for not only you..but others on the road..good luck. Jeff

I wouldn't get near that boat with that truck, not even close. Do yourself, your passengers, and the other drivers on the road a favor...don't do it. Drive with confidence not apprehension.

I just purchased a new F-150 4x4 w/5.4 and towing package.I pull my Donzi (8000#) 8 miles to the ramp,city driving,no more than 45 mph and its feels comfortable and safe.65-70 mph interstate driving NO WAY.I looked at all brands and comp trucks all have close to 11000# tow rating.The salesman will tell you it will pull 10-11k all day long at freeway speeds but he wont be the one with the white knuckles.IMO get a 3/4 ton min.

I agree..but did you tow that same boat with a 3/4 ton...what Im getting at is.. I had to get a different ball and hitch to keep everything level so equal amounts of weight was on the trailer and truck tires.. It made pulling 9k at 60mph all the difference..set up is important.. But I do agree with you.. a 3/4 ton is the way to go..

Simple, dont buy a truck...

Pay somebody twice a year to tow it to & from Florida. Why buy a truck to tow twice??? It will cost you $1500-2000 each way. No hassle, no risk and you wont have to buy a truck that you dont need.

OR

Buy the F150 for towing around town as your daily driver and the boat to a mechanic or to/from the ramp - no long trips.

If you do the math, that $3000-4000 a year isnt that much when going from an F150 to a F350 in price, insurance, and fuel.

Good idea, I hadn't thought of that...

i would totally agree if thats all the more you tow just hire it moved there are always people posting that are running empty to and from florida.

Man you guys are pussies:party-smiley-004: lol

Those ratings are recommended by the manufacturer and they are always conservative.

My 05 F150 is rated at 7500 lbs and I exceed that all the time..
I added air bags in the back and a blower just cause it`s such a dog..
Just today I pulled my dump trailer with 8K load of stone plus probably a 2K trailer.
I was more worried about the trailer being able to handle the load than my truck. It`s no problem as long as you know how to drive with a load.

Does my 3/4 ton work van handle it better? probably but I still take the 150 cause it`s just not that of a big deal.

Twice a year? I wouldn`t give it a second thought.

1 ton dually to tow that boat?!?! Hello overkill, we need to confiscate your man card now:evilb:

So this is an excellent example of what not to do. Its not a question of can it be done, its... should it be done.

but his wife still has nice breastsssss..:grinser010:

Who says it's his wife?? :lolhit:

How come I only see threads like this. I never see threads where somebody asks if it's OK to tow a pair of Jetskis with a Kenworth or, Can I tow a 16' Boston Whaler with my F650? Doug

I have to keep those brestesessss safe so unless you can come up with a reason its so wrong I call b.s.:drink:

Your GVWR is approximately 7200, just a rough calculation of your towing habits shows you to be right around 7000 if you assume 10% trailer tongue weight. Your GCWR is roughly 11,300 and you're at 17,300 approximately. With the bags I'm sure it helps, but my concern would be liability if something went wrong. I doubt your insurance company would cover you if you (or anybody) exceeded your towing capacities which would leave you open to law suits which I personally want no part of. The litigious nature of this country is absurd and I've alway made sure I'm within my bounds when towing. Also think about panic stops or accident avoidance maneuvers, trailer tire blow-out, bearing failure, etc. and you're into another league, also personal liability for injury to another party.

If you only do it a few times a year for local jaunts it's just dice rolling. Regarding the OP pulling a boat a couple thousand miles is just looking for trouble.

I did not calculate the breastssssssessess in there, if they'll be present then just ignore all the above and purchase a Freightliner :D

I get worried towing my Mini Hawk behind my F-350 dually--only because I can't even SEE it when towing! That's why I bought the Tahoe! :D

f-150
 

around town to a gas station o-k but not to Fla. I know from experience i have a 35 lightning and i am using an f-150 to move it around locally, would not even think about going out on and interstate with it on a long run. Looking for an F-250 diesel right now.

The bottom line is if the truck, trailer, and hitch are rated to pull the weight, your fine. This assumes you have proper setup and knowledge of how to tow. I see my fare share of idiots with very capable trucks 3/4 ton and 1 ton rigs pulling too fast, trailing to close behind others, and doing stupid things. No matter what rig you have if your set-up sucks, and you are foolish with your driving, its not safe. If its rated for it, your good.