Does anyone here pull a boat with thier Harley F150? I would like to know since I plan to purchase a boat soon, and was wondering if there is any thing I should worry about.

 

With the 5.4 liter engine, you have all the pulling power you need for anything but a very large boat. You might want to add a Class III or IV hitch to the frame, though, if you are going to regularly haul one.

Take a look at my Hidden Hitch brand in the sig picture. It works great, plus you can "decorate" your truck with a cool hitch cover if you do decide to add one.

 

HarleyGuy, in reference to "you might want to get a class IV or....." Are you implying one could pull a small boat by just putting a tow ball in the bumper? I'm asking because I'm getting a small utility trailer to haul mine and my wife's bikes?

Gene

 

Hey, baddgene! I just put a ball on the bumper of my 1997 F-150 for towing the boat and ended up messing up both the bumper and the license plate. Decided that it would be a cheap investment to get a Class III hitch for underneath with a receiver.

Sure you can tow a small trailer that way just fine, but don't cut it too sharp when backing the thing up or you could cut into the bumper's plastic covering. I sure did, on both sides, too!

 

If I'm mistaken ... but recall reading in the manual NOT to install a ball hitch in the bumper hole since it was really desinged that way...have a class III hidden hitch, ball goes on it, much safer alternative..you should be able to get one for about $250 installed..mine was under $300 CND$..small boaaat towing should be no problem.

 

With the 5.4 any average size boat will pull w/ ease..I pull a 19 ft ski boat no problem..I have only been pullin trailers a few years seein as I'm only 20..but word of advise..go with the hidden hitch your truck and wallet will thank you because nothing hurts worse than hearing your trailer scrape your pretty paint or dinging your bumper and its also quite embarassing if your in front of friends..usually called a reciever..makes it easier turning and backing your trailer in because it is a lot harder to jack nkife the trailer..also you can remove the ball just by pulling a pin and the hitch and ball slide right out so you don't have that ugly old thing rusting on your bumper..also when you back up to far you hit the reciever and not your bumper or license plate..lol.I know I did it on my old truck too!

 

BADBLACK99, nails it. My only other comment on this is the rusty ball that will make your truck look like crap. I had the "rusty ball syndrome" on my Explorer. And, even attempted to remove the rusty one and replace it with a new chromed ball. No go, could NOT get it off. Only solution was to trade in the Explorer and get the new Mountaineer. Now there is an expense! LOL

(BTW, installed a Class III hitch the first week on the Mountaineer. I ain't makin' the same mistake twice!!!)

 

Get a class III hitch from mail order. I had U Haul install mine for $250, and soon realized that it was a waste of money. The reason I went with U Haul was that I felt unsure about the electrical setup. But my '01 F150 HDS already came with all the electrical setup! I just didn't realize it. So just order the Hidden Hitch for around $130 or so, and set aside some time to bolt it on. Then go to U Haul and get an adaptor for $15.

 

I pull a 4000# Sting Ray boat and have no problems.You do need to drive as alert as possible for stopping purposes...I always drive with the OD turned off unless I get up to 55 mph...It's flat around here so hills are not a problem...

 

I have a class III hitch also. Towed my brothers boat through the BC mountins. Very steep up and down. No problems. It 5.4 L. It had no trouble.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I might have not been clear in my post. I already have a dealer installed class III hitch. I was just wondering how well the HD did while towing. I've heard a lot about over heating, special tow packages, and radiators that were needed for towing safetly, and I wanted to make sure I did not screw up my baby. From your replies I guess I can safetly tow my boat with out any problems.


Thanks again.

 

Bought my hidden hitch from JC Whitney for 99.95 with free shipping on a catalog special. Specials are usually 10-15% off or free shipping; but this issue had both on the hidden hitch. Installed in less than an hour.

 

Hi there!
I did a friend a favour, he asked me to move his boat trailer. It was a 40 ft. but was not going far. I said ok if he had a ball. They proceeded to hook it up and when I was backing up into a gravel driveway the trailer slipped, oh by the way there was a bolt over the ball which I wasn't aware of and you should see the mess it made of my bumper!!! Have a dent and gouge! Feels really bad on my part , I should have said no. But what can you do? What do you guys think?

 

So, was the ball on your bumper or do you have a hitch below??? Guess I can see how the bumper can get messed up with a ball on it, but if you had a hitch below, cannot understand?????

 

He put a 1 1/4 inch ball on my bumper but apparently the trailer takes a 2 inch ball so when it fell it made quite a mess. I'll get it fixed and see where it goes from there. It's rusting already.