I have a 2003 F150 Lariat w/5.4L V8. My father and I own a 20ft Seahunt boat that we trailer to Barneget Bay. I was wondering if I need/should install a shift kit for towing the boat.

The slugglish shifts scare me and I don't want to damage the tranny towing the boat.

Is the stock tranny going to withstand the pressure I put on it ???

 

Auto or manual trans?

How much does the boat+trailer weigh?

Did the truck come with the towing package?

 

What does the boat weigh ? Do you have the factory tow package?

If you have the tow package and the boat is < 5000 pounds I wouldn't worry about it. You could add a shift kit, but probably wouldn't need one. If you want to add something add a trans temp guage, and then you'll really know whats going on in there. About $40 and you can see how much heat your building. Heat is what will kill any trans.

-jeff b.

 

With each Model release every year without fail, Ford motor company has used glossy color photo of an F150 pulling a shiny new 20 foot boat.

The truck that they use, every year is the truck you have.
If you have the factory towing package, you need nothing else to tow a 20 foot boat.

If the Ford F150 with the biggest V8 available, can't tow a 20 boat anywhere in the country, right out of the box...then fella's it's fourth down and time to punt.

 

Sorry,

Forgot the tell you my truck has auto tranny with FX4 and towing package.

I'm not sure exactly how much the boat and trailer weigh, but I believe it's under 5000 lbs.

 

Looks like you are set to tow 7000+ lbs.

Since you don't say where you are towing from (state/province) I'd advise you to go to the BoatUS website for more information regarding laws in force in your area. Laws vary regarding breakaway brakes, safety equipment, max speed etc.

Tow Safe!!

 

I appreciate all the feedback. It's hard to figure out who's right and who's wrong.

A lot of people have told me that the truck can withstand the load of the boat and trailer (suspension), but to install a shift kit due to the sluggash shifts that might hurt it. Others told me that the truck (suspension and tranny) were built to hold up under the load.

The truck is brand new and I'm trying not to #%#%$ with it. It's hard, but I'm trying to leave it alone, at least until the warranty runs out.

Again thanks !!!!

 

Gootch,

I already responded to your OTHER post

but, you are Totally Fine with that load. Yes, a shift kit will improve your shift quality, but as already said, you can pull that boat all over the country bone stock with no problem.

I pull over 7000 lbs. every other weekend and so far nothing has shown any sign of problems.

 

Bikenut - Thanks !!!!!

 

I've been towing a 22 ' Chaparral that's right around 5000# with my 99 ext cab with auto and ORP since it was new. I tow in the same general area [Jersey Shore] and haven't had any problems. Its all basicly flat running anyway. As a precaution though , I always use 4WD-Low when pulling up the ramp out of the water, lockout overdrive until I'm out on the interstate and don't go over 55 mph.

 

Gootcch: you should not have any problems towing your boat. If you notice the engine straining while going up hill, turn off the overdrive. Otherwise, Tow and Go!!!

 

I agree with your theory that over time the sluggish shifting, especially when towing a fairly heavy load, will eventualy damage the transmission. Yes the truck will tow the boat with no problems, but we're talking longevity. I tow a boat that weighs in at 6100lbs. and to address the soft shifting I installed a Superchip. I'm not really sure about the performance gains with the chip, but if there is one thing that it did that I'm pleased with is that it really firmed up the shifts. I vote for firming up the shifts. Just my .02.

 

I would agree that getting a tranny temp gauge is the thing to do. The factory gauges are nothing more that fancy idiot lights. Also I would replace the factory tranny cooler with an aftermarket unit that was rated at about 22,000lbs.

 

FYI, there's no way to hurt the tranny by letting it do what it was programmed to do. The "sluggish" shifts you are complaining about happen all the time (even when not towing) they are just most noticable under load and do not hurt anything. If anything, firming them up will put more strain on the components IMHO...

OH, and it's not really thr tranny shifting slowly either... the PCM retards the timing, reducing power slightly, the trans shifts, and then it re-advances the timing... it all happens in a matter of 1/2 second, but it greatly increases the smoothness of the shift and reduces the shock loading on the drivetrain.

-Joe

 

Don’t worry . Your towing in NJ, very flat land and your truck can handle it. I tow a 24’ boat with a 2001 F150 OFF-ROAD, 4.6L, Auto Tran with tow package with no problems.