It is very possible that my dad may buy a new boat in the near future. We usually share towing between our trucks, but I'm not so sure my truck can handle it, so I need advice and opinions.

My truck:
- 2000 F-150 Lariat
- 5.4L 2v V8
- 2WD
- 3.55 Limited Slip

The boat:
- 28' Cutty Cabin Walkaround
- Triple Axle Trailer
- Twin Outboard 225hp Motors

I believe my truck is rated to pull somewhere around 8,000 lbs. but I'm not entirely sure. I have the factory tow package, which includes the Class III hitch receiver (5,000 lb. capacity). So I know I would need to upgrade to the Class IV hitch receiver (10,000 lb. capacity) to ensure I can tow to the extent of my truck's ability.

The boat salesman said that the boat, trailer, and full fuel tank would weigh in around 9,000 pounds.

That makes me nervous. I'm afraid it might be too much for my truck to handle. My dad is planning on towing it with his Nissan Titan.

What do you guys think? Would it be foolish to even attempt it? If it's possible, would it be too hard on my truck?

Any help is greatly appreciated, even though the last thing a man wants to hear is that his truck isn't enough truck.

Thanks.

 

You would not need a Class IV hitch - your Class III is good to 10k with weight distribution bars. *CAN* you tow it? Yes. *SHOULD* you tow it? Nope. Your dad shouldn't tow it with his Titan either. That's a job for a 3/4 ton truck.

If you are just towing it locally on flat roads at reasonable speeds, you both should be okay, but both of you will probably be exceeding one or more ratings.

 

That's a 3/4 ton truck boat all day long. The salesman says 9K lbs, which in reality means 10K lbs. Add in gas, gear, water, drinks, people, etc, and even my truck would be feeling the load.

Will your truck tow it? Yes. Should you tow it on a regular basis? No, unless the launch ramp is a mile from your house.

 

yep you can tow it , but the real question is can you stop it..

 

He can tow it on level ground... The launch ramp is another question.

 

all i know is YOUR better off towing it than your dad...unless your dad likes exploding Dana44 axles, if that is the case, let him tow it

 

At the campground I go to, there's a 99 or 2000 150 with a 5.4 and he tows his 27' Sport Craft. It weighs around 10k too. I don't know how good it tows it or how well it stops it, but he takes it up the highway and lives about an hour away from the lake.

 

Putting it in the water might not be a problem, unless the ramp is very steep and it just drags you in... Lets see... 9k boat, 5k truck..... Humm..... Getting it out might be a problem for a 2wd truck..... I'd guess that even a 4x4 F150 in 4lo would have issues with hauling it out of the water... I've seen 3/4 ton 2wd trucks trying to retrieve 20' ski boats on slimy ramps and get nowhere... Always had to have a truck up the ramp hook up to them and haul 'em up...

A one time deal... Sure, you could get away with it on the hwy... Launching and retrieving??? Totally depends on the ramp, but my guess is.... good luck!

Sorry, I don't want to be a downer on your new boat purchase, but you must look at all things with owning a large size boat as well, if you want to make it fun!

Mitch

 

JohnBoy, go tell yer dad, "Boatslip rental".
Or maybe these three words, "dry storage, dad."

You just call them up,
"Hey, I'll be there in an hour, I want it gassed and in the water."

That's a great life.

p.s.
selling a triple axle trailer would probably cover the first year storage fee.

 

Well we decided to rent a boat slip for it and keep the trailer in dry storage somewhere. The trailer has brakes, but it seemed like more of a hassle to haul it around anywhere.

I just don't like being uncertain with that much boat behind me. I had a feeling my truck could pull it but I knew it wouldn't like it.

Thanks for all your input, but the slip is the best idea. Now I don't have to worry about it. I can still use my truck to haul around our Bass Tracker.

 

I have a 22 foot sea ray cuddy cab and when the launch ramp gets slick you have to use 4 wheel dig to pull that heavy boat out of the water. 2wd will sit htere and just smoke the tires. I would say the boat slip was the best move you made. I don't think your 2wd had a chance to get it out of the water.

 

A bit late, but triple axle trailer = 3/4 ton+ truck., no matter what it is you are towing.

 

Ah... depends where you're located at. Plenty of people have triple axle trailers that haul 21' jet boats on the west coast. They think its cool.

 

As you know, just because people do it doesn't make it right.

 

These are 3000lb boats on triple axle trailers that I'm talking about here...