So I have a boat and trailer, combined 6,000 lbs., that I will tow to the lake and back on weekends. It's about 20 miles each way, so I'll make the trip 4 times per weekend. I have a 2003 F150 Screw 5.4L and it's just not getting the job done.

Need 4WD to get the boat out of the water and up the ramp. Otherwise, it comes down to getting an 08-09 F250 6.4L or going with a newer F-150 Ecoboost (or whatever other suggestions you might have). Seems like a lot of folks would be pondering this choice, so I'd like to hear your thoughts. Looking to spend between $28K and $33K.

 

You don't need a diesel to tow 6000#, and I certainly wouldn't want a 6.4 unless it's had the EGR and DPF deletes and a tune. Even a 5.0 in a 11+ F-150 is plenty good enough. You might be able to find a new leftover 2013 in that price range.

 

I tow a 30' camper with my 2012 ecoboost (4WD SCREW) and it pulls just fine. My fully loaded weight is probably a hair higher than your boat and trailer weight.

I've even been in the hills with my rig and it pulls up a 8° hill from a stop with no issues. You could tell the engine was pulling hard, but it was not struggling
(yes, I checked and it was 8°... per my dash readout. And it was from a stop sign so I was at a dead stop)

I'd fully recommend the Ecoboost... the low end torque is great when towing.

 

My boat and trailer are close to 2k more and I only tow it short trips the truck has no lack of power I just know I am heavier than I want to be comfortable with. So I won't make long trip with it but around town my 09 F150 with 5.4 tows the boat every bit as well as my 99 F250 Diesel did. The big difference would be a long trip I would not want to tow it long distance where with the old truck I would take it anywhere in the country with no concerns. Going with the F150 meant keeping the boat closer to home which is fine. The 6 speed trans will solve your towing issues and the Ecoboost is a torque monster but even a 5.0 will likely do you just fine.

 

you dont need a fancy 4x4 or diesel to pull a 6,000 lb boat out of the water... i run a marina and pull tons of boats ranging from 18 to 38 ft and from 2,500 to 16,500 lbs(not including the weight of the trailer. i rarely ever have to switch to 4wd pulling boats out of the water. the only time i have to switch to 4wd is when we drag the frame of our 40 ft trailer on the crest of the ramp

my dad used to pull his 10,000 lb searay out of the water just about every weekend with a 2wd ram 1500, even with nearly bald tired on the rear... if your trailer is set up right you should have zero trouble pulling your boat out...

 

Decided to go with a 2013 F150 SuperCrew 4WD with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost. Didn't have any trouble at all bringing the boat to and from the lake, including several good uphill pulls on the way back. Plenty of power to spare. The 4WD comes in handy to keep from lighting up the rear tires on the boat ramp. It gets pretty slick when its busy and I've seen anything other than 4WD's have trouble with wheelspin. Nice to have the flip-up center console to make it a 6-seater, and the rear camera works perfectly. Bonus was getting it for $14K off MSRP.

 

^That's exactly what I was gonna suggest doing, especially because you're probably in Texas where you can get a brand new EB XLT for right above your price range.

Congrats, even though you went to the wrong school