Hi guys,

As you can see I am really new at this forum. I've read about towing boats and capacities. The problem is that I'm still not sure if my truck is good for boat that i am planning to buy.
Truck details: 02 F150 SuperCab XLT V6 4.2L 5 speeds manual,KM air filter, rear gear 3.55. Manual says towing capacity 3300lbs.
The boat that i'm looking at weights about 2200lbs. With trailer and gear will go around 3000+ lbs.
As you can see I'm getting very close to the truck capacity. Will I have any problems? Uphill, stopping?
What can I do to upgrade my truck in order to feel more confident about towing?
Any comments are highly apreciated.

 

The only concern I would have in your case is boat retrieval.
You'll be OK so long as you are choosey on the ramps you use.
Check them out at high tide and low tide because they can look like two completely different ramps. Your boat tank should be low on fuel coming up the ramp so that will help some.

Personaly, I like the steep ramps. I can submerge the trailer, practically float the boat into place with little or no cranking and yank her out with the 5.4L Auto.

With your 4.2L manual, you should be launching at more gradual ramps that won't strain your combo. The flater ramps require more cranking to get the boat on the trailer and an electric winch could be good investment for you, even on that light of a boat.
Enjoy.

 

Hi

Did you think about doing a "test tow"? Seems to me that would answer alot of your questions real quick.

Besure of your GCWR. Does boat trailer have surge brakes?

Naturally your going to feel the boat back there. Yes, you'll feel it even more going up hills.

Seems the tongue wt. on rear end would help on traction?
Of course...dont ride that clutch. If you've launched/loaded boats before with a manual tranny...you know what i mean.

Good luck...OT

 

If you want to spend some cash on your truck (might even consider it part of the overall boat purchase), you could beef up your gearing some.

What size tires do you have.

Based on past discussions in the V6 forum I would say that you should think about going to a 3.73 LS or with a locker.

 

You really shouldn't have any problems. I just traded in my 97 XLT w/ 4.2L v-6 man trans. I towed a boat with it that weighed over 5000# loaded. Like Raoul said, look for the less sloped ramps. Although, once, I pulled my boat out of the water at a 45 degree angle, pratically. No problems. Also if your trailer doesn't have surge brakes then there's one thing I can't stress enough. Down Shift, Down Shift, Down Shift. That's the best, easiest way to stop. If I had to rely on my brakes to stop me, then I'd been screwed. Down shifting helps tremendously.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys for your advices.
The idea with "test tow" is very good. I have a friend who has a little heavier boat. 3500+. I will check with him. Maybe will take a trip to a boat ramp and give it a try. He has more experience than me with launching/retrieving.
I have a lot of experience driving stick even towing small trailers but not boat or heavier loads.
Yes, trailer has breaks (disks).
GCWR is 7800lbs. Truck fully loaded weights 4500 at public scale. That's why I've got 3300 max load. I know, this includes people.
My tires are stock P255/70R-16. Also truck is 4x2.
If I change rear gear to 3.73LS i have to do it at dealer right? Because of warranty... Any upgrades that I can do are better than to trade the truck (got it new and will lose a lot of money now).

 

My last truck was an 87 F150 XL long bed 2x4 with the 4.9 I6, manual gears and a 4:10 rear end. Had granny low in first. I towed a 24' pontoon boat all over creation and it was a great tow vehicle. Never ever had a problem. Course the 4.9 is known for huge torque and the 4:10 gears helped as well. Sold it with 235,000 miles on it and it still ran and looked good. I loved that truck.......