can this truck pull it?

[Godfirst]

just bought a 24 cuddy cabin cruiser with a dual axle trailer got a good deal on it, the previous owner said total weight about 6,000? the trailer has surge brakes.
my problem is I have a half ton truck rated at about 6300lbs total, non 4x4 and no trailer package on it the motor is a 5.4 V8 rated at 318hp can't afford another truck can I beef up this truck? it does have a cat back exhaust and k@n filter. Thanks Duane

 

[dave11]

Re: can this truck pull it?

The first thing I would do is to get it weighed with all your gear in it. If it is under 6300# you are legal, but you have no margin of safety. That boat weighs more than your truck. You don't have a tow package. You don't want the boat pushing the truck around. Be very careful and cautious when towing the boat. As for your engine mods, they don't do anything to increase the tow rating.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can this truck pull it?

have a reciever hitch installed, do not use the hole in the bumper. you may have to go with an equalizer hitch, as you should have atleast 600 lbs, on the tongue weight. if you have a short wheel base, you may need anti sway also.
service the trailer brakes, and be sure they are working.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: can this truck pull it?

You can't "beef up" the truck to increase your capacity, but there are a couple of things you can do to make towing easier on it.

First, as dave said, get the boat weighed with a normal load to see if you are over your 6300#. If you are, then it really is time for an upgrade.

If you aren't going to upgrade, then make sure you have an aftermarket tranny cooler (if you have an auto) and consider installing air bags in the rear.

A brake upgrade may also be possible. Don't worry about the pulling, worry about the stopping, especially if the trailer brakes fail.

Equalizer hitch and a sway bar are also a good idea.

Bear in mind, there is nothing you can do to make a not-legal setup into a legal one, except for moving to a 3/4 ton.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: can this truck pull it?

No references were made to axle ratio and since the truck does not have a trailer package, it likely has an axle ratio that is very unsuitable for towing that load. That however, can be changed.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: can this truck pull it?

just bought a 24 cuddy cabin cruiser with a dual axle trailer got a good deal on it, the previous owner said total weight about 6,000? the trailer has surge brakes.
my problem is I have a half ton truck rated at about 6300lbs total, non 4x4 and no trailer package on it the motor is a 5.4 V8 rated at 318hp can't afford another truck can I beef up this truck? it does have a cat back exhaust and k@n filter. Thanks Duane

I assume it is a Ford and its a 4x4 so what year and what type oc cab..regular super or crew..were looking for wheel base here....i beleive that there is no currebt f150 that has less than a 7500lb capacity (5.4-v8)

 

[hard-3]

Re: can this truck pull it?

questions?

1 how far do you pull to go boating?
2 What type of terrain :ie hills interstate 2 lanes ect?
3 How often do you pull ?
4 How rich are you? if you can afford to be sued because you couldn't stop and ran over a bus load of lawyers then don't do anything.
if you are over the combined GVW of your vehicle then you are at serious legal risk.
But, You can set it up as legal as possible and hope for the best. Good class iv load equilizing hitch assuming you have surge brakes -be sure to get a equilized hitch that will work on surge brakes,
make sure every thing is up to par , brakes tires coolant levels and radiator cleaned off. drive like you are in no big hurry , allow plenty of stopping room and watch out for the law bus !

 

[SuperNova]

Re: can this truck pull it?

I assume it is a Ford and its a 4x4 so what year and what type oc cab..regular super or crew..were looking for wheel base here....i beleive that there is no currebt f150 that has less than a 7500lb capacity (5.4-v8)

He said it's NOT a 4x4 "non 4x4" . Non 4x4 usually makes the tow rating higher anyway.

 

[109jb]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Ditch the surge brakes and install electric trailer brakes. I never did like the surge brakes.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: can this truck pull it?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have never seen electric trailer brakes on a boat trailer. Do they make that??

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Yes,They do make electric brakes on boat trailers.If he is going to be using it in salt water then thats not a great idea.

 

[JB]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Ford can upgrade the tow rating on your truck with selected axle ratio, beefed up electrics, beefed up cooling, tranny cooler and maybe beefed up suspension.

I would not pull 6,000# around the block with a vehicle rated for less than 8,000#.

Towing heavy stuff and towing at anything near capacity is for trained professional truck drivers, not we amatuers.

 

[109jb]

Re: can this truck pull it?

If using in salt water he can convert to an electric over hydraulic system. Or, just pay more attention to maintenance of the electric brake actuators. I just don't like how surge brakes have to push against the tow vehicle before they will apply brakes. Also for a larger boat backing down a ramp with a marginal tow vehicle, the surge brakes do nothing for you because they are disabled in reverse. The electric brakes work whether going forward or reverse.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Lot of weight for that vehicle. Axle ratio, tranny cooling and stopping are the most important in my opinion. Not necessarily in that order.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: can this truck pull it?

He said it's NOT a 4x4 "non 4x4" . Non 4x4 usually makes the tow rating higher anyway.

Good catch acutally towing capacity increases when using a 4x2...less overall weight...(running gearweight)

However here's some Ford specs from there own towing guide's.. 2003 models

Reg cab 4x2 3.55 gears w/16" p275 tires

4x2@8500....4x4@8200lbs

--------------------------------------------------------

Super cab 3.55 gears and the above tire's

4x2@8200......4x4@7900

Careful here they do have 3.31 gearing in that year....7500 lbs cap.


_____________________________________________________________

2004 year model

reg cab 3.73 gears no tire restrictions

4x2@8300.....4x4@8000

Super cab 3.73 gears

4x2@8200.....4x4@7800

Looks like no 3.55 gearing avaible here..check that closely..


________________________________________________________________


2005 model year from here it just keeps going up..new frame update's
___________________________________________________________________
All of the above weights are with a class 4 hitch no reference was made to trans cooler system but highly advised.. opps and no manual's


These are there guide lines see your local service dept for there input.....

 

[rrhodes]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Be careful... You will also have a lot of fun pulling that boat back up the ramp when you are finished. I see spinning tires in your future.

 

[dave11]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Ford can upgrade the tow rating on your truck with selected axle ratio, beefed up electrics, beefed up cooling, tranny cooler and maybe beefed up suspension.

I would not pull 6,000# around the block with a vehicle rated for less than 8,000#.

Towing heavy stuff and towing at anything near capacity is for trained professional truck drivers, not we amatuers.

Professionals understand the consequences of pulling an overweight (Illegal) load. If they do, it is with an overweight permit. Then it is OK. The "law bus" is waiting just in front of you.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: can this truck pull it?

really appreciate all the info, I guess the first thing is I will have the boat and trailer weighed fully loaded then if in a safe capacity rating below 6,300lbs I will think about switching too electric brakes if not new 2500 truck.
Thanks again

 

[SuperNova]

Re: can this truck pull it?

One recommendation I would make ( I personally tow a 8000# rig) would be to put a trans temp gauge in before you get all crazy with extra coolers. Monitor the trans fluid temp and then decide what has to be done. You may not even need to fool with it. I also agree that braking ability is critical as well as smart driving habits. The trailer brakes will play a HUGE role in safety and should not be neglected or overlooked; make SURE they work properly.

 

[cadunkle]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Yes towing capacity can be upgraded. Don't worry about what the law says. Ford truck frames are the same F150 F250 F350. Only difference is suspension, brakes, axles. You can swap all those things if you want, it's not that hard. Beefier leafs and shocks in back. If you have an 8.8" rear axle I would recommend swapping to a Dana 60 or Sterling 10.25" with nice big brakes and a 4.10:1 or lower ratio. A locked rear axle may help with steep ramps since you are only a 2WD. 5.4 is a small engine lacking in torque, so gear ratio will be important. If you have a slushbox get a big stacked plate transmission cooler.

If your truck is a reg cab short bed you may not want to tow that weight. I've towed over 6000 lbs with an older Ford stepside F150 with a 302 and it wasn't fun. A load that heavy on a light short wheelbase truck will yank you around if you are not careful. Acceleration on the highway was an issue for that tow, but it was a one shot deal and I wasn't gonna buy another truck for a single tow. I was basically floored the whole trip on the highway and watching the gas gauge go down. Stopping wasn't too bad without trailer brakes, just kept an eye out ahead.

One thing you might consider is the cost of upgrading your current truck vs buying an older ('80-'93) F250 or F350. 2WD trucks with big block power can be had for cheap, keep an eye on craigslist. Even a 351W truck would be adequate with at least 4.10:1 gears.