F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

[STS98]

From research I've done, looks like my 1/2 will do ok pulling this boat, only thing I'm thinking of adding is a "Air Lift Ride Control Air Spring Kit" from truckspring.com. Any thoughts?

 

[JimMH]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

Couldn't hurt. I assume that your trailer has surge or electric brakes. F150 is a good tow vehicle but can be pushed around by a big boat like you have.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

"23' - 4200lbs Chaparral "

I can't think of any 23 foot Chaparral that will only weigh 4300lbs on its tandem axle trailer. You gonna weigh it to make sure? That said, even at 5000-6000 lbs, a properly equipped, modern 1/2 ton truck should handle it, without any air spring kit. Tongue weight should not be that much, (even when the boat weighs 5000lbs or more), to make an air spring kit necessary. Tongue weight will be under 500lbs.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

The only thing that air spring kit will do is increase payload capacity. Your tounge weight will still be limited by the reciever hitch (most likely 500 lbs for class III hitch) and the truck drivetrain will govern the max tow weight. The air springs really won't do anything to increase the capacity for towing, and will reduce the comfort of the ride. Skip them and just make sure the brakes are up to snuff on the trailer.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I used to tow a 7000lb car trailer with a 2002 F150, hardly noticed it was there. You shouldn't need any special springs for the truck unless your trailer is grossly out of balance.

As long as 4200 or whatever the trailer weighs is within the tow rating of your F150 you should be fine.

 

[STS98]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I looked for hours on the internet trying to find some of the this information all of you have giving me in a matter of 1 day. What a great source of information for a new boater!! Actually feel comfortable with the set up I have and saved $200.00 on top of it. Thanks you all for sharing your 1st hand knowledge, I really appreciate it

 

[bryan01601]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I pull a four winns horizon 230 (24') with no problems what so ever.. I have a 2006 supercrew with a 5.7l v8 in the truck.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

...I have a 2006 supercrew with a 5.7l v8 in the truck.

Wow, how'd you get a Chevy engine, that is no longer made for trucks, into a Ford?!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I'm sure he has a 5.4 in his s-crew. I do in mine, and I have a 5.7 in my boat, bet he has too!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

Oh, BTW later F150's have some pretty good tow ratings, my 05 rates 8500 towed if the truck ain't loaded way up.

 

[bryan01601]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

Sorry, Yes the 5.4 is in the truck and the 5.7 is in the boat.....

 

[mxzeatr]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

You should have no issues pulling that load at all with your F150.

Even the lowest rated 2wd 5.4L F150 is 7700lbs I believe.

I tow 7000lbs on occasion...Mines got the 9300lb towing capacity (Supercab w/3.73 gear ratio...)

 

[Cap'n Brian]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

If boat/trailer total out to be more than 5000 lbs, might want to look into an equalizer hitch. Check for towing requirements on your hitch to verify a weight distributing hitch is or is not needed for loads 5K lbs or more.

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I tow my 4500# dry weight RV with my '02 f-150 no problems at all.
GVW is 6800# on that year truck. If your boat trailer has breaks you will be fine. You will feel it though.

 

[jkust]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

"23' - 4200lbs Chaparral "

I can't think of any 23 foot Chaparral that will only weigh 4300lbs on its tandem axle trailer.

My 18 foot Chap is a hair shy of 4000lbs on the trailer wet with single axel trailer. 23 footer is generally a lot more than 4200lbs Air shocks are great, my GM has them and there is never any sag.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

My 18 foot Chap is a hair shy of 4000lbs on the trailer wet with single axel trailer. 23 footer is generally a lot more than 4200lbs...

Yeah, you understood exactly what I was talking about. My 20.6' Chap 2135 was 3300 dry, supposedly, then add the Bravo 3 drive plus the Galvanized steel tandem trailer, and I have NO idea what it actually weighed, but it was A LOT more than 4200. And this guy is looking at a same vintage 2335, which is a 23'8" boat! It's gonna weigh 6000+ on the trailer. but still, that's okay, a modern 1/2 ton can handle it, no problem.

 

[Bowser4x4]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

I use a 08 F150 Supercrew with the 5.4 and factory tow package to pull our Sea Ray 200 Sundeck... a pretty heavy boat at about 3600 dry weight. Add the rest of the stuff and still I have not had a problem pulling the combo. Well, maybe a small problem with the gas mileage.... I don't remember what the tow rating was on my older 4.6, but it did drop quite a bit. Might be something to look into.



Woof
Bowser

 

[STS98]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

Just going with the data provided in the "Chaparral Owners Manual" as shown in the attachment. The dry weight stated is 4175 lbs. I'll only assume they know what thet are taking about:

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

Assuming anything about a boat manufacturer makes you... well you know how that goes.
And while they may have that number close, what do think a trailer capable of holding that weight, weighs? Ooops, you forgot that, didn't you? No problem. As I said, you'll be near or over 6000lbs on the trailer, but with boat trailer tongue weights typically 10% max, that's only 600lbs on the ball. Rear suspension should handle that without any help. Unless it's worn out.

 

[89villain]

Re: F150 4x4 Towing 23' - 4200lbs Chaparral

my 05 wrangler unlimited tows my 4500lb chapparel without any problems. stops on a nickel with the trailer brakes and pulls the boat out without issue. i also use 4-lo to pull out.