can this truck pull it?

[haskindm]

Re: can this truck pull it?

I assume you found a plate on your truck that lists 6300 pounds as the GVW. That is NOT the towing capacity. That is the most weight that your truck can carry including its own wieight, passengers, and cargo. You need to find the "trailering capacity" for your truck. This is NOT on a plate anywhere. It may be in your owners manual or available from the dealer. It is determined by your model, engine, transmission, brakes, rear axle ratio, tire size, etc. You MAY find a GVCW rating (gross vehicle COMBINATION weight) this is the most that the COMBINATION of your loaded truck AND TRAILER may weigh. If you find this figure, have your truck weighed as you would normally have it loaded when trailering (including passengers). Subtract this weight from the GVCW figure and that will be the maximum allowable weight for your boat/trailer.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: can this truck pull it?

The tow rating on a 5.4L F150 4x2 is at LEAST 7300lbs. Thats a supercab with 3.31s.

 

[MikDee]

Re: can this truck pull it?

You don't say what brand truck it is, but lower gearing would help, if it's not adequate now, to save yourself a lot of trouble, as in my motto K.I.S.S., for the time being, you might be able to just get a couple of lower profile wider tires, if you have a 75, 70, or 65, series stock tire, try going to a 60, or 55 series, my S-10 stock tires are 205/75/15", going to a 215/60/15" is 2" less in diameter, but wider, and it's like going from a 3:08 to a 3:42 rear

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Ford truck frames are the same F150 F250 F350. Only difference is suspension, brakes, axles.

Where did you get that info, Unless the new trucks are different then the ones I've owned and parted. Several F150/F250/F350 trucks. The frames may LOOK the same but the 250 is heavier gauge material than the 150 and the 250HD and 350's are the heaviest. SOME F250 2x4's had the thinnier F150 frame.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Where did you get that info, Unless the new trucks are different then the ones I've owned and parted. Several F150/F250/F350 trucks. The frames may LOOK the same but the 250 is heavier gauge material than the 150 and the 250HD and 350's are the heaviest. SOME F250 2x4's had the thinnier F150 frame.

The HD truck's have by far greater frame strenght than the F150...that is the newer body change 99 and above. One thing that should be noted is the fact going to a HD with a 5.4 will do little or acutally nothing to enhance the towing epxerience, However pulling more than 5000 lbs out of the hole could be very...difficult. Without a 4x4 and its ability to split or reduce the gearing by splitting the transfer case...life could be very difficult.

But you gain very little in a ford truck from 2005 and beyond by going to a HD with a 5.4l motor...Just a thought.

 

[cadunkle]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Perhaps the new trucks are different. I know '80 through late 90's at least the frames are identical F150 through F350. I've owned several '80-'86 light duty trucks, and have worked on plenty up through the 90s. Same exact frame. It's flimsy and flexy but won't crack or bend from mild overloading like your typical Chevy frame of similar vintage. F150 just has different parts on frame for coil spring front vs F250. F250 2WD has a coil spring front very similar to a F150/Bronco. You can convert if you get or make proper shackles and hangers for leafs and drop either a D50 TTB or D60 under the truck. You can bolt an F350 rear suspension and axle on a F150, takes a couple hours at most unless your truck has seen lots of salt.

The new Ford F150 frames are probably stronger than any older F150-F350 frame in that they flex less. Box an '80-'9? frame and you have a very strong and solid frame that is much more capable than the factory stuff. Just gotta keep any boxed frame clean and ensure drains are not clogged, or it will rot fast.

In any event, if the OP finds his current truck inadequate I would recommend buying an older 250 or 350. They are cheap and strong, and have perfectly adequate braking, especially the newer models with discs on the Sterling axle.

 

[dave11]

Re: can this truck pull it?

You need an 2003 F250 or later with a V10. The difference is night and day.

 

[Pony]

Re: can this truck pull it?

I'm really surprised at most of these responses telling the original poster he needs a F250 or a F350 and a v10 and all that jazz.

I think there are some serious doubts as to whether or not he gave us the actual towing capacity of that truck. I for one find it hard to believe its only 6300lbs with a 5.4L V8. No one knows the year. make, or style of truck and without that we cannot be sure of the real rating.

A F250 or a F350 or a v10 really isnt needed here in my opinion. If 6300lbs is accurate, then most 1500 level trucks will do it. My truck is rated at 8300lbs.......thats 2k worth or wiggle room on that load and its a 1500.

 

[leoo24]

Re: can this truck pull it?

as a european i'm always flabergasted by the size of your engines over in the US, are you guys towing long distances and do you have really steep ramps?

i tow a 3700 pound boat with my 1.9dci 80bhp renault comercial van (ok it has a long wheel base and weighs the same as the boat), it's tow rating is 4500 pounds, and ok i'm only going to my local ramp 4km away and the ramp is so shallow that 2 of us can pull my jetski out by hand (trailer and all, no car needed).

but still seeing engine sizes with 300+ bhp to me seems like you could tear the side of my house off!

 

[mthieme]

Re: can this truck pull it?

How far and often are you planning on towing this puppy?

 

[Fingernip]

Re: can this truck pull it?

As i said before... the F150 with 5.4L will tow that boat and depending on its loaded weight will likely still be under 80% of its tow rating. If its close you can just swap rear end gears and it definetly wont be an issue. Depending on gears an F150 is rated to tow beyond 8000lbs.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Well here's the latest I pulled the boat cause I had to move it thats another story... it was only about 5 miles the surge brakes worked well but really seemed to pull the F-150 around mainly a flat pull, I have decided this is not safe for me in general this kind of load needs a larger truck 4x4 etc; What 1 ton truck does anyone reccomend with heavy duty package? looks like I will half to save my money... looking for a used truck.

Thanks again

 

[Godfirst]

Re: can this truck pull it?

well here is the latest I was forced to move the boat, the surge brakes worked fine but seemed to pull the F-150 around, it was only about 5 miles, I have decided it is not safe, what 1 ton heavy duty truck does anyone reccomend? of course it has to be used.

Thanks again

 

[ratracer]

Re: can this truck pull it?

well here is the latest I was forced to move the boat, the surge brakes worked fine but seemed to pull the F-150 around, it was only about 5 miles, I have decided it is not safe, what 1 ton heavy duty truck does anyone reccomend? of course it has to be used.

Thanks again

Since you're looking at used I would say that the condition and history of the truck itself is more important than the brand name. Also, unless you figure on possibly also being interested in hauling a larger 5th wheeler - where the payload capacity of the truck is also a very important consideration - I think you can also reasonably consider a 3/4 ton. Those generally also have a tow capacity of at least 10,000 lbs which even if you use the 80% rule gives you a fair margin to work with.

About the only 3/4 or 1 ton truck of recent vintage that I might be wary of would be a 2003 or 2004 PSD if I couldn't validate its repair history.

 

[Pony]

Re: can this truck pull it?

I personally wouldn't do a thing until that boat and trailer combo is weighed. There are certified scales at most truck stops......I have seen quite a few anyways. Then you can see what you a REALLY dealing with here. 6000-6500lbs shouldn't push around an F150 as much as you seem to be describing. Have you towed that much weight before? You will notice it back there.....maybe you just aren't used to that? Even if it is not towing comfortably, there may be adjustments that you can make to fix that. Adjusting tongue weight, moving axles, weight distribution hitches, proper tires, rear axle ratios.............the list goes on and on.


I would hate to see you spring for a new vehicle when the solution could have been found by doing something simple like adding/subtracting tongue weight. Once you get a weight for the whole rig, you can get a tongue weight by just having the wheel jack on the scale. With those numbers the experts here can help a lot.........A lot of guys here have a lot of info just on trucks and with a model year and a few other numbers can tell you your axle ratio or your actual towing capacity.

IMHO I wouldn't get rid of your Ford yet......you NEED to get the real weight of what you are towing and see where you stand after that.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Well the answer to the question if I pulled that much weight is in my past I drove as a commercial driver that allowed me to pull 80,000 lbs legal... now back to my Ford F-150 I had a smaller bayliner 19 ft on a single axle trailer weighed loaded including gear about 3,000lbs, I would say this jump to a larger crusier boat is much different, I would say also I have as a commercial ex, driver never used surge brakes and this is probably the adjustment I need to make I tend to think electric brakes are more efficient, what is the perspective on electric vs. surge brakes? The boat and trailer have been weighed and about 6,500 lbs.

Thanks again

 

[Godfirst]

Re: can this truck pull it?

I'm really surprised at most of these responses telling the original poster he needs a F250 or a F350 and a v10 and all that jazz.

I think there are some serious doubts as to whether or not he gave us the actual towing capacity of that truck. I for one find it hard to believe its only 6300lbs with a 5.4L V8. No one knows the year. make, or style of truck and without that we cannot be sure of the real rating.

A F250 or a F350 or a v10 really isnt needed here in my opinion. If 6300lbs is accurate, then most 1500 level trucks will do it. My truck is rated at 8300lbs.......thats 2k worth or wiggle room on that load and its a 1500.

(here is the truck facts 2000 Ford F-150 5.4 triton V-8 auto trans, extra cab, long bed non 4x4.)

 

[109jb]

Re: can this truck pull it?

Godfirst,

Like you, I don't like the way surge brakes operate. I also don't like the fact that they do nothing for you in reverse and won't help you if you start sliding backward downhill. I digress though. Electric brakes could be fitted in one of 2 ways.

1. Electric brakes electrically actuated. The downside of this is that, as was mentioned, the electric actuators may be a problem because they probably don't like being submerged, but with regular maintenance may be OK in fresh, probably not a good ides if operating in salt water

2. Electric over hydraulic. Basically you have hydraulic brakes at the axles, but the hydraulic pressure to actuate them comes from a small hydraulic unit that is actuated from a electric brake actuator circuit. You can probably retrofit a unit to your existing surge brake hubs, or you can install new hydraulic brakes at the axles. If you opt to go new, you can go with disk brakes. If using the disk brakes, you also have good access if you do launch in salt water you can rinse.

You can find the electric over hydraulic actuators by doing a yahoo or google search for "electric over hydraulic brakes".

Here is also a link, but not sure its allowed since it is a trailer vendor site although I did check to see if iboats sold them. and could not find them.

http://www.trailerpart.com/brakerite.htm

Hope this helps,

John B

 

[DJ]

Re: can this truck pull it?

"Pulling" is half the battle. STOPPING is the better half.

 

[mrainey889]

Re: can this truck pull it?

as a european i'm always flabergasted by the size of your engines over in the US, are you guys towing long distances and do you have really steep ramps?

i tow a 3700 pound boat with my 1.9dci 80bhp renault comercial van (ok it has a long wheel base and weighs the same as the boat), it's tow rating is 4500 pounds, and ok i'm only going to my local ramp 4km away and the ramp is so shallow that 2 of us can pull my jetski out by hand (trailer and all, no car needed).

but still seeing engine sizes with 300+ bhp to me seems like you could tear the side of my house off!

The issue is primarily with government enforcement of the automotive manufacturers specifications. The OP said his boat weighs 6000lbs...according to the person he bought it from. That is not a number he has checked out himself, or at least as far as I understand. If his tow limit is 6300lbs, then it might be very easy to exceed his towing limits with only 300lbs to spare...assuming the boat really only weighs 6000lbs. Here in the U.S., auto manufacturers rate their vehicles capabilities. If a person exceeds those ratings, regardless if those ratings agree with other auto manufacturers (renault for example) or not for a given style vehicle, then that person is breaking the law. Doing so can lead to a citation from law enforcement if caught, to something more severe such as an insurance company deciding not to pay for an accident caused by someone operating a vehicle beyond the manufacturers limits. Renault may claim its 1.9dci 80bhp renault comercial van can tow 4500lbs, but that does not mean Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, or Toyota will make the same claim in terms of hp/lb towable here in the states. It all comes down to legality. My 220hp half ton Ford would pull 10,000lbs, maybe not fast, but definitely never legally here in the U.S.