can this truck pull it?

199675hpforce

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 27, 2004
Messages
299
Re: can this truck pull it?

Id have no problem using a brand new 2008 f150 to pull that they build the new ones pretty sturdy. Your exisiting truck i would go new shocks something stiffer,bfg all terrain Ko tires help out run higher psi. Ive seen older used up trucks towing way way more than they should, shot shocks,tires and brakes = death trap. I just beefed up my nissan crew cab with shocks and tires tows my 2500lb boat no problemo. I towed 5000 lbs trailer with jeep liberty crd its rated for this but the stoping and trailer sway was scarry. I wouldnt go off just lbs your truck can tow you should go with your instinct on that. Ha this reminds me of a penske diesel truck i rented to move from az to ut only went 45mph had 200k miles. I bet the rental company i could pull that diesel full with my CRD way faster than it could move they didnt take my offer lol. 45 the whole way i had 20k plus pounds onboard. You want gears lol i win my 2000 nissan is like 460s or 480s with a manual tranny lol stock! Strange with a v6 she pulls hard 30-60
 

FreeBayliner4Us

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Messages
121
Re: can this truck pull it?

Well here are my two cents,

I think with caution, you can tow this boat if it weighs in where you think it does. Just like everyone else has said, tow the boat to a public scale or truck stop and weigh it. I would keep an eye on the trans temp though. Install a gauge if you don't have one. It is alot cheaper to buy a gauge then rebuild a tranny.

As for the brakes, surge brakes if properly maintained will work fine for your application. There is a pretty hefty price tag that goes with switching braking systems no matter what you choose. As for electic over hydrolic, these systems are fabulous if properly installed. I had one on a gooseneck trailer a few years ago and loved it. I have surge brakes on my utility trailer now and have no complaint with them either.

The key to every system on any vehicle is maintainance!!
 

MikDee

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Re: can this truck pull it?

You just need a pair of these puppies! :D 295/50/15"
 

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overload

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Messages
39
Re: can this truck pull it?

Can you pull that much weight with a half ton?...yes.
Should you pull that much wieght with a half ton?..no.

Half ton trucks can and will pull that much wieght, and more, but the point of the matter is that they make trucks everyday that were designed for that purpose and they do it well.

I would make life simple and either trade in your existing truck for a 1 ton dually, find a buddy with a 1 ton dually, or steal a 1 ton dually. If you like Fords, they made a great F-350 Super Duty with a 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel in the late 90's early 00's that contractors bought up like popcorn at a movie theature.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
56
Re: can this truck pull it?

Can you pull that much weight with a half ton?...yes.
Should you pull that much wieght with a half ton?..no.

Half ton trucks can and will pull that much wieght, and more, but the point of the matter is that they make trucks everyday that were designed for that purpose and they do it well.

I would make life simple and either trade in your existing truck for a 1 ton dually, find a buddy with a 1 ton dually, or steal a 1 ton dually. If you like Fords, they made a great F-350 Super Duty with a 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel in the late 90's early 00's that contractors bought up like popcorn at a movie theature.

I agree with everything until you said he needs a dually. Not for 6300 lbs IMO. 630 pounds of pin weight at 10%

I pull 12k with a SRW 99 F350 7.3 Diesel with a 6 speed (now a dually would be nice for me!!)
 

109jb

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
1,590
Re: can this truck pull it?

Can you pull that much weight with a half ton?...yes.
Should you pull that much wieght with a half ton?..no.

Half ton trucks can and will pull that much wieght, and more, but the point of the matter is that they make trucks everyday that were designed for that purpose and they do it well.

I would make life simple and either trade in your existing truck for a 1 ton dually, find a buddy with a 1 ton dually, or steal a 1 ton dually. If you like Fords, they made a great F-350 Super Duty with a 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel in the late 90's early 00's that contractors bought up like popcorn at a movie theature.

What?? For 6,000 to 7,000 pounds? A Powerstroke dually when all he is hauling is this boat and not even every day would be way way overkill. Kind of like buying a shotgun to kill a mosquito. Well, OK not that bad, but a 1/2 ton truck should be able to haul 6,500 pounds without a problem if both truck and trailer are properly set up. I have towed 12,000 pounds behind my GMC 2500 HD and I it does fine. If I did it every day I might consider a dually for that 12K load, but for occasionally hauling that much I don't even need a dually.

Godfirst, Before you go and fork out the dough for a new truck, I would suggest that you see if anyone you know has a load equalizing hitch setup you can borrow to see if it works out the problems you are having. If you know someone with a large travel trailer they probably have one. Towing a heavy load with and without the load equalizers is like night and day. May just solve your problems. Another thing I would get just because they are relatively inexpensive is a sway brace. They really do what they say they will and any sway is dramatically reduced or eliminated. Hope it works out for you.
 

cmcpherson

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Jun 11, 2006
Messages
310
Re: can this truck pull it?

A dually? That is crazy, I really hope this was sarcasm or at least your next post is to say that you are a used car salesman and you only have one truck for sale which BTW just happens to be a dually. The OP really needs to find out the exact weight of his rig and the real towing capacity of his truck before doing anything else. I have an Expedition with the 5.4, it is rated for 8650 pounds. My boat loaded comes in at about 7000 pounds, the truck does an excellent job of handling it. Having said that, the tow ratings on the F150 are all over the board and like I said, the actual tow rating for his truck needs to be determined.
 

overload

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Aug 26, 2008
Messages
39
Re: can this truck pull it?

I was trying to be a little sarcastic, you don't need a dually, and definetly don't steal one.

I'd say at minimum for occasional use a 3/4 ton truck such as the Ford F-250 or the GM 2500 HD with the 6.0L (even better) for this range of weight. These vehicles were designed for this purpose.

1/2 ton trucks, no matter by Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or who ever, should not be used to pull that amount of weight unless it is a one time deal such as to get it home.
 

cmcpherson

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Jun 11, 2006
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Re: can this truck pull it?

I was trying to be a little sarcastic, you don't need a dually, and definetly don't steal one.

I'd say at minimum for occasional use a 3/4 ton truck such as the Ford F-250 or the GM 2500 HD with the 6.0L (even better) for this range of weight. These vehicles were designed for this purpose.

1/2 ton trucks, no matter by Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or who ever, should not be used to pull that amount of weight unless it is a one time deal such as to get it home.

Good to hear!!! I see that you are in Waukesha, one of my favorite stores is Kendor Marine in Franklin, I trust every boater in Milwaukee knows about this place???
 

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
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Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
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


Well surge brakes above 5000lbs are not a good ideal, Electric brakes come into play here and that will hold true any 1/2..3/4..or 1 ton truck...bear in mind here you have in essence doubled the weight of truck and those stock brakes could use a little assist...surge takes care of just that surges..... electric brakes never allow that to happen...a big surge that is...;)
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
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28,771
Re: can this truck pull it?

I'm surprised nobody has recommended a Peterbuilt or Kenworth for this job. Good heavens, this situation is very easily remedied by installation of a weight distributing hitch and if necessary, anti-sway bar. Note that I said "if necessary" -- I did not say "instead off". Travel trailers of 6000 pounds are routinely and safely towed by 1/2 ton vehicles that when fitted with a proper rear end gear do not need a Power Stroke, Cummins, Duramax or any other diesel to tow at freeway speeds. There is nothing wrong with using a weight distributing hitch on a heavy boat trailer. About $350 bucks gets everything you need. And the spring bars don't need to be the 750# either. 500's would do nicely. Visit a travel trailer dealer to have the system explained to you. And just so everyone is aware, the gent that tows with a 1.9L van does not need to to tow at 65 MPH and does not likely need to travel mountain or hilly terrain and does not have to put up the impatience of the American motoring public. As is the case here, tow vehicles like everything else in this country is "overkill". Does it need to be safe -- of course. That does not mean you need a Kenworth to tow a row boat. I used to tow a 6000# travel trailer with a heavy-half GMC van with a 305, 145 HP V8 that was properly equipped, never got in anyones way and traveled effortlessly at freeway speeds and got respectable mileage in the process.
 

Tail_Gunner

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Jan 13, 2006
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6,237
Re: can this truck pull it?

I'm surprised nobody has recommended a Peterbuilt or Kenworth for this job. Good heavens, this situation is very easily remedied by installation of a weight distributing hitch and if necessary, anti-sway bar. Note that I said "if necessary" -- I did not say "instead off". Travel trailers of 6000 pounds are routinely and safely towed by 1/2 ton vehicles that when fitted with a proper rear end gear do not need a Power Stroke, Cummins, Duramax or any other diesel to tow at freeway speeds. There is nothing wrong with using a weight distributing hitch on a heavy boat trailer. About $350 bucks gets everything you need. And the spring bars don't need to be the 750# either. 500's would do nicely. Visit a travel trailer dealer to have the system explained to you. And just so everyone is aware, the gent that tows with a 1.9L van does not need to to tow at 65 MPH and does not likely need to travel mountain or hilly terrain and does not have to put up the impatience of the American motoring public. As is the case here, tow vehicles like everything else in this country is "overkill". Does it need to be safe -- of course. That does not mean you need a Kenworth to tow a row boat. I used to tow a 6000# travel trailer with a heavy-half GMC van with a 305, 145 HP V8 that was properly equipped, never got in anyones way and traveled effortlessly at freeway speeds and got respectable mileage in the process.


:D Weight dist hitch..your right, every day i am envolved in selling trucks and have not heard that volcabulary for years now... But you are right that was the way we used to do it...Toady its just let us jump to a diesel and boom done..;)

Frankly if the truck has a 3.73 rear or a 3.55 rear end and electric brakes and a weight dist hitch...that will solve your issues....If not you need a diesel...:D 4x4
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: can this truck pull it?

I went to the Chevy, Dodge, and Ford dealers today. Not one on them or their co-workers knew the difference between a weight bearing hitch and a load distributing hitch. They didn't Know there is also different limits for each hitch. All they do is show what the maximum tow rating is, and say you can tow that amount. Chevy is the only company that mentions it. They put it in as a footnote. You wouldn't know unless you were actually looking for it. I was. Their 2500HD will tow 7500# weight bearing and 10,200# weight distributing. You can't legally tow an 8000# boat with a Chevy 3/4 ton truck unless you have a load distributing hitch. I don't like load distributing hitches. The other two companies do not address the issue.

BUYER BEWARE!
 

Godfirst

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
228
Re: can this truck pull it?

Well first of all I want to thank everyone for the advice,
but as a rational intelligent man I see much diversity in answers... the general perspective I see is this truck cannot pull that much weight, without major modifications safely or at all, also to have this boat and trailer weighed is the most important first thing, I plan on hauling this boat over 100 miles, and as most say 1/2 ton trucks on this much weight is not safe period And as all know we have a responsibility to be safe especially me holding a commercial drivers liscense, I'am fairly new to boating pulling crusier boats so it looks like cost of mods vs. new truck new truck wins used f-250 deisel??

Thanks again Duane
 

overload

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Messages
39
Re: can this truck pull it?

Well first of all I want to thank everyone for the advice,
but as a rational intelligent man I see much diversity in answers... the general perspective I see is this truck cannot pull that much weight, without major modifications safely or at all, also to have this boat and trailer weighed is the most important first thing, I plan on hauling this boat over 100 miles, and as most say 1/2 ton trucks on this much weight is not safe period And as all know we have a responsibility to be safe especially me holding a commercial drivers liscense, I'am fairly new to boating pulling crusier boats so it looks like cost of mods vs. new truck new truck wins used f-250 deisel??

Thanks again Duane

Very smart conclusion, I concur. The F-250 with a diesel is a fine choice. A GM 2500 with a diesel or 6.0L gas would be good as well if you can't find an F-250 diesel. Both are soild trucks.
 

overload

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Messages
39
Re: can this truck pull it?

Good to hear!!! I see that you are in Waukesha, one of my favorite stores is Kendor Marine in Franklin, I trust every boater in Milwaukee knows about this place???

Yeah, anyone going through SE Wisconsin, (Harley 105th anyone?) if they have a chance check out Kendor Marine in Franklin. The're not far off of I-94 and Ryan Rd (HWY 100). It's like if Home Depot opened a boating store. Plus they sell some used stuff as well, though be careful cause sometimes they don't advertise used stuff as used. It's kind of hidden in an unsuspecting industrial park. This is where all the dealers go to get all their stuff and put their mark-up on top of it. - Overload.
 

Liquid_force

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2003
Messages
318
Re: can this truck pull it?

I'm surprised nobody has recommended a Peterbuilt or Kenworth for this job. Good heavens, this situation is very easily remedied by installation of a weight distributing hitch and if necessary, anti-sway bar. Note that I said "if necessary" -- I did not say "instead off". Travel trailers of 6000 pounds are routinely and safely towed by 1/2 ton vehicles that when fitted with a proper rear end gear do not need a Power Stroke, Cummins, Duramax or any other diesel to tow at freeway speeds.
I used to tow a 6000# travel trailer with a heavy-half GMC van with a 305, 145 HP V8 that was properly equipped, never got in anyones way and traveled effortlessly at freeway speeds and got respectable mileage in the process.

BIN-freakin'-GO

You can go anywhere and see retired couples pulling their 6000-8000 lb travel trailers all over the country with Tahoes and 1/2 ton pick ups.
This forum has always been WAY overkill when it comes to towing, and most of the time I end up feeling sorry for the guy that comes here looking for some advice and leaves shopping for a new truck.

I would definitely get an equalizer hitch.

My major concern would be the ramp. For that reason I would look into the electric brakes.
I wonder about wheel spin as well, but a tongue weight of ~600 lb may well eliminate that problem
 

cmcpherson

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Jun 11, 2006
Messages
310
Re: can this truck pull it?

BIN-freakin'-GO

You can go anywhere and see retired couples pulling their 6000-8000 lb travel trailers all over the country with Tahoes and 1/2 ton pick ups.
This forum has always been WAY overkill when it comes to towing, and most of the time I end up feeling sorry for the guy that comes here looking for some advice and leaves shopping for a new truck.

I would definitely get an equalizer hitch.

My major concern would be the ramp. For that reason I would look into the electric brakes.
I wonder about wheel spin as well, but a tongue weight of ~600 lb may well eliminate that problem

I agree with all of this, however when it comes to insurance you may have a problem if you get into an accident and are towing over your recommended weight. But yes, this forum and all forums on Iboats are normally WAY over conservative with advice!
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: can this truck pull it?

I agree with all of this, however when it comes to insurance you may have a problem if you get into an accident and are towing over your recommended weight. But yes, this forum and all forums on Iboats are normally WAY over conservative with advice!

Conservative may include the voice of experience. If you are involved in an accident when you are overweight, you will be at fault no matter who caused the accident, because you are running an illegal load.
 
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