Well, trying to figure out if I will be able to pull as much boat as we are looking at getting with the truck I have.
I have a '95 Ford F150 4x4 with 5.0L motor, auto tranny, and 3.55 gears. Upgrading to 33" tires, so I plan on re-gearing the front and rear ends with 4.10 gears.
Anyway, according to the numbers, the truck is rated at a GCWR of 11,500 pounds and a max trailer rating of 7100 pounds. Anyway, by the numbers, I will be right at the edge for this truck. But what about real life? Truck is setup with 7-pin connector that has electric brake connection for the trailer harness.
Have been looking at used Baja 272 and 290s. Just wondering if I will be able to pull this much boat down the road and if I will have any problems loading and unloading on the ramps?
I have a friend that has a '96 (I think) Baja 272 and should try to convince him to let me tow it with my truck just to find out. Wanted to see what the thought was one here.
I am guessing I should probably forgo the 6" suspension lifts and 37" tires I have been looking at if I plan on keeping this truck for towing....
Oh yeah, forgot to add, the truck has the factory trailering package with receiver, wiring, and tranny cooler. I believe/assume it is a Class III hitch. My buddy states his boat and trailer weigh in around 6900 pounds with the boat full of fuel. Would I need to consider upgrading to a higher class of hitch: Class IV or V?
I think for that size boat you need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I just bought a new Baja Outlaw 20', and have a Chevy 1/2 ton short bed, 350 engine, automatic trans, 3.73 rear end, I put on smaller tires, class 3 hitch, trans cooler, hearvy duty rear shocks. The boat is supposed to weigh 3000, trailor 1000, fuel and stuff I figure another 1000 lbs, for a total of about 5,000 lbs.
It pulls it OK, been to Havasu twice from Orange County, but I don't think I would want to pull any more weight. I believe it is rated to tow 7000 lbs.
I just don't think the chassis and rear end is sturdy enough for a whole lot more trailor weight. The 3/4 ton trucks have heavier frames, suspension and rear end.
Mine pulls OK speed wise and doesn't sag at all in the back, but bumps seem to really rock my truck and the trailer.
Thanks for the input. One reason I would like to try to do it is to keep from adding a truck payment and the other is my buddy pulls his Baja, currently, with a '96 or '97 Chevy Tahoe with the 350 and he has no complaints.
Most towing would be no more than 3-4 hours away.
I have a buddy that towed his Baja 272 with his Durango and now hauls it with an F-150 and he pulls it without worries. I think you will be just fine.
Is the boat sitting on a double or triple axle trailer?
All the 272s I have looked at are on double axle trailers and the 290s have mostly been on triple axle trailers. And pretty much all of them have trailer brakes of some kind (surge or electric).
Boozer:
I have a buddy that towed his Baja 272 with his Durango and now hauls it with an F-150 and he pulls it without worries. I think you will be just fine.
Is the boat sitting on a double or triple axle trailer? Hey boozer you're kidding right? Pulling a 27' with a Durango. I know you have one and I just traded my 2001 Durango in. Its been one of the best trucks I ever had and pulled our 21' sweet. But a 27' would be scarry behind that thing eek!
Eric, my buddy had that exact truck and it will get you where you are going but pulling that much weight will kill it eventually. How many miles are on it? When he sold me my boat and bought his 24' he blew the tranny on the second trip pulling the 24'. Bought a Z71 tahoe and that solved his problems.
The 5.0 is not a true truck motor. It is a mustang motor and its a proven machine but its not made to tow that kind of weight. Not to mention that the 1/2 ton brakes and tranny will be over worked too. The big tires will work the brakes even more.
I would say if you only have a short FLAT drive to your lake than keep it. But if you have to pull nasty grades like we do out here to get to the river than I would't consider it.
JMO, hope it helps
OL
I agree with Old Lavey. Short, flat trips would probably be OK, but long hilly ones would do in your truck. I always like to be about 1000 lbs below the rated tow weight. The lift kit and larger tires put even more strain on your brakes, transmission and suspension.
I think anything over 5000 to 6000 lbs (before fuel and supplies) needs at least a 3/4 ton truck.
I know the feeling...I wanted a bigger boat but went with the 20' Baja Outlaw so I could safely tow it with my existing 1/2 ton Chevy truck, which is paid off.
Good luck,
MC
[ July 25, 2003, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: BajaMike ]
I am a firm believer in over kill when it comes to towing.There is nothing worse than being all geared up, and excited about a trip only to find yourself on the side of the road two hours from the lake with a busted truck. cry
If you do flatland towing only you should be OK, but towing hills and mountins a minimum engine size for a 24+ boat is the 5.4 L with min 3.73 gears.I would get the 3/4 or 1 T for a boat 27'-29' wink .
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