When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Wow! I have been reading so much on towing, that my eyes are burning. I have learned a lot and had no idea how complicated this subject is. Unfortunately, I did not do this research before my recent boat purchase.
The dealer told me when I bought my truck 3 months ago "It can tow up to 9100 lbs." Now I see the BS in that statement.
I have a 2016 Screw XLT 5.0, with the Trailer Tow Package and 3.31 electronic locking axle. It has a dealer installed level kit as well.
I live in Miami and drove up to Jacksonville this weekend to purchase my new boat. Once I got there, I ended up getting an even better deal on a larger demo boat. It took me 5 hours to get there, and almost 10 hours to get home. Other than the rear sag, the truck handled the trip well. I was not 100% confident in my towing setup and weight so I took it very, very slow and pulled over every 100 miles to check. I also drove late at night to make sure if something did go wrong, I did not have a bunch of travelers around me.
Now that I am home and started reading more on this great forum, I know I need to get my GCWR for both the truck and trailer, as well as my tongue weight.
Honestly, I don't even want to hook up now to take it to the scale until I feel more confident. I feel pretty irresponsible for making that long trip now, and I am lucky nothing went wrong. I am coming here for advice, not judgment.
I know this was stupid, and my wife is giving me an earful for trading in my 2015 F250 for the F150 (another story).
So using the data I could get regarding the boat and trailer:
Trailer = 1403 lbs.
Boat = 4700 lbs.
160 gallons of fuel = 1040 lbs.
misc gear = 500 lbs.
TOTAL GVW = ~7643 lbs
Calculated Tongue (5% of GVW) = ~382*
*I am pretty sure that my tongue weight was much higher as you can see it the picture below. I ordered a Trailer Tongue Weight Scale today to verify.
After reading on here, I crawled under my truck and found the sticker for the factory hitch which is 5000/500. I think what saved me on the trip home was that the boat had no fuel, but I was still over 5000.
So I wanted to come on here and ask for recommendations on how to safely tow my load 5 miles round trip to the boat ramp (better hitch, airbags, gear change, etc.). The boat ramp I use is well maintained, and in all of the years I had my previous 4x4, I never needed it.
Awesome! You are correct. I have surge brakes, but it looks like the Equalizer brand WDH (properly greased) should still allow the surge brakes to work.
I plan to retrofit the brakes to electric=>hydraulic regardless.
Measured the tongue today, 675 lbs.
I ordered:
- Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
If all you are doing is dragging your boat a couple miles each way, I wouldn't do anything to your truck. Stick some air bags on it or RAS to add some additional spring load if you want. That'll at least level out your truck. The only reason for the tongue weight limit is Ford's lightweight leaf springs. GM has the same class IV hitch with an 800lb limit because they have beefier leaf springs. The hitch on its own is good for 1,000+lbs.
Once you get an accurate tongue weight you'll be able to see if you need to adjust your trailer axles. They look like they are as far back as possible. If you find you have a lot of tongue weight, dunk your boat in the water and slide your axles forward some. They can be adjusted with the boat on the trailer but it's way more difficult.
Yeah the axles on that trailer look like they are very far back. Is that standard for a boat that size? I guess the twin outboards make for a lot of weight out back? Badass looking boat though.
09-19-2016, 02:58 PM
2016 Towing Capacity issues w/new boat
