FDHog

Did my first tow today with my 2014 SCREW. Wanted to get at least 2000 miles on it first.
5.0L, 3:73, 7360 GVW.
The load was somewhere around 8000#(my setup is rated for 9300#). Still have to check the tongue weight.
For this boat it should be around 400-450#. Boat trailers go 5-7%
Got about 2" of sag in the rear, but front height stayed the same.
Did 60-65 on Hwy. Towed like a dream. Computer put me at 9.5mpg.
Was able to keep up speed going up hills too.
SInce this is the heaviest I'll tow, I'm happy I stayed with the V8.

Melbeachmoose20

Nice center console. Is it a 21' with a 200-250?

FDHog

23 Regulator with F300

Melbeachmoose20

Nice. I bet it hauls a** with a 300.

Dirttracker18

You are mistaken in your assumption of the tongue weight.

Regardless of what the trailer is towing, tongue weight must be a minimum of 10% for safe towing. Any less and you risk heavy sway at speed.

This is proved by you squat. 450# would not result in 2" of squat. In fact 450# would be barely noticable in terms of squat in that truck.

Your tongue weight is significantly more. You need to weigh it to know for certain. I will guarantee it is closer to 800# plus. I will also guarantee you are over your hitch rating without a WDH or a different hitch rating for that weight without a WDH.

Over all you will be close or over your trucks payload I would think.

You need to find out for certain and try to make changes to gets thing into or closer to the safety zone.

I'm not a tow **** but believe you are way underestimating what is going on with your load.

FDHog

Boat trailers are 5-7% at the tongue. Wheels are set back further. They are not the same as other trailers. A WDH is not recommended by Load Rite. The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes and the mfg warns against using one.
If my daughter and I sit on the tailgate (400 combined) I drop easy 2 inches.
I'm going to measure the tongue weight when I get the boat back.

Mike Up

The 5.0L tows great with the 3.73 axle! Glad you had a positive outcome as well.

If your trailer doesn't recommend a WDH, then it's a poorly designed trailer.

With an 800 lbs tongue weight and 2" of drop, you are over the hitch receiver's rating of 5000 lbs towing and 500 lbs tongue weight for a Weight "CARRYING" Hitch. Put on a Weight "DISTRIBUTION" Hitch and your Hitch (NOT tow) rating goes up to 10,500 lbs towing and 1,050 lbs tongue weight.

If you're going to be towing without a WDH, you'd need a class 5 hitch on a 3/4 ton or larger truck. Since that boat isn't a big load, you need to get a properly designed trailer that is recommended and designed to handle a weight distribution hitch.

Plus surge brakes suck and can be dangerous on hills. I didn't know anyone was even making trailers anymore with surge brakes since every truck can be had with an electronic brake controller ready kit.

Maybe you can go to a trailer shop and have it beefed up to handle the necessary weight distribution hitch.

I've heard of boat/trailer combos being from 8% to 10% but that's a ridiculously low percentage weight for the tongue.

My trailer's tongue weight is between 800 and 900 lbs and looks to be about 2" drop when I remove the spring bars to back into my driveway.

Hek, I can throw 350 lbs of salt bags on my tailgate and it barely drops, if at all.

Good luck.

Dirttracker18

If your TW turns out to be that low I will stand corrected.

However I think if your weight of 8000# is accurate you will find your TW to be high then you think.

smurfs_of_war

'Nuff said. Glad she pulled well. Lots of guys are really happy with the way the 5.0 handles a load.

papa tiger

U look fine, happy boating ! Stay safe with your speed and crosswinds.