cgav34

I have a 2012 F-150 crew cab, 2WD, 5.0 V8, 3.55 e-lock rear, towing package, trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, and a towing capacity of 8000#.

I'm looking at a 23' boat that weighs around 2700# (minus fuel, gear, trailer...and the trailer will have elect. disc brakes), so I'm envisioning no more than 5000# all combined.

A buddy of mine (with much more boat towing experience than me) insists that the truck is going to have issues getting out of steeper boat ramps, and that I'll feel every little bump the trailer hits when going down the road, making for a very uncomfortable ride.

Can my truck handle it, or is my buddy just being overly cautious? Boat will be trailered apx. 100 miles (round trip) each time I use it. Just want to make sure I'm not gonna have an uncomfortable ride, or get stuck on a ramp each time I head out.

DieselDawg

The only issue you may have is 2wd and getting up slick boat ramps...that could happen with even a jet ski. Keep an air pump with you. Air down your tires if you get stuck slipping on the ramp...down to like 20psi...lengthens the tread on the ground. Air up when you get off the ramp.

Sock Puppet

+1 on the 2wd, but it shouldn't be a major issue if you use your head.

Your truck will be just fine with the weight.

77Ranger460

The truck will tow the boat just fine. Retrieving the boat will depend on the ramp. I have been a boat owner 19 years and use a 4WD, but rarely have to use 4WD. My parents used my 2WD 1977 F150 for a number of years with two different boats. They never had retrieval trouble, but had to be selective of the ramps they used.

Boulevard

Keep your back tires out of the water.

acadianbob

You'll just have to use some judgment as to where you back in. If you are on a bare concrete ramp, you should be fine; especially if you have a locking rear axle. But you need to be careful if you see things like mud, excessive algae growth (very slippery), etc. Be careful not to back off of the "back side" of a concrete ramp into the lake/river bottom. Then you might be all done.

DieselDawg

Might think about adding a traction device in the rear end if you find you are having problems down the road. Detroit TruTrac or something like that. DTT is a gear driven LSD (no clutches to wear out).

smokeywren

Your Ford e-locker rear axle has all the traction you will get in a 4x2. If you need more traction, add weight behind the rear axle.


You want the tongue weight to be at least 10% of gross trailer weight. If less. then the trailer will tend to sway and the ride will be harsher. Move the boat forward on the trailer to achieve more tongue weight. Invest in a tongue weight scale to make weighing the tongue easy.
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Sherline/5780.html

EventHorizon

Or use this method and save $140
http://hildstrom.com/projects/tonguescale/index.html

mike243

You wont have any problems as long as you stay on pavement. I dont take my boat when the temps are below 30 for several days due to ice on the ramps, other than that the locker will be almost as good as 4x4 in some cases. Tongue weight may or may not be a issue. Not much way to shift it but its probably not going to be a problem. Some folks cant live without 4x4 others have never felt the need ,here in Tn I have not had or needed a 4x4 in the last 13 years. The only reason I have 1 now is I couldn't find a trk in my price range without it,,Buy the boat and enjoy it