Towing Machine

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10-09-2006, 09:34 AM

jdrakopo

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Towing Machine

Anybody use their F150 for towing a boat? I need a good towing machine, but don't know if an F150 would fit the bill, or do I need to go with an F250? The boat is about 4,000 pounds wet, and I'm currently towing with a 5,000 lb towing capacity V6 Toyota. Let's just say she is struggling up the hills. Do I just need to bite the bullet and go Diesel?

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10-09-2006, 01:23 PM

TxOutlaw

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5.4L V8 will do fine... I pull an 18' Ski Boat with my SCrew 4.6L and wish I had the 5.4...

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10-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Jon

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I think a diesel might be a little much for the weights you're talking about, unless you just into the raw power. The V8 should treat you right.

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10-12-2006, 06:28 PM

Benn

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I have a 2004 F-150 FX4, it's rated for 7200 from the factory hitch with a 5.4... don't think i'd have a problem pulling your boat.

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10-13-2006, 09:33 AM

jdrakopo

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Thanks for the feedback guys. Yea, it sounds like the 5.4 will do the trick. I want to make sure I have plenty of power to spare, in case I ever get a bigger boat

.

Have you guys heard much about these new clean diesels that are coming out soon? Mercedes, Chrysler, GM are all working on some clean diesels. Wonder what Ford has planned.

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10-16-2006, 06:04 PM

Benn

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Dunno what they are planning yet... but I did try out the load on my truck this week... 3300 pounds plus my tools behind the wheels (forklift couldn't get it past the axle), moose sat down a few inches but laughed and ran to the site, 22 miles away with no problems. I could barely tell there was a load on it.

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10-16-2006, 07:22 PM

Jon

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Benn...maybe 22 miles wasn't long enough, but do you take a hit on gas mileage pulling 3300?

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10-16-2006, 10:33 PM

Benn

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Not really, was up and down hills though, almost forgot a few times that I had it back there. 80 pound bags of crete on a pallet stacked over the tailgate, had to slow down a few times when I looked back and remembered I had a load.....

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11-08-2006, 11:55 PM

whitecrystal1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrakopo

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yea, it sounds like the 5.4 will do the trick. I want to make sure I have plenty of power to spare, in case I ever get a bigger boat

I have a 2005 crew cab with a 5.4 3.73ls rear and my load is around 6500 lbs. The boat is a 24' wellcraft cruiser. It's LOA is 25'5" over all. On the trailer it's maybe 35feet from the ball to the back of the outdrive. My truck pulls this load with no problem. It has a 8200 or 8800 lbs tow package. The trailer has electric breaks so stopping is no problem.