Stone9207

So I purchased a 2016 Screw 2.7L with the Sport Package and the 5 1/2' bed last spring. At the time, towing was of minimal concern. Being that it was to be my daily driver, the efficiency of the 2.7 was what appealed to me most. Looking now at the situation, I am starting to regret not opting for the 3.5 ecoboost.

As luck would have it, it appears our family is moving towards the decision of purchasing a boat that we will be trailering quite a bit. As of now, we are looking in the 18 - 22' ft range ideally...probably a deckboat style.

I have never owned a truck or boat before, and would like some insight into the size (specifically, the weight ) that I should be looking to keep the boat under with my size engine (including trailer, motor, etc...). I'm not exactly sure what best way to go about determining this, but here are some variables that I assume affect the answer:

* my payload capacity is listed as 1,366 lbs
* I believe my gear ratio is the standard 3.31 (have to confirm this)
* it is 4 x 4
* I will be using a weight distributing hitch

Is there anything I can do the the truck (other than using a weight distributing hitch) that will make towing easier/more efficient?

Thanks for any guidance anyone can give. Its kind of overwhelming, and I just want to make sure we are looking at boats that are not going to cause us a problem when it comes time to transporting it.

Jeff1024

Congrats on the boat, or future boat purchase. I married into a boat and there are days I love it days I really do think the "Bring another thousand" quote is accurate, but thats another thread for another day.

Most boats tow easier compared to a travel trailer, it's not a giant square brick behind the truck. Because of this you can usually get away with a bit less tongue weight on a boat trailer, think 7-10% instead of 13ish for a RV. That helps a ton with your lower payload number. Also most of the weight of the boat, the engine, is on the rear wheels of the trailer which helps.

You should be able to tow pretty much anything in that size range of boat. We towed a 19.5ft cobalt (~4,500) all in with my wife's explorer. When we moved up to a 24ft ~7,000 boat we also moved up to the ecoboost. I debated the 2.7 but our marina is surrounded by hills, the 3.5 just made sense.

Remember to factor in fuel, the dry weight listed wont. Boats have big thirsty v8's and the gas tanks to go /w them. Ours is 50gal so if its full it adds up quick. Also dry weights are often listed /w the smallest engine option. If you move up in engine add some weight. In the end I bsaed the 7000lb figure on the GVWR on our trailer, its stamped at 6,900lbs and shipped with the boat so I figure I shouldn't be over that. The 7k breaks down to 5,500 boat + 1,500 trailer.

As far as WDH, assuming you can stay below 500lbs on the tongue, which in that size boat you should, its really not needed imho. Don't think I have ever seen a boat trailer /w one setup.

zx12-iowa

First figure out your gear ratio.

Second. an 18-22' boat is likely 4-6k lbs on the trailer. The truck will easily pull it and boats usually only have a 10-12% tongue weight on trailer. So chances are payload should be fine too. Now if you said a 25-30' boat, then the weights loaded on trailer can be 7k lbs to over 10k lbs easily...

Third. Do NOT trust the boat specs from mftr. They are often wrong and don't list boat with all the options. However, the above weight estimates are based on my boating experience WITH options.

Fourth. Have FUN. One of the two happiest days of boating is buying the boat.

volvodoc

"Boat" translated into English is a hole in the water you throw money into.

l3rian

I tow my 19 footer with my 2.7 all the time. As stated above, boats are much easier to tow that campers or large trailers. Lower tongue weights and less drag make the WDH unnecessary for most people. Of course if you hit the magic numbers of 500/5000, the Ford says you should use one. I live on the coast and lots of huge boats use the same ramp as I do, and I'm not sure I have ever seen a boat trailer with a WDH. That doesn't make it right, but just my experience.

The 2.7 has plenty of power.

I Do have the 3.73s, and that helps a lot I'm sure.

Jeff1024

Here is a couple pics new boat behind the F150 and old boat behind a Ford Edge. Most likely over ratings on the Edge, but it still pulled it up the ramp no problem. I wouldn't have pulled it /w that long distance but we were only going a few miles.

Fatmattyd

Lots of good advice here already.

That said, you might want to check out what you'll be using for trailer brakes. Many boat trailers use surge brakes (instead of electric). If this is the case, I don't believe you'll be able to use a weight-distributing hitch.

Also, typically you can setup a boat to have more or less weight on the tongue by moving it forward or rearward slightly. I don't think you'll have an issue towing a boat in the size range you describe.

Also, if you end up with surge brakes, having an electric lock-out option is nice for backing up. You'll likely need to look into a 7-5 pin adapter for the wiring connection. The 5th wire is the back-up lock-out pin. Most marinas stock them too.

Good luck!

Jeff1024

Awesome tips. They do make a WDH that works /w surge brakes, but from what I have read it does reduce the braking performance on the trailer. As you said you can move the winchstand on the trailer to get the tounge weight you want, I would do that first.

GREAT advice on the 7-5 adapter. Backing a trailer up a hill /w the surge brakes fighting you sucks. Ask me how I know....

D2Abbott

I'm probably way out of line on this and of course I agree that exceeding the manufactures maximum payload is a bad idea but....

Any full size "half ton" truck should be able to handle a 20' boat. Seems a boat is a great reason to buy a truck in the first place. Unless you start looking at cabin boats I wouldn't let your truck be a determining factor in your purchase.

Years ago we used to pull a 14' tri-haul all over the Rockies here in Colorado with a tired old Mazda B2600i. (OK, that might not have been a great idea.) Then a 22'(?) Correct Craft with an '86 Ford Bronco. Two examples of why I think you're going to be fine.

Just beware that YES, YES, YES your fuel mileage is going to take a big hit while towing nearly anything. It doesn't mean your truck is struggling. My mileage tanks just pulling 1000lbs worth of trailer/motorcycles!

l3rian

I agree. The truck will be fine. Just as a data point for MPGs, I get around 13 pulling the boat I posted above.