Upgrades for towing boats
 

Hi I'm from Mexico and I live in Puerto Vallarta, currently I'm running a small dry storage and mechanic shop for boats and I bought a 2012 XLT regular cab with diff lock and the 3.73 diff. I have a couple of costumers that want to have their boats store in my dry storage, one is a Century WA 32Ft and the other one is a Grady White 30 Ft, they are probably in the range of 11 to 14k Lbs, I belive those boats are a little over the capacity of my truck so i just ordered the Firestone Ride Rite 2525 air bags to help take the weight off the leafs and suspension. The drive from my storage to the ramp is about 3 to 5 miles and it is basically flat, as You know We dont have as much road rules as you do in the US, so I'm not worried about the police. Now my question is: Is there any upgrades that i can do to the truck so that on the long run it wont hurt anything? I've already read people saying to just upgrade to a f250 or f350 but for me right now that is not an option. Thanks in advance!

Not sure if there is much you can do, but interested to see what responses you get. Even with the air bags 14k is a lot of weight on half ton axles...

Just take it easy and you will be fine. Keep the gears low maybe top it out in 4th. Air up those tires.

towing want be as big of a problem as stopping. keep speeds low and hope the big boat trailers have brakes.

I'd start with using a E rated Light truck tire (probably around 55 to 60 psi).

Then starting at the ramp... I'd use 4 low to pull the boat out. NO wheel spin.

Once out stop, take it out of 4wheel drive. engage tow haul mode, hook up whatever brakes are on the trailer (might need an aftermarket controller if your using electric over hydraulic brakes.

Air bags are a great idea and will help out alot. take it slow, leave lots of room. getting going and stopping wil not happen fast.

If you have the 5.0L I'd consider adding a winch to the front of the truck for two reasons, 1) it might be nice to be able to winch your truck and boat up the ramp if its gravel, wet or the boat is a big fat a&&. 2) it will add weight over your front tires and help a bit with traction.

I would also maybe consider a bigger tranny cooler. 3-5 miles on flat ground with tow/haul mode one and brakes on the trailer i think you will be just fine. Pulling them out the water may be an issue if you dont have 4x4.

Wayne

shouldn't be a problem a toyota can pull the space shuttle. lol :jester:
but seriosly take it slow and you should be allright. it's not very far.

You need to take a look at your hitch capacity.
Do you know which type of brakes those boat trailers have? If they have surge brakes, good deal. If not, you will need a brake controller in your truck.

Thanks a lot for you replies, the truck it is 4x4 and about the brakes on the trailer i think they only have the piston type brakes the one that when you break the force of the boat pushes a piston that sends fluid to the brakes, but most of the trailers that i tow they are so rusted and in a really bad shape so i dont think brakes on those trailers work, apparently here in Mexico nobody cares about trailer condition until something gives up lol.
I was able to pull out a 34ft Sea Ray with the 4lo and diff locked with no spinning of the wheels but because i didnt have the airbags now i feel the back of the suspension a little less shock absorbent.
This is the vid of the truck pulling that boat out

You shocks could have taken a little bit of a hit tongue weight is what will kill your rear. I do agree with the LT rated tires are a must. Go slow start stopping early, start on the ramp in 4x4 low. Then on the flat change it to 2 high unlocked. If it's all flat and you don't put to much weight on your tongue you should be ok, IF it's a once in awhile thing.