On modern trailers of that size they are often Electric over hydraulic.

If you do not have the max tow package you will probably be over the weight rating if there is any fuel in the boat. Triple axle trailers for that size boat are probably 2k+ pounds So that is putting you right around 9500 lbs.

You will be able to pull it no matter what, but to be legal you will need the max tow package.

 

I pull a 20 ft bass boat just fine, it rarely ever downshifts out of 6th gear even on pretty steep hills. Most , but not all, boat trailers have surge brakes and all I have ever towed worked well. Boat and trailer weight about 5000 lbs but I haven't weighed it. Back end only sags about 3 inches and tongue wt is probably above 300 lbs cause I can't budge it if I try to lift it.

 

Good helpful thread. Thank you

 

What kind of bass boat, my 20 footer is about 3500?

 

Umm...5,000?!?!

Hull Weight: ~1,700lbs
Motor: 500lbs
Batts & Trolling Motor: 300lbs
40gal Fuel: 260lbs
Gear: 150lbs
Trailer: 1,000lbs
Grand Total: 3,900lbs


To the OP, You're probably looking at 10,000lbs (boat, trailer, fuel, gear)...

 

Personally, I'd go with a pair of 5k tandem torsion axles and electric over hydraulic disk brakes. That boat will pull harder than it's weight would suggest.

 

Like most people said, you're going to have to watch your weight, but you'll be fine. Also, keep in mind the number of people in the truck and stuff in the bed since you'll likely be approaching your GCWR.

 

My EB max tow can tow, but when your rolling down the road and run over any imperfections this truck bounces way too much for my liking. Big jobs require big trucks. If your towing a heavy trailer or boat, Super Duty for those jobs, that's if you want to control your load and not let it control you. I cant see towing 8-9k+ with this F150 and still feel like I got total control especially if it only has surge brakes. Be careful with such a heavy load and make sure your tires,tongue,hitch are all made for that heavy load, keep an eye on your trans temp also..

 

Boat, motor, trolling motor and trailer package supposed to weigh
3650 # empty and dry
It holds 68 gallons of gas and 4 gallons of oil=468#
and 150 # of gear isn't even a start-more like 500#

so that's 4618#-pretty damn close to 5000#

 

If you are bouncing too much then a shock upgrade may be in order. Before this truck I had an Excursion, and before that it was a diesel F350, and neither of those trucks handled 10,000 lbs better than my F150. Nobody ever seems to think about how much more precise the steering is on the F150s than the Super Duties, and that makes controlling the trailer much easier.

Up to the limitations of the platform, of which possibly the worst is the 4,050 lb RAWR, the F150 does a spectacular job with large trailers. Doesn't matter how big your tow vehicle is though, anything over a few thousand pounds needs brakes!