Towing capacity

[SkaterRace]

Some of you may remember my broken transom and while I am fixing it I have been thinking I might sell the boat and get a new one since it is time to get a new truck. Currently I can tow up to 3500 lbs but I am looking at a 4.2L F-150 RWD so since I will be able to tow more I am thinking I want to upgrade my boat to something in the 19-21 ft range. I am mostly looking at bowriders but am wondering what a average one with a full fuel load and average gear would weigh and if it would be over the limit of the f-150 or not.

 

[rlb81]

The capacity for the vehicle can be found here, and it varies greatly depending on the engine, cab, and wheelbase
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

You can get a rough idea of boat weights here, don't forget to add some ballpark numbers for trailer, engine, fuel, people, and gear
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/

 

[UtahBoating]

I have a 20' bowrider i/o. Dry my manual states it weighs 2500 lbs. Add in 250 lbs in fuel, 100 lbs in gear, and at least 1000 lbs for my trailer (probably more). I figure I am towing 4k lbs. I tow it with a 5.3 Vortec and going up hills I can definitely feel it back there. My tow vehicle is rated to tow 7700 lbs and I wouldn't even think about towing that much. I don't recommend maxing your tow vehicle weight. Personally I would go with the V8 if you get a 150, jmo.

 

[SkaterRace]

I have a 20' bowrider i/o. Dry my manual states it weighs 2500 lbs. Add in 250 lbs in fuel, 100 lbs in gear, and at least 1000 lbs for my trailer (probably more). I figure I am towing 4k lbs. I tow it with a 5.3 Vortec and going up hills I can definitely feel it back there. My tow vehicle is rated to tow 7700 lbs and I wouldn't even think about towing that much. I don't recommend maxing your tow vehicle weight. Personally I would go with the V8 if you get a 150, jmo.

I did consider the V8 option but my only issue with that is using it as a daily driver I want to try and keep the cost down as much as I can but if I am forced to go with a V8 I think I might keep the boat I have now for a few more year or until I find a great deal on a new one.

 

[drrpm]

It looks like the tow rating ranges from 3,700-5,100 lbs depending on the year. A 20 foot bowrider on a trailer with gas and gear will likely be somewhat under 5,000lbs so a newer F-150 with the 4.2 V6 should be OK. There won't be that big a difference in MPG between the V6 and the V8.

 

[spoilsofwar]

If it's (the 4.2 V6) anything like my '99 F150 with the 4.6L V8, I'd rather chew on a ball of tin foil then go back to towing with it. The 5.4 was the only decent F150 engine option in those years, in my opinion, if it came to towing anything more then a light utility trailer or, say a small tinny. That said, I towed over 5000lbs (a 350Z on a car hauler) from coast to coast with it, and it made it, but it was a chore, and the fuel economy was abysmal. I liked everything about that truck but the engine.

I tow with a 5.7 Hemi now, lesson learned.

 

[rlb81]

As stated the V6 vs V8 fuel economy isn't terribly different on trucks, the real difference is that the V6 is typically underpowered. If you're looking at used the Ram trucks w/ Hemi seem to b the best value of the V8s (in NJ, anyway). Good luck.

 

[thumpar]

You may also want to get 4wd. It helps at the ramp, especially with a pickup with a light back end. I also tow with a 5.3l Vortec. My dry weight is 3100 so I figure I am at about 4500 with trailer and boat loaded. The 5.3l gets about the same mileage as the 4.3l in my Safari van.

 

[Sprig]

Most any of the modern trucks with a v6 should be able to pull the boat you plan to get without problem. You should check out ford trucks with the v6 eco boost. Lots of power , great mileage. I have a Toyota Tacoma , double cab 4x4 rated about 6500 lb capacity. Tows my boat about 4500lbs like there's nothing behind me.

 

[SkaterRace]

For the price range I am looking at and year there is not much selection of V8's with low km unless I go much newer and more expensive. I am mostly looking between 2000 and 2008 under the 6k mark. So the best option for a V8 I found was 136k miles compared to average of 86k miles on the V6's I have found. The large mile difference makes me a bit weary about getting one with so many miles.

 

[thumpar]

I just broke 270k on my Yukon. The Suburban I had was at 350k and still going.

 

[SkaterRace]

I just broke 270k on my Yukon. The Suburban I had was at 350k and still going.

How much in repairs did you have to put in them to get them that high? I have always known people to get rid of cars at 125k miles not too sure about trucks though.

 

[thumpar]

How much in repairs did you have to put in them to get them that high? I have always known people to get rid of cars at 125k miles not too sure about trucks though.

On the Yukon I had to change the water pump and alternator but that is not expensive. It needs tie rods and a ball joint but the parts where only $80. On the Suburban it was just normal maintenance over the 5 years I had it. Both have the 5.3l engine.

 

[SkaterRace]

On the Yukon I had to change the water pump and alternator but that is not expensive. It needs tie rods and a ball joint but the parts where only $80. On the Suburban it was just normal maintenance over the 5 years I had it. Both have the 5.3l engine.

Wow that is impressive, know anything about the ford 4.6L V8? Or should I stick to the 5 +?

 

[thumpar]

I only know about the older Ford engines. I have read that the eco-boost engines are good but no experience.

 

[UtahBoating]

My 5.3 suburban has 179k on it right now. The only major thing I have done is the knock sensors - if you want to call that major. About $150 in parts. Just normal maintenance. The LS Vortec series motors from GM are the best gasoline engine ever put in a production vehicle in my opinion. I was always a Ford guy until I discovered the LS motors. My work truck 6.0 Vortec went 338k before developing a tick/knock. We replaced the motor and it is sitting at 460k now.

ANY engine should be good for 200k+ miles with care. The LS motors are known to be 300k+ mile engines. There are plenty of stories of them lasting much longer than that. I wouldn't have any hesitation in buying a used LS as long as it has been cared for.