anteater25

This is my first post on THT. I am about to purchase a 2003 Contender 25 Open with twin Yamaha 200HP HPDI's. I currently have a F150 Lariat Supercrew with the 5.4L V8 engine and 2 wheel drive. Do you think that I need 4 wheel drive to town this boat? I will only have to tow the boat approximately 20 miles each way to and from my camp to the launch. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Guardian18

I don't know what the rig weighs wet but to be legal you may need more truck. Since you are going fairly local you may be ok with what you have. It isn't typically the towing that is the problem but the stopping in a hurry and the occasional low tide (slick ramp) that may give you a problem. I just picked up the same truck w/4X4 and love it.

Back-in-Black

anteater. if only towing 20 miles you should be ok. What happens when you want to tale a trip and have to tow further? Can you borrow someone's 3/4 ton for that?

Bascially, I think you're ok, but you don't have a lot of headroom leftover and if you get in a tight spot, an under sized tow vehicle can be a real problem. Personally, I'd use the truck you have now with the 20 mile limitation, but if you start towing farther, up size your tow vehicle.

I have the same boat. Tow it w/ 3/4 ton diesel, 2WD and been doing that for 8+ yrs now. Diesel works much, much better yanking a boat out of a ramp due to huge amount of torque generated at low RPM. Barely have to raise RPM over idle speed to get the thing moving up the ramp, therefore you don't have to nail it and the tires never break loose. Only ever had problems on the WORST ramps w/ 2 WD so you're probably ok there too. Only experience at the ramp you use is going to answer that one.

Also, in case you're interested. Weighed my boat/trailer on a certified scale a few months back. 9,660 lbs with 185 gal fuel and full fresh water tank.

Congrats on the new boat. You're going to love it.

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25 Contender- twin 250XS

MI Fishaholic

I used to pull a Contender 27 Open with a Dodge 1500 5.7 2wd. While you are probably within specs or very close, the issue you will have is stopping power and pulling power on a slick or steep ramp. On low tides, we would have to rev the 200 HPDIs to get enough power to get up our local ramp. Also forget about stopping in a hurry as well with any 150 or 1500 model truck. I recently switched to a Ford F250 FX4 diesel and get better fuel mpg, easier towing, no slipping, plenty of stopping power, and most importantly am no longer a liability on the road.

My recomendation to you would be to try it with the truck you have then try it with a buddy's 3/4 ton truck or at least 1/2 ton with 4x4 and you will see the major difference for yourself. One thing to watch for is that your same F150 with 4x4 will loose about 800 lbs of towing capacity so make sure you're still within your towing specs.

JEFF6920

That Truck will pull it fine. I have a 27 Contender and I have a 1 ton dually but sometimes we pull it with my brothers dodge 1500 with Hemi. Plenty of power only thing I have notice the rear is a little soft might want to stiffen it up some.

NoFearEyes

I towed my 26' Century with twin Yamaha 200's with same truck--no problems except mileage was the pits towing--7-9 mpg on the interstate to Miami or Trampa. Boat and trailer weight loaded is around 8,000. I was always concerned about stopping so I planned ahead--anticipated the worst.

The mileage without the boat was lousy also--12 around town.

anteater25

Everyone, thanks for all the advice. I guess I will try towing with my current vehicle and upgrade in the future if needed.