Towing large boats
03-11-2019, 09:59 AM
#64
Admirals Club 
Originally Posted by BackCountryTampaBay
Not wanting to take this in a different direction....but a quick question.
I tow a 32 Seavee from Tampa down to Key West with a 2017 F250 6.7. I have a 19k rated triple axel trailer. I’m at 22,800 lbs total CAT certified scale (truck at 6,700 + or - and boat/trailer 16,000 + or-) Absolutely no issues towing.
I am somewhat disappointed in the fuel mileage. She coming in at just under 8 mpg.
What are are you guys seeing?
I tow a 32 Seavee from Tampa down to Key West with a 2017 F250 6.7. I have a 19k rated triple axel trailer. I’m at 22,800 lbs total CAT certified scale (truck at 6,700 + or - and boat/trailer 16,000 + or-) Absolutely no issues towing.
I am somewhat disappointed in the fuel mileage. She coming in at just under 8 mpg.
What are are you guys seeing?
03-11-2019, 07:20 PM
#66
Admirals Club
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I'm only buying hand calculated mileages. The lie o meter is always generous.
03-12-2019, 07:41 PM
#69
Admirals Club
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Originally Posted by bgreene
What rig is suggested for towing an aircraft carrier ?
Looking at used nuc powered carrier based on lots of clear fishing deck space.
2 or 4 wheel drive a must ?
Looking at used nuc powered carrier based on lots of clear fishing deck space.
2 or 4 wheel drive a must ?
03-14-2019, 05:27 PM
#70
Originally Posted by bgreene
What rig is suggested for towing an aircraft carrier ?
Looking at used nuc powered carrier based on lots of clear fishing deck space.
2 or 4 wheel drive a must ?
Looking at used nuc powered carrier based on lots of clear fishing deck space.
2 or 4 wheel drive a must ?
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08-03-2020, 12:45 PM
#71
Junior Member
The wife and I are looking to purchase a boat we are looking at 28-30 ft walkarounds and after scrolling through this post wondering I have I have enough of a truck to pull something this size. I see that those that posted have F250/2500 or better trucks. I have a 2015 Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4x4 with the max trailering option and I am pretty certain I can tow 11,000 lbs. Just wondering if anyone has a similar truck and towing a 28-30ft WA. I am in SW Florida so it is pretty much flat land and don't have to worry about hills/mountains. Thanks.
08-03-2020, 12:53 PM
#72
Originally Posted by escaping_the_flow
Just wondering if anyone has a similar truck and towing a 28-30ft WA.
In that length, you won't find many rigs that are 11k. We have a 28' that is 10k dry. Once you add fuel, water, Captain Morgan, gear, a trailer, and more Captain Morgan....you end up closer to 15k.
Your truck can probably tow 11k lbs. But when you hit your first bump at 70mph and your trailer starts to waggle -- you'll slow down, change your drawers, and go buy a 3/4ton. =]
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08-03-2020, 01:38 PM
#73
Admirals Club
Originally Posted by escaping_the_flow
The wife and I are looking to purchase a boat we are looking at 28-30 ft walkarounds and after scrolling through this post wondering I have I have enough of a truck to pull something this size. I see that those that posted have F250/2500 or better trucks. I have a 2015 Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4x4 with the max trailering option and I am pretty certain I can tow 11,000 lbs. Just wondering if anyone has a similar truck and towing a 28-30ft WA. I am in SW Florida so it is pretty much flat land and don't have to worry about hills/mountains. Thanks.
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08-03-2020, 05:51 PM
#74
Originally Posted by escaping_the_flow
The wife and I are looking to purchase a boat we are looking at 28-30 ft walkarounds and after scrolling through this post wondering I have I have enough of a truck to pull something this size. I see that those that posted have F250/2500 or better trucks. I have a 2015 Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4x4 with the max trailering option and I am pretty certain I can tow 11,000 lbs. Just wondering if anyone has a similar truck and towing a 28-30ft WA. I am in SW Florida so it is pretty much flat land and don't have to worry about hills/mountains. Thanks.
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08-04-2020, 05:18 AM
#75
Junior Member
Boats we have looked at have been a Pursuit 2860 Denali (dry weight of 7500 w/ IO), 29-30 ft Pro-line WA/Express w/ twin outboards (dry weight of 7500-8000), and a 27 ft Grady-White WA with twin outboards (dry weight 5500). Based on my calculations it seems a 28 ft WA would put me at or near my max.
08-04-2020, 06:17 AM
#76
Admirals Club
Originally Posted by ERG153
Here's my set-up. Towed this boat about 600 miles with a half ton and just didn't have the warm and comfies so I bought this old Cummins. It isn't going to win any races but put it in 1st gear and feather out the clutch and she moves the load very well.
ouch!!! Totally unsafe towing with that truck!!! You should sell it. I’ll buy it from you!!
Awesome truck man!!!!
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08-04-2020, 07:06 AM
#77
Junior Member
Lol, I just bought the truck about 3 months ago with only 37,000 miles. Not selling anytime soon. Only reason I am looking at 28 ft boats is because the wife insists on a boat with a head that has it's own door to separate it from the cuddy. I would be fine with a 24ft WA.
Also, I am in SW Florida completely flat land, so no hills or mountains to worry about. The fastest I would be driving is 55 mph. My biggest concern would be the ability to launch and/or pull the boat out. Really don't want to be one of this tube videos where I am the guy staying on the dock watching my truck sink to the bottom.
Also, I am in SW Florida completely flat land, so no hills or mountains to worry about. The fastest I would be driving is 55 mph. My biggest concern would be the ability to launch and/or pull the boat out. Really don't want to be one of this tube videos where I am the guy staying on the dock watching my truck sink to the bottom.
Last edited by escaping_the_flow; 08-04-2020 at 07:12 AM.
08-04-2020, 07:32 AM
#78
I hear you...you're caught between the Admiral's desire for creature-comforts and also not wanting to part with your truck.
Do you have any friends with comparable rigs? You might try hooking-up to one of them, and seeing how your truck handles it?
Some folks might say, "go with the 24', your truck will pull it fine!" Others might say "Naw, go with the 28' , you have plenty of truck!"
As an official Random Dude on the Interwebs®, my opinion is that you if you tow regularly (even in FL), you'll end up buying a 3/4 ton. Why? Even if you feel ok in front of 10k lbs with a 1/2 ton -- the Admiral will not. (We have tried it both ways, and my wife prefers the stiffer ride of the 3/4 ton, vs being pushed around in a 1/2 ton).
But hey, let's see how it goes? Check back in a few months, and let us know how it ends up? It will be interesting to hear your final verdict.
Do you have any friends with comparable rigs? You might try hooking-up to one of them, and seeing how your truck handles it?
Some folks might say, "go with the 24', your truck will pull it fine!" Others might say "Naw, go with the 28' , you have plenty of truck!"
As an official Random Dude on the Interwebs®, my opinion is that you if you tow regularly (even in FL), you'll end up buying a 3/4 ton. Why? Even if you feel ok in front of 10k lbs with a 1/2 ton -- the Admiral will not. (We have tried it both ways, and my wife prefers the stiffer ride of the 3/4 ton, vs being pushed around in a 1/2 ton).
But hey, let's see how it goes? Check back in a few months, and let us know how it ends up? It will be interesting to hear your final verdict.
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08-04-2020, 10:56 AM
#79
I tow a 330 Outrage on a custom built Evolution trailer with a 3500 DRW and I purchase the FL permit each year. And I am VERY pleased with this setup.
Don't forget to add the weight of the trailer into this equation. Stopping needs to be a concern. They all go pretty well once you get them rollin', Many don't stop well and when towing you will find everyone wants to pass you and then pull right in front of you and put on the brakes quick to not hit the car in front of them that you were following. Everyone thinks the rig puling the boat is holding up the line when in reality its the car in front of you. The 3/4 ton and 1 ton rigs have bigger/better brakes too. Electric over Hydraulic really work well on these trailers. You mentioned not being the "guy at the ramp". I have found many ramps that the slime is what your rear wheels are on or very close to being on at low tide. 4WD is your best friend.
Lastly a really good trailer makes a huge difference when towing. For me, really good means a trailer that is custom fitted to your boat. Not a one size that adjusts to all. Again my personal preference. Launching and retrieving used to be the most stressful part of our boating day, I have towed 32' enclosed snowmobile trailers in blizzards on ice covered snow packed roads to get to the mountain. Boat ramps with the wrong equipment is worse for me.
Don't forget to add the weight of the trailer into this equation. Stopping needs to be a concern. They all go pretty well once you get them rollin', Many don't stop well and when towing you will find everyone wants to pass you and then pull right in front of you and put on the brakes quick to not hit the car in front of them that you were following. Everyone thinks the rig puling the boat is holding up the line when in reality its the car in front of you. The 3/4 ton and 1 ton rigs have bigger/better brakes too. Electric over Hydraulic really work well on these trailers. You mentioned not being the "guy at the ramp". I have found many ramps that the slime is what your rear wheels are on or very close to being on at low tide. 4WD is your best friend.
Lastly a really good trailer makes a huge difference when towing. For me, really good means a trailer that is custom fitted to your boat. Not a one size that adjusts to all. Again my personal preference. Launching and retrieving used to be the most stressful part of our boating day, I have towed 32' enclosed snowmobile trailers in blizzards on ice covered snow packed roads to get to the mountain. Boat ramps with the wrong equipment is worse for me.
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