F150 Tow Vehicle Question

[TimeFlies]

I'm looking at a new (used) tow vehicle for my Parker 23SE and was wondering if a Ford F150 with a 5.4 Liter Triton engine (a 4 X 4) would be enough to tow my boat? Everything I read would suggest, the answer is Yes, but I thought I would ask the experts for your advice. I also am looking at the Tundra and Dodge Ram, but I like the F150 better. Thanks for the help.

 

[fishdogmoose]

I have a 07 f150 crew cab w/5.4, it tows my 23' c/c fine. I tow from NJ to the Outerbanks every summer.

 

[Ranger Tim]

The Triton is a great engine and I do not have any big problems with my 2120 (6000 lbs total w/trailer). The weak link is the stopping power and the transmission durability. I wish I had a larger tranny cooler so I could use the overdrive more when towing. There are also times when the truck seems to join the trailer in a dance, particularly when bridges set up a harmonic-like bounce. Hills can be a struggle and steep climbs are laborious. Most trips are okay however, and I suspect you will be fine if you truly drive conservatively.

Be sure to check the GCVW and the capacity of the hitch. I use a weight distribution hitch to get past the 5000 lb. rating on the class 3 hitch.

 

[Porkchunker]

I'd add Kodiak cadmium disks to all axles to help with stopping power.

I've got an F-250 SD with a 6.0 PSD running through a 6-speed manual tranny. She does fine, but the disk brakes improved the stopping power quite a bit...and I only have the on one axle. When I move to VA, the law requires me to add brakes to the second axle...which will also be disk. At that time, I'll probably also convert from the surge-hydraulic to electric-over-hydraulic actuator.

I have a two-part thread in the Projects forum describing my conversion from drum to disk if anyone is interested.

Dave

aka

 

[Porkchunker]

Found the old thread: http://www.classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=853

enjoy

Dave

aka

 

[TimeFlies]

I've also read that I should look for the beefed up towing package (springs, transmission, receiver, etc) and the 3.73 gear ratio. Not sure if I'll find an exact match since I'm looking at used trucks, but if it's that important I'll keep looking. Any comments regarding the beefier tow package and gear ratio? Thanks for the help.

 

[fishdogmoose]

If your going to tow long distances every weekend, I would upgrade the brakes ect. on the truck. If you are towing a few times a year, leave it alone. Working trailer brakes are a must. Electric are much better then the surge brakes.

 

[TimeFlies]

I have dual disk brakes on the trainer (Loadmaster) and will only be towing it long distances (over 5 hour drive) maybe 3-5 times a year. Other than that it will be local driving, but only another 5-6 times a year. I keep it in a slip for most of the time. Thanks.

 

[ppem45]

FF has some good information for you but I would not go with air shocks but instead put a Timbren System on the truck. It will be a lot cheaper and when you are not using it then it still is there for when you do need it, nothing to leak or break.

http://www.truckspring.com/timbren_285.html?affid=5

 

[trashman]

we have a 23 SE ans 150 4x4 extended cab with triton. King Ranch. We had the suspension beef up. The engine works overtime , especially when you have full tank of gas. We try to go empty. With Yamaha 225, full gas tank and the boat only you will be towing about 8700 lbs. Check youbtow book. Wehn youhaver 4x4 you loose some of the towing capacity why i have no clue. The only problem you will have if you are in a car accident and you are a little bit overwight your insurance may want not to pay. Actually some of the policies say that in their declaration
Problem with a differen ratio you will be using up a lot of gas when not towing whihc oes not make sense summer only 5 months driving 12 months.

If you have to do a lot of additionla beefing up just buy 250 4x4 and you will have a lot of fun and will be definitely safe. We do not need to tow a lot but if I did a lot of towing we would be trading the 150 for 250 without any hesitation and would feel comfortable with the trips.

 

[Ranger Tim]

The 3.73 tranny may save you from having to drive without the overdrive engaged, which is a real mileage killer. I get 19 mpg on the highway with no boat, 8.5 mpg with the boat, both numbers interstate driving. I know my truck is within a thousand lbs. of its limit but there ain't no F250 diesel in my immediate future!

An F150 diesel would be a better truck for the 21 foot boats or smaller.

 

[trashman]

Ranger Tim,

you are right it is a 2320. Every day is a new chalenge for us.

We just beefed up the suspension, that 's all. That is our problem. The 150 is also used for other travel when not towing and you are correct the 250 diesel is a very uncomfortable ride. The prices of gasoline are so far in decent ranges so we go by boat a lot rather then by tow.
I do no think the decent prices will last and at that point we will have to make some decisions. I hope later then sooner. I really do no think the 150 will cut it for long towing Trashman

Thansk to eveyone for refreshing my memory as to what kind of boat I have] :lol: [/img]

 

[Megabyte]

Thansk to eveyone for refreshing my memory as to what kind of boat I have

Our members here are like family.
Even if you forget, we'll remember for you!

 

[TimeFlies]

Thanks for the input. So, everything I read says a F150 with a 5.4L engine will be a solid truck to pull my 23SE/no T-top (with a full tank on gas, a single 200 4 stroke Yam engine, 500+lbs of gear and the trailer (plus extra weight thrown in to be safe) comes in at 6000 lbs (tops).

 

[FishPimp]

not to beat a dead horse....
I had a 1999 f150 lariat with the triton 5.4 and just upgraded to a 250 f250 v10. I will miss the gas milage from the 150!
I have the 23se and have a ttop and I can tell you that yes you can pull your boat with that truck and the engine will be working. make sure you turn off the overdrive and give yourself plenty of room to stop.
I tow my boat anywhere from 5 miles to 40 miles to the launches in and around cape cod. the f150 served it's purpose. but..... the f250 allows me to feel way more safe and secure when towing my FishPimp.

 

[Ranger Tim]

To recap: The F150 5.4 triton will do the job, will be working hard, transmission will work even harder so don't tow in OD, and keep your hitch in excellent shape. Plan your stops well ahead and pray no one cuts you off or no deer run in front. Keep your trailer brakes in tip-top shape. So far this truck's working for me with my 2120 at about 6000 lbs. (includes trailer weight).

Putting on some new Kodiak silver/cadmium discs because my drums gave up the ghost. I had fluid leaking from the drum pistons chronically. The master cylinder would be empty in ten minutes. The surge actuator would go CLUNK! when I moved forward or braked, so hard it would make the truck shudder. No brakes was also not much fun on the highway. Looking forward to the new ones. Got a new surge actuator too. The old Attwood was a POS and it was worn out already (5 years). Plus it was not a disc brake unit. The new unit had the backup solenoid already installed as part of the package. It's a Dico or Tico? Eventually I'll go electric over hydraulic - too expensive at the moment.

 

[B-Faithful]

I lock out OD with my Chevy 1500 when towing. I like towing my 27 Judge with my half ton a lot better than I liked towing it with my fathers 2500hd. His suspension is too stiff, the truck is geared too low (4.10's) and sucks too much fuel. Give me a half ton with a 3.73rear for boats under 7500lbs.

I will say that adding airlift shocks do make for a much better ride with a little extra tongue weight too.

 

[rangerdog]

I have a truck for sale that was built for towing a 2320. A 2003 F-150 4X4 XLT, Super Cab, 5.4 Triton V8, in excellent shape. CD. Sliding rear window. Power Windows, Power driver's seat. Heated Seats. Tilt. Cruise. Tint. Factory heavy duty track lock tow package. 355 rear end. Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and a Rancho steering stabalizer. K&N air induction system. Upgraded Brembo brake rotors and EBC "Green Stuff" pads. E load range tires have at least 50K more miles left on them. The bed has LineX sprayed in liner and it has a matching fiberglass Leer cap.

100,000 miles freshly dealer tuned, $15,000. PM or email me for more information or to get my phone number.

Thanks,
John

Pictures are here:

http://classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4378&highlight=

 

[Foggylink]

I "was" a Ford guy for many many years. Had severe rusting of the doors on my last two, one being a 40K+ SuperCrew. I bought a "small" Tundra as kind of a test and it does fine with my 23se. Actually the most problem free vehicle I have ever owned. The newer full size Tundra must be amazing. That being said, I will still test drive the newer 2009 F150 before looking at a new Tundra. I just hate the tail lights on the new F150's :roll:

 

[Ranger Tim]

After my 1981 Civic If Honda ever makes a full size pickup I will own it. The 2 (two) Miatas we own are amazingly reliable. The 1991 has 234,000 miles and is still going strong. The Japanese are amazing. But I really love my 2002 F150 Supercrew XLT. It is the best truck I've ever driven, and I've driven a bunch.