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Author Topic: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?  (Read 13451 times)

Offline Mudman

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2017, 02:25:15 PM »
Yes #'s seem correct, don't do it!!!!!!!!  Now the real world, Skillet is right, try it, bag it if needed and rock on.  We all know your truck can pull a boat and have a small camper too.  Some of the regs aren't real world and more of a product of liability issues.  Truth is if everyone followed guidelines most all 1/2 tons would be empty!  Use your judgement but I will say I would do it and have probably done worse... Be safe, use good equipment and enjoy.  Critics-Flame on! :chuckle:
MAGA!  Again..

Offline jjdavis2222

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2017, 02:30:10 PM »
Technically, I'd say you are spot on.  Practically, however, I would have absolutely no problem hauling the weight of that 825 and towing your boat if I were you.  Unless things changed between when I bought my 06 and your 09, you have exactly the same brakes, chsssis and suspension (minus a 4" block) as an SRW diesel F350.  As mentioned before, there are thousands of examples on the road doing exactly what you are looking to do.

Put 3000# of weight in the bed and go tow your boat. See how it feels.  Imagine more windage, and a higher center of gravity.  If comfortable, pull the trigger. If you feel like you need more stability, you really should be looking for a dually.

I think you'll be just fine, tho.

Thanks Skillet and everyone else that gave me some input! Being new to this hole camper thing (not towing) and total payload can be a little overwhelming. I don't want to put my family or other motorist in danger because I didn't do my due diligence.

Offline jjdavis2222

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #17 on: March 14, 2017, 02:31:12 PM »
Yes #'s seem correct, don't do it!!!!!!!!  Now the real world, Skillet is right, try it, bag it if needed and rock on.  We all know your truck can pull a boat and have a small camper too.  Some of the regs aren't real world and more of a product of liability issues.  Truth is if everyone followed guidelines most all 1/2 tons would be empty!  Use your judgement but I will say I would do it and have probably done worse... Be safe, use good equipment and enjoy.  Critics-Flame on! :chuckle:

Thanks man!

Offline Igor

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #18 on: March 14, 2017, 05:24:03 PM »

 I don't want to put my family or other motorist in danger because I didn't do my due diligence.

That is the bottom line.  You are to be commended for doing your due diligence, and not relying on the input from someone who has no skin in the game, so to speak.  Good job !!!
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Offline MIKEXRAY

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #19 on: March 14, 2017, 05:46:48 PM »
I had an F250 diesel and hauled an Elkhorn camper dry weight of 1940 #s and hauled a 17 ft aluminum boat . I didn't put any suspension components just hauled everything and it was no worries. Hauled fine, stopped fine, not much swaying etc.  If you keep your camper under 2k dry weight it will be no problem. Hauled mine for ten years, good luck.

Offline simondude

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #20 on: March 14, 2017, 06:36:25 PM »
Last spring I hauled a 20 foot sled and a lightweight pop up camper from Spokane to the cowlitz with no problem in a 05 Silverado. But the camper only weighs 1200 lbs.

Offline jjdavis2222

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #21 on: March 14, 2017, 07:29:57 PM »
Thanks for the input guys!

Offline jjdavis2222

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #22 on: March 14, 2017, 07:30:34 PM »

 I don't want to put my family or other motorist in danger because I didn't do my due diligence.

That is the bottom line.  You are to be commended for doing your due diligence, and not relying on the input from someone who has no skin in the game, so to speak.  Good job !!!

Thanks!

Offline horsehunter509

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #23 on: March 14, 2017, 08:32:16 PM »
One thing i didnt see mentioned yet is make sure you have good 10 ply tires and keep your air pressure where it should be and that will help a lot.

Offline Happy Gilmore

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2017, 11:04:00 PM »
I have a 2002 F 350. Had it for 260k. I had a 9.5' Elkhorn. Barely touched the overload springs. Pulled a horse trailer, my boat, a friends 22' wake boat, utility trailer, and what not's. Company trucks I've driven had the 5.4 SD's and newer 6.0 gassers along side the psd's and duramaxs rigs. They are all easily capable. Camper duty is nothing compared to most guys rolling around with loaded car trailers for work or flat beds pulling gear on construction jobs. It's fine. Drive smart is #1. The motor just determines how fast you go up a hill. All the chassis are essentially the same with minor differences in spring packs and gear ratios. We had an 02 F-250 gas truck at work which I could not find a single difference between my f350 other than the motor. Same spring packs front and rear.
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Offline BDildine

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #25 on: March 14, 2017, 11:47:34 PM »
One thing i didnt see mentioned yet is make sure you have good 10 ply tires and keep your air pressure where it should be and that will help a lot.

^^^^Yes! Tires play an important role. Make sure they are up to par.

Offline Fastass350

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2017, 12:08:14 AM »
My dad had a 96 f250 diesel 5speed long bed that he had an alpenlie 11ft (if I remember right) camper on, and towed his 23' hard top walk around (like a trophy) boat to the north end of Vancouver island and back every year for years. He had air bags on the rear was all. Like mentioned make sure you have the right tires and keep the suspension and steering in good shape, and trailer brakes if it has them. If it doesn't you might want to add them.

Offline Rick

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2017, 06:55:17 AM »
Axle and tire ratings are more important than GVWR IMO.

Offline brush hunter

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #28 on: March 15, 2017, 07:27:58 AM »
Unfortunately I have the 5.4L gas engine. Which according to Ford Specs can haul more cargo weight compared to the diesel 6.4L. (heavy engine)

If I am understanding my numbers correctly I would be over the total suggested cargo weight.

Heres what I got... I think. This is all fairly new to me.

2009 F250 5.4L. (only 44,000 miles)

GVWR = 9400
Cargo Weight = 2021

Lets say the boat weighs around 3000lbs. (I need to get it weighed) 19' aluminium with 150 outboard and 9hp kicker.

So lets take the lower end of tongue weight of 10% = 300lbs

Take that away from the cargo weight and that only leaves me 1721 for all cargo.

One of the lightest campers I can find is a lance 825 and the dry weight is 1832. (2150 Wet)

So that alone would put me at 2132lbs. Now add fuel, water, gear, a wife and two toddlers. I think they say add 1000lbs for this stuff. So we are looking at 3132 ish.

So even if I didn't have the boat I would be over. The funny thing about the lance 825 (and other camper brands lightweights)  is they advertise it for 1/2 ton trucks like the F150/1500. And the ford specs don't support that weight. So it appears to me that the camper brands don't really go off of the truck specs.

I am starting to ramble... :)

Anyways, am I understanding all of this correctly? And is it acceptable or regularly done to go above the vehicles cargo weight with in reason?

I also know I will be crawling over the pass with the 5.4L.


I wouldn't do it, you can use air bags and they will level you out. Your engine will not like it and your transmission will let you know it's a bad idea. Now for the safety issue, you won't have enough breaking to stop safely.
That's my one shot.

Offline Mudman

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Re: F250 - Hauling a Camper and Towing a Boat?
« Reply #29 on: March 15, 2017, 09:20:30 AM »
F250 Superduty is equipped for work.  Better brakes, stronger axles, Trans coolers etc. it should be set up for work.  Granted engine is going to grunt.  It isn't a souped up half ton like a chevy!  Heck I bet it has disk brakes on the rear too! :chuckle:
MAGA!  Again..

 


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