towing a big boat question

[huntergreg]

I am heading over to snohomish tomorrow morning. I am picking up a 1993 bayliner classic 2452. Do you think I could pull it with my 1997 ford f-150???   I am getting it from a family member that is retired and wanting to sell it. He bought a motor home and travels the U.S. I don't want to have to drive over there every time someone wants to see it. I want to have them come to Ellensburg instead. I know it will be a slow trip home but wasn't sure if my truck could do it???  Here is a pic of the boat.

[Woodchuck]

One word, Duramax!!! 


In all seriousness yes it will do it, bring your wallet for fuel and pull it out of OD when you pull a hill. 

[MuleySniper]

Does it have trailer brakes? Is your truck set up with a controller? Towing might not be too much of an issue however stopping might.

[huntergreg]

yes it has trailer brakes. They are surge brakes.  The kind that work with the tongue.  Thanks for info guys. He said the trailer and boat are around 5000 lbs. 

[redadams]

i have an f150 2005 ford it will pull 10,000 lbs.but you need trailer brakes to stop 10,000 lbs or it is reel hard on the  truck brakes.

[3dvapor]

youll definately need trailer brakes i belive its the law for tandem axle trailers anyway, but its a great investment that you wont regret.

[woodman]

I have a boat about that size and the trailer looks similar. i can't see the front of the trailer, but it might have surge brakes on it. When I don't pull it with my motor home but use my 3/4 ton shop van it tries to control the van when I go over 50 miles per hour. That might make your trip a little longer time than you think it might be.

[woodman]

I did not see your post that said you had surge brakes already, sorry.

[FC]

You will be fine just keep it out of overdrive and take it easy.

[pjb3]

I have a 2452, 1997 and no trailer because its to heavy. With boat and trailer, should be around 6500lbs
I would say no. I live dangerously but still wont' do that

[Hyde]

I towed a similar boat with my diesel Super Duty.  It towed the big boat just fine, but I did know it was back there.  There's no way I'd try that with a F150 (which I have now).  You could probably pull it off, but at what cost?  Does your rig have a tranny cooler?  If you do try it, make sure you have the proper hitch and ball, and absofrickinlootly not without working trailer brakes. 

[alanger]

id pull it. if it has a 5.4ltr its good to go. a 4.6ltr take your time.

[CAMPMEAT]

1997 5.4 with brakes will do it. It's a oneway haul, what, 120 miles. The pass would be your only problem if it's hot outside, put in a lower gear, take your foot out of it and you'll be OK. Nice and slow over the pass. I'd go over I-90 myself, not as steep of a grade.

[twistiron]

call a friend with a diesel buy him some fuel and a 6 pac, just my  . save yourself the pain of replacing a trans from the pass or worse bed corners from a jackknife  . if you do attempt it make sure you adjust the brakes before you leave the house. if you take it proper precautions and drive it careful you should be good!

[Skyvalhunter]

you will be going over I90 correct?

[jeepasaurusrex]

Where will you be towing it to? When? I have a F-350 Dually PSD that would tow it very easy.

[Miles]

Just tow the damn thing.  Let the "overkill" crowd that needs that diesel to accompany their magnum rifle while pulling a red wagon and shooting jackrabbits spend their money on *censored* they don't need. 

Like campmeat said, it's a one way trip and a little over a hundred miles...your truck will be fine.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Towing a boat that big with that small of a truck could very well end up as a one way trip. 

[MP123]

I bet that's closer to 10,000 than 5,000 pounds especially if the tanks are full and there's any gear on it.  You might be able to drag it across town but I wouldn't try the passes.  Stopping safely in a emergency situation would be a problem 

Some of the equipment rental places rent (UHaul, Hertz, etc) rent 3/4 and one ton trucks.  Might check that out...

[Woodchuck]

He did say it has surge brakes  Make sure they work and hook it up. 

[jackelope]

I'd pull it with my 1/2 ton truck carefully and I would avoid traffic times over here. I would also expect to pull Snoqualmie Pass at about 30mph. I pulled a 21.5' Bluewater cuddy boat with my truck over the pass all the time, 45mph. I could pull it at 60mph or so but it would feel like it was going to grenade.

[whacker1]

It will pull it, but it will be slow and it will push you.  Make sure the surge brakes work. 

FYI the 2452 ways more than what others have indicated.  The trailer should be 1200-1500 lbs.  The boat should be in excess of 5500 lbs dry as the 2005 is listed at 5497 dry weight.   Your total weight should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 7500 lbs if it has all the boating accessories and fuel contained in the boat. 

Tongue weight maybe your larger issue, depending on how it is balanced on the trailer.

[jstone]

Sure the truck can pull the max weight(What the manufacture. says). But it puts a lot of wear on it if you hit that max. I have a neighbor who drove his trailer over the pass with a smaller truck. The trailer took his family for a ride, the truck to trailer weight ratio was not right. Go slow and be safe you could be OK. There is something to say about having a diesel. If you pull big you need one. If i didnt have a boat and a trailer i wouldnt own one.

[jake]

Just tow the damn thing.  Let the "overkill" crowd that needs that diesel to accompany their magnum rifle while pulling a red wagon and shooting jackrabbits spend their money on *censored* they don't need. 

easy to say when its not your boat and rig at stake.

if you took it slow and dont put yourself in a situation where you need to slam on the brakes you'll be alright, i had a 2000 F-150 and pulled my dads 21' duckworth all over the place in eastern washington. it had a full towing kit and the trailer had brakes.

now i have a diesel but it didnt come with a red wagon 

[FC]

Some of you guys really crack me up! Truck to trailer weight ratio?!?!? Don't look at a tractor/trailer's weight ratio or it will scare the pants right off of you! His trailer has brakes, he will be fine.

On a side note, I've been looking into getting a Unimog, do you guys think it will be enough to pull my 15 foot boat or should I look for a Kenworth....

Some of you guys must be pretty amazed by the idea of trucks other than diesels being made to pull/haul things...lol

[Miles]

On a side note, I've been looking into getting a Unimog, do you guys think it will be enough to pull my 15 foot boat or should I look for a Kenworth....

And a D6 to push you up the pass when the Kenworth starts struggling.

[Special T]

Ive done plenty of hauling with under and over powered rigs. If you have a buddy that can do it for fuel and a favor i say have at it... You can pull it yourself. Like mentioned earlier it is a one way trip. if you were going to keep and it and pull regularly then i'd say buck up and get a bigger one. ANY machenery that your run for very long at max capacity will wear out quickly... 100miles IF you use your head and take your time will be fine.

[FC]

And a D6 to push you up the pass when the Kenworth starts struggling.

 

[fair-chase]

On a side note, I've been looking into getting a Unimog, do you guys think it will be enough to pull my 15 foot boat or should I look for a Kenworth....

And a D6 to push you up the pass when the Kenworth starts struggling.

Still not enough if you get a crosswind of more than 3mph. Your going to need to shut down the highway and get a Cat 797 up here to pull that thing. 



In all seriousness the F150 would be fine depending on the driver. If you are comfortable and experienced enough to do it, then by all means have at it. If your doubting yourself or your trucks abilities (which it sounds like you might be) then enlist the help of a friend with either a little more experience or a larger truck.

[jeepasaurusrex]

I you do decide to tow it with an F-150, I will keep an eye on the news for a big pileup on the pass.

I see it all the time. People towing a big travel trailer with a small SUV just because the maker claims it will tow that weight. Why take any chances? There have been a few offers on here to tow it for you. Take advantage of that and live to use the boat.

[CAMPMEAT]

Let's start a new "pick on the 1997 F150". It will overheat if you don't know what you are doing. Don't pick on me guys, I've hauled big & little crap all over those 3 passes, Snoquialime, Stevens, White, The Grapevine, Cabbage etc. Let the fights begin .....

[twistiron]

man, every body has there stories of pulling massive loads with under powered rigs but jeepasaurusrex nailed it why risk it. i was in a terriable crash pulling a jd550 dozer behind a one ton dually it pulled it fine but could not stop worth *censored* and that was in a tri axle goose neck, some punk did not use his blinker and cut me off and i could not stop in time the total haul was 10 miles. i am sure your a great driver but i am positive there are 50 sh**** drivers on your trip. do you know if the trailer has self adujusting brakes? if it does make sure you pull forward and back up about 10 times get them tight. i have only ever seen 1 surge trailer that is self adjusting, you should deffinitly bring a flat head screw driver or brake tool and get them tight. if your adjusters are sized DONT TOW IT  . a great way to check the breaks, is to pull the trailer emergency break away lever and see if you can still pull it on grass or gravel that much wight should hold your truck and spin your tires. just my  . this is a matter of opinion. quick question is there a weigh station near the boat run, it over the scales. if you crash and it weights more then the tag on the door you can get charged with negliget operation of a motor vehicle, not a fun ticket. good luck man

[huntergreg]

Well I didn't end up having to tow it anyhow. We ended up selling to the second guy who looked at it today. Didn't get what we were asking but ended up with a nice chunk of change for it. Thanks for all the input.  After going over there and looking at it I don't think I would have made it without loosing some life on my tranny. That is a big boat. 

[twistiron]

congrats on the sale man!  best way to move it!