Truck to tow a boat

[TheHunt]

I am giving my Toyota Tacoma to my son in a few months. 

I am going to pick up a new truck.  It will be a crewcab and 4x4. 

Not sure a F150 or F250...   I like the F150 econoboost MPG... 

I am looking at a boat in the 20 - 23 foot size. 98 to 102 inch beam. 

[huntergreg]

here is something to read. I like the eco boost f-150 myself.


http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/04/consumer-reports-f-150-ecoboost-beats-v8-for-towing-not/

[Hunterman]

Outside of the boat,,what else are you planning on towing?? I like the F250 for all around working truck.

Hunterman(Tony)

[TheHunt]

For now that will be it. I was thinking the same thing as well.  But by the time I pay for a truck and a boat I am pretty much done spending money. 

[RB]

An empty (21-23 ft) boat with just a motor on it is different than when the boat is full of fuel, loaded with all your gear, and your buddies gear. Firm believer that heavier duty is always better when it come to hauling/towing 3/4 ton truck or better 

[bassquatch]

I have had all 3, an F-150, 250 and now a 350, all gas no diesels yet...

I towed my 17.5' aluminum bass boat and motorcycles regularly over the course of 135,000 miles in 5 years with my 1998 F-150 Super Cab 6' bed V-6 2WD and it did great! However it didn't have 4WD and I got stuck at a couple unimproved launch ramps...

I upgraded in 2002 to a new F-250 V10 4WD Super Cab with an 8' bed and LOVED that truck, towed the same boat effortlessly and had room to camp in the bed! I also ended up towing a 3 place horse trailer, an equipment trailer with a backhoe and a 4 place atv trailer fairly regularly over the course of 160,000 miles in 5 years! Lost that in a divorce...

I now have a 2005 F-350 Crew Cab V10 4WD with the 8' bed and canopy, it tows everything!!

If I was to summarize my experiences thus far:

F-150 towed fine and gas was $1.50-$1.80 per gallon.....went through brake pads fairly often and replaced rotors and calipers at 90k...truck was stock the entire time I owned it from new.

F-250 towed wonderfully with the longer wheelbase, gas prices were $1.80-$2.75 per gallon and I had exactly the same experience on brakes...exactly! Truck was lifted with 315 series tires from 30K to 160K miles....mistake.

F-350 towes awesome, LOVE the Crew Cab!! Has 75K miles on right now, was slightly lifted when I bought it and I have changed it back to stock. Gas prices were $3.25, but have climbed to $4.00 per gallon, ouch with a V10! The reason I stayed with a 3/4 or 1 ton was because I intend to get a camper and it is not a daily driver. I am experiencing the same wear on brakes.

If you are NOT looking to add a camper, and the only thing you will be towing is a boat of that size, and you do not regularly camp in the bed of your truck lol, I would absolutely run the F-150 Crew Cab and I would look into upgrading the brake calipers and rotors!! Go for the fuel economy!! Gas prices are not going down, ever, and if we start sh@# with Iran you can expect to see $7 a gallon in the next 3-6 years! I have been contimplating that change myself, but I am addicted to having an 8' bed and a camper has always been a dream of mine!

Great trucks regardless!! My 150 and 250 never needed anything but regular maintenance during the entire time I owned them!! Hope that  helps!

[Bofire]

  If you are going to tow very often, very far or other stuff at times I would go 3/4 ton. If you tow once ot twice a year for 100 miles or less I would look at the 1/2 ton.
Carl

[JohnVH]

this will be your only truck and a daily driver?

I used to have an F150, had an 8.5' camper in the bed and towed river sleds and enclosed trailers with it, heck, even a tractor on a car hauler a few times.  It was a GREAT truck. That said, I went diesel a couple years ago, and love it, better mileage, more power, better resale. Cummins.

[kckrawler]

If I were to do it all over again, I'd have waited until I could afford a 250 instead of buying a 150. It pulls my 17' sled just fine but I can already see myself out growing it's towing capacity...like a nice 36' toy hauler or a heavier boat...if you can swing it, go with the F250 

[Special T]

I'll second the statement that if it is short hauls a few times a year, or lots of really short hauls 20-30 miles or less go with the 150. If you plan on hauling very far very often then the 250. It has been my experience hauling heavy loads with trucks that the more overbuilt the longer they will last. Barkes being the most important factor. the boat you describe is right on the edge of a 150 capability. You won't affect wear or performance if this is not the main use of the truck. If this is your fishing boat and you plan on using it every weekend possable and goan drive very far, well you could still use the 150 but it will wear that bad boy down much faster. 

[Rick]

Its cheaper to buy enough truck the first time,than to realize a year from now you should have bought a bigger truck.

[huntnphool]

 I'd save a little money and buy pre owned, specifically looking for a 2000-2003 F-250/350 with a 7.3L Diesel. 

[TeacherMan]

I'd save a little money and buy pre owned, specifically looking for a 2000-2003 F-250/350 with a 7.3L Diesel. 

Next truck will be 2wd early 2000ish diesel, not my primary driver. Will pay cash for it, chip it and get 28-30mpg on the HWY with it. I hate my jeep payment, looking forward to it being done this summer. I can buy a lot of diesel for $550 a month.

[Woodchuck]

I'd save a little money and buy pre owned, specifically looking for a 2000-2003 F-250/350 with a 7.3L Diesel. 

I would bet a 2wd would be tough to find.

[TheHunt]

I had a 99 F350 diesel and that thing had power.  I plan on towing that boat to the cow, satsup, nooch, lewis, columbia, and throwing a cataraft in the back for some smaller water.  Of course hunting out of it as well.

I like the idea of the bigger truck 20 mpg gas for a daily driver from puyallup to Bellevue four days a week.  Then fishing as many weekends I can.