Boat Towing

Petesflht · 08-30-2009, 04:46 PM

I am considering a new boat; weight will be very close to the 9700# limit; I have an 04 SE with Tow Pkg, 4x4. Any one tow near or at the limit of our trucks? Like to hear any good or bad points. Thanks

Shane06fl · 08-30-2009, 05:26 PM

Unless you weight 120#, tow less that 1/8th tank of gas in the truck and fuel in the boat or gear in the boat you will be towing more than your truck can safely handle. You need a 3/4 ton minimum.

NoDakota · 08-31-2009, 06:24 AM

+1
You have to account for loaded weight, not just dry weight of the boat; not to mention what's in the truck. More importantly, towing is one thing, pulling it out of the water and STOPPING is another.
Too much to tow IMHO.

Shane06fl · 08-31-2009, 06:30 AM

I thought about this thread on the way to work this morning when I had a early 2000's F150 pull out in front of me pulling a 27ft cabin cruiser. The tag on teh trailer was paper so he just got it. I was able to get next to him and could tell the poor truck was stock 4.6L V8 truck with no tow package, the Uhaul hitch was dead give away. Way to much boat for that truck.
Reason I am bringing that up is because if this new boat owner bought this boat from a dealer they should have never let him leave the lot towing it with that truck. Same goes for you if you buy a 9700# boat. In other words pay attention to the weight not what the dealer tells you about what they think your truck can tow safely.

Petesflht · 08-31-2009, 06:31 AM

Thanks for the comments; 9700#'s will be the 'wet' weight including trailer. I realize I am pushing the limit to the max, hate to give up my Titan for a Chevy,Ford or Dodge. Won't be hauling long distance and at present pull 7000#'s effortlessly but with caution.

Shane06fl · 08-31-2009, 10:46 AM

9700lbs wet or dry is still too much as far as the weight rating is concerned. Can the truck do it, sure. Before you commit to it you might want to check with your insurance and see if they will cover you incase your at fault in wreck when towing over the specified tow rating.

Pops · 08-31-2009, 12:21 PM

You also need to watch the Hitch Weight to make sure you won't be exceeding your GVWR or GWAR.

You should take the boat down to get it actually weighed instead of guessing before purchasing it. Weigh the Titan alone then weigh again with it hitched up. The difference in your Titan's axle weights will tell you the hitch weight of the boat. For anything over 5,000-lbs, a weight distribution hitch is required and anti-sway is recommended. I'm using an Equalizer Hitch that has both and seems to work very well.

Here's some scale locations: CAT Scale Search

Shane06fl · 08-31-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pops

You also need to watch the Hitch Weight to make sure you won't be exceeding your GVWR or GWAR.

You should take the boat down to get it actually weighed instead of guessing before purchasing it. Weigh the Titan alone then weigh again with it hitched up. The difference in your Titan's axle weights will tell you the hitch weight of the boat. For anything over 5,000-lbs, a weight distribution hitch is required and anti-sway is recommended. I'm using an Equalizer Hitch that has both and seems to work very well.

Here's some scale locations: CAT Scale Search

Pops boats don't get a WDH. The tongue is straight for too long of a distance, not like TT that has a triangle tongue. Also on boat trailers the axles are placed a little different and are adjusted to the weight of the boat. a 9700lb boat trailer will have 3 axles (it should). This of course takes away the heavy tongue weight but still maybe too heavy for a Titan or any 1/2 ton. when a boat trailer is set to the boat it shouldn't sway.

Pops · 08-31-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane06fl

Pops boats don't get a WDH. The tongue is straight for too long of a distance, not like TT that has a triangle tongue. Also on boat trailers the axles are placed a little different and are adjusted to the weight of the boat. a 9700lb boat trailer will have 3 axles (it should). This of course takes away the heavy tongue weight but still maybe too heavy for a Titan or any 1/2 ton. when a boat trailer is set to the boat it shouldn't sway.

Thanks!!! I didn't know if it'd be enough, that's a LOT of boat.