I'll ask this over in TOWING forum......looking for somebody that does serious boat towing. Every summer we drive 300 miles (one way) to the coast. I want to tow a boat with an F250 2wd 6.0L diesel. Who has done this? How painful would this be?

I have yet to buy the boat but I've narrowed it to an express cruiser. It will weighs between 7500 lbs to 8500 lbs loadede. It will have a 8 1/2 foot beam (legal to tow in Texas without a permit). Length of boat 26-28 feet. It will ride on a tandem axle trailer with electronic braking system and torsion suspension.

Who does this? ......
Whats it like?

 

Not EXACTLY what you are asking, but I tow a comparable rig with my F250 V10 4x4 ('02 Cherokee 27G travel trailer - GVWR 7720lbs, 29.5' exterior length, probably 7'-7.5' width). I would say that you will know it is back there, and you won't make as good a time as you would unloaded, but you won't have any problems with it. I pulled my camper from Memphis, TN to Cedar Hill, TX earlier this summer (~475 miles one way) and it took a few hours longer than it would have unloaded, but it was a trouble-free experience. My gut tells me that you will probably feel less of an impact with the PSD, but I don't know that for a fact. And yes, my MPG took a substantial hit, but I figured it would.

 

I'm towing one that close to that (SR 240 Sundeck weighs about 7200#-7300# most of the time and up to a max of about 7500#) with my Expy and it does great.

A boat in that weight range (sounds like a SR 260 or 270 Dancer size range) won't be any concern with that truck. You'll have a hard time remembering it's back there.

 

Hi Ketch

Havent done it, just passing on some thoughts.

Looks like your well within wt. specs. GVWR is 8800#..i think GCWR is 20,000#...the tow wt. im not sure 12K or 12.5K#s, but could be less depending on tranny etc? Truck around 7K#s.

Does the b.trailer have 4 wheel brakes? Seems some only have 2 wheel brakes. May/maynot be that important? Also i think you'll end up w/more wt. than you realize. JMO!

If you get a good running 03 6L, it will do a nice job for you.

Good luck...OT

 

I tow our family boat ( 24' Chapparal cuddy) which weighs 8000 easily with my 6.0.

I have towed it at most about 600 miles one way.

Yes, I feel it and know its there, but its a easy job. You will have NO problem, go for it and enjoy

 

OK, I haven't done it lately...

DIESEL!!!

DIESEL!!!

DIESEL!!

 

What do you mean?

The Band

The Clothing

And A old Mercedes???

 

Old Timer brings up a great point. Not truck related but a boat that size you need brakes on both axles. I can't imagine anyone would put a trailer under one with out. OR, depending on size, and you're getting into that range where you'll go to a triple axle.

Off topic, but if you can, go with electric over hydrolic disc brakes. You can convert later but it's much easier to do it up front. Don't skimp on the trailer! Oh, and Shure Lube system is great for the bearings. This is stuff I wish I had. I've got brakes on both axles but drum brakes and surge actuator and buddy bearings. I just to give'm a squirt or 2 of grease just about everytime I take it out.

 

OK bikenut...

7.3!!!

7.3!!!

7.3!!!

FR...the electric over hydro--excellent choice...

I stopped by Full Throttle Marine, those guys are good and guess what they just bought a 6L and they were asking me about modding it...Good people...