Anyone tow a boat? How does it do?

[clemsondds]

Hey everyone, I currently have a Ford raptor. I need to trade that in. I was planning on getting a super duty but would prefer to stay with a half ton. My boat is about 5000 pounds. The thing I don’t like about my raptor is that when I’m towing my boat, I “know” it’s back there. It performs OK but I’m definitely aware of the boat. The only times I get nervous is in rain and braking. I’ve never towed with any other truck so I don’t know if that’s normal. I often see on super duty forums that people say “they don’t even know the boat is back there” and they are towing a 10,000 pound boat. I love the looks of the AT4/X. I know they have suspension similar to a raptor…so I’m just wondering if they don’t tow as well or what?
Thank you for your thoughts!

 

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[Pingbling23]

You’ll be aware of it being back there but not power/transmission wise.

 

[clemsondds]

You’ll be aware of it being back there but not power/transmission wise.

Ok thank you! What do you tow? Can you compare it to any other vehicles you have towed with?

 

[Jdubb]

I notice my boat more than I did with my Expedition, probably due to the weight I’d the expedition. It is not bad at all, maybe more on bumpy roads or windy conditions. We have a 23’ Malibu, so boat and trailer is around 6,800#

 

[clemsondds]

I notice my boat more than I did with my Expedition, probably due to the weight I’d the expedition. It is not bad at all, maybe more on bumpy roads or windy conditions. We have a 23’ Malibu, so boat and trailer is around 6,800#

Thank you! Do you wish you had a hd/sd instead? I made the mistake of hooking up a tremor super duty today and pulling the boat, and wow…big difference from my raptor. But not sure if it’s enough to have as a daily driver. So that’s where I am at now…trying to decide if having that ease of power and control when towing once a month, is worth the possible frustrations of having a larger vehicle for daily use. Thanks

 

[Wakinvol]

I borrowed a friends 21’ Triton a few weeks ago and towed it from East to West TN. Didn’t have any issues. Got about 17mpg driving the speed limit. Not a lot of feedback from the trailer other than knowing it was back there. Definitely not an issue.

 

[clemsondds]

I borrowed a friends 21’ Triton a few weeks ago and towed it from East to West TN. Didn’t have any issues. Got about 17mpg driving the speed limit. Not a lot of feedback from the trailer other than knowing it was back there. Definitely not an issue. View attachment 5844

Cool! Good to hear! I gotta get better friends...

 

[Pingbling23]

Ok thank you! What do you tow? Can you compare it to any other vehicles you have towed with?

22 ft pontoon, approximately 3500-4000 pounds. Previous truck was a 2008 Avalanche. the avalanche had factory air bags in the rear and seemed to ride a little better but the difference in powertrain is night and day.

 

[Wakinvol]

Cool! Good to hear! I gotta get better friends...

I’m a Bullet guy, but currently boatless. It was the best I could come up with on short notice! Beggars can’t be choosers

 

[TonyAT4]

3.0 Duramax
Plenty of pulling power
Definitely feel the weight towing but not unsafe.
Good trailer brakes make all the difference.
About 7500-8000 lbs loaded with gear/fuel.

 

[Rocinante]

I don’t pull a boat, but I do pull a 24 ft travel trailer, about 5100 lbs loaded up, with my 3.0 baby Duramax. You know it’s there, mainly because it doesn’t get up and go like it usually does. The truck rides smooth though and cruises on the highway just fine. A good weight distribution hitch with sway control does wonders. Pulling a barn door on wheels, I definitely feel the wind when it’s there. Average 12-13mpg.

 

[Christob604]

I tow a 21’ Sea Ray at approximately 6,000lbs+/-, and a 23’ travel trailer 5,000lbs+/- with the 3.0 Duramax. Amazing tow machine. Diesel exhaust brake is great! Mainly only feel the loads on acceleration. Gets thirsty Uber load unfortunately.

 

[Blade's AT4]

I tow a 24' 5klb cruiser, a 17' fishing boat and a 2place snowmobile trailer (not all at the same time) and haven't had a single issue. I know the pleasure boat is back there but tows like a champ! I'm on the 6.2 and has more than enough juice to get er done!

 

[Christob604]

Just make sure the trailer brakes actually work, and if you can feel a slight pull from the trailer when braking, it will give you some extra confidence.

 

[TX_Critter]

This thread needs more pics!