Hi Kent, I tow our R27 with a F-250 6.7 diesel and four wheel drive. When we bought our Ranger Tug way back in 2012 I ordered a 2012 F-150 4x4 with the max trailer tow package and the 3.5 ecoboost engine. The truck was rated to tow 11800 lbs so I thought we were good to go. The first couple of times we towed was all in town on very flat Florida roads without any issues, with plenty of power to pull the boat out of the ramp. I thought we had done the right thing by buying a properly equipped truck so I was happy. My first indication we might have a problem was when I noticed a slight bend in the trailer hitch bar, It was rated for 12k lbs but it was bent. I upgraded that to a 15k hitch bar but I was now very curious as to what the boat and trailer weighed. I call the local truck weigh station on I-95 to see if I could get a weight of the boat and the answer was yep no problem. This is when things got interesting. I got on I-95 and headed south. Up to about 50mph all was well but any faster than that and the tail was wagging the dog! I never did get it weighed, I turned around, took the boat back to storage and started looking at a 3/4 ton diesel. I’m on my second F-250 diesel since that day back in 2012 and couldn’t be happier. The 3/4 and one ton trucks have much larger brakes than a 1/2 ton truck and a much heavier suspension too. I see 10 mpg while towing and about 18-19 without on the highway. I know some people are concerned about the higher maintenance cost and using the DEF fluid with the diesel but the trade off is a more capable truck with a much better resale.
Bottom line is a larger truck is much safer for you and everyone else on the road.
Tim
Gratitude
