Tow Vehicle Discussion Update

[ethanbarnett]

Having searched the forum I concluded the information regarding tow vehicles needs updating as much (okay a little) may have changed with the tow capabilities of the 1/2 ton gassers. Having sold our much loved 29S Liberty last year we expect to return to the fold in a R27OB some time in the next 18 months. So, I have seen F150s and other 1/2 ton trucks that have tow capacities upwards of 14000 lbs, and relatively good mileage. No argument from me that diesel is better in that regard as I own a 1/4 ton diesel which has been a dream, and she pulls upwards of 7700lbs. So to those that have real world knowledge of these newer trucks with the 10 speed transmissions etc please chime in to help educate the less knowledgeable out there. Can a well equipped gasser do the job safely?

Thanks all.

Ethan and Tammi Barnett
ex 2015 R29S Liberty
next R27OB Last Chapter

 

[jhammell62]

I have a 2019 F150 V6 twin turbo model, and it pulls my R23 very comfortably.

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[KlaassyC]

I use a 2020 F150 3.5 Ecoboost to pull my Cutwater 28 and it handles it ok. Not as good as a one ton diesel, but good enough for local towing.


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[Hamster]

I got a 2022 F150 full hybrid (3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6) to pull my R23, an upgrade from my previous F150. It pulls 12,700 pounds. Not only does it tow well, I’m really pleased with the hybrid option while doing short trips around town

 

[scgck]

About two weeks ago we towed our R27OB from AZ to the SanJuans. We have a 2014 F350 Powerstroke diesel.
No problem. 11 mpg at 60 mph.
I haven't weighed the boat and the trailer but I would assume it weighs somewhere around 11,000 lbs.
Ford advertised 14,000 towing capacity but only with a weight distribution hitch if you read the fine print.
We upgraded the hitch to a 20,000 lb Curt.
My point is look carefully at advertised towing capabilities as they may lead you astray.
I feel much better towing a $200.000 load with a little overkill.
For what it's worth.
By the way , beautiful country up here !
Chris
R27OB

 

[Osprey]

Chris’s comments regarding the factory installed hitch rating resonates with me. I had to upgrade my 10K with equalizer, 5K without, hitch on diesel 2500 Dodge to a 16K Curt hitch. I tow an R27 classic. There is a lot of weight involved when loaded for a 2–3-week cruise.

 

[misinger]

2016 Ranger Tug R27 Classic D3-200
2020 GMC 3500HD Duramax
B&W Tow & Stow Ajustable Ball Mount 18,000 GTW - 1,800 VTW
Works well as most of the time I don’t even know I am pulling 10,000 lbs.


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[bob daily]

I tend to worry more about stopping power than pulling power, most trucks will pull more than they can safely stop! Yes I know about trailor brakes. Just my thoughts. Bob

 

[Captain Nice]

Be sure to also check the truck’s GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) rating - total weight of vehicle, fuel, passengers, cargo, trailer and boat.

CN

 

[daviduphoff]

Chris’s comments regarding the factory installed hitch rating resonates with me. I had to upgrade my 10K with equalizer, 5K without, hitch on diesel 2500 Dodge to a 16K Curt hitch. I tow an R27 classic. There is a lot of weight involved when loaded for a 2–3-week cruise.

I added a Super Hitch to my F350 Dually and I highly recommend them. https://www.torklift.com/rv/superhitch/ ... h-original

I have also used aTruss Receiver Extension https://www.torklift.com/rv/supertruss to tow a small trailer behind our truck with a camper on it.

Much better than anything from the factory.

 

[BB marine]

Gas engine will not be a problem if towing a R27. Would diesel be better ? Yes. I tried towing my C26 with a light duty vehicle. 5.7L , class VI hitch with weight distribution bars ( 10,000 lb max 1200lbs tongue) 3.43 rear end Load range c tires. Would it pull the boat? Yes. Was it sufficient for a tow vehicle to pull the boat out of the water or launch ? Yes. Did it tow on the highway ok. Yes, in short distances it was fine. The issue with the light duty trucks is they are maxed out when trying to use them for large loads. There is a HUGE difference in the build of a 1/2 ton truck when compared to a 3/4 ton truck. A 3/4 ton truck is the start of the heavy duty trucks. Frame size, suspension size, brake rotor size, brake pad size, radiator size, transmission size, rear end and axel size, tire load range, hitch size, ( Chevrolet HD have classV hitches included in tow package. I sold my light duty vehicle and purchased a HD2500 4x4 long bed,6.0L Gas 4.10 rear end, tow rating 14600lbs without weight distribution bars. We towed the C26 over 20000 miles comfortably. The 6L gas engine had plenty of power to pull the C26. The C26 is comparable in weight to the R27 ( I scaled the truck, trailer and boat 17500 +/-) truck spec weight is 6400 dry weight. C26 + trailer loaded to travel estimate 10600 lbs + extra gear in truck bed 500lbs = the scale weight 17500. My opinion, as much as I wanted to have a light duty truck to tow my C26 I was not comfortable doing that. The best way to make a decision is go to a dealer Ford or Chevrolet. Have the salesman pull a 1/2 ton light duty up next to a 3/4 ton Hd. Both vehicles equipped option wise the same. Both with gas engines. Look at brake size,tire load range size, frame size, hitch size and compare specifications. I did this and after doing it I could easily see why the same truck in the half ton version weighed 2200 lbs less. It was light duty and even though it was rated to tow 11000 Lbs with all the *** full filled it was marginal at best to tow the Cutwater C26. The Hd had no *** to tow 14600 on the hitch. Ethan do your home work. I’m sure you will figure out what vehicle to tow your new Ranger with. Just throwing out my opinion.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Gas vs diesel isn't really an issue. It's more a matter of whether you want to tow that much of a load with a 1/2 ton truck. As others have pointed out, pulling is one thing. Stopping is another issue all together. The newer vehicles are all about efficiency which also means light weight. The lighter the vehicle the more it will get pushed around by the tow. Not an issue when life is good and you're just tooling along down the road. It's if/when things go wrong that the difference is size/weight of the truck will make a big difference. A longer term issue is that with the truck maxed out as Brian pointed out longevity may be compromised if you tow a lot of miles.

I tow an R25 classic with a 3/4 ton gas engine truck. I wish I had more power and towing mileage is terrible(8mpg). But the truck doesn't get pushed around and with the help of the trailer brakes it will stop almost as fast as it does without a tow. The first half mile when I leave my house is an average 10 percent downhill grade and the truck handles it without a problem. Coming back up is another story. 15mph in first gear.

 

[marksandyham]

Based on my experience a half ton is good for short local tows on fairly level ground with light wind at a max speed of 55MPH. 3/4 ton and 1 ton tow vehicles were a must for hills, wind and speeds over 55. Big difference between 1/2 and 3/4 when towing.

 

[Rebel112r]

The electric over hydraulic brakes with a good brake controller are a lot better and safer than surge brakes on a trailer. I tow a R27 behind a 1/2 T short bed regular cab 4x4 pu with the electric hydraulic brakes and with controller set right stopping is not a problem. Short distances and flat ground, the truck does fine. If I had a bigger truck I would use it.

 

[wa7pug]

I had F250 with the V10 and towing package on for R-25... it was ok, but I always felt like the tow was 'soft" in stability ... part of that is the Ford frame is more flexible ... but I wound up getting a 2007 GMC 3500 with Duramax, Allison tranny and duals and the comfort of the tow was much more stable and a lot more with confidence. If you are bent on getting a brandy new one, you may be looking at some compromises (translate that to sticker shock!), and it is not my place to judge how important it is to have a new vehicle - that is an individual thing and the individual's pocketbook ... and there is the factor of how often do you tow the boat .... every weekend versus dragging it to the marina for the summer and fall and the trip home in the fall .... for me, getting a 2007 stronger truck made our life and confidence level a lot better ...

 

[wa7pug]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ef4XGHih4Su4BV6Q9 is what I wound up with a towing arrangement.
Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone 3 axles on trailer instead of two - until I watched what the tires are doing during a tight backing turn .... might have just been better to not watch! I guess there is a point where you can overthink it ... but everything in this thread makes a lot of sense.