Tow Vehicle
- Thread starter Tugger25
- Start date
kurtwitte
Unfinished Business
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2024
- Messages
- 47
- Location
- Lyons Colorado
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Vessel Name
- Unfinished Business
I just completed purchase of a 2021 R27. Worked on it for a year or so. B-4 I did, I spent considerable amount of time researching a vehicle. Ended up finding a Sweet 2002 F250 Superduty 7.3 diesel with only 145,000 miles. If your are towing with a half tonner, first thing I would do is upgrade tranny coolers. Don't believe any mechanic that says the tranny's are lifetime and do not need to be serviced.
scross
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,097
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLC2831A717
- Vessel Name
- R-25 Classic - Sold
- MMSI Number
- 367719470
Not all 1/2 ton P/U are created or equipped equally. Same can be said for 3/4 ton P/Us. You need a truck that exceeds all the towing weights and limitations of what you are towing.
The trailer brakes make a big difference as well. If it’s electric over hydraulic and they are properly adjusted that’s a big plus.
Regardless, you need to know the true weight of what you are towing by having truck, boat and trailer weighted on a commercial scale. Having the tanks full or empty does make a big diffrence in total towed weight. With a R-25 you may see weights of 9,500 to 9,900 pounds depending on gear on board, tank levels and trailer weight.
Personally, I would want a truck that was at least rated for towing capacity 10% over towed weight and GVWR rating at 500 pounds minimum over my actual loaded truck weight - including the tongue weight of the trailer. And safely under the truck axle weight limits.
The short answer is yes there are a very few 1/2 ton P/U specifically equipped for heavy towing that could work. But not most of them.
Here’s an example of a 1/2 ton U/U equipped as what I’m referring to: 2024 F-150 with Max towing of 13,500 lbs. available on SuperCrew® 6.5' box 4x4 with available 3.5L V6 engine.
PS: You will also should have truck Load Range E tires with a Class V hitch receiver rated way above the towed trailer weight and an appropriately rated ball mount.
The trailer brakes make a big difference as well. If it’s electric over hydraulic and they are properly adjusted that’s a big plus.
Regardless, you need to know the true weight of what you are towing by having truck, boat and trailer weighted on a commercial scale. Having the tanks full or empty does make a big diffrence in total towed weight. With a R-25 you may see weights of 9,500 to 9,900 pounds depending on gear on board, tank levels and trailer weight.
Personally, I would want a truck that was at least rated for towing capacity 10% over towed weight and GVWR rating at 500 pounds minimum over my actual loaded truck weight - including the tongue weight of the trailer. And safely under the truck axle weight limits.
The short answer is yes there are a very few 1/2 ton P/U specifically equipped for heavy towing that could work. But not most of them.
Here’s an example of a 1/2 ton U/U equipped as what I’m referring to: 2024 F-150 with Max towing of 13,500 lbs. available on SuperCrew® 6.5' box 4x4 with available 3.5L V6 engine.
PS: You will also should have truck Load Range E tires with a Class V hitch receiver rated way above the towed trailer weight and an appropriately rated ball mount.
Last edited:
scross
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,097
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLC2831A717
- Vessel Name
- R-25 Classic - Sold
- MMSI Number
- 367719470
Almost all aluminum I beam trailer manufactures strongly caution against load distribution hitches.
The load distribution hitch can put so much pressure on the aluminum I beam frame that it will bend or break it.
Probably ok for some steel frame trailers though. Check with your trailer manufacturer to verify.