Towing R29

[Irish Mist]

Looking for a truck to tow my R29 I know best is 1 ton dually is there anyone using a 3/4 ton truck for towing R 29 ? I'm thinking long distance as in Ontario to Flordia or to the west coast
Still in the water here but my days are numbered 🙂

 

[Levitation]

Should do it. The brakes are the same on the three quarter and the one ton beginning in 2010 afaik.
The engines and tranny are the same on both (all years)
The dually will better resist the boat attempting to rear steer the truck and the one ton has stiffer suspension and more beef in the frame rails. But as long as you are aware and drive accordingly it's not an issue.

 

[daviduphoff]

I have never towed a R29 but I have towed many a trailer for construction. I had a 1992 F350 (until Oct 01, 2013 when it was stolen which sucks because we bought it new an it only had 148K miles) I also have a 1993 F350 Dually. I have towed the same trailer with both trucks. There is no comparison between the way they tow. The Dually is rock steady going down the road. I have also towed both my R18 and R21 with both trucks. Even with my 11' camper on the back of the dually it tows better than the single rear wheel with no camper and the camper adds about 4800 pounds loaded.

If the option for a one ton dually presents itself I would not hesitate.

 

[PhilR]

I just moved up from a Chevy 3/4 ton gas to a Chevy 3/4 ton diesel for towing my R-27 and am thrilled with the improved performance, however, if I were to move up to an R-29, I would move up to a one ton dually w/ diesel.

Phil

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Like Phil we tow our R27 with a 3/4 diesel...ours being a GMC 4x4, and the truck performs flawlessly. With the added weight, length, etc of an R29 I think a one ton dually would be best suited, especially trailering long distances. New would be great but don't hesitate considering a well cared for used one ton.

Jim F

 

[JamesTXSD]

Unless you feel you need the extra weight hauling capacity (in the bed), the dually actually has less traction on a slippery ramp compared to the single rear wheel. You will often see dually pickups towing 5th wheel trailers, but that is due to the heavy pin weight on some of those 5ers.

If you plan to haul around a pickup camper, the dually is the way to go. Otherwise, a one-ton single rear wheel would be my choice to haul an R-29. A weight compensating hitch would be good for the tongue weight of a 29, too.

Our 3/4 diesel does a great job with our CD-25 or the HitchHiker 5th wheel that we pull. Solid and comfortable.

Jim B.

 

[PhilR]

Forgot to mention...my Chevy gas engine truck was a 4x4 and so is my diesel. I wouldn't tow with a 2 wd vehicle.

Phil

 

[kskogerson]

I have had chevys, dodges and fords. Personal preference, but the old 7.3 l ford diesel dually is unbeatable. You can find the 7.3 l if you look on the internet. Pricey but they are indestructable. 800,000 miles on some and still going. I pull my 29 with this truck and have no issues. Get a chip, a four inch exhaust and a an upgraded turbo and you will pull with no problems. Avoid the "new" 6 l and beyond with ford unless you have a lot of spare change.

 

[Todd]

I have the 2012 Dodge, 1 ton, diesel, single rear wheel. Tow my 29 with no problems. Forget the compensating hitch. The 29 tows at about 15,000 lbs which is 1,500 tongue weight. Nothing for a 1 ton truck. The 15,000 is also just over the middle of the max towing capacity of the truck so it is not being overworked.

Love the boat. Not many 29 foot boats that the owner can move at 60 mph and get 11 mpg.

 

[Irish Mist]

Thanks everyone for your replys By chance a friend is selling his 2011 ford diesel F 450 dually which I know has been well maintained so hoping I can make that work I know it is more then I need but is a deal. And would put my hunting to bed
Hopefully next year I can make it to one of the gatherings and and put some faces to boat names 🙂

 

[pleeson]

The dually will feel and track better on the highway with such a substantive trailer. Four wheel drive will look after the ramps or in a pinch reduce tire pressure to 40 lbs and it will walk up in 2 wheel drive. The 450 will likely not ride as well when not towing but knowing where a used truck come from is priceless. You'll be king of the road!