Hello, Jan in Petoskey, MI,
I concur with Andrew, that a diesel is the only way to go, and 3/4 Ton is a Must, when towing an R-25. I researched this subject before buying my R-25 with trailer, as I planned to cover the entire USA by Ranger Tug, and that meant a lot of highway miles. So far, I have been to Lake Powell and back (1000 miles each way) and to the San Juan Islands and back (900 miles each way). My Ford F-350 with 6.4 diesel handles the R-25 so well, I find myself forgetting it's behind me as I go down the freeway. I have gone over 8000 ft mountain passes (Utah and Wyoming, from Flaming Gorge) several times, and many, many winding 2 lane highways in the boondocks, up and down passes. No problem, ever.
My brother employes a fleet of Ford pickups for construction work in the "Streets of San Francisco," and you know what those hills look like. His fleet manager talked with me at length, and convinced me to beef up the F-250 to an F-350, for more trailer weight management. He was right.
Also, Ken said that you always want a big margin of safety, BEYOND the weight of the boat AND trailer together, like another 25% of capacity, between that total (say, 10,000 lbs, and you're about right) and the rated capacity of the truck (mine is 13,000 lbs.) So, a 10,000 lb. towing capacity just won't cut it. Go up in rating---- you'll never regret it. On the other hand, you WILL regret skimping by on towing capacity, in an emergency.
Couple of other items I researched and field-tested: 1) Some folks told me that 2 WD was just fine for boat ramps, others said 4 WD. In my experince, pulling the R-25 up steep and mossy, slimy ramps, the four wheel drive is invaluable, and the 2 WD comments were way off. 2) Read carefully what the actually towing rack on the pickup is rated for. In my case, the "13,000 lb capacity" Ford was actually delivered from the factory to the dealer with a factory-standard ""7500 lb capacity" towing frame. True story. I think they figure most contractors will load up the pickup bed, but not pull too much weight in addition. In our cases, it's ONLY the towing frame and tongue that matter. I changed out the factory frame for a towing frame that is rated to pull 13,000 lbs on the ball. No weight distribution racks, nothing extra, just 13,000 lbs on that little metal ball, upon which everything depends, going down the highway.
Smooth driving, Charles
p.s. Is Town and Country Cedar Homes still in business in Petoskey? I used to work there.
