towing vehicle suggestions

[bill j]

I am in the process of purchasing either the Ranger 25 or Cutwater 26 and need to decide on a towing vehicle. From Jeff, the wet boat weight with trailer, fuel, and water will be about 9,500-10,000 lbs. I am looking at either a Ford-250 diesel 4X4 truck (towing capacity 14,000 lbs) or the Ford-150 eco-boost 4X4 truck (towing capacity 11,200 lbs). Does anyone have any experience with these vehicles that could give me some needed advice? I live in central Texas and plan to tow all around the country. Thanks for any help - bill j

 

[PhilR]

Bill j, I tow my 27' Tug locally, no long trips, with a Chevy 2500HD (3/4 ton) w/ gas engine. It works OK, but I would much prefer the diesel engine. I haven't owned a Ford truck in years, but I would not attempt to tow my boat or a 25' with the Ford 150 that you are considering, or any other 1/2 ton truck. A 3/4 ton would be the minimum, in my opinion, preferably with the diesel engine. Enjoy your new boat!
Phil

 

[ozoner]

I agree with Phil. You might be able to get away with an F-150 in the flat country.

But your real-world weight including all of your gear and food will likely be right at the top of the F-150's tow ability, and you do not want to be at the limits of your towing capacity when you are heading down Siskiyou Pass and some jerk cuts in front of you, or in stop-and-go traffic on I-95.

If I am going to tow cross-country or in the big bumps, I would like to be at least 15% under max towing capacity, have a nice stiff chassis, and preferably a diesel with compression brake.

 

[PhilR]

To add to my previous post, if I were going to tow cross country/ long distance on a regular (annual) basis, I would buy a 1 ton w/ dual rear wheels for the added safety, additional stability and peace of mind in the event of a rear tire failure/ blowout. In my case, I have other uses for a heavy duty pickup....easier to justify.
Phil

 

[mspaugy]

Go big early (this applies to many things). I doubt you will ever say "Gosh my truck is too big". I tow a fairly heavy boat with a F-350 Diesel. I used to tow the same boat with 1500 Dodge. The Dodge was dying on hills and I could feel every movement of the trailer... One emergency stop in the 1500 series truck with boat being towed had my life flashing in front of my eyes! I have never regretted buying the 350. If you are not in a hurry and willing to travel you should be able to find a good truck used or new at a great price.

 

[SUWANNEE]

I have a Chevy 2500hd with the clean Duramax diesel. rated towing capacity 17k lbs.
I have pulled my R-27 with 1/2 tank diesel and 1/2 tank water and all kind of necessary items in the boat ( as loaded by my bride) and gear for 10 days in the Florida keys at Christmas last year.
We live basically at the Ga/Fl line and to the keys is a long way and through Miami with a few white knuckle moments coming and going. we are on I-75 and then the Fl turnpike to the beginning of the overseas hiway. Plenty of use of exhaust brake.
That trip not a problem plus great confidence in acceleration and braking.
We regularly tow from home to Apalachicola and really hardly know the boat is there.

I have towed campers for years and my first tow vehicle was a Dodge van that was rated right at the listed trailer weight plus a little extra. After a few trips to the North Ga. Mountains [hills to you folks in the PNW], I traded up and always ensure that my tow capacity is way over the wight of what I am towing.
Really not worth the worry and risk.

 

[BeaconBluff]

I have a 2011 Ford F-250 diesel that I use to tow my R-25 and most recently, a 34 foot Airstream trailer. The power and acceleration of the diesel engine is far and away better than the Chevy Avalanche that I previously had (and only used for a couple of trips). The new Ford engine is great, and the mileage I get while towing is 13.2 mpg. I tried the F-350, but it was a bit too stiff for me, especially since I predominately use the truck for other than towing needs. Also important when towing is whether the vehicle/trailer/boat will stop when you need it to. The extra large brakes and heavy duty suspension make for a safer tow. Good luck with your search!
Waite & Sea

 

[sleepyboat]

No one has asked the question, "what do you use the truck for mostly"? I have an R27 and it tows very well behind my F150 with the towing package. I currently use the truck to go back and fourth to work, odd moving jobs and going to the recycle yard. They are all light duty trips. I thought of an F250 but after checking the height, I found it a bit too high for the parking garages in Boston. I would like a diesel for towing but it is just too much power and expense for day to day operation. Full disclosure; the R27 gets towed to the river where the marina is in the spring and comes home in the fall.
I would very much like to go to the lakes of Maine and New York but not with my current truck, it just wouldn't be right. That all being said my next truck will be the Ecoboost F150 with 11,300 lbs of towing capacity. A great truck for all around use, just an opinion.

 

[knotflying]

As all the others have said, go bigger than needed. I tow my R-27 with a Chevy 3500 diesel, absolutely no problem. You could get away with the 2500, but for the few extra bucks I took the stiffer ride and added weight capacity. I towed it from RI to FL and had to use the cruise control to prevent me from going over 65mph. We felt safe the whole way. And make sure you get a good trailer as well. We use the Float-on twin axel, all aluminum and stainless steel. It weighs 1,500, lbs. If you are going to be climbing and decending large inclines an electric-over-hydraulic unit for the trailer brakes is a better application.

 

[NewMoon]

We've towed our 11,500-12,000 lb boat/trailer more than 60,000 miles so far, all over the mountainous west. Tow vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 w/ Cummins diesel and manual transmission. The Ram has the "camper" option which means heavier rear springs. Have never wished we had a dually or an exhaust brake, even in a strong cross wind - stability and control is more than adequate. A triple axle trailer with tongue weight nearly 10% helps. I'm pretty religious on inspection and maintenance of tires brakes and wheel bearings.

Only thing I would change is to add electric over hydraulic disc brakes.

 

[commander bill]

I have both F150 and F250 (diesel) trucks. I know a couple of R25 owners that tow with 1/2 ton trucks (Tundra and Expedition) They seem to work OK for short trips and low country pulling. That said I would never tow my R25 with my F150. It is not about if the truck can pull the load but if it can safely stop it. A few years back I pulled a 4 wheel trailer with a peice of farm equipment with my F150 and experienced failure of the trailer brakes. I had to make a sudden stop at a red light and the trailer pushed the truck all the way past the redlight. The load was probably 2000 pounds less than the R25 would weigh. I have pulled the same load with my F250 and without the trailer brakes even connected the truck will easily stop the trailer. Brakes are a hugh difference between a 1/2 ton truck and 1 3/4 ton truck. Another difference is how well the truck reacts to load sway. I have never experienced sway with my F250 pulling the boat of a backhoe (even heaver) I sometime pull.

If your trips are only short and infrequent and you already own a F150 you could get by but I would not attempt any long distance or mountains.

 

[Pitstop]

I have a 2012 f 150 with the ecoboost that I tow a race car trailer with it is over 10.000 lbs with the car and tools . It is rated for 12000 lbs it has the 7800 lb chassis . It pulls the trailer like its towing half it's weight .it gets over 10 mpg and I pull about 65 to 70 mph with no problem . I was testing it one day and towed over 85 mph and it was still pulling . The cost of a diesel is not worth the money towing anything less than 12000 lbs . The only advantage on a f 250 or 350 is they have bigger brakes ! . YOU NEED GOOD TRAILER BRAKES ! With a F 150 . But as far as power the ecoboost is the best thing out there . Oh by the way the truck gets 19 to 20 mpg not towing . It is the crew cab with the 6 foot bed fx4 . The longer the wheel base the better for towing . I've been towing for over 30 years this is the best tow vehicle I have ever owned .

 

[walldog]

I have a 2012 f 150 with the ecoboost that I tow a race car trailer with it is over 10.000 lbs with the car and tools . It is rated for 12000 lbs it has the 7800 lb chassis . It pulls the trailer like its towing half it's weight .it gets over 10 mpg and I pull about 65 to 70 mph with no problem . I was testing it one day and towed over 85 mph and it was still pulling . The cost of a diesel is not worth the money towing anything less than 12000 lbs . The only advantage on a f 250 or 350 is they have bigger brakes ! . YOU NEED GOOD TRAILER BRAKES ! With a F 150 . But as far as power the ecoboost is the best thing out there . Oh by the way the truck gets 19 to 20 mpg not towing . It is the crew cab with the 6 foot bed fx4 . The longer the wheel base the better for towing . I've been towing for over 30 years this is the best tow vehicle I have ever owned .

I sure am glad I did not have to leave Willie and Willie's Tug on the side of the road in 103d F heat while I went in search of a brake line that failed on the trailer recently. In fact I barely noticed it while towing with my 2011 Dodge Cummings diesel 4x4 mega-cab with compression brake (Jake). Sorry, but I would tow with no less..... I have a CDL and have been towing for over 30 years also. You are very right about one thing, brakes are extremely important. Everyone has an opinion and this is mine.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I don't own a Ford, but the Chevy/GMC 1500 is a much lighter vehicle than the 2500 or 3500 - certainly a lot more than just brakes. Heavier frame, more capable suspension, bigger brakes. Everyone has different standards, but there is no way I'd tow a boat the size of a Ranger 25 or larger with an F150 (regardless of the engine) or 1500 (GM or Dodge).

Towing is more than being able to move a load forward. More than just brakes, too. Get into an emergency situation where a sudden sharp maneuver is necessary, and you will appreciate having more truck.

Not trying to start an argument or debate. Ask any trucker if they'd like to haul with less truck.

Jim B.

 

[Pitstop]

Hey I don't work for ford dodge or any other company . I guess the hundreds of engineers that the company's hire to design these trucks or SUVs that have factory installed tow packages are wrong ! Why would they rate these trucks with a weight towing limit if they weren't able to tow it . Do you think for one second that they are going to open up the thousands of law suits against them and risk all of the bad rap the company's will get with all the social media out there today . Maybe we should all Toyota after all it towed the space shuttle . I agree with all of you. bigger is better but I don't swat flys with a 12 gauge . And it dosent matter what size truck or kind it is if it has worn or tires on it over 6 years old this also goes for the trailer. it dosent matter if you tow with a peterbuilt if the tires are crap period. How many people check the production date stamped on there tires .and the tire pressures ? I've been inspecting car's and trucks at my shop for more than over twenty years and you would be surprised and shocked with the crap people drive around with . Not only tires but none maintenance !!! It's scary . How about that rusted brake line what if it was on your tow vehicle?

 

[JamesTXSD]

OK. As I said, "Not looking for a debate." I simply stated my towing preferences. I used to be a moderator on a sailing forum... we had a guy on there who towed a 27 foot sailboat with a Saab 900. Once. :shock: I wouldn't do that, either. Although, I would have paid for a ticket to see that at the ramp. :lol:

I believe in the right tool for the job, regardless of what those marketing people suggest. Oh, and the engineers, too. It isn't their ass strapped to the seat.

Respectfully,
Jim B.

 

[Boatdreamer]

OK, here's my two cents worth. When we bought our new 27 last August, I also bought a new 2012 F-150 Eco-boost 4X4 to tow her. I have been a Ford guy since the late 1960's so that was an easy choice to buy a Ford. I bought the Max trailer tow package thinking the 11,200 tow rating was real. The truck towed locally just fine, but the day came when I had to run down I 95 to Jupiter FL. It was not a fun trip and it was only 15 miles from home. I started doing a little reading in the owners manual and found the 11,200 was with stabilizer bars. Not only that, the amount of frontal area can't excede 60 sq. ft. The truck takes up 36 sq. ft all by itself so that doesn't leave much for a Ranger Tug sitting high on the trailer. I contacted my Ford dealer and worked out a great deal on a left-over 2012 F-250 with the 6.7 diesel, now that's a truck!!! My whole point is, get the right truck the first time and save yourself a lot of trouble. I did post on Tugnuts I was towing a new 27 with a F-150 and all the experienced guys told me i was crazy, boy were they right. Buy a 3/4 diesel anything for towing any Ranger Tug except the great looking 21. Good luck.

Tim
R27 Gratitude

 

[bluebayou]

Back when I bought my R 25 Classic, back when it was the biggest, baddest Ranger tug money could buy,
I consulted with my brother, who ran a large construction company in San Francisco. He and his fleet manager,
who dragged huge weights and objects over the streets of San Francisco in thick traffic, advised me to go very
big, and to buy an F-350. Not an F-250, but a stiffer, tougher F-350. I operated my trailer, with the R 25 on it,
for 28,000 miles all over the West, while I was a live aboard, both on the water and in campgrounds in between.
That F-350 handled like a sports car (well, almost) up and over the Rockies on 2 lane highways, braking down
steep grades (my trailer had the most basic of surge brakes) and generally muscling the Ranger Tug like an
everyday job----which is what my brother had advised.
I can't recommend the F-350 enough.......but I sold it--when I sold my Tug. I would buy another, for any Ranger Tug.
One thing I wish to add to this thread: Beware of the towing frame that comes with your pickup.
I found out that the towing capacity of the pickup far exceeded the towing capacity of the tow frame sent by Ford
with the truck. Why? Probably because most owners are not towing that huge a weight. But check first. In any
event, for about $750. I had attached a beefed-up towing frame that far exceeded the towing capacity of the pickup.
Finally, I second the wise man who said it's all useless without really good tires connecting it all to the pavements.
Charles

 

[knotflying]

Bluebayou,

Well said, I have towed many things over the past years and in this case bigger is better. And you are spot on about the tow package. I specifically asked my dealer about the hitch on my 3500 Silverado, diesel with the Allison transmission as well as the back up camera which is better than sliced bread, and the hitch was inadequate as compared to the towing capacity of the truck. I also went with an 8 foot bed so that I had a longer wheel base. And let me tell you, when I was on the interstate in Florida and has to jam on the brakes and swerve to miss what had fallen off the truck in front of me, I was glad I had the truck I had. The truck handled like a champ. The worse feeling in the world is when you are towing something and at times you wonder who is towing who!

 

[pleeson]

Long distance towing, or good likelihood of pulling substantial grades (or descending them) there is no choice but diesel as a tow vehicle in either a 3/4 or 1 ton chassis. Choice of which is mostly up to what other compromises you need to make for alternate uses of said tow vehicle. However, commuting to work on a daily basis in city traffic is not what you should be doing in said truck. You'll have to park it and ride transit or get a roller skate. Having said that, there are not many nicer long distance highway cruisers than my F 350 diesel 4 X 4 crew cab - just like a limo and without the trailer it NEVER leaves overdrive. Bear in mind also that with almost exclusive long distance travel as its modus operendi you will get payback in terms of the longevity of this vehicle if you give it a little TLC. Mine is now 12 years old, and still looks and drives like new with zero engine expenses above and beyond oil and filters. I also agree tha tis you are towing regularly, get the exhaust brake - dual rear wheels not nearly so much a benefit.