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dreamer*65

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Would a Ford F-250XL super duty gas V-8 with heavy duty tow package be sufficient for towing the Ranger R27? If not, what would you folks recommend.

Thanks,
Dreamer*65
 
Short trips you would be fine. When towing, more is better. For the extra money I would go with the diesel package. I tow mine with the Silverado Duramax and never have to worry about climbing hills, going down them or stopping. If price point is an issue go used. I don't think you will be sorry. The pulling power of the diesel is amazing. Brand choice is secondary and up to the individual.
 
2008 GMC 2500 Duramax/Allison. Pre-DEF if available at low miles. DEF is a PITA.

TK
 
Diesel powered truck, 4 x 4 preferable, favorite make and model.

I've found that it feels like we're pulling less of a load using a diesel truck to pull a 10k lb boat/trailer than using a gas 5 litre v8 to pull a 2900 lb boat/trailer.

As Knotflying said, the diesel will take you and the boat up and down the Continental Divide with assured power and speed control.

Good Luck and you're gonna love the boat!
 
dreamer*65":n6wg76u7 said:
Would a Ford F-250XL super duty gas V-8 with heavy duty tow package be sufficient for towing the Ranger R27? If not, what would you folks recommend.

Thanks,
Dreamer*65
Click to expand...

I would not. Had a '99 F-250 SD gas/3.73 gears, and it would struggle on significant grades pulling an R-21!!! Granted, the 5.4 L only had 235hp/335ft lb torque at the time, but for an R-27, diesel all the way for towing any real distance.

CN
 
Can't thank you all enough for your replies!

Dreamer*65
 
There are two aspects to towing:

1) Are you within the specified weight limits of your specific truck. For your specific truck, One must stay within the GVW (how much just the truck weighs all loaded up and hooked to the boat), the GCVW (How much the whole rig weighs, boat and truck all loaded up), and The TW (tongue weight of the boat)..

2) How comfortable is it to drive. IMHO here is where a diesel makes a difference.

Oddly elnuff, given the same exact same truck (in gas and diesel) staying within weight specs, the gas can tow more. The added weight of the diesel adds to the base weight of the truck and eats up GVW and GCVW thereby reducing the amount of payload ortrailer that can be carried and still stay within limits of truck.

Be careful reading the advertised trowing specs in brochures. They are based on a regular cab, stripped down vehicle. Every option that is added to the vehice (4 wd, diesel, etc.) subtraccts from the carrying capacitty of the truck. One must look at the sticker on the pillar of the drivers door to determine the numbers for your specific truck.
 
I really found the engine brake on the diesel was great going through the mountains. It held the speed going down all but the steepest grade with very little braking needed. Going up hill was great and a lot of times on the flat roads you really don't notice the boat there at all.
 
My GMC 2500 Duramax does not have the exhaust brake (that I know of). It is possible to have one installed after-market?

TK
 
tlkenyon":1m6ybgc6 said:
My GMC 2500 Duramax does not have the exhaust brake (that I know of). It is possible to have one installed after-market?

TK
Click to expand...

GMC/Chevy use the Duramax with that wonderful Allison transmission - as part of your tow/haul mode, you have a transmission retarder that will slow your truck/load just as effective as an exhaust brake (we've had both in different vehicles - LOVE that Allison transmission). If you put your truck in M (Manual) and use the up and down arrows to shift manually, you can easily control your speed.

Part of the "strategy" when slowing your downhill progress is to not exceed the speed you had to use to go UP the hill/mountain... better to start downhill slower than to have to try to slow an over-speed condition.

Also, electric over hydraulic brakes on your boat trailer will keep your brakes from overheating, as opposed to surge brakes, where the slowing of the truck will activate the surge braking.

We had 168,000 miles on our GMC HD2500 when we traded it this spring - and the original brakes were still in good condition. Thanks to that Allison transmission (the reason we went with the GMC).
 
Thanks for the reply. I need to study up on my truck so I operate it properly. Have not operated in manual mode, need to do it to get used to it before it is really needed....
TK
 
dreamer*65":1h9wopi7 said:
Would a Ford F-250XL super duty gas V-8 with heavy duty tow package be sufficient for towing the Ranger R27? If not, what would you folks recommend...
Click to expand...
It depends on your definition of "sufficient". I tow a heavily loaded R25 classic (probably about same weight as 27) with a gas F250. It's a compromise. The truck handles the weight fine as far as handling, stopping, etc. With the gas engine it's slow uphill. As previously mentioned you can manually downshift. Many people expect and/or desire to tow at similar highway speeds to driving a passenger car. You won't do that with the gas engine. I drive 55 when towing so it works for me. 45 going uphill on any grade more than three or four percent. So if you normally cross steep hills on your way to launch, diesel will probably be a better choice for you.
 
To me the perfect truck would be a Cummings engine with the Allison transmission.. I had to pick one so went with the Cummings. I have a friend with a Ford who towes and his transmission also keeps him slow down steep hills.. At this point I think all the makes have great trucks just need one that fits your needs. Gas trucks are cheaper to purchase and to repair if needed, but honestly most new stuff will last a long time if looked after with just oil changes and tune ups .
 
Just make sure the truck is 4x4, to pull the trailer up any slippery ramps! Not many 4X2's out there, but I currently have one (end of year deal just too good to pass up!)

I made a quick search, wondering if the 6.2L runs on regular or premium gas, believe it is regular, and ran across the hp/torque numbers for 2017. I was a bit surprised at the difference with the two engines:

6.2L 2-VALVE V8 GAS (FFV) (1) vs. 6.7L POWER STROKE® V8 TURBO DIESEL
Horsepower/rpm 385 @ 5750 vs. 440 @ 2800
Torque lb.-ft./rpm 430 @ 3800 vs. 925 @ 1800

Jim
 
Irish Mist":1081rmlh said:
To me the perfect truck would be a Cummings engine with the Allison transmission...
Click to expand...

That is a great combination - we have owned 3 diesel pusher motorhomes with that combination - loved 'em! When I did the research on a pickup, I found (at that time) the Duramax had an outstanding world-wide reputation. The GMC (again, at the time we made our purchase) was the leader in power, torque, mileage, reliability, ride, and quiet cab. That was in 2006, and during the last decade, all the Big 3 trucks have only gotten better. 2006 was before DEF and the ultra low sulfur diesel. We hadn't owned a pickup prior to that, and bought it to tow the CD-25... when we found out the boat was more than a ton heavier than the factory specified weight on the trailer.

The right truck is an investment - less of an investment than the boat, but an integral component in being able to get the boat to the best cruising areas at the best times. Get the right one to safely and comfortably do the job.
 
One thing that's never discussed in these truck threads is what the vehicle will be used for other than towing. And what percentage of total time/miles driven will that be? A couple of years ago when I researched the topic the issue with the pollution control (i.e. use of DEF) on newer diesels was an issue for my intended use. Without the luxury of owning a truck solely to pull the boat, my truck also had to serve as my short, non-highway ride to work every day. Everything I was able to find suggested that problems with the pollution controls on diesel trucks almost always occur on vehicles that aren't driven enough to get hot for the regeneration cycle. So in my particular situation the choice was dictated by the 95 percent of the driving I'd be doing in the truck. Spend an extra 10 or 12 thousand dollars on diesel and have potential reliability issues with the pollution controls. Or go with gas and accept driving a little slower (and safer) when pulling the boat. As badly as I wanted a diesel truck it just didn't make sense.

Bottom line is that each individual has to figure out what works for them. No doubt diesel will pull the boat easier. But does easier necessarily mean better? Everyone has their own definition of that.
 
The everyday use part was why I didn't go for a dually . You are also correct about the DEF regenerating.. I have been told and read though that a good run on the hi way will look after that.. The diesels are also a lot quieter now then before but I do prefer the sound of a diesel.. 🙂
 
I've had my 2013 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 diesel for 3 years and it now has 14,000 miles on it. It is my plow truck for snow plowing and maintenance of my commercial rental properties, and assorted other tasks as well as hauling my boat to and from the lake spring and fall. Most of my driving has been local, at low speeds. So far, no problems or issues. I have recently purchased a truck camper and expect to put approx. 5-8,000 highway miles on per year in the future as I "see the USA in my Chevrolet". Along with the camper purchase (3,000 + lbs.) I added Roadmaster Active Suspension to the rear springs. I will be hauling the boat next week for some service work, and will report the effect that it has on handling with the boat in tow. This is my first diesel truck...formerly had gas engine trucks....the improvement over gas is huge, in every way. Will not go back!
 
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