Yet another towing question for the 27OB

[Wolfboy]

I've been driving myself crazy with this question so I thought I'd throw it out to the group. We have a brand new R27 showing up in Alaska on May 3rd. The boat and trailer is estimated to be around 10,000 pounds. The F-350 I ordered in November won't show up until late May to Late June. Before the new truck shows up, I have one trip planned from picking it up at the dock in Anchorage to our slip in Seward with a stop in Whittier along the way; which means going over Turnagain Pass.

I currently have a 2016 F-150 that's rated for 11,500 ponds and 1,500 pounds on the tongue, but that's with using a weight distribution hitch. Without the hitch that drops to 5000 pounds and 500 on the tongue. I've equipped the truck with Ride Rite air suspension bags capable of lifting up to 5000 pounds. I towed our 2008 R25 tug and estimated the weight at around 9,000 pounds, but that was with a weight distribution hitch. I can't use a weight distro. hitch on the new aluminum trailer.

So the question is; 1) do I make the 1 trip with my current vehicle and expect the airbags to make up the difference of not having a weight distribution hitch? 2) Do I buy something bigger now and hope that I don't loose money trying to get rid of it when the new truck arrives in the next couple of months? That also assumes I didn't buy a lemon. 3) do I rent something through Turo or another outfit which essentially means using someone else's rig that I don't know anything about for the initial tow of a boat that I'm not familiar with. 4) Launch the boat in Whittier with the F150, take the boat to Seward (about 132 miles and good weather permitting), drive the empty trailer to Seward (88 miles on the road) where it will stay for the summer? I just thought of that last one. The trip from Anchorage to Whittier is basically flat and about 60 miles, so there's less risk of anything bad happening along the way.

Any thoughts on the best way to go?

 

[S. Todd]

Are you purchasing this boat through a dealer that has a suitable tow vehicle to get it to your destination? If so, that would probably ask them what they would charge and that would likely be my first option. I like your last option of doing the flat roads with a truck you know and have confidence in and doing the last leg with the boat over the water. (I have limited experience towing with a F150. Towed our R25SC and prior Sea Rays with an F250 with no weight distributing hitch and currently tow our R29S with a F350 Dually (a great tow vehicle).)

 

[BO-J]

I will see if I can answer a few of your questions.
You should not tow your R27 OB with your F150, you are right unto the limit of what it can do. On tongue weigh, combined gross vehicle weight, and trailer weight.
I have a R27 and a F150 and live in Alaska. I do not tow the boat with the F150 except out of the water to its parking spot in the boat yard.
If I were you I would have someone, or rent a truck to get the Boat to Whittier, and then run the boat around from Whittier to Seward. Then take the empty trailer to Seward when you get your new truck.

 

[knotflying]

Get someone with the proper rig to move the boat. You will be white knuckle all the way and may even screw up your transmission. Stopping will also be a nightmare. Very unsafe to use a undersized vehicle to tow. And the numbers related to weight are way off once you load the boat up. And as there years go on it gets heavier. :lol:

 

[allanrs74@gmail.com]

In my opinion, the use of your F-150 to tow your boat would introduce to much risk for my tolerance. The new boat and trailer will be well above the rated capacity of the F-150 and should anything happen your insurance may not cover the accident because you knowingly have exceeded the trucks capacity. I would engage someone in ANC with the correct tow vehicle to tow you to Whittier and then take the boat over water to Seward. Although a shake down cruise across the open water from PWS to Seward introduces its own set of risks. But you'll have plenty of time and hours inside PWS before you hit the open water.

Hope to see you on the water in Seward and/or PWS. What slip are you in in Seward? I keep my R 27C in Soldotna and share time in Seward(PWS) and Homer.

regards,
Bob

 

[scross]

I’m going to bet you’re new R-27 is more than 10,000 pounds on the trailer. The factory says 7,700 dry. Our aluminum tandem axle for our R-25 Classic weighs in at 2,020 pounds and your trailer is probably at least that heavy. Now add in the weight of any options, fuel, oil, fenders, etc. My guess is that your total towing weight will be closer to 11,000 pounds than 10,000. Regardless, it’s a good idea to regularly weight your boat on trailer and truck so you know the true weights of your rig.
If you are getting an “I beam” aluminum trailer, check with your manufacturer before using a weight distribution hitch. Last I checked (2016 so it’s been a while) EZ-Loader, Float On and Tuff all recommend not to use weight distribution hitches with I beam aluminum trailers. Too easy to bend the aluminum frame!
I’m in agreement with the rent a big truck or hire a qualified driver with the right truck to do the initial move for you suggestions so far. Not worth the risk trying to tow it with your F-150.

 

[Wolfboy]

I found a place in Anchorage that will rent 3/4 ton trucks and it wasn't too expensive. We will have the towing capacity to get it down to Seward with everything inside and hopefully a load of shrimp as well. We will be on J Dock in Seward until we head to the rendezvous in Seldovia in July. If all goes according to plan (and it never does) the new truck will be here by then.

Thanks for the advice.