lightning towing bass boat?

jjoel · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2003, 09:24 AM

could an f-150 lightning (lets say 03 model) tow on of these bass boats safely and efficently?

http://www.tritonboats.com/sub.asp?g...st.asp?catid=2

dandep · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-2003, 04:30 PM

not sure if the lighting has a lowered suspension or not. Thats what I'd be concerned with. If that part is ok then you should be fine. I pulled a 22 foot Bayliner cabin cruiser with a old beat up S10 pickup, a older Explorer, and a 45 minute trip with a Chevy pick up with a small V8 I rented from Uhaul. That being said I think your Lightinging would be fine for a Bass boat that doesn't weight that much.

jjoel · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2003, 11:06 PM

my lightning? hahaha i wish i owned one. actually i was having a debate whether a lightning could but i wasn't sure if one could or not.

wbtguy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2003, 01:56 PM

A lightning would have no problem towing, my old boss had a lightning and he would tow a trailer in which he kept his '68 Chevelle SS all the time...lucky *******...the Lightning, the Chevelle and a SVT Cobra...

ironmike7491 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2003, 05:45 PM

All lightnings come with a classIII towing hitch and will accomodate any size (Bass) boat. I've seen new lightnings towing old lightnings and old lightnings towing new ones. Low end torque is what Ford "Hangs it's hat on". The 1993 Lightning had 365 ft lbs of torque. The new 04' will have 500 lbs of torgue. If if was gonna tow alot of stuff id get that new 6liter 325hp turbocharged power stroke.

ironmike

MustangGT221 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2003, 10:47 AM

Yeah but what about the suspension, isn't it going to bottom out, maybe some air bags are a good idea? Also, the load rating on the tires.

ironmike7491 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 01:22 PM

In reply to GT221: Lightnings Towing capacity is a factory classIII grouping. That includes the following: Solid Axle, staggered gas -charged shock absorbers, five-leaf springs, and a 23mm solid stabilizer bar. Tires (factory) 18 x 9.5 five spoke cast aluminum alloy/front.....295/45zr-18/rear. This truck comes with a payload capacity of 800lbs/363kg and a towing capacity of 5,000lbs/2,270kg. It has ABS on all 4 with 12.1 disc in front and 13.1 disc in the rear. Unless you are going to tow more than recommended it will never bottom out or need other tires that what it comes with.
In reply to dandep: The lightning comes lowered from the factory, they call it SVT suspension tuning, with lowered ride height. This truck has the goods to do it all.
ironmike

MustangGT221 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 12:08 AM

Sweet. I'd have one but I need 4wd.