Did not see a section for 1997 Ford F 350, therefore posting my question in 1999 up F 350
I have a 1997 Ford F 350 Eddie Bower
Single bench seat
5.8 gas engine
cold air
automatic
rear wheel drive
178,000 , rebuilt tranny engine runs strong.

10 years ago purchased Ford for family business as back up vehicle
Original owner used Ford as a delivery truck adding slide in insulated single door walk box. ( adds 1000 lbs of weight )
Over the 10 years owing, used seldom, started and driven locally , less then 5 thousand miles since purchase


Here is my question

Purchased a 28 ft boat weighting 7800 lbs dry
When towing will try too have as little fuel & water
Figure 10,000 lbs towing on high side
Boat came with a 3 axle trailer .
Boat is 28.6 ft with swim platform 32 ft , 9.10 beam
( need wide tow permit which is a yearly permit $ 20.00 )
Lot of boat too tow
I towed boat with Ford too marina, it towed okay , took it slow, knowing truck is 1997, not used often, anything can happen , kept speed 40 mph
Get boat too marina were it presently is kept .

Knowing Ford could tow new large boat figured for the occasional tow it would be perfect. Why buy another truck when I have one , not the best looking ( work truck ) but at least I have the truck


Started searching for another truck with more comforts but within my budget what I have viewed was similar in years.
Higher mileage
Diesels hold value and were 5 years older. similar body style
Driving myself crazy , Just keep what I have, put in a few bucks and it will look much better.


Reaching out too other Ford guys with same F 350
Will it tow a 10 thousand boat long haul
For my needs, what should I watch out for, Fellow owners any Ideas
add duel wheels will it help ?


Only issues with Ford 350
Few interior minor stuff
Play in steering
Front fuel tank fuel pump not working
Other wise runs good, pulls boat out at boat ramp with no problem
but since it is rear wheel drive does the 1000 lb box adding rear end weight help at boat ramp?
I know if I remove will take a 1000 lbs of extra weight off, but having extra weight does it help at boat ramp or should not make a difference ?


When backing up at an angle box restricts view, cant see anything at an angle until I get straight
If I remove box can see from rear window
I know fuel use will be better if the square box is not hitting air.


Thanks

 

Bump it to the top. For your use, keep it and address the steering issues. Carry the weight in the bed of the truck so you have traction to pull the boat out of the water.

 

Seeing what is behind you is important when backing up - both operationally and safety. An inexpensive rear view camera system will take care of that. They even make a wireless system so you would not even have to hook up any wires - camera could be placed on the back of the boat or truck. Unless you have a guide, I would never back up blind at a public boat ramp - too many variables - only takes a second for a disaster to occur.

Keep us posted how you make out

 

As far as pulling boat out of the water, I would think you have plenty of weight from the boat it self. Take the box off for the visibility and try it.

 

I have a hitch on both the front and rear. the front hitch works great launching

 

Get all the safety stuff fixed up, like brakes, front end, etc, then keep the truck you have. A brand new truck is still just going to pull the boat. Good idea to launch with the front hitch with a two wheel drive truck. The ramps can be really slippery under the water, so you can keep the drive tires dry. The weight in the back helps in this situation.