I'm looking at buying a 1998 f-150 xlt ext cab. It has the 4.2 v6 with a 5 speed. I was just wantingt to know if it would haul a 21 foot triton bass boat I think that it weighs about 3500 lbs. I just don't want to have a problem pulling ti up hills. And what do you guys think about the clutch going out with that load or will it be ok. Thanks for any replys

 

you wshould not hav ea problem at all. I had that much weight hooked up to my truck all of last week. so no, dont worry aboutit, you should not hav to worry about much until you get near the 5k mark

 

I would be sure to have the 3.55 ring & pinion or if you have the 3.06 to change to a much higher ratio (to to something like 4.75 is available). I would also want limited slip if I were pulling the boat out of water on the trailer.

NRK

 

3.55s will do him fine, as will having an open diff as long as he has good tires.

 

The tranny is only rated for 3,000 lbs with the 3.55.

Power isn't the problem, but the tranny's not built for towing!

 

Towing the boat to/from the lake is a lot different than hauling it up out of the lake on a steep boat ramp. I regularly pull an 18’ ski boat with my 4.2, but I gota tell you there has been a couple of times where the ramp was steeper than normal and I had to be really careful not to roast the clutch before I got the boat up on level ground.

 

This: https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_f150_1.html
will give you towing specs for the 2000 model which are the same (as far as I know) as the '98.
You should be OK w/ the 3.55 rear end. I have towed a similar size boat in the past and had no problems. As mentioned, the clutch can be the weak link. If you are handy with a clutch and use the emergency brake to prevent roll-back prior to attempting to pull up the ramp, you should be OK.
Towing a boat is easier than a box trailer - less wind resistance - so once you hit the road you should do OK there as well. Maybe cog 4th on long hills, but no harm there. The 4.2 w/ manual transmission turns 32 rpm / mph in OD and about 40 rpm / mph in 4th. So, if you cruise at 65 in 4th, you are turning about 2600 rpm. (or about 2100 rpm in OD)

 

The ruck has 78k on it and she says that she hasn't had one problem. I think that the 5 speed might help out but not sure. I'm a little torn right now. Some of you said that I would have no problem and then some of you said that I might. I'm worried about burning out the clutch. Thanks for the replys

 

You CAN ruin it, or you CAN do OK with it. Largely based on your expertise with a clutch and how well you manage it.

 

You'll be fine, I tow a boat with mine. It's an auto but the 3.55 work great, dont even bother people that come along and tell you to buy 4.75!!!! gears just to tow a friggin boat!!! that made me mad..

u'll be fine

 

Thanks for all the replys. I guess that everything will be ok. I'm pretty good at driving a standard shift. I'm just a little worried about the steep boat inclines. Thanks again

 

I guess it really does come down to your expierience with feathering a clutch. I have always driven a 5spd. never driven an automatic truck before, and done plenty of towing be it bow trailers or boats or cars/trucks on a flatbed. use the parking brake to keep from rolling back, start to feather the clutch out, once it grabs, release the parking break, and give it some gas and pull out the clutch at same time....every thing is good to go honestly, if you find you are burning the clutch, jsut hit the gs and pop the clutch better to roast the tires a bit and pull out the ramp then to roast the clutch a bit and need a tow for you AND the boat out of the ramp.

 

So I take it that you guys think that it will pull the boat just fine. Thats my main concern. Thanks Again

 

Yeah you will be good to do, no worries... it's just a bass boat, you could pull those with like a 3.0L!!

 

It is just a bass boat but it's a really big and heavy one. Do you guys think that $5,500 is a good price for a 1998 xlt ext cab v6 5spd with 78k on miles is a good deal?