I purchased a 2003 6.0L, Lariet Crew Cab, short bed, back in 2003 to pull a
larger boat. After I purchased the truck I didn't even consider purchasing a larger boat due to the problems I had with the truck (surging, turbo replaced, faulty injector, oil leak, etc.). It now has 13,000 miles on it and for the last 5 months seem to be running fine (fingers crossed).

We are looking at a boat/trailer combo that will weigh approx 10,500 lbs. with a tongue weight of no more than 10% of boat/trailer weight according to what the trailer manufacturer says.

Now comes the next problem with this truck. I looked at the factory installed trailer hitch rating plate. It states 15,000 lbs towing with 1,500 lbs tongue weight with a weight distribution hitch, and 6000 lbs towing with 600 lbs tongue without WD. From 15,000lbs. down to 6,000 lbs. without a weight distribution hitch doesn't make sense.

When I bought the truck , the spec. in the Ford brochure stated the hitch was rated at 12,500 lbs.

Is the rating plate on the hitch wrong? Did they put on the wrong hitch? Do I need a different hitch or use the original hitch with WD. The trailer has surge brakes on all four wheels and I do not want to pull more than the truck is capable of towing.

The Ford dealership couldn't help with the questions, and I called the Ford hotline and still no answers. Anybody else run into the same problem.

 

derating the weight, if no weight distributing hitch is used, makes all the sense in the world.


On a trailer the hitch weight should be 10-15% of the trailer weight.

600 pounds of down force on your hitch ball is all you should have, otherwise not only your highbeams will shine towards the stars, but more to the point your front axle will be so light that steering will be impaired, it would be an unsafe condition.

The weight distributing hitch (if properly adjusted) does as its name implies - distributes the weight over both axles so your truck is horizontally straight with the trailer attached.

On most hitches the weight distributing gizmos are add-ons, suggest you check that out and stay safe.

Rudolf

 

like the tag states, you need a weight distributing setup for your trailer. make sure the WD setup is rated for the load of the trailer, it will probably come with an anti-sway bar also

 

Thanks for the help. Do you think the factory hitch with WD will be ok? Is the truck capable of pulling this weight without any problems.

 

Hi

Boat trailers don't have the tongue weight that other trailer do.
600 lbs sounds about right for a 8000 lb boat.
My math mite be a little off as i don't remember the % of tongue weight
for a boat trailer but it's not the same as a travel trailer

 

Look around and see how many boat trailers being pulled use WD hitches. Maybe I don't look close enough, but I don't recall any.

I don't think a 10.5K boat/trailer will exceed the 600# tongue weight restriction, unless you store a lot of gear in the bow. I believe the factory hitch is just fine for this situation. But you need brakes on both axles.

 

The trailer people ( Heritage Trailer) said they try and get a tongue weight of 7-10% of the gross load. At 10,500 lbs. gross load, the tongue weight should be approx. 1,500 lbs max. With this load on the truck do you adjust the WD hitch so you distribute half of that 1,500 lbs ( 700lbs.). There is another forum on this web site devoted to trailering. I looked for people hauling boats but most of them were concerned about fifth wheel and camping trailers. You're right on "bajaron", trailering boats is different than travel trailers. It's very difficult to find knowlegable people
about the subject. You see plenty of tow vehicles on the highway hauling larger boats
that have'nt got a clue of what they are capable of pulling. The boat sles people are interested in selling the boat and don't have a clue as to tow vehicles or proper equipment.

 

The trailer has 2 axles and a disc brake on each wheel for a total of 4. It has surge brakes and I wish it had electric. Haven't seen any that can be used on boat trailers since the brakes take a pretty good soaking whenever you back the trailer into the water.

 

Your trailer gross is 10,000. 10% is only 1,000 pounds. Hook to the boat and pull it like you stoled it.

 

dlp


1. re: disk brakes electric

look at dexter axles
http://www.dexteraxle.com/electro_hydraulic_actuators

You already have disk brakes, surge activated via hydraulics, if you replace the surge part with the dexter electric actuator and put a brake controller into your truck (I prefer the brakesmart http://www.brakesmart.net/ because it is fully proportional using a pressure transducer at the master brake cylinder) you probably will have the ultimate trailer brake system - excepting class 7/8 style air brakes.

You probably should keep the Dexter actuator high on the A frame, maybe on the winch post, so it does not get into the water.

2. re: hitch weight, hitch and towing capacity

https://www.fleet.ford.ca/english/pr...r_F250_350.pdf

is the 2004 Ford towing guide for pick ups, 2003 should have been very similar.

I have never towed a boat trailer, but fail to see why it should be different than a regular trailer in % of hitch weight. If you have too little hitch weight you will loose control, if you have too much you will, too.

The first time you will NOT fishtail when a sudden gust hits you from the side (or a semi passes you at speed) the extra bucks for a good hitch will have paid for itself - not to mention the avoided cost of new underware.

rudolf

 

In one day you guys have given me more info than Ford, boat dealer, and hitch dealerships have in over a week. Thanks

 

dlp,
I pull a boat with the same model truck- Current boat & trailer weighs 7,200-7,400 lbs.
I am looking to get a larger boat and have decided to go with a fifth wheel style trailer primarily due to weight- My new set-up will be very close to 12,500 lbs.
Great info from bayernrudi & others.

 

Utahtom

Putting a fifth wheel in the bed has other considerations. There is a section in the FTE website devoted to trailering and fifth wheel towing, check out what other owners are saying about "payload" ratings. I checked this forum first but didn't find anyone pulling a boat, mostly campers and fifth wheels. Each towing situation is different depending on the trailer type, the tow vehicle ratings, and the weight of the truck with all the options. This towing issue has made me aware of alot of considerations if and when I need to replace this vehicle.

 

I don't know what kind of boat you have, but mine has low tongue wieght due to the engine in the back of the boat is behind the axel.

 

The boat we are looking at is a 27' I/O with a cabin. The majority of the weight will be on the two axles. I quess I'll have to get more info from the boat manufacturer as far as gross weights. The F250 has a GCWR of 20000 lbs. I'm going to get the truck weighed, it should weigh approx. 7,000 lbs after what I've been reading on this web-site. If I add a boat weighing 11,000 lbs., I'm left with 3,000 lbs. This means anybody weighing 3,000 lbs can't go with me.