Towing a 2008 Sea Ray 280 with Ford F150 Harley Davidson

Regardless of the tow rating of the truck, look at the HITCH!! Ford only puts a class III/IV receiver on the truck from the factory. It has a sticker on it limiting it to 5000 pounds. You can get an aftermarket hitch, several companies make them.
 
Last edited:
randmhall said:
Regardless of the tow rating of the truck, look at the HITCH!! Ford only puts a class III receiver on the truck from the factory. It has a sticker on it limiting it to 5000 pounds. You can get an aftermarket hitch, several companies make the.
Click to expand...
That's weird. My FX4 came with a Class IV hitch. I have the Tow Package
 
OllieC said:
That's weird. My FX4 came with a Class IV hitch. I have the Tow Package
Click to expand...
Many have a classIV, but again please look at the sticker in the hitch. Boats do not use weight distribution bars like a camper does. Common numbers are 500# tongue/5000# conventional, 1000# tongue/11,000# weight distributing.

I have a F250, equipped with the max tow The factory hitch is labeled as 800/8000, even though Ford widely advertises much higher. To reach the 16k advertised requires an aftermarket hitch.

When towing, max capability is always limited by the weakest link in the system. Tires, the hitch, and the 2" ball from Walmart all play a critical function.
 
Has the original poster ever been back?
 
Creekwood said:
Wellll........... then you will love the upcoming RAM 2500 Victoria's Secret edition. Its rumored it will have lace on the dash and around the headliner and a bright red knob on the gear shift.
Click to expand...

I heard it will have a pink shifter, the words "THINK PINK" on the tailgate instead of the usual RAM and hitch mounted balls...

MM
 
Well, I did tow a Chaparral 270 Sig 2007 (Single Engine) with a RAM 1500 HEMI and I barely made 180 miles with a tank. Then I upgraded to a 2500 Cummins 6.7 and… what a difference… then I bought a Chaparral 290 Sig (twin engines) + a Load Rite trailer 15k capable, I had the feeling that I was toying with my truck limit (15K).

In the end, when I bought my Ray 310 Sundancer 2014, I felt the need for the big gun, then I bought a 3500 dually cummins. Night and day, I don't even feel the boat behind and I am going from Canada to Florida Keys every year with the boat.

I asked to Loadrite about a weight distribution back when I was with the 2500 and he answer me that it put to much stress on the tongue, and this is already the much stressed part of a boat trailer.

Short long story, don't make the same mistake I did, don't upgrade by small steps if you can. Go directly to the most appropriate truck for your needs or you will end losing money just like me :p.
 
I towed our 2006 Crownline 250CR 90 miles to the canvas shop Saturday with my 2013 Ram 1500 Hemi (Quad Cab, 3.55's 6 spd auto, 4x4). Tow rating is about 8650 on my truck. My dry weight on my boat is 6600 and I have a 2016 Venture tandem axle aluminum trailer (guessing it's 1500lbs). My guess is I was at about 9000lbs Saturday? Truck towed it fine but I got 7.9 MPG (manually calculated, dash read 7.4 MPG).

I also towed my son 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK camper a couple times. They list dry weight as 6500lbs but it was harder towing than the boat was (although the boat tow was all flat ground). Both trips were almost all highway. Towing the camper down I got 8.3 MPG (225 miles on that tank). Coming back I got 7.3 MPG but it had slightly more weight in it then.

So the plan is to get a new(er) truck at the end of this year and I'm leaning towards a 2500 but it will be a gasser. I know I'm borderline on the 1500's so we will see but the 2500 is looking better for me
 
D11694A2-06E9-4669-98B2-D563C5D23B83.png
A towing setup like this looks pretty nice.
RollerCoastr said:
If he tries THT, his next forum stop will have to be "psychotherapyonlineclub".

"WHY DON'T YOU JUST USE A Rav4?!?!?!

:D
Click to expand...
 
That Ford will NEVER pull that 280 safely, only a 3/4 ton diesel will do that good, I know first hand
 
randmhall said:
Many have a classIV, but again please look at the sticker in the hitch. Boats do not use weight distribution bars like a camper does. Common numbers are 500# tongue/5000# conventional, 1000# tongue/11,000# weight distributing.

I have a F250, equipped with the max tow The factory hitch is labeled as 800/8000, even though Ford widely advertises much higher. To reach the 16k advertised requires an aftermarket hitch.

When towing, max capability is always limited by the weakest link in the system. Tires, the hitch, and the 2" ball from Walmart all play a critical function.
Click to expand...
2 and 5/16 inch ball for a 280 DA
 
I constantly tow 20,000 lbs plus a goat with my Rav4....oops sorry....wrong thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,117
Messages
1,426,458
Members
61,032
Latest member
Brock340
Back
Top